Sharing One Shutter With Many Lenses -- (Not Behind the Lens)

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 30, 2014

Has anyone considered sharing a single shutter with several lenses, i.e. a Copal #0 with several sets of cells? The scale would be replaced with a numerical scale and f/stop would be determined via a chart. I'm not really trying to save room but rather don't want to spend a fortune buying several shutters and having scales made for each one. Allow me to explain.

I want to move my very modern lenses into older Compur Press shutters for the rounder many-bladed apertures. However, buying 8 shutters, having them serviced if needed and having custom scales made for each lens is cost prohibitive. Only needing to buy one #0 and one #1 shutter and sharing those between lenses is far more affordable.

NOTE: Please, no lectures regarding the limited benefits of "round apertures".

I know this was relatively common practice with vintage lenses but has anyone done this with late modern lenses?

wildbill · Aug 30, 2014

don't forget about cell spacing which isn't the same from lens to lens. I'd hate to drop half a lens while trying not to cross-thread it either.

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 30, 2014

wildbill said:
don't forget about cell spacing which isn't the same from lens to lens. I'd hate to drop half a lens while trying not to cross-thread it either.

That's true but all relatively modern Copal/Compur/Prontor shutters have the same spacing. Any spacer rings will be carefully kept with the proper cells. I understand that dust, cross threading and dropping are possible concerns.

jcc · Aug 30, 2014

Old-N-Feeble said:
That's true but all relatively modern Copal/Compur/Prontor shutters have the same spacing. Any spacer rings will be carefully kept with the proper cells. I understand that dust, cross threading and dropping are possible concerns.

I'm confused.. You said you wanted to use an older Compur Press shutter, but still relatively modern? In any case, I was visualizing a bent/crumpled/lost paper-thin spacer ring as I was reading this.

I think your idea is viable, if you're going to do all the changing at home, or some controlled environment. I think changing lenses in the field will be more prone to mishaps. Just my two cents.

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 30, 2014

jcc said:
I'm confused.. You said you wanted to use an older Compur Press shutter, but still relatively modern? In any case, I was visualizing a bent/crumpled/lost paper-thin spacer ring as I was reading this.

I think your idea is viable, if you're going to do all the changing at home, or some controlled environment. I think changing lenses in the field will be more prone to mishaps. Just my two cents.

Your warnings are understood and certainly valid. I'm just being a cheapskate.

I consider THIS to be a relatively modern shutter.

Alan Gales · Aug 30, 2014

Vinny's got a very good point. If you are after better bokeh then maybe change a few of your shutters to Compur. How often do you blow out the background and with which lenses? That's a rhetorical question, just something for you to think about.

Dr Croubie · Aug 31, 2014

I actually do this.
I got a Symmar-S 180mm f/5.6 in the wrong shutter, by calculations it had a scale for 120mm or so.
For a while, I interchanged these 180mm cells with my 90mm Super-Angulon, and just used the numbers one-stop down, although I did confuse myself occasionally and use the wrong stop.

Then I got a Tele Arton 270mm f/5.5. Because it's a tele design, the aperture for 270mm also lined up perfectly with 180mm symmetrical. Now I use this shutter for both the 180mm and tele-270mm elements, the apertures line up perfectly (not just theoretically, tested using Trial-By-Velvia).
I've never dropped a cell whilst changing in the field, the glass is somewhat 'set back' from the threads so none of them get scratched in my bag (I use front and rear caps, but have nothing for the threaded inner ends).

The only problem with this setup is that one day I'll want to sell them and switch to a 150mm and a 210 or 240mm that covers 8x10. So that either means convincing the buyer to take the lot and also swap elements, or sell one set as 'elements only' and get bugger-all back for them. Or just keep the whole lot myself...

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 31, 2014

I could change all the shutters to Compur with more blades and make proper scales for them all. That's a more practical solution and was the original idea... it's just far pricier. I doubt I would ever be confused by sharing a shutter with several sets of cells because I'd have a cheat sheet (chart). Yes, the idea is to improve bokeh.

Pete O · Sep 1, 2014

I've used a Copal 3 screwed onto the front of a number of barrel lenses using step up rings. Works well!
Pete

DREW WILEY · Sep 2, 2014

I've never liked the idea. You've got all your eggs in one basket, and if anything goes wrong with that one shutter, your game is canceled.
Then as you frequently switch elements there more risk of dust getting inside, or damage to the glass itself from excessive handling. It might be OK is a studo, but out in the field there is just too much than can go wrong. But I understand your motive. Those older shutters have the advantage of more blades, but that in itself won't equate to pleasant bokeh. It's just one factor.

Old-N-Feeble · Sep 2, 2014

I'll be shooting so little that swapping cells will be of relatively little concern. However, I'm now convinced to go back to my original plan of swapping all the modern lenses into older shutters. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice.

Dr Croubie · Sep 2, 2014

Meanwhile, there are more modern shutters with more blades. I have (had) a Compur Electronic 1, it had something like 10 blades, and despite what people say it worked great, timings perfect 1/500 to 30s.

Pity I put a screwdriver through it whilst changing lensboards, still haven't found a replacement.

Old-N-Feeble · Sep 2, 2014

Dr Croubie said:
Meanwhile, there are more modern shutters with more blades. I have (had) a Compur Electronic 1, it had something like 10 blades, and despite what people say it worked great, timings perfect 1/500 to 30s.

Pity I put a screwdriver through it whilst changing lensboards, still haven't found a replacement.

I didn't know that. I'll look at the electronic shutters. They're cheap as dirt these days so that might work out very well.

Dr Croubie · Sep 2, 2014

If they are, mind posting me a few? I've been looking on the 'bay ever since I borked mine, it's not that they're expensive it's just that they don't come up very often (if/when they do they've got lenses in them for $300 or so).
But maybe you guys in the States get access to a lot more that don't post OS, plus craigslist...

Old-N-Feeble · Sep 2, 2014

I searched a few minutes ago. There aren't many Compur electronic shutters available right now and the prices are higher at the moment. If only the lens cells I have would fit all the Ilex or Melles-Griot electronic shutters I have sitting around...

DREW WILEY · Sep 2, 2014

Ooops. I've thrown away a few of those electronic Compurs. From time to time old stat cameras show up in architectural salvage stores for next to nothing, sometimes with excellent lenses and working shutters.

Sharing One Shutter With Many Lenses -- (Not Behind the Lens)

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