Ilex #5 shutter

jjstafford · Jul 8, 2005

My Ilex #5 shutter is apparently missing a part just inside the cable release tube where the release activates the release lever. The cable release invariably pushes to one side or the other of the internal lever and jams, usually not firing the shutter. Yes, I am using the thickest shutter release made and it doesn't help enough.

Has anyone a diagram of the part so I can make one? Does anyone have a good, working Ilex #5 to sell? Is there an equivalent to the Ilex?

In the meantime, I am still trying to noodle out a good workaround - other than putting a string on the external release.

tia

bobfowler · Jul 8, 2005

jjstafford said:
My Ilex #5 shutter is apparently missing a part just inside the cable release tube where the release activates the release lever. The cable release invariably pushes to one side or the other of the internal lever and jams, usually not firing the shutter. Yes, I am using the thickest shutter release made and it doesn't help enough.

Has anyone a diagram of the part so I can make one? Does anyone have a good, working Ilex #5 to sell? Is there an equivalent to the Ilex?

In the meantime, I am still trying to noodle out a good workaround - other than putting a string on the external release.

tia

Is your #5 an Acme or a Universal?

The Universal is a self-cocking shutter and has a different arrangement inside for the cable release than the set-and-release Acme. I had a similar problem with a #4 Universal that wouldn't fire reliably with a cable. The driven rod at the end of the cable release would slip off the actuating lever inside.

I have a page on one of my web sites that shows the internal arrangement of a #4 Universal. It could be that the slot on the tube that the cable release screws into (the slot is inside the shutter) has expanded and needs to be gently pressed back together. If you're not inclined to try this, I'd send it to our own Carol (Flutot) Miller - she does great work.

RichSBV · Jul 8, 2005

jjstafford said:
..
. The cable release invariably pushes to one side or the other of the internal lever and jams, usually not firing the shutter. Yes, I am using the thickest shutter release made and it doesn't help enough.
...

tia

This sounds like the problem I have with one of my big shutters. Don't remember which one at the moment...

My shutter has a bar inside the cable socket that is pushed up by the cable release. The problem is that the bar has become slightly loose with age and all cable releases have a rounded tip. So when pushed, the release tip slides to one side of the bar, not firing the shutter... My 'fix' was simple...

I took all my releases, locked them in a lsightly pushed in position, then used a fine needle file to get rid of the rounded tip. Takes a few seconds as the tips are made of soft brass. With the flat tip, this shutter now fires 100% as do the rest of them. I never really could understand the rounded tip idea in the first place, but it's easily fixed...

If this sounds similar to your problem, give it a try on a cheap release and see what happens...

jjstafford · Jul 8, 2005

Thank you, Bob and Rich. The small part you each speak of is missing from my shutter. I looked carefully to see if it had fallen into the works, and it has not. I will go through the stock stainless and brass rods to see if I can find one to fit and modify somehow to work. I just hate to be without this lens.

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 8, 2005

It's very common for the lever to migrate internally over time and require a progressively longer and longer throw. I've had SK Grimes fix this on mine.

I think Frank Marshman has a supply of Ilex parts, so you might send it to him. He does great work. I don't have his 800-number handy, but his business is called "CameraWiz" in Harrisonburg, VA.

klw · Dec 15, 2018

jjstafford said:
Thank you, Bob and Rich. The small part you each speak of is missing from my shutter. I looked carefully to see if it had fallen into the works, and it has not. I will go through the stock stainless and brass rods to see if I can find one to fit and modify somehow to work. I just hate to be without this lens.

Sorry for digging out this old thread, but I have exactly the same problem. Did you solve it? How does the missing part look like? How can it be installed?

TIA

shutterfinger · Dec 15, 2018

How long is the throw of your cable release? 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch.
Is the tip flat or rounded?
3/4 inch throw with a flat tip will be best.

klw · Dec 15, 2018

shutterfinger said:
How long is the throw of your cable release? 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch.
Is the tip flat or rounded?
3/4 inch throw with a flat tip will be best.

It's not the cable release (I tried one of the best you can possibly buy, 23mm throw). I allready found out a part from inside the cable release channel is missing.

»In additional to needing a cable release with a long throw for an Ilex #5, you may want to check the cable release port to ensure all the pieces are present. On the inside of the cable release shaft there is a stud which pushes against the firing lever in the shutter. The cable release pushes against the stud, the stud pushes against the lever and ?click? the shutter fires.

In some cases, the stud is missing. To check, look down the cable release shaft. If you see a circular brass or steel piece, the stud is in place. If you see a small bar crossing the shaft, the firing lever, then the stud is missing.« (S.K. Grimes, 2005)

Unfortunately I was'nt able to find out how this part (»stud«) looks like.

shutterfinger · Dec 15, 2018

I only have an Ilex #3, build should be the same as a #5. Remove the two screws at the arrows and lift the face plate off the shutter. Lift the speed ring off the shutter working it back and forth as needed to prevent bending it. On reassembly ensure speed timing lever is on the outside of the gap otherwise speeds will not be selectable.

Remove the three screws at the arrows. Functions of the shutter are labeled.

This locking cable release's plunger is too short to trip the shutter.
Reassembly is reverse of disassembly. Take good pictures as you further disassemble your shutter for reference on reassembly. Shutter blades are hard rubber and will be destroyed by solvents such as lighter fluid/naphtha.

https://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=acme2 shows a #2 disassembly in some detail.

klw · Dec 17, 2018

Thank you very much. I allready opended the shutter, mine is a little different (simpler?). It looks like this:

ILEX No. 5 Universal Synchro (Cable Release Socket removed)

The cable release socket

The opening for the cable release socket, screw holes for mounting

Top view. Here you can see a little ›nipple‹ on the lever that is running inside the cable release socket. This is the ›pushed‹ part of the lever. The ›missing‹ part (›pin‹ or ›stud‹) has to be inside the cable release socket. The cable release will push the pin, and the pin will push the lever. As you can imagine, if the cable pushes directly against the rounded ›nipple‹ it will slip, no matter if the cable release has a rounded of flat tip (is this correct english? Please correct )

The ›Gebr. Schreck‹ cable release has 23mm throw.

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 17, 2018

You all do realize you're posting to a 13-year old thread?

shutterfinger · Dec 17, 2018

klw said:
This is the ›pushed‹ part of the lever. The ›missing‹ part (›pin‹ or ›stud‹) has to be inside the cable release socket.

Nothing is missing. You need a cable release the same vintage as the shutter which is very old.
There is a brass shim in yours that has been added, not factory as far as I know.
I have a black face #3 that is about the same internally as the silver faced one I posted the pictures of.
The release lever is different from yours

You can remove the release lever for the socket and build up both sides of the nipple so that its wider to prevent the release plunger from sliding off. Soldering some brass stock to the sides should work.
P.S.
I think yours is a self cocking "Press" shutter.

TheFlyingCamera said:
You all do realize you're posting to a 13-year old thread?

Not the first time someone has opened an old thread with a similar problem to the original and got help with it.

choiliefan · Dec 18, 2018

I have a #5 Acme with a similar problem so I'm quite happy to see the thread resurrected.

shutterfinger · Dec 18, 2018

POST 12 is in error and I cannot edit it out!

This is the part that is missing if your cable release will not work.

Its a type of plastic, possibly to save weight, but brass or aluminum rod should work fine. Adjust length for your cable release.

A 5/8 - 15mm plunger length cable release operates the shutter with this spacer in the socket.

klw · Dec 19, 2018

This is fantastic, thank you very much! This is the first and only information about the actual part. This really helps a lot

klw · Dec 22, 2018

I made a very simple replacement part today, it works I cut a 4mm pice from a 3mm Aluminium rod, filed the end flat and installed it. I will try to make a nicer part in the future (more shaped like the original), but for now I am a happy camper.

MTGseattle · Dec 17, 2022

If any other niche forums can be held as a guide, bumping an old thread reduces the general clutter of a site vs. starting a new thread.
As a new owner of an old Ilex shutter, I was happy to see this stuff too.

Ilex #5 shutter

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