Corrosion on XPan

[danejasper]

I just purchased an XPan on eBay. The seller didn't mention it unfortunatly, but it's got some corrosion on a few of the visible screws and on the neck strap brackets. It could also use a good overall external cleaning. Finally, there are a couple small chips in the paint on the top, would be nice to touch them up.

Any suggestions for getting this XPan back into prime shape? Will a local repair shop have the right size screws, and be able to arrest the corrosion? Is touch-up of paint a good idea or a bad one?

Thanks!

-Dane

 

[szekiat]

xpan uses titanium for its top plate which doesn't hold paint very well. Mine is well chipped and i'd leave it as such if i were u....

 

[danejasper]

I talked to Hasselblad this afternoon and they were very helpful. They said I could send the camera to New Jersey, and that they'll evaluate it and give me estimates for any degree of repair I like. He says they've got top and bottom plates, front and rear, etc, so whatever level of refurb I am seeking, it'll all be available, at some cost to be determined.

I think I'll send them the camera and see what they estimate!

-Dane

 

[Ben1]

Yeah i'd consider that carefully, you may not see your camera again for quite some time.
Ive read hundreds of posts etc about people sending their cameras into hasselblad and needing a search party for its safe arrival back home.

Just consider the necessity of paint?.. In the grand scheme of things its not that big a deal, nor is a bit of corrosion on screws. I'm pretty sure you would have got a bargain, compared to brand new anyway.

Just my 2cents 🙂
good luck

 

[danejasper]

Yeah i'd consider that carefully, you may not see your camera again for quite some time.
Ive read hundreds of posts etc about people sending their cameras into hasselblad and needing a search party for its safe arrival back home.

Just consider the necessity of paint?.. In the grand scheme of things its not that big a deal, nor is a bit of corrosion on screws. I'm pretty sure you would have got a bargain, compared to brand new anyway.

Just my 2cents 🙂
good luck

Thanks for the advice. I'm $1250 into it at this point, with a 45mm lens, and it's functional. I need a neck strap and a level at a minimum, and I'm looking for those now.

The rust/corrosion just worries me. Hasselblad has said that they'll take it all apart and look at it, and make sure there is no corrosion inside. There's no charge for this inspection, then they'll give me an estimate for whatever work might be required. As to the paint chips and dent in the top cover, ya, fixing those would only make sense if it was really cheap.

-Dane

 

[sjw617]

I need a neck strap and a level at a minimum, and I'm looking for those now.-Dane

Dane, You can get a level cheaper than thru Hasselblad.

http://www.mobileplanet.com/p.aspx?i=133689&partner=froogle

Same dual level but much cheaper. The Xpan strap is a very thin strap, I don't ever use mine.

Steve

 

[Catto]

Xpan Strap?

Xpan Strap?

The Xpan strap is a very thin strap, I don't ever use mine.

Which begs the question, what strap DO people use? I've got a Domke gripper (a fairly narrow width) on my Canon 1DMkII, which I could swap over; but has anyone found anything better than that?

My main beef with the Hasselblad strap is that it's also very slippery - just straight cotton with no rubber on it - so it just seems to shoot off my shoulder all the time. Not ideal!

Suggestions welcome - I've heard good things about the UpStrap, but also that the little rubber buttons wear away quickly and it becomes slick. Maybe that's with heavier cameras than an Xpan?

Thanks all -
R

 

[sepiareverb]

go with the domke- i have that one on every one of my cameras that uses one. secure, simple and sturdy. Think about the wood grip you find on ebay for the TX version of this camera. I put one on mine and it really feels so much better in the hand- I'm shooting with it today and wishing I could do this to the Contax G2. The TX grip is ever so slightly larger than the stock rubber one, and has a much better shape to my hand.