What do you call a lens in shutter when the shutter doesn't work?

Curt · Sep 6, 2006

Ans: a lens in Barrel.

I had the shutter tuned up tested and ready to to on a 4x5. It's a Graphic Compur Synchro with Kodak Ektar lens. There is not even a cleaning mark on the lens. I got the Ocean and the lens worked for three exposures then on the fourth at 1/5th it closed v e r y s l o w l y. Then not at all. Like it was gummed up. I opened the shutter and the leaves fell out. I cleaned the shutter put it back together and wow it still doesn't work. I contacted SK Grimes about a new shutter. $450 to $800 for new adapters and shutter. What lens could you buy with $800? The Kodak Ektar elements are perfect though. Outch. I either have an Ektar in a nice looking barrel or what would be the most expensive Ektar around. Not faulting the price of the work, it's worth every penny, I have to take a big breath and make decision.

One thought was to try to have them fix the shutter. I might wait for Carol to come back to work or just send it to Grimes. How many have had this happen?

Nick Zentena · Sep 6, 2006

Why not look for a donor lens? You've got good elements and bad shutter. Look for bad elements and good shutter.

Capocheny · Sep 6, 2006

I agree with Nick... I picked up a 210 mounted in Copal 1 for $160 not very long ago. The elements now sit in a drawer and the Copal 1 holds a set of 240 G-Claron elements.

Check with Tim over at www.lensN2shutter.com for mounting barrel lenses into shutters as well. He did a brilliant job with my 19" RDA back about a month ago.

Cheers

David H. Bebbington · Sep 6, 2006

I hate to say it, but obviously the "tune up" of your shutter was totally ineffective, as were your efforts to clean and re-assemble the shutter. It now may or may not be capable of being saved by a competent repair person, although it sounds as if the shutter blades have had plenty of opportunity to become bent. Failing this, it must be possible to find another shutter for $100 to $150. Why do you need new "adapters"? If the lens groups will fit into a [#0?] Synchro Compur now, they'll fit straight into any other Synchro Compur or Copal.

Regards,

David

glennfromwy · Sep 6, 2006

Well, some would call it really bad names. Others would call it a piece of junk. Like you, I would call it a barrel lens and I would use it on one of my Speed Graphics. That's why they have a focal plane shutter. I've gotten two "barrel" lenses in the past week. You don't specify which Ektar you have. The 127 and smaller are easily found if you need a donor shutter. The 152 and some of the Commercial Ektars use a larger shutter, which is not so eaily found. For the cost of having it remounted in a good used shutter that has been overhauled, you could buy a modern lens/shutter.

MAGNAchrom · Sep 6, 2006

hah!!! A lens without a shutter is an ideal candidate for use with a BetterLight back!! LOL!!!!!

Curt · Sep 7, 2006

What a great bunch of suggestions, each one is actually a perfect choice. Where to begin.

Nick, that's a very good idea, the elements can be worse or better and the shutter might be fine.

Glenn, it's an Ektar 127.

David, I don't know if it's a #0, it says Graphic on top and Synchro Compur on the bottom in the ring. The 127 was so common that I forgot how many shutters might be around. I will have to investigate the shutter size. The shutter blades are straight as they fell directly out on the table. I can fire it on 400 but no other speeds. Something could have been going out in it before it died on me.

I totally forgot about Tim at Len2shutter. I live not far from him, what an over site.

I think I will look for another shutter as I am not in any hurry. The elements are keepers though.

Thanks all for the great help I appreciate it.

Curt

Curt · Sep 7, 2006

I just got the calipers out and checked the Synchro - Compur measurements with printed Copal, Compur stats. It was closed to the Copal #1 and the Compur #1 so I pulled out my Schneider Symmar S 210 which is mounted in a Copal #1 shutter. I pulled the elements and found that they were interchangable. The Ektar 127mm elements fit directly into the Copal #1 and the Schneider elements fit into the Graphic Synchro - Compur #1.

Curt

Capocheny · Sep 7, 2006

Curt said:
I just got the calipers out and checked the Synchro - Compur measurements with printed Copal, Compur stats. It was closed to the Copal #1 and the Compur #1 so I pulled out my Schneider Symmar S 210 which is mounted in a Copal #1 shutter. I pulled the elements and found that they were interchangable. The Ektar 127mm elements fit directly into the Copal #1 and the Schneider elements fit into the Graphic Synchro - Compur #1.

Curt

Curt,

I also thought that if the elements screwed in properly... that would have been a done deal. But, Tim explained that that's not always the case.

So, since you live nearby to Tim, give him a call and speak with him about this... he had an explanation (that I can't remember now) that made a lot of sense!

He also has a supply of shutters too!

And, please send him my best wishes... [Henry in Vancouver, BC with the 19" RDA!]

Cheers

Jim Jones · Sep 7, 2006

Curt, I'd go shopping for another 127mm in a good shutter. You might have to take a Speed Graphic with it, but it's still cheaper than fixing your shutter. Good 127mm Ektar glass is too common to be worth a big investment in shutter repairs.

Curt · Sep 7, 2006

Jim you are absolutely right, it isn't worth fixing when others are available. Simple economics dictates that if I take the time and look I will find a substitute. It will probably come when I have put it aside and moved on. Thanks for the reality check.

Curt

Curt · Sep 7, 2006

I forgot the most important part of the project. In the CLA I forgot the "L"; lube. The Graphic Synchro - Compur shutter will not run dry and it needs the blades placed in the proper position because two blades have a small very slight bend at their tips. Easy to miss if you aren't familiar with them, as I was at first. I went to the local hobby shop and bought the finest lube they carried. It's E-Lube and is described as an Ultra-Refined precision lubricant that is safe for paint. Now the shutter operates smooth at all speeds and is easy to set and adjust. It's more complicated than a Betax but I will add it to my list of shutters I am learning about.

glennfromwy · Sep 7, 2006

The standard issue shutter for a 127 Ektar is the no. 2 Supermatic. Plentiful and inexpensive. I just gave two of them away.

Curt · Sep 8, 2006

I contacted Tim at Lensn2shutter and he confirmed the reassembly and gave me some great information. The Ektar 127 that I have is in a Synchro - Compur Graphic shutter which is not the common Supermatic and is a highly desirable version. I probably got sand in it as it was blowing around at the time I was photographing on the beach. Anyway the speed are great and the operation is very smooth. I am glad to have it back in the pack and not in the trash can.

Curt

mitica100 · Sep 8, 2006

Curt, if it ain't much trouble you can always send it to Flutot Camera Repair (http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/).

I had a Supermatic with some problems and Carol did a wonderful job with mine. She is reliable and not expensive.

raucousimages · Sep 8, 2006

Paper weight unless it is really big then try door stop.

What do you call a lens in shutter when the shutter doesn't work?

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