Betax shutter lens removal

[juan]

I have a Betax #3 and want to remove the front lens element. There is a ring around the element - does this come off before removing the lens, or does the lens screw out with it still on? I only want to clean the lens, not disassemble the shutter.
Thanks in advance,
juan

 

[David Vickery]

Hello Juan,
If you are wanting to clean the inside part of the lens cell, you simply grab the shutter with one hand and grab the ring around the lens with the other and twist the lens counter-clockwise. The elements of the lens are mounted inside the ring as you describe it, and you do not want to take them out. With an older shutter you may have to apply more torque than usual to get the front cell off of the shutter. Just make sure that you don't apply too much torque to any one part or you could warp the lens or bend something on the shutter.

 

[juan]

Just to be sure I'm clear, the ring I'm talking about is a silver ring that's flat against the surface of the shutter - it's like a retaining ring and has one small hole in it for, I assume, inserting a removal tool (paper clip, ice pick). None of my other shutters (Copal, Compur, Graphex, etc.) have a ring like this one, but I have seen photos of other Betax shutters with the ring, so I'm assuming it's something specific to this brand of shutter. I'm not able to budge the lens element itself with moderate hand pressure, so I wanted to get advice on the ring before I apply more force.
thanks,
juan

 

[cjarvis]

That ring comes off AFTER removing the front element. It probably has a small hole - maybe 1.5mm - in it if memory serves. Anyway as stated, just grab the front element and twist counter-clockwise. The ring will stay on the shutter.

 

[juan]

Thanks guys. I used the tire trick (press the lens against an automobile tire sidewall and twist). It came right off.
juan