Pneumatic shutter vs Modern shutters

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

Hello all,

I have a beautiful Gundlach/Bausch and Lomb triple convertible lens that I use for 8x10 (and that fancy new Whole Plate format that is all the rage these days). The glass is crystal clear and for a 100 year old uncoated lens it is terrific. The shutter is an old volute type shutter with one tube on the left (not sure of the correct technical term here). The T and B work fine, it has been lubricated, the other speeds 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/20 and 1/100 all fire at approx. 1/25th second. A lot of my exposures are 1 second or longer with very small f stops, but some have been quicker! I had thought of having it fitted to a modern shutter, but the SK Grimes fee for mounting, grinding, new f stop marks, etc is a tad out of my pocket. Not that I am complaining about them as I am sure they are fantastic. My question is can I get by just using T/B and 1/25th? Should I get this shutter made to work correctly, for windy situations, movement, etc.. I use a packard shutter sometimes also and my 12 inch Goerz Dagor is in an Ilex shutter, working fine. So I have a range of possibilities.
Any thoughts?

Anton

 

[Roger Hicks]

In black and white? Don't worry. Look at the stunning pics that date from long before exposure meters were developed. Expose generously: that's all.

 

[athanasius80]

I've found Volute shutters to be reliable once the air ritard piston is free. They may not be accurate, but most of mine are consistant within themselves.

Feel free to PM if you have issues with yours.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Have the shutter serviced and have the shutter speeds tested, so you can make a chart showing the marked speeds and the actual speeds and go by the actual speeds. Pneumatic shutters can work fine.

 

[seawolf66]

Have you looked around your area for a machine shop that might be able top help you out , and make your piece for you : I know S.K.Grimes is the best for that type of work but being in England would it not be easyer for you to have the work done there? or you can try this person who just did my lens plate for me: "Theodore Bromwell" <bromwell@earthlink.net>
Bromwell Marketing
3 Allegheny Center #111
Pittsburgh PA 15212
(412)321-4118
Good luck :

 

[Steve Hamley]

Carol Miller at Flutot's camera Repair.

http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/

Steve

 

[John Kasaian]

I'll 'second' Carol Miller. Great service!