Weird Fujinon C 300mm f8.5 issue (cable release issue)

MTGseattle

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OK. based upon countless favorable mentions, I bought a Gepe pro 40" cable release. To my shock and dismay, the plunger is too big to fire my Fujinon C 300mm f8.5 shutter. What the actual heck? Modern lens not working with a modern release? My lesson for today I guess is to pack every cable release I own for an outing. (Or to test the dang thing at home) has anyone else found a new Gepe release to be too big for a Copal 0? Does the 40" release have a larger diameter plunger than a shorter release? It fires my little Wollensak in the Alphax shutter just fine.
 

AnselMortensen

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Wollensak shutters use a "long throw" cable release.
The cable release sockets are also larger on the Alphax/Betax #3, #4 & #5 shutters, so regular cable releases screw in farther than on other cameras.
I had part of the threaded-end of a regular cable release snap off in a non-Wolly shutter (an unfortunate accident), and I was still able to get the remaining threads into a Wolly shutter and it worked.
Maybe that's the issue with your cable release?
 
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MTGseattle

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It may not come across in the picture, but it’s plain as day to my eye. The Gepe pro release (red), has a larger diameter wire inside. The black release (unknown maker) trips the Copal 0 on the Fujinon just fine.
Oddly, the camera attachment end and pvc housing are both bigger on the release with the smaller plunger wire.
*not the mount threads, just the overall bits.
 

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AnselMortensen

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Interesting!

I have to test my cable releases before a shoot to make sure they fire my Alphaxes & Betaxes.
 

MattKing

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And you thought things like cable releases were completely standardized!
They aren't.
 
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MTGseattle

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I knew about different overall throw lengths but good grief!
 

MattKing

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MTGseattle said:
I knew about different overall throw lengths but good grief!
Click to expand...

The best grief is good grief
And we haven't yet touched on different thread shapes and pitches
 
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MTGseattle

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For the sake of argument; lenses designed for 4x5 and larger, post 1953 manufacturing, and cable release maybe 20-25 years old. there shouldn't be that much variation, right?
 

DREW WILEY

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Don't blame Fuji. But less than ideal cable releases abound. In fact, it's hard to find reliable ones unless you know what to look for, and where. What you bought looks more like a NASA rover probe to break through the ice on Titan. Cable releases weren't just designed for lenses, but also studio equipment. This is also the age of untested generic imports. I wouldn't buy a single cable release our local camera store offers, even though they're otherwise doing a good job. I can't use Gepe cables reliably on any of my own cameras or lenses. Next time, bring your lens itself into the store and test. Internet purchase? Good luck unless it's something you've had prior satisfactory experience with. I have quite a few "wish I hadn't ordered that" cable releases lying around.
I hunt for the silver Minolta ones.
 

xkaes

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DREW WILEY said:
I hunt for the silver Minolta ones.
Click to expand...

To add a little more info on Minolta's mechanical cable releases -- my favorites as well -- they made three mechanical shutter releases (and several electronic cable releases):

  • Cable Release -- usable with any camera with a cable release connection. This is a typical cable release with a locking screw on the top and a metal cover.

  • Cable Release II -- an updated, top quality version that appeared in 1976. It's much longer and has a new quick-action, lock/release tab on the top. It lacks the standard locking screw, and has a more convenient locking tab that can be set for ON and OFF by roatating it slightly. In the OFF mode, the cable release does not lock and releases as soon as you remove your finger. In the ON mode, the cable release stays locked, even when you remove your finger. To unlock the cable release, you simply press the locking tab. It has the added advantage of having a thick plastic cover over the entire length of the cable release with white nylon fabric underneath. It is a very rugged cable release that is very easy to use and very comfortable. This cable release was made with the older Minolta logo as well as the new one.

  • Cable Release III -- an updated, version of the cable release II that appeared in 1979 with the introduction of the Powere Grip I. It was dessigned to be used with the Minolta Power Grip I and Power Grip II and was made slightly different from the Cable Release II. First, it is slightly longer, but only by an inch or so. Secondly, the release tip is made slightly wider to fit snuggly into the Power Grip -- the cable Release II will slip out. Third, the Cable Release III has a plastic tip on the end which is undoutedly designed to work better with the Power Grip in some way. It has the added advantage of having a thick plastic cover over the entire length of the cable release with black nylon fabric underneath. It is a very rugged cable release that is very easy to use and very comfortable. This cable release was made with the older Minolta logo as well as the new one.
 
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MTGseattle

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I added an edit to the thread title. I have one of the standard length Nikon cloth releases that seems to work on everything. The other pvc coated version I have works well on almost everything too. The red gepe unit will hang around as the action feels nice and smooth. I'll just have to remember it will likely not work on Copal 0 shuttered lenses. I sourced it from B&H btw.
I've heard of people leaving a release attached to their LF lenses all the time. I don't think I will follow that practice as it sounds like an invitation to damage. A release with each lens in its pouch or wrap could be a decent idea, or I just make sure to have 2-3 of them in the camera bag when I'm loading up. Overall workflow when out shooting is still what I'm trying to figure out for myself.

Mods, should I cut off this thread? The "issue" in my title is solved. I think there are other cable release threads in here.
 

MattKing

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MTGseattle said:
Mods, should I cut off this thread? The "issue" in my title is solved. I think there are other cable release threads in here.
Click to expand...

I would say no - but you shouldn't be able to anyways.
Outside the Classifieds, that shouldn't be available to anyone other than moderators. Please tell us if for some reason you are able!
 
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MTGseattle

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Ha ha haaa! My hacking skills are getting better. Just kidding. The "Lock thread" feature is available to us only in the classifieds. That makes sense. Thanks Matt.
 

xkaes

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This isn't the first (or last) thread that has gone on after the original problem/question was dealt with. Why? Because there is almost always someone else who has a very similar issue/dilemma.
 
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