My compulsion to oil my two Hasselblad 503CX

[la.triglia]

Dear Photoaholics,

What do you think about my compulsion to oil (carefully and seldom) lens charger and others key points of my old Hassy? Thanks a lot for your advice!!!!!!
Aldo

[Q.G.]

Better resist the urge.

What it will probably do is accumulate (more) dirt, creating a paste that does more to help wear than prevent it.
You need to take the thing apart, clean the thingies thouroughly before you lube.

And if you do anyway, remember that less is more.

[la.triglia]

Thanks a lot for your expertise. I know that you have right but it is difficult to accept year after year that nothing is necessary. Ciao

[fotch]

Well, on your car, you drain the oil and change the filter and do other maintenance things at the same time.

On a mechanical clock, you disassemble it completely, clean, inspect for wear, repair as needed, then assemble, oil, test, adjust, test.

You camera is at least as complicated as a clock or a car.

Fight your compulsion, take two aspirin, and take a nap.

[benjiboy]

The best advice I can give you is leave it alone, cameras are not like cars they dont need regular maintenance," if it ain't broke don't fix it".

[la.triglia]

Miracle-OK! I follow with pleasure all of you .... but, after more than 20 years always ready to shoot. why an old camera is still prompt without any maintainance?
Gratefully

[elekm]

No, don't do it. If you put the oil in the wrong place, it will end up on the aperture or shutter blades. In general, shutters work best with just a tiny amount of lubrication, but it must be in the correct place.

A minute amount of oil on the shutter blades will cause them not to open.

The best thing would be to pay for professional service. Like any mechanical device, it will benefit from routine service.

[Sirius Glass]

Just not a good idea. Many good reasons were given above.

If a camera is left in a car and the car gets hot in the sun day after day, the oils will vaporize and deposit themselves on the optical surfaces on the lens. I learned that the hard way with an f/1.4 58mm MC lens. Putting excess oil would make the situation worse.

Steve

[Q.G.]

[...] after more than 20 years always ready to shoot. why an old camera is still prompt without any maintainance?

Well made machines?

But send them in to Hasselblad, and they'll service them for you.

[resummerfield]

....."if it ain't broke don't fix it".

Exactly!