Which shutter is most likely to be repairable?

[weasel]

Shopping for a 135mm lens for 4x5, and my question is, which shutter is most likely to be repairable if needed?

 

[BrianShaw]

What part are you anticipating is broken?

But generically, the most modern Copal.

 

[Nitroplait]

They are all repairable. But maybe the question is if you can you afford it.

 

[AnselMortensen]

For Alphax or Betax shutter repairs, there is www.alphaxbetax.com
Carol at Flutot's is an excellent resource for most shutter repairs.
Others may chime in with alternative shutter repair sources.

 

[Sirius Glass]

For Alphax or Betax shutter repairs, there is www.alphaxbetax.com
Carol at Flutot's is an excellent resource for most shutter repairs.
Others may chime in with alternative shutter repair sources.

I have had really great work done by Carol.

 

[grat]

If the shutter hasn't been abused or neglected, any of them.

I've got a 1914 Compur that runs like clockwork (and was recently serviced)-- I've also got several late 70's Copal shutters that Just Work. Both of my Graflex's have 1940's era Supermatic shutters, one "just works", and the other is headed off for a CLA "real soon now".

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

As others have already said, almost any large format camera lens shutter is repairable. Some will not be able to be brought up to spec on all shutter speeds, but they were often not very accurate in the first place (like old Ilex shutters, for example). With very old shutters, it is also a very good idea to check what the shutter blades are made of - some are essentially blackened card stock and if you get them wet with lubricant, they'll just dissolve.

 

[BradS]

With some (many/all) of the older shutters, it's really a question of feasibility. It might be repairable but the cost of the repair is not really worth it. Personally, I will only buy LF lenses in modern Copal shutters these days. These are either "all black" or the immediate predecessor that looks the same but has a chrome speed ring. YMMV

Others have mentioned Carol F. I've had good and bad experiences with her. The good were with older (1950's) Compur and Rapax shutters. The bad were with the old Copal shutters with the fine "serrated" shutter speed ring - which she deemed irreparable (because she did not have parts).

 

[flavio81]

Shopping for a 135mm lens for 4x5, and my question is, which shutter is most likely to be repairable if needed?

The shutter that is in best shape, free of corrosion/rust and signs of having been dropped.

 

[Rayt]

My oldest shutter is a Wollensack Betax #5. A CLA got it running again even accurate at 1 second.

 

[Vaidotas]

Wollensak Optimo is tricky to repair.
On the opposite, anyone can repair Packard.
And if you use your hat, there must be no problems.

 

[Joel_L]

+1 for Copal. I have a 210mm with a Copal shutter that was inconsistent at slow speeds. I took it apart and cleaned/lubed the clock mechanism. Works fine now. Was not too difficult to do.

 

[abruzzi]

I have a soft spot for old Compound shutters. I've got five or six and they all worrked fine when I bought them. They seem indestructable unless you do something dumb like immersing them in solvent (good for some shutters, bad for compound.) They also all have round irises, if you're into that.