Hasselblad A12 light seals

[freecom2]

I've done plenty of light seals before, and the instructions for the A12 back doesn't look like a complex job.

But where to actually get the seals from?

There's an eBay seller in Italy, one from the US, but has anyone at F&C actually bought A12 back seals before? I've emailed Jon Goodman as well.

 

[RaglanSurf]

No, never bought seals for my Hassy but Jon would have been my first call.

 

[Threeracers]

I would be very interested in the same as I have a back that is starting to show a little leakage on the edges of the negs. Is Jon a member here?

Mark

 

[freecom2]

No, never bought seals for my Hassy but Jon would have been my first call.

I would be very interested in the same as I have a back that is starting to show a little leakage on the edges of the negs. Is Jon a member here?

He has posted here once or twice but the only place I see him post with any regularity is APUG (it's mostly him getting rid of stuff, rather than discussion posts). Anyway, he got back to me and unfortunately he says they are still under Hasselblad patents. I tried to call Hasselblad UK directly (several different numbers) and they didn't pick up, so I might try tomorrow or just bite the bullet and buy the seals from Italy...

 

[excalibur2]

He has posted here once or twice but the only place I see him post with any regularity is APUG (it's mostly him getting rid of stuff, rather than discussion posts). Anyway, he got back to me and unfortunately he says they are still under Hasselblad patents. I tried to call Hasselblad UK directly (several different numbers) and they didn't pick up, so I might try tomorrow or just bite the bullet and buy the seals from Italy...

I've seen posts somewhere suggestion hobby shops where you buy sheets (or whatever) then you can cut to suit....for me I use a sharp guillotine rather than fart around cutting strips with scissors.

 

[pingu666]

if u can buy a kit, id recommend that, dont really think i could cut the foam that well with the thin strips needed :\

 

[excalibur2]

if u can buy a kit, id recommend that, dont really think i could cut the foam that well with the thin strips needed :\

Well I suppose you could use a straight edge and a razor blade.

 

[freecom2]

if u can buy a kit, id recommend that, dont really think i could cut the foam that well with the thin strips needed :\

Well I suppose you could use a straight edge and a razor blade.

I'm with you there, it's a one-off expense and the seal kits aren't particularly expensive (though yes, I appreciate, a little expensive for their contents). I've contacted Hasselblad so hopefully they'll come through for me.

 

[excalibur2]

Well don't forget just one sheet of sticky backed foam can do other cameras....I was given a sheet and so far have done 5 cameras and still plenty left......so that has saved me about £40 buying kits.
Come to think of it, some kits cost more than I paid for the camera

 

[Mr Bump]

I would certainly agree you can very easilly do light seal kits with foam and I use a medical scalpel its actually realy quite good fun, i have just done my Ricoh 500G Rangefinder jut take loads of pics before you start but hey each to there own, your camera is a lot more expensive than mine.

 

[freecom2]

I decided to buy from the US seller, but it's a couple of dollars cheaper if you buy from him directly on his website (still using PayPal):
http://home.earthlink.net/~blackbird711/HasselbladTrapSealSets.htm

There seemed to be more user reviews (i.e. the Italian seal kit has 0) for the US seller kit, so I thought best to stick to the safe side.

The rep at Hasselblad UK promised to email me and never got back to me. Shame, really, Jon Goodman said that Hasselblad USA still pride themselves on good customer service.

 

[Steve]

I decided to buy from the US seller, but it's a couple of dollars cheaper if you buy from him directly on his website (still using PayPal):
http://home.earthlink.net/~blackbird711/HasselbladTrapSealSets.htm

There seemed to be more user reviews (i.e. the Italian seal kit has 0) for the US seller kit, so I thought best to stick to the safe side.

The rep at Hasselblad UK promised to email me and never got back to me. Shame, really, Jon Goodman said that Hasselblad USA still pride themselves on good customer service.

Thanks for the link.... seem pretty reasonably priced.

 

[freecom2]

Thanks for the link.... seem pretty reasonably priced.

If you are in no immediate rush to re-seal, I plan on reporting back once I've got the seals and installed them, if that is any help.

 

[Steve]

If you are in no immediate rush to re-seal, I plan on reporting back once I've got the seals and installed them, if that is any help.

thanks....yes I will hold fire until you report back on them

 

[wickerman]

If you are in no immediate rush to re-seal, I plan on reporting back once I've got the seals and installed them, if that is any help.

Sorry to revive this thread but I thought it would be helpful if I let you know how I got one also buying a set of seals from the link in freecom2's post.

The seals arrived within about a week from the date that I ordered them. They come with a comprehensive and easy to follow page of instructions although a similar set of instructions can be found elsewhere on the net and in particular here http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/ht/htseal.aspx

When you open the letter it doesn't look like you have got very much for your money but the mylar light trap foil fitted perfectly and the job was very simple. I have read that people cut their own foil from a black piece of film leader and use foam from a craft shop with success, I might try that next time depending on how well these ones work and last.

It only took less than 10 mins to change each seal for two backs, I hate to think how much Hassy service centres charge.

 

[freecom2]

Oops, probably about time I reported back as well - seeing as I've put several rolls of film through it.

The actual foam part was slightly too long on mine - I had to trim it down slightly, to fit properly in the groove that the light seal goes into. Pretty easy, since you don't actually have to let it set like most 35mm camera light seals.

Hasselblad UK did eventually get back to me - I think it was after I had received my seals, that's how long they took. And they were far too expensive. Poor customer service, and pricing not competitive... why bother?

 

[Steve]

Thanks for the feedback.

Has given me the confidence to have a go and try it myself.

 

[Threeracers]

Thanks for the feedback, I will order some kits.

I do seem to have one problem one one of my backs and would be grateful if anyone has any ideas. The last three frames seem to twist slightly, almost as if the film isn't straight. Anyone had anything like this? It's only slight but it really shows up if you scan with a bit of rebate to frame the image.

TIA

Mark