Vintage F.P.K. Automatic Shutter/Lens Question...

n2mf · Dec 4, 2014

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but...On this old lens, approximately what is the shutter speed in the "I" position? Anything else you can tell me about this lens would be welcomed too.

I've mounted it to a sinar board and was going to experiment/play with it on my 4x5...Thanks

BrianShaw · Dec 4, 2014

Mine (identical to yours) measures 1/50 after a complete overhaul.

BrianShaw · Dec 4, 2014

If the lens is a B&L RR, then you may find the lens to be quite nice. I expected softness but got much more sharpness than I ever expected. I shot on color Polaroid (back when it was available) and even the color performance was quite acceptable to me. The aperture is US, not f/stop... if you don't already know.

n2mf · Dec 4, 2014

BrianShaw said:
If the lens is a B&L RR, then you may find the lens to be quite nice. I expected softness but got much more sharpness than I ever expected. I shot on color Polaroid (back when it was available) and even the color performance was quite acceptable to me. The aperture is US, not f/stop... if you don't already know.

Even with magnification I can find no markings as to what elements this has. And, no I don't know, what is US aperture?

Ken Nadvornick · Dec 4, 2014

U.S. stops are Uniform System stops, a different but still usable system of notation. I recently posted this extended conversion table for another member:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Note that the two systems coincide at 16...

Ken

n2mf · Dec 4, 2014

Ken Nadvornick said:
U.S. stops are Uniform System stops, a different but still usable system of notation. I recently posted this extended conversion table for another member:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Note that the two systems coincide at 16...

Ken

Interesting, thank you.

BrianShaw · Dec 4, 2014

n2mf said:
Even with magnification I can find no markings as to what elements this has. And, no I don't know, what is US aperture?

B&L markings were on the outside of the front lens cell, in a "gold leaf" that tends to fade or rub off. What did the lens come from, an old Kodak folder?

n2mf · Dec 4, 2014

BrianShaw said:
B&L markings were on the outside of the front lens cell, in a "gold leaf" that tends to fade or rub off. What did the lens come from, an old Kodak folder?

I got this lens with some other odds and ends. No camera was present. However, I have on display in my office a Kodak N0. 3-A Folding Brownie. This lens/shutter looks pretty much identical. And the one on that camera is clearly marked and is a Rapid rectilinear Bausch & Lomb. I guess I could swap the elements if I wanted too, also.

BrianShaw · Dec 4, 2014

The one I used was from a 3-A. They come off and go back on really easily... and if I remember correctly they fit directly into a Copal 0 hole.

n2mf · Dec 4, 2014

I've been busy since I last replied...I switched the elements with the ones on the shutter that's on the 3-A. They are much more clear and bright. And since they are marked, I know what they are. It's a win win! Most likely I will try to use the "T" setting to try some longer exposures. And I'll experiment with the "I" setting to see if it's near 1/50 as you (BrianShaw) suggested earlier. I don't have the old time bulb release yet, so I'll have to use a light touch with my finger.

BrianShaw · Dec 4, 2014

No problem with being busy... me too; I check in periodically in between other things.

I made an air release from a piece of auto vacuum tube and a baby nasal aspirator. Looks hideous but whorked (sort of). The combination blew air but when connected to the shutter wasn't enough to activate a release since that shutter cocks and releases from the same blow of air. I hand release most of the time because of that. I cleaned and lubed the air release part with a dry teflon "oil" and had better success. I'd offer you my homebrew air release but the aspirator was leftover from the last baby so I'm sure it isn't exactly sanitary to share.

n2mf · Dec 4, 2014

BrianShaw said:
No problem with being busy... me too; I check in periodically in between other things.

I made an air release from a piece of auto vacuum tube and a baby nasal aspirator. Looks hideous but whorked (sort of). The combination blew air but when connected to the shutter wasn't enough to activate a release since that shutter cocks and releases from the same blow of air. I hand release most of the time because of that. I cleaned and lubed the air release part with a dry teflon "oil" and had better success. I'd offer you my homebrew air release but the aspirator was leftover from the last baby so I'm sure it isn't exactly sanitary to share.

Vintage F.P.K. Automatic Shutter/Lens Question...

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