Swapping LF lens

k_jupiter · Apr 27, 2008

Hi all,

In a recent purchase of a LF camera, I received two lens, a 190 WF Ektar and a 12 inch Commercial Ektar. Both came mounted in #4 Acme shutters. The 12 inch Acme shutter doesn't work. I looked at the spacing on the shutters, they look identical. Any one see any reason why I cannot change the lens elements and the front plate (for aperture use) on the Acme? I don't need the 190mm right away, it won't cover 8x10 and for 5x7 I have a 150 Fujinon W 6.3 that should cover the WA 5x7 format.

Maybe one of the LF lens gurus can weigh in on this.

tim in san jose

Barry S · Apr 27, 2008

Sure, you can swap the lens cells and use your working shutter as long as the threads are the same. I've also got a 190mm Wide Field Ektar and it does cover 8x10--not with much movement, but it does cover. I'd get the other shutter fixed because then you'll have a very nice 190mm/300mm combination for your 8x10.

Dan Fromm · Apr 27, 2008

If the twelve incher is the same length, end-to-end, in both shutters, why not?

BTW, EKCo claims that the 190 WF Ektar will cover 312 mm at f/16, ~ 360 mm at f/45. See Dead Link Removed and http://yandr.50megs.com/kodak/ektar/page2.htm respectively.

k_jupiter · Apr 27, 2008

So you need a minimum of 326mm for 8x10. The 190mm should be good at f22 and smaller.

Off to switch a front plate. The other Acme #4 shutter will be fixed. No reason to have one of those sitting around collecting dust.

In a related finding last night, I found a Speed-o-scope Jr that screws to the front threads of a JML 305mm/f9 lens I have. Time to make some more lens boards. It only has 3 speeds, but three speeds are bett'n none.

tim in san jose

Nick Zentena · Apr 28, 2008

k_jupiter said:
So you need a minimum of 326mm for 8x10. The 190mm should be good at f22 and smaller.

In a related finding last night, I found a Speed-o-scope Jr that screws to the front threads of a JML 305mm/f9 lens I have. Time to make some more lens boards. It only has 3 speeds, but three speeds are bett'n none.

No 310 ish to cover 8x10.

Your JML has threads?? Luxury. My 210mm doesn't.

k_jupiter · Apr 28, 2008

Nick Zentena said:
No 310 ish to cover 8x10.

Your JML has threads?? Luxury. My 210mm doesn't.

Neither does mine. I haven't figured out how to put a shutter on that one. It does seem a extremely sharp lens though, the 210. What a wonderful plasmat design.

tim in san jose (looking for a black hat)

k_jupiter · Apr 29, 2008

All,

Along these line, Since Carol F. is taking a break, where is a good repair place in the SF Bay area? K&S in Palo Alto? Anyone have any recommendations? All I suspect this shutter needs is a good CLA.

tim in san jose

jmcd · Apr 29, 2008

k_jupiter,

For shutter CLA I recommend calling Paul Ebel at Lens Services:
420 21st St. N #2 P.O. Box 141
Menomonie WI 54751
(651)335-8759

Also, if you are getting a sharp image on the ground glass, that is confirmation that the spacing is okay.

BradS · Apr 29, 2008

k_jupiter said:
All,

Along these line, Since Carol F. is taking a break, where is a good repair place in the SF Bay area? K&S in Palo Alto? Anyone have any recommendations? All I suspect this shutter needs is a good CLA.

tim in san jose

Tim, I've often received good service from Apollo Camera repair in Oakland (1411 Webster Street). There is also a very good shop (better than Apollo actually but...) in Walnut Creek. I think it is called "Apex Camera Repair" or something...Anyway, it is two old timers in a little shop on Boulevard way. They do fantastic work at reasonable prices but, service time is highly variable...it might take a day, it might take weeks. The owner's name is Wally. He's kinda curmugeounly. There's an old german guy in the back too...

I avoid ICT in Mountain View. The old german guy who owns the place is a crook...tried to tell me that my Synchro-Compur needed a $175 overhaul. This was a completely operational, running shutter. I just wanted it cleaned and lubed for my own peace of mind. Carol brought it back to A-1 service for $50!.

k_jupiter · Apr 30, 2008

BradS said:
Tim, I've often received good service from Apollo Camera repair in Oakland (1411 Webster Street). There is also a very good shop (better than Apollo actually but...) in Walnut Creek. I think it is called "Apex Camera Repair" or something...Anyway, it is two old timers in a little shop on Boulevard way. They do fantastic work at reasonable prices but, service time is highly variable...it might take a day, it might take weeks. The owner's name is Wally. He's kinda curmugeounly. There's an old german guy in the back too...

I avoid ICT in Mountain View. The old german guy who owns the place is a crook...tried to tell me that my Synchro-Compur needed a $175 overhaul. This was a completely operational, running shutter. I just wanted it cleaned and lubed for my own peace of mind. Carol brought it back to A-1 service for $50!.

If he wasn't curmugeounly I wouldn't trust him. I'll check out both places this weekend (or at least the Oakland place if it's open. Thanks for the info.

tim in san jose

BradS · Apr 30, 2008

k_jupiter said:
If he wasn't curmugeounly I wouldn't trust him. I'll check out both places this weekend (or at least the Oakland place if it's open. Thanks for the info.

tim in san jose

Forgot to mention, the guys in Oakland speak precious little english and the lady at the counter won't understand that you want a CLA...she'll keep asking what's wrong with shutter. Remove the lens elements from the shutter or, you may end up with some really clean glass and the same shutter.

As an anectdote, When these guys used to have a shop in Santa Clara (Sunyvale?), I took an old Syncho Compur in for a CLA. The guy at the counter was running through the shutter speeds, repeatedly cocking the shutter and firing it. A technician was seated at a work bench with his back to us across the room. He looked up from his work and said something like..."that old Compur needs....". Neither of us had mentioned that it was a copur shutter. This guy knew from listening to it fire...They charged me $65 and had it back to me in a week. ever time I've brought something in for them, it's $65 and one week.

k_jupiter · Apr 30, 2008

BradS said:
Forgot to mention, the guys in Oakland speak precious little english and the lady at the counter won't understand that you want a CLA...she'll keep asking what's wrong with shutter. Remove the lens elements from the shutter or, you may end up with some really clean glass and the same shutter.

As an anectdote, When these guys used to have a shop in Santa Clara (Sunyvale?), I took an old Syncho Compur in for a CLA. The guy at the counter was running through the shutter speeds, repeatedly cocking the shutter and firing it. A technician was seated at a work bench with his back to us across the room. He looked up from his work and said something like..."that old Compur needs....". Neither of us had mentioned that it was a copur shutter. This guy knew from listening to it fire...They charged me $65 and had it back to me in a week. ever time I've brought something in for them, it's $65 and one week.

Too bad they don't have the shop in Sunnyvale. I would drop it off on a coffee break. I understand the guy picking out a shutter from just the sound. If I listened to shutters 52 weeks a year, I would probably know them just by the slow timer escapement noise. Think about it, the Acme (base tones) doesn't sound like the Seiko on my Fuji 150 (businesslike), none of them sound like a Rapax (very tinny).

The lensotomy went well. I wonder who carries those small screws on the front of the shutter? While these hold the faceplate on, it seems a previous owner might have gotten sloppy with a screwdriver.

tim in san jose

Swapping LF lens

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