Mounting/Retaining ring for Graphex 135mm Optar? Wollensak

MacReady · Jul 26, 2013

Hi Folks,

Sorry to start a thread just for this but all the information I can find is to do with slip on filters.

I've lost the original retaining ring from when I borrowed a lens and I'm struggling to work out what size I need. I saw something about how they didn't stick to standard sizes so I'm not sure.

I'm hesitant about buying the wrong one because of how long they take to arrive, I want to get shooting!

Cheers

J

Jon Shiu · Jul 26, 2013

go to the skgrimes.com website and look up flanges. I believe Graphex is another name for Rapax. Measure your shutter threads to confirm.

http://www.skgrimes.com/products/mounting-flanges/u-s-a-stock-flanges

Jon

Tom1956 · Jul 26, 2013

In the meantime, if you are truing to mount a shutter on a lenboard, you might run a bead around the threads from a hot-glue gun to hold it in. It can later be cleaned off pretty easy.

wombat2go · Jul 26, 2013

Here is a photo of the ring and spring for that lens, from a year 1955 Speed.
The minor diameter of the rear of the lens (before the thread starts), is 1.290 inch

MacReady · Jul 26, 2013

Thanks folks.

The stupid thing is, I didn't even use the lens that I borrowed. I might have to follow Tom's advice for the mean time and hope that it turns up. Spending 35 dollars + air mail on a lens worth 50 dollars is painful. If I'm reading that Grimes table right, at least.

Cheers

shutterfinger · Jul 26, 2013

The 135mm f4.7 Graphic Optar is mounted in a #2 Graphex shutter. The SK Grimes web site lists a retaining ring for the #1 and #3 Rapax shutter but not the #2. Graphex is Rapax renamed.

Subversive Mk II · Aug 16, 2014

I'm also on the lookout for a retaining ring for a Graphex no2 shutter. Why do people throw them away?
With the number of these that were produced, there must still be thousands kicking around in kitchen drawers and nobody knows what they're for. Otoh, there must surely be enough of a residual demand for them that jinfinance or some Chinese supplier on ebay could start knocking them out until demand is satisfied. I'd immediately buy a couple of them. Jinfinance, for example, sell Copal-sized rings for as little as $10 and free shipping, to boot. Unfortunately, I'm fairly sure all the Copal rings he's offering are metric and won't do.

shutterfinger · Aug 16, 2014

I recently bought a 135mm f4.7 Optar in full sync Graphex shutter. It arrived with a factory mount flange.
The shutter mount threads are 1.325 inch 40 Threads Per Inch the same thread pitch as listed for a Betax #2 on SKGrimes site.

Subversive Mk II · Aug 17, 2014

I have a notion they might co-incide with old cycle threads, as used in some areas, like steering head or bottom bracket jam nuts. Unfortunately, I no longer have any old bikes of that vintage.

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 17, 2014

Keep an eye out for a nonfunctional/ugly #2 Graphex or Rapax shutter on eBay... or a complete lens in sad shape. You can probably find one for $20 or less delivered. Just make sure it comes with the flange.

shutterfinger · Aug 17, 2014

Junior, Senior, Winter, Regular, Automatic, Optimo, Studio, Auto, Ultro, Betax, Gammax, Deltax, Alphax, Rapax/Graphex, are shutters made by Wollensak.
Many most likely share the same case specifications.

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 17, 2014

I searched and found a spare mounting ring here for a Graphex #2... then I realized... I think the 135mm Optar is in a #1 shutter.

shutterfinger · Aug 17, 2014

I think the 135mm Optar is in a #1 shutter.

No, its in a #2.
Graphex Service Manual: http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GraphexShutterService.pdf
page 13, #1 shutter: 101mm f4.5; 90mm f6.8; 65mm f6.8.
page 19, #2 shutter: 127mm f4.5 Optar and Ektar; 135mm f4.7; 202mm f5.6 telephoto; 203mm f7.5 telephoto;
page 19, #3 shutter: 162mm f4.5; 152mm f4.5.

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 17, 2014

My mistake... my spare flange is misfiled... it's for a #3. I forget things these days.

Subversive Mk II · Aug 17, 2014

Unfortunately, the Wollensak range of shutters are relatively rare here; the total mish-mash of retaining ring sizes is dominated by the German makers of the era.
Occasionally, luck strikes, and I found an old enlarging board mounting ring that's a perfect fit for the Prontor Press shutter that houses a 210 G-Claron, but no such luck with the Graphex so far.

shutterfinger · Aug 17, 2014

Yes, I too leave my shoulder separator sitting and forget where I left it.

Jon Shiu · Aug 17, 2014

I have one @ 15.00

Jon

Mounting/Retaining ring for Graphex 135mm Optar? Wollensak

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