Alpa shutter release on Graflex XL

thegman · Dec 17, 2013

Right then, bit of an odd questions:

I purchased an Alpa style shutter button, like this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251389779421?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

To used on my Graflex XL. It does not fit, far too loose, the thread of the shutter button rattles around in the Graflex.

So basically, other than glue, or maybe building up the thread to accept the Alpa shutter release, is there any other type of 'thread expander' I can use?

DanielStone · Dec 17, 2013

If yours has straight threads like the one in the auction's picture, it won't work.

Shutter release cables are TAPERED threads(similar to a cone shape). See the picture below:

the person who has made these didn't make them correctly, that's IF they are intending on selling them to people who want to use standard-type shutters/cameras.

-Dan

thegman · Dec 17, 2013

DanielStone said:
If yours has straight threads like the one in the auction's picture, it won't work.

Shutter release cables are TAPERED threads(similar to a cone shape). See the picture below:

View attachment 78575

the person who has made these didn't make them correctly, that's IF they are intending on selling them to people who want to use standard-type shutters/cameras.

-Dan

I believe Alpa cameras have a non-standard version of the thread, I do have a regular tapered thread release, but it's pretty much junk, it fits, but that's about it. I was hoping to use this much more handsome Alpa style one. I had my suspicions that it may not fit, but I took a chance.

So I would like to consider ways of making it fit, after all, it's just a metal pin with a button on top in a little cone. I've seen thread adaptors, but nothing which look like it would fit. I don't mind making something myself (or at least trying), but if someone else has ideas or thoughts, they are most welcome.

Cheers

Garry

Dan Fromm · Dec 17, 2013

OP, please educate me a little. Where on the camera is the shutter release?

I ask because I've always thought that the XL has no body release and that, depending on the lens, the release cable screws into the shutter or into a block on the front of the barrel.

thegman · Dec 17, 2013

Dan Fromm said:
OP, please educate me a little. Where on the camera is the shutter release?

I ask because I've always thought that the XL has no body release and that, depending on the lens, the release cable screws into the shutter or into a block on the front of the barrel.

I have attached a picture showing as best I can the location of the shutter release thread mount.

John Koehrer · Dec 17, 2013

DIY plate.
It's a 90 degree bend and a bit of shaping. The hardest part will be going to the hobby shop to buy a piece of angled aluminum. Drill & tap for the thread you need.

Option 2..cut a piece of aluminum to cover the foot, drill & tap to size.

thegman · Dec 17, 2013

John Koehrer said:
DIY plate.
It's a 90 degree bend and a bit of shaping. The hardest part will be going to the hobby shop to buy a piece of angled aluminum. Drill & tap for the thread you need.

Option 2..cut a piece of aluminum to cover the foot, drill & tap to size.

Hi John,
I think that's the best plan, the more I look at it, the more I think that I should just cut a bit of metal to fit. My skills and equipment are not up to much, but I think this is within my capability!

Cheers

Garry

mandoloid · Dec 18, 2013

Hi Garry. Fellow XL user here. I've had to replace the cable holder on my 58mm and found that 1/16 inch aluminum stock doesn't hold the cable well enough. Using 1/16 inch angle aluminum tapped with straight threads didn't hold the tapered universal cable for long before stripping out. I need the stock part or tapered thread in steel. You might consider thicker stock (1/8th inch) even though it looks as if your Alpa style button has straight threads. I believe the old Nagel Kodaks sometimes had a tapered thread button like the Alpa. Good luck finding one of those, though. BTW is that a Grimes focus ring in the photo? If so, can you enlighten some of us as to how it performs in colder weather?

gone · Dec 18, 2013

I've been looking at that pic you have and the whole thing looks pretty simple (to me anyway). It would seem that having the shutter release button on the lens there would be very inconvenient anyway. You'd have to reach around to the front of the camera and fumble around. Not a good prospect for steady shooting. Assuming that what I'm seeing is correct, it looks like a simple L shaped piece of metal that has a hole in it. The hole looks smaller than a conventional cable release, which is in your favor. What I would do is use a cheap cable release and screw that thing in there snugly. The tapered threads on the cable release should give you a good compression fit. Then run the release end to the top of the camera and attach it there by some simple means, giving you a shutter release in a "normal" location.

Dan Fromm · Dec 18, 2013

Thanks for the image. As I thought, not part of the camera, part of the lens assembly. The 58/5.6 Technikon for some Linhof Technikas is the same lens with the same infernal #00 shutter and same cable release "socket." You might want to ask Bob Salomon at HP Marketing whether the official Linhof part is still available.

thegman · Dec 18, 2013

Thank you for the tips, I think the way forward to make something myself, or perhaps even try this 3D printing malarky. The Alpa release button is non-standard, which I suspected it would be, but it is so much nicer than any other release button I've used or seen, I want to try to make it work. I'll report back once I've found a solution.

Mandoloid,
I bought the camera with that focus ring already on it, I can only assume it's a Grimes, but I'm guessing. Unfortunately for testing in cold weather, I live in Australia and it's late December, so my opportunities to try in cold weather will not be for a while. In fact if you mean *really* cold, well, I'll probably not be experiencing that until I take a vacation somewhere cold...

Dan Fromm · Dec 18, 2013

mandoloid said:
BTW is that a Grimes focus ring in the photo? If so, can you enlighten some of us as to how it performs in colder weather?

Looks standard to me. Here's the Grimes PaqPro page: http://www.skgrimes.com/products/exclusive-products/paqpro-camera-system

Alpa shutter release on Graflex XL

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