Question about Rodenstock 135mm lens and shutter

duparis00 · Feb 13, 2015

Hey Guys,

So I'm talking to a seller about purchasing a Rodenstock 135mm sironar-n lens. I'm not too familiar with this lens but one thing that concerned me was the shutter only goes from B-1/125th second. I was expecting it shutter to go up to 1/500th of a second. Is this an older version of the lens or did someone change shutters? The shutter says "Copal Press-N0.0"

Dr Croubie · Feb 13, 2015

It's a self-cocking press shutter, and they don't usually get any faster than 1/125.
They're a lot quicker to use because you don't have to shut after focussing, then cock, then shoot, you just release the focussing and then shoot.

I'm not sure if they came in these as standard-from-factory, but I've got my fair share of lenses in press shutters. As long as the aperture scale is correct that's all you need to know.

shutterfinger · Feb 13, 2015

The larger the shutter the slower the top speed.

wildbill · Feb 13, 2015

modern copal 0's and 1's go to 1/500

duparis00 · Feb 13, 2015

Thanks for the reply guys. I just wanted to confirm if this was something unusual, sounds like it's fine, it's a pretty good deal for $155.

wildbill · Feb 13, 2015

it's a good deal if all the speeds are relatively accurate. If not, by the time you spend $75 on a CLA, you'd be better off waiting for a newer model in a black ring copal shutter for $200. They come up quite often. The only shutter I've ever had serviced was an older shutter like this, the other 8 lenses I own have never needed it.

Dan Fromm · Feb 13, 2015

wildbill said:
modern copal 0's and 1's go to 1/500

#0 cock-and-shoot, 1/500. #1 cock-and-shoot, 1/400.

duparis00 · Feb 13, 2015

Thanks for the heads up, I'll pay extra attention to the shutter when I get to test the lens.

randyB · Feb 14, 2015

It does not look like the original shutter, it has no f/stop scale. Someone probably needed the Copal 0 for another lens. What you have MAY work just fine but there is a chance the cell spacing may be off. Not having a correct f/stop scale is a PITA but you'll just have to get used to it. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $100 for it.

Dan Fromm · Feb 14, 2015

randyB said:
It does not look like the original shutter, it has no f/stop scale. Someone probably needed the Copal 0 for another lens. What you have MAY work just fine but there is a chance the cell spacing may be off.

#0 cock-and-shoot and press shutters have the same tube lengths.

There is one significant difference between Copal press and cock-and-shoot shutters. Press' shutters diaphragms are farther back. This can be a problem with lenses whose rear cells go deep into the shutter. Don't ask how I know this.

CatLABS · Feb 14, 2015

randyB said:
It does not look like the original shutter, it has no f/stop scale. Someone probably needed the Copal 0 for another lens. What you have MAY work just fine but there is a chance the cell spacing may be off. Not having a correct f/stop scale is a PITA but you'll just have to get used to it. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $100 for it.

You cannot see in the photo if there is or isent a scale.

Nothing wrong with press shutters.
Many wista cameras were sold with press shutters as standard for this and many other lens models.

randyB · Feb 15, 2015

You can CLEARLY see that there is no scale. See the plate at the little pointy thing with the knob at the top, it is not engraved. I have several of these shutters myself and none are engraved. the ones that I have were used for scientific lab use with various lens assemblies with their own f/stops. The shutters were for controling exposure TIMES. You are correct in that there is nothing wrong with a press shutter as long as the lens assemblies are set up correctly (correct spacing)

duparis00 · Feb 15, 2015

Appreciate all the thoughts on the lens guys. I decided to pass on it, the lack of iris scale and the limited shutter speeds were really off putting.

paul_c5x4 · Feb 15, 2015

If you would like a recommendation, the Fujinon 135mm in a Seiko shutter is a great little lens. Bags of room for movements, and should even cover 5x7.

Dan Fromm · Feb 15, 2015

For curiosity, what was the seller's asking price?

So you'll know in the future, skgrimes will scale shutters for reasonable prices. Many of us use lenses in press shutters. Their low top speeds are constraining only when using fastish (ISO > 100) films in bright daylight. If you anticipate shooting fastish reversal film at apertures larger than f/16 in that situation, a press shutter isn't for you. In fact, if that's what you have in mind to do leaf shutters aren't for you.

Ian Grant · Feb 15, 2015

I wouldn't be worried about the fastest speed only being a 1/125th, it's fast enough to shoot hand-held, it's the fastest speed I've been able to shoot at with HP5 at 400EI at f16 od f22 and that's in the bright sunshine in Turkey.But you need a scale though.

I've just bought the Copal Polaroid marked version of the same same shutter with a 105mm f4.5 Tominon, it actually looks Brand new. I have 2 or 3 shutters with blank scales Compur & Prontor that looked unused, they came from a closed repair shop and held in stock for replacing shutters.

Ian

duparis00 · Feb 15, 2015

It was $155. I think the shutter speed was concerning for me but it was mostly the lack of the aperture scale, I really don't shoot LF enough and I'd really need the scale to help.

duparis00 · Feb 15, 2015

Yeah I guess I'm just not confident in my experience shooting LF, that I feel I need the extras to assist me.

Dan Fromm · Feb 15, 2015

duparis00 said:
It was $155. I think the shutter speed was concerning for me but it was mostly the lack of the aperture scale, I really don't shoot LF enough and I'd really need the scale to help.

Lenses without aperture scales are pretty hard to use on LF cameras, which rarely have TTL metering.

Depending on where you live, that price plus shipping to and from skgrimes and their charges ($50, see http://www.skgrimes.com/services/large-format-photography-repair-services) may be reasonable. Remember that "all newly-purchased used shutters need to be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted" is a law of nature.

Question about Rodenstock 135mm lens and shutter

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