Disassembled Heliar 360 - Help

[BlueLemon]

I just bought a beautiful Heliar 360/4.5 from 1909, and the aperture was a bit stuck, so i tried to oil the blades.

Shouldn´t have done that

The blades sprung out of their fixpoints.

I immediately went to a colleague who is a very good silversmith and handyman - but he tells me now that he had to disassemble all of them and now have to refit them. I suggested that i would give him another lens so he watch the construction of some smooth running apertureblades

Do any of you have some whitepaper on the heliar that shows how to get it right ?

Would appreciate it

Claus Stensgaard

 

[df cardwell]

Are the blades metal or some paper-like material ?

The dangerous part are the pins in the blades. BE CAREFUL !

Find another lens from the period. Or just get it to an experienced technician.

Even an expert needs patience for this.

 

[Steve Hamley]

Given the value of the lens, I'd seriously consider sending it to S.K. Grimes. Aperture or shutter leaves of any kind, barrel or shutter, should never be oiled.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[BlueLemon]

They are metal blades

Damn - It will go to SK Grimes

Well you live and you learn.

 

[c.d.ewen]

Claus:

I have the Yankee version of that lens (14 inches), and perhaps a bit older (Serial No 588xx). I'd be glad to take the glass out and take some pictures of the iris, if that would help.

Charley

 

[BlueLemon]

Hey Charley

I would really appreciate if you could and maybe post them here....

Claus

 

[c.d.ewen]

Claus:

No problem.

Now, I've got a question for you. How is your iris held in the lens barrel? Mine seems to be attached only at the screw from the adjustment ring. Away from the screw area, the iris can be moved back and forth inside the barrel.

Regards,
Charley

 

[phfitz]

c.d.,

the aperture should be set in place by 2 micro sized screws countersunk into the threads for the aperture ring.

Claus,

send it off to S.K. Grimes, there are 2 versions of aperture assembly, 2 piece and 3 piece. The 2 piece is the same as CP Goerz, a nightmare to re-assemble, not for a beginner.

good luck with it.

 

[c.d.ewen]

c.d.,

the aperture should be set in place by 2 micro sized screws countersunk into the threads for the aperture ring.

phfitz:

This is what confuses me - there don't seem to be any threads anywhere. The machining on the rim of the iris assembly would indicate that it should be screwed into something, but the inside of the lens barrel is smooth. The iris is attached to the aperture ring by a single screw. Where are the threads you speak of? On the outside of the barrel, underneath the aperture ring?

Just call me cautious, but I'm not going to pull that screw out of the aperture ring just to see what falls out.

Charley

 

[BlueLemon]

I have found a local camera mechanic (at least located in Denmark) which can fix this Beauty Heliar.

the apertureblades are now cleaned, and none broken - so now I have to call in the Cavalery

Looking forward to use this lens

Thank you - all of you

Claus Stensgaard

 

[phfitz]

c.d.ewen,

"Where are the threads you speak of? On the outside of the barrel, underneath the aperture ring?"

yes, exactly. You would need to remove the outer aperture ring to find them. If it is working, don't fix it. If they are missing you would never find new ones that small.

have fun with it

 

[c.d.ewen]

yes, exactly. You would need to remove the outer aperture ring to find them. If it is working, don't fix it. If they are missing you would never find new ones that small.

have fun with it

My thoughts, exactly. I may just shim it a bit, to keep it from moving.

Many thanks!

Charley