Prontor-Press shutter confusion (Polaroid)

Just when I thought I was learning something useful about shutters, I tripped, I fell, And I'm bloody. Bloody confused.

Based on a 2 year old thread here at Apug ((there was a url link here which no longer exists)) I bought a used Prontor_press Shutter 1. If you didn't read the link yet, it is about being able to make a small alteration to this shutter and you will then be able to fit most anything that will fit a copal #1. From what I have read, Copal #1 is the most common size and I need a less expensive way to get fit into a 210 or 240 lens for my camera. My shutter came today, yet Friday at work I found an old Prontor shutter that came from an old copy stand we no longer have. It doesn't say "Press" on it, but works the same as a Press shutter. Pictured below are these two shutters(sorry,hand hold P&S). The one on the right is the one from work, on the left, I bought (as a #1 in the listing).



The one I bought is certainly a newer item and all the measurements are the same except the iris.

The right shutter with aperture opened all up to 4.7 measures 23mm, scale reads from 4.7 to 45, B to 125 and came with a Tominon 127mm that someone apparently cleaned with SAND!

Left shutter (bought) opened up to 4.5 is 14m, Scale reads from 4.5 to 45, T B to 45 and came with a really clean Rodenstock-Yasron 75mm.

So I can't imagine that I can put a 210mm or 240mm in a shutter with an iris that is this small. The aperture in the right one is a bit sticky.

I also bought some prontor-press 1's for parts that are on the way, but at this point have no idea what they are going to look like.

According to this chart (http://www.sizes.com/tools/shutter_photo.htm) it is true that the lens cell will screw on because the front thread is 40mm and the back is 36mm.

What don't I understand? Besides a lot.:confused:

I'd use the one on the right
BTW I have one that looks just like it---it is in a drawer waiting for that 270mm G Claron I'm going to win for $40 on ebay some day!

John Kasaian said:

I'd use the one on the right
BTW I have one that looks just like it---it is in a drawer waiting for that 270mm G Claron I'm going to win for $40 on ebay some day!

Click to expand...

Well the aperture is sticky on that one. I just don't under stand why the difference. or is one of them a #0 instead of a #1? What is going to fit it in the future?

Prontor and Copal both made the shutters to spec, and if the lens didn't need a 23mm iris, they just put a smaller one in.


erie

epatsellis said:

Prontor and Copal both made the shutters to spec, and if the lens didn't need a 23mm iris, they just put a smaller one in.


erie

Click to expand...

So this shutter with the small iris will only be good for w wide angle lens cell? if so, is it stuck with the 75mm or will something else fit? I suppose if the parts shutters have the 23mm in them maybe I could make a good one between them. I guess if I had more experience I would have known to ask the seller the right question being that he didn't mention it in the add. Then again maybe someone with more experience wouldn't have needed to ask because they would have known. It seems to be a really nice shutter too.

Since it looks like I will be diving in the deep end without my water wings, does anyone have a location on a exploded diagram of a Prontor Press shutter? WOW, I really don't know when to quit. It's very interesting to me so I'm sure I will do it even if I get advice not to.:rolleyes:

Heres the deal.. The prontor and copal shutters marked polaroid all are a little odd.

The threads will fit the standard copal size 0 and 1 lens cells, but the apertures of the size 1's are custom-made for the lenses, and some have no apertures at all.
The pic you posted was a good example. The one on the left was probably made for a small 75mm lens. The one on the right probably for a 127mm.
Even though the one on the right has a larger opening, I do not think the opening is as large as a standard size 1 shutter. Also, all of these lenses have 5-bladed irises that create pretty ugly bokeh (the out-of focus highlights take on the shape of the iris). Also these shutters dont have a Time or focus setting, so to focus you need a locking cable release.

So.. you can use these shutters but they are not as nice as the proper shutters designed for photographers.

Theres actually a PDF that describes giveing a prontor a CLA floating around on the web somewhere.

darinwc said:

Heres the deal.. The prontor and copal shutters marked polaroid all are a little odd.

The threads will fit the standard copal size 0 and 1 lens cells, but the apertures of the size 1's are custom-made for the lenses, and some have no apertures at all.
The pic you posted was a good example. The one on the left was probably made for a small 75mm lens. The one on the right probably for a 127mm.
Even though the one on the right has a larger opening, I do not think the opening is as large as a standard size 1 shutter. Also, all of these lenses have 5-bladed irises that create pretty ugly bokeh (the out-of focus highlights take on the shape of the iris). Also these shutters dont have a Time or focus setting, so to focus you need a locking cable release.

So.. you can use these shutters but they are not as nice as the proper shutters designed for photographers.

Click to expand...

Awesome! Well, it sounds about right, "The Hard Way" that's the way I like to learn. I was really hoping one of these shutters was going to work with what you were sending. At least for the time being.

Found this through a link provided by David A Goldfarg, a moderator here at Apug. You all probably know him, so I'm not sure why I am giving his name out except I didn't want to poach his link.

http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php

Unfortunately I don't see one for the prontor press

darinwc said:

Theres actually a PDF that describes giveing a prontor a CLA floating around on the web somewhere.

Click to expand...

I'm still looking for such a thing. I had purchased a lot of 4 prontor press shutters for parts before I posted this original. Now I have them. It was listed as 2-#00 shutters and 2-#1 shutters. Looks like the #1's are not, they seem to be #0 as they have a 29.5 front and rear lens thread. The #00 have 22.5 front and rear lens thread. All 4 look brand new, but one of each stick a little on slow speeds, but honestly I just need to know how to do the CLA on these and I will have 5 good shutters. By the way, the ones I think are #0 have a 10 leaf aperture.

What's the best place to start looking for cells only, same old places?

Thanks

I have 2 of the Prontor Polaroid shutters (the one on the right). One has a Rodenstock Ysaron 127mm lens and the other has a 75mm Rodenstock Ysaron.
I can't get either of the shutters to fire using either of the cable release sockets. If anyone is interested I would send them for the price of shipping.