Care and Feeding of LF lens

photomc · Apr 25, 2005

Seems like I have read about leaving the shutter open with B or T on large format lens (and shutters). What is the proper way to store a large format lens? Does it make a difference if the diaphram is open or closed, shutter open or cloased or at a give speed? Other than the obvious, lens caps to keep dust off of them, and wraps while carrying them to and from a shoot, are there any others do's and don'ts for LF lens?

Thanks,

papagene · Apr 25, 2005

don't use them as spare hockey pucks... but with no NHL this year, you shouldn't have to worry about that.

gene

John Kasaian · Apr 25, 2005

I leave diaphrams wide open. Its just one less thing I have to do when setting up to focus next time 'round. I never leave the shutter cable on a lens because that is a "weak link" and I'd hate to have it break off in transit but I know others who get along perfectly well by leaving a cable on each lens. I also leave the shutter on "T" not because it is good for the shutter(I quite frankly don't know if it is or isn't) but since most of my shutters don't have preview levers, once again it just helps speed things along next time I'm setting up. I do send my lenses in for a cla just as soon as I detect any behavioral problems and I do try to exercise every one of the lil' darlin's periodically. Its worked pretty well so far.

George Papantoniou · Apr 26, 2005

The shutter should be kept open for the oil on it not to dry off. It's also recommended not to keep it cocked (for avoiding the strain on the coils). The diaphragm can stay open for the first reason, too. Keep them in a cool place, too (not in the fridge). Heat and dust can dry the shutter mechanism and get it stuck.

Ole · Apr 26, 2005

George, there should never be oil on the shutter blades!

Springs don't "die" unless overstressed or corroded, it makes no difference if the shutter is cocked or not.

I store mine with shutter and aperture fully open (if possible) to make it easier to focus the camera without having to open up the aperture I stopped down to f:45 last month...

George Papantoniou · Apr 26, 2005

Sorry Ole for being incorrect. That is what I was told by my trusty Hasselblad, Rollei and LF lens repairman... I'd swear I had sensed that when I disassembled that old 80mm Planar there was some kind of oily substance on the shutter or the diaphragm blades, though...

John Koehrer · Apr 26, 2005

George,
Frequently you will find oil on diaphragm or shutter blades. But they aren't lubricated.
Usually what you're seeeing is deposits from the lube(grease) used in the focusing helical. From many heat/cooling cycles this stuff actually migrates or condenses(?) on the shutter or diaphragm blades causing sluggish operation or stuck blades.

Ole · Apr 26, 2005

And that's why the "lighter fuel cleaning" method works! It dissolves the oil deposit on the shutter blades which is what makes the shutter sticky (literally). Come to think of it, I have four near-immobile shutters and a bottle of Ronsonol somewhere - the shutters were sicky when I bought them. I think they must have been used for some sort of repro work.

Care and Feeding of LF lens

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