Help Needed: Hasselblad 203FE Only Firing in Bulb Mode

[Alden80]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here, and I’m hoping to get some advice from the knowledgeable members of this forum.

I recently took my Hasselblad 203FE out of storage, and to my dismay, it now only fires in bulb mode when set to F mode, regardless of the aperture or shutter speed settings. It worked perfectly when I last used it about two years ago.

For context:

• The camera was stored in a temperature- and climate-controlled environment.
• I’ve replaced the battery with a fresh one, and the light meter appears to be functioning correctly.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue or have suggestions on how to resolve this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help!

-Fredrik

 

[FloatingLens]

Hi Fredrik,

Did you remove the battery and wait for 30 seconds before replacing the battery? (Clearly, I assume the battery level is OK for the camera to operate in non-C mode. What does the LCD display indicate?)

Cheers,
-Johannes

 

[rmueller]

Hi Fredrik,

i will check with my 203FE when I am back home, never happened to me. Which lens are you trying with?

BUT: Please read this about the 203FE before releasing the shutter again, very important for 203FE cameras that haven't been used for a while:
203FE purchase advise | Page 2 | The GetDPI Photography Forum

Warm regards,
Ralf

 

[Alden80]

Hello, and thank you so much for your replies!

I’ve had the camera checked, and no loose parts were found. The shutter seems to wind just fine. Originally, I tested it with an 80mm CFE lens. Today, I tested it with a 50mm f/2.8, but I’m still seeing the same result—the camera seems to be stuck in bulb mode.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[FloatingLens]

Outside the mirror not returning due to battery voltage drop, I experienced a body whose shutter speed dial had some contact problems so that some settings resulted in a different shutter speed being displayed and actuated.
As a matter of speculation, this could be so serious that all settings are read by the body as the B setting. However, seems extremely unlikely to me.
If you push gently against the ring, does it happen change the shutter speed setting readout?