Way back in early 2020 I got in on a Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of an Instax mini back for the Hasselblad camera. In November of 2023 I finally received my back.
Hier is a video with my thoughts about it, as well as some advice for using it, avoiding issues, and getting accurate focus.
Focusing aid
When measuring the distance, measure to where the back connects to the Hasselblad.
3d model for a spacer to go under the focusing screen (untested)
If someone has a 3d printer, you can try using this as a spacer. files below as .3dm and .OBJ
The height of the spacer is the key dimension, and as I don’t have a 3d printer myself I can’t test it out. I’m also not sure if the height will be the same on all Hasselblad models. For me 3.8mm was about right, another user said 4.3mm was good for him. So test it out and see what works for you.
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Joe Lam (Thursday, 14 December 2023 23:14)
Hi John,
I 've received the product today. It looks like a toy actually. Thank you for what you do for backers.
Cheers,
Joe
Luca (Friday, 15 December 2023 19:47)
Hello John,
I tried to use your 3D model for the focus space but once inserted I can't attach the viewfinder to the camera body. How did you solve it?
Furthermore, if I use the 3D adapter I lose focus on a large part of the focal length...
I can't find a way to get precise focus...
Thanks for your help, you're great!
John-Michael (Saturday, 16 December 2023 09:43)
@Joe , thanks :)
@Luca,
Yes the spacer interferes with putting the finder back on. It gets in the way of the clips, and even if there was room for the clips to close, I think the screen is then too high for the finder to slide over. I made a little shade out of card paper to help see the focusing screen, but its not ideal. Also there is nothing holding the screen in place, so it may not be a good “walk around” option.
The focus range is reduced, not by the spacer, but by the back not holding the film at the same distance as the original film backs. The 3d spacer is just adjusting the focus of your viewfinder to match the back. Think of it like adding an extension tube to your viewfinder. Check out the video, from about 5:20 I talk about the focus shift issue. Good luck.
Georg (Sunday, 17 December 2023 22:55)
@John-Michael Thank you for your youtube video and this page.
It helped me to get some pictures with the Hasselback.
I've laser cut n acrylic 3mm spacer and a few paper shims to test it and found 3.9 mm the correct height for my camera.
I have posted my findings here; http://www.sx2pc.com/hasselback/
I have also created a flickr group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/14875537@N21/
If anyone is also on flickr and wants to be an admin too, let me know.
-Georg
Mario (Thursday, 23 May 2024 09:48)
Hello John,
Excellent practical video, and one that I use when I occasionally have trouble with my back (such as forgetting which way the knob turns to eject the film :-)). We definitely have a beta product, and the Escura tema could definitely have done a better job communicating their progress.. however I applaud them for the product, as it's a lot of fun to use, when you can focus! They definitely overpromissed on that front, but with people like you in the community willing to take the time to test focus and make up a table for us, that's the great part of this modern integrated world we live in! Keep up the good work and a big thank you.
Cheers