Burned by the 'bay

[nsurit]

The guy obviously didn't know what he was selling, made a decent attempt to make it right. Leave him positive feedback.

 

[Sirius Glass]

In retrospect you will blow more than $50 in mistakes shooting LF sheet film the first few times out.

 

[shutterfinger]

The one thing I noticed that no one has commented on yet is in the photo posted of the camera shows the center column extended. This is asking for trouble. Always extend the legs as needed and make sure they are at full spread then only raise the center column if necessary to get the height needed for the shot. If you are constantly raising the center column get a taller tripod. Center column raised as it is in your picture makes for an unstable platform and raised more than 2 or 3 inches makes for camera shake or vibrations from normal camera or shutter operation.

Shutters running more than 1/2 stop slow should be serviced soon. Shutters run until they quit rarely come back with the majority of their speed correct.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The one thing I noticed that no one has commented on yet is in the photo posted of the camera shows the center column extended. This is asking for trouble. Always extend the legs as needed and make sure they are at full spread then only raise the center column if necessary to get the height needed for the shot. If you are constantly raising the center column get a taller tripod. Center column raised as it is in your picture makes for an unstable platform and raised more than 2 or 3 inches makes for camera shake or vibrations from normal camera or shutter operation.

Shutters running more than 1/2 stop slow should be serviced soon. Shutters run until they quit rarely come back with the majority of their speed correct.

Sound advice.

 

[LMNOP]

The one thing I noticed that no one has commented on yet is in the photo posted of the camera shows the center column extended. This is asking for trouble. Always extend the legs as needed and make sure they are at full spread then only raise the center column if necessary to get the height needed for the shot. If you are constantly raising the center column get a taller tripod. Center column raised as it is in your picture makes for an unstable platform and raised more than 2 or 3 inches makes for camera shake or vibrations from normal camera or shutter operation.

Shutters running more than 1/2 stop slow should be serviced soon. Shutters run until they quit rarely come back with the majority of their speed correct.

By this do you mean this lens may not be recoverable?

 

[shutterfinger]

A shutter that is off a stop or more or runs inconsistently run until it quits may not come back accurate but will be consistent which one can live with. In its present state a cla will have an 80% to 90% chance of making all but the fastest speeds correct.

 

[shutterfinger]

It does not matter if its me or someone else that services it. It should be done within the next 100 shutter trips though.

 

[peter k.]

It should be done within the next 100 shutter trips though.

Ok .. why?
I've always had the thought because the lubricant may be dry, dusty, dirty that it creates more wear, and also weakens the spring, because of this resistant...
Is this correct?
And to use lighter fluid is generally not a good idea... because it may clear some sticky old yuck on the surface of the shutter, it can actually remove all lubricant!
Is this correct?

 

[Rick A]

In my experience, dousing a shutter in lighter fluid removes all lubricant and actually causes more harm than good. It may seem to be running better at first, but then the shutter seizes up all together and could even (personal experience) self destruct. My favorite Tourist(Kodak Flashmatic shutter) blew up after a treatment. Your money is better spent having a trained pro do the CLA.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Folks, Ilex shutters are made to run dry.

 

[shutterfinger]

I've always had the thought because the lubricant may be dry, dusty, dirty that it creates more wear, and also weakens the spring, because of this resistant...
Is this correct?

Shutters use spring tension to operate. Dirty parts don't always move as freely as they should. All moving parts do not slow up equally. Running a shutter dirty results in loss of tension in springs, binding or breaking of smaller components, increased wear on gear teeth.
Shutters designed to run dry run smoother with a trace of oil.
Lighter fluid damages rubber and plastic components in shutters.

 

[Ian Grant]

Shutters use spring tension to operate. Dirty parts don't always move as freely as they should. All moving parts do not slow up equally. Running a shutter dirty results in loss of tension in springs, binding or breaking of smaller components, increased wear on gear teeth.
Shutters designed to run dry run smoother with a trace of oil.
Lighter fluid damages rubber and plastic components in shutters.

On the other hand a few drops of IPA (alcohol NOT beer) or methylated spirits can revive many shutters. I didn't think the shutter in question sounded that bad, those US shutters are large and crude compared to German and Japanese shutters and don't sound as slick. I did post some WAV files of various shutter here a few years ago and the pre-WWI Compur (165mm f6.3 Tessar) is as smooth and accurate as when it left the factory in 1913, as are all my other Compurs inc a US Graphic Synchro Compur bought with very sticky slow speeds, 2 mins and it's fine and silky smooth slow speeds. .

I've revived many shutters and cleaning is the key, no way would I flush with antheming as aggressive as lighter fuel etc.

Ian

 

[LMNOP]

It is settled - I'm sending that damn lens to Shutterfinger for CLA so I can get into shooting ASAP! I need a second lens ASAP, I hate to think of not having access to my new camera. Might check my local shop for a bargain normal length lens.

 

[peter k.]

This is given as a humorous aside, as been there .. and have to remind self.. oh yes... this is not instant gratification... its not digital.

 

[LMNOP]

This is given as a humorous aside, as been there .. and have to remind self.. oh yes... this is not instant gratification... its not digital.

If I wasn't a patient person I'd have a 5D Mark III instead of the equivalent monetary value in "outdated" Mamiya gear!

 

[shutterfinger]

Gee, a few hundred more of these and I might be able to get a D4.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Gee, a few hundred more of these and I might be able to get a D4.

I will get on that real soon now ...

 

[palewin]

LMNOP: Can I suggest a bit of restraint, send your lens to Shutterfinger and patiently await its return! The problem with instant gratification is going to be money. In the "old" Fred Picker days, he recommended a 210mm lens as the first lens for 4x5 (that is roughly what you now have) and a 120mm wide-angle as the second lens. (If you go much wider than 120, and want any movements, you will run into the need for a bag bellows, yet another added purchase.) I took a quick look on the KEH site, just to get a sense of pricing, and EX(cellent grade) lenses in the 110-120mm area are $200-$400. There are BG(Bargain) and UG(Ugly) lenses for less, but then you are likely to repeat your experience and end up with a shutter that needs CLA. You said at the beginning you wanted an inexpensive way to see how you liked LF. Wait the extra week (I'm guessing at Shutterfinger's time frame) and stick to your original plan.

 

[LMNOP]

LMNOP: Can I suggest a bit of restraint, send your lens to Shutterfinger and patiently await its return! The problem with instant gratification is going to be money. In the "old" Fred Picker days, he recommended a 210mm lens as the first lens for 4x5 (that is roughly what you now have) and a 120mm wide-angle as the second lens. (If you go much wider than 120, and want any movements, you will run into the need for a bag bellows, yet another added purchase.) I took a quick look on the KEH site, just to get a sense of pricing, and EX(cellent grade) lenses in the 110-120mm area are $200-$400. There are BG(Bargain) and UG(Ugly) lenses for less, but then you are likely to repeat your experience and end up with a shutter that needs CLA. You said at the beginning you wanted an inexpensive way to see how you liked LF. Wait the extra week (I'm guessing at Shutterfinger's time frame) and stick to your original plan.

Pete,

i appreciate the advice and I will just have to occupy myself while the lens is away. For the hell of it, I just exposed two more sheets this evening, since I'll be mailing off the lens for a while. I have a total of four sheets to develop, all tests, various subjects. I took a risk tonight by shooting a portrait on bulb, 2 seconds at f22 in a dimly lit room. I am excited to see this result.

 

[Sirius Glass]

LMNOP: Can I suggest a bit of restraint, send your lens to Shutterfinger and patiently await its return! The problem with instant gratification is going to be money. In the "old" Fred Picker days, he recommended a 210mm lens as the first lens for 4x5 (that is roughly what you now have) and a 120mm wide-angle as the second lens. (If you go much wider than 120, and want any movements, you will run into the need for a bag bellows, yet another added purchase.) I took a quick look on the KEH site, just to get a sense of pricing, and EX(cellent grade) lenses in the 110-120mm area are $200-$400. There are BG(Bargain) and UG(Ugly) lenses for less, but then you are likely to repeat your experience and end up with a shutter that needs CLA. You said at the beginning you wanted an inexpensive way to see how you liked LF. Wait the extra week (I'm guessing at Shutterfinger's time frame) and stick to your original plan.

Let him be, he is infected with G.A.S. !

 

[Xmas]

I don't know whether it's a blessing or a curse that I am able to fix these things. Where the "curse" comes in, is that there's nothing I can't fix. And I think that may be the #1 cause of my financial worries. If I was helpless like everybody else in my family, I'd probably be as financially secure as they are. At least I think there's a connection there. I'd be making money instead of having my nose buried in something I took apart. So LMNOP, consider yourself lucky and be patient. If that shutterfinger guy is anything like me, it's going to be done as right as it can be. It's just part of the mentality to do good work.

A successful cobbler does not wear shoes.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

A successful cobbler does not wear shoes.

Nor do his children.

 

[Wayne]

you can occupy yourself making a pinhole for the camera. Should take all of 15-30 minutes before you are shooting again.

Pete,

i appreciate the advice and I will just have to occupy myself while the lens is away. For the hell of it, I just exposed two more sheets this evening, since I'll be mailing off the lens for a while. I have a total of four sheets to develop, all tests, various subjects. I took a risk tonight by shooting a portrait on bulb, 2 seconds at f22 in a dimly lit room. I am excited to see this result.

 

[peter k.]

Ha... never thought to try pin hole.. but had fun and still have it, a magnifier lens that I brought from Ace Hardware...

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Ha... never thought to try pin hole.. but had fun and still have it, a magnifier lens that I brought from Ace Hardware...

Mount it in a brass tube and sell it on eBay as a rare antique Petzval lens... start the bids at $1000.