rapax shutter size/copal equivalent

[r u t h]

hello,

i bought a meridian 45 to get into large format.

the camera came with a wollensak velostigmat series ii 162mm in a rapax 4.5 t-200 shutter. i am having issues with the shutter: the setting lever is very difficult to move and the bulb doesn't work at all. the other speeds look accurate and i am getting acceptable results, but i want a better shutter.

my problem, though, is that i cannot find reliable measurements on the shutter size. the meridian has a proprietary round lens board, so ideally i would find something that fits the one i already have. does anyone know what the equivalent copal size is and if there is one which would fit the lens i already have?

sorry for the seemingly basic question, but i cannot find information on the size and lens compatibility anywhere.

 

[Bob S]

Check with SK Grimes web site.

 

[shutterfinger]

Your #2 Rapax shutter does not directly correspond to either Compur or Copal sizes. This factory manual https://learncamerarepair.com/downloads/pdf/Wollensak-Rapax-Shutters-Disassembly.pdf provides a guide to servicing it or your can use this Graphex Shutter Repair Manual http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GraphexShutterService.pdf as the Graphex is basically a Rapax rebadged with the controls rotated 90° or you can send it to me for a full tear down CLA.
https://www.graflex.org/articles/meridian/

 

[r u t h]

Your #2 Rapax shutter does not directly correspond to either Compur or Copal sizes. This factory manual https://learncamerarepair.com/downloads/pdf/Wollensak-Rapax-Shutters-Disassembly.pdf provides a guide to servicing it or your can use this Graphex Shutter Repair Manual http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/GraphexShutterService.pdf as the Graphex is basically a Rapax rebadged with the controls rotated 90° or you can send it to me for a full tear down CLA.
https://www.graflex.org/articles/meridian/

thank you! that was the info i could not find last night.

out of curiosity, how much do you charge for a cla and what is your typical turnaround time? i suspect the cocking lever spring is the main problem, but i think the slow speed spring is also misaligned.

 

[BrianShaw]

I seem to recall successfully swapping between Graphex and Copal 0 shutters on an unaltered SuperGraphic board

 

[mshchem]

thank you! that was the info i could not find last night.

out of curiosity, how much do you charge for a cla and what is your typical turnaround time? i suspect the cocking lever spring is the main problem, but i think the slow speed spring is also misaligned.

I've "fixed" a couple old Wollensak shutters by flushing them with solvent. I used old Kodak movie film cleaner, it's a now banned CFC solvent. These shutters are designed to run dry, so any gunk especially on the shutter leaves will mess them up. People use lighter fluid, (maybe not my first choice) maybe a aerosol can of contact cleaner. You need to take the lenses out of the shutter. Don't run grease out of the clock work onto the shutter blades. A little goes a long way.

 

[shutterfinger]

out of curiosity, how much do you charge for a cla and what is your typical turnaround time?

$125 + shipping. Should be able to return it working in 5 to 7 days. The shutter without lens cells fits in a small flat rate box.

hese shutters are designed to run dry

But they're a lot quieter and smoother with the proper amount of oil and grease specified in the service manual.
The condition of the springs and wear on the moving parts determines how accurate the speed will be across the range.

 

[mshchem]

$125 + shipping. Should be able to return it working in 5 to 7 days. The shutter without lens cells fits in a small flat rate box.

But they're a lot quieter and smoother with the proper amount of oil and grease specified in the service manual.
The condition of the springs and wear on the moving parts determines how accurate the speed will be across the range.

And I have gladly paid professionals to service my shutters when I want them done right..

 

[shutterfinger]

Lens cells for the #2 Rapax have a 31.5mm / 1.24 inch OD threads; the shutter has a 31mm / 1.22 inch ID at the cell mount. I do not know the thread pitch.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

Try checking here: https://alphaxbetax.com/