Want to Buy wtb - lens for calumet 4x5

seanmophoto · Feb 21, 2010

hi all,
recently picked up a calumet monorail view camera on craigslist dirt cheap...my first foray into LF photography. After testing it, it appears the lens has severe shutter issues so I'll be needing a new lens..cheap and functional are my main requirements, please let me know if you have any available
here are some pics of the camera and my lone successful image

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanblaspdx/sets/72157623351078683/

Ektagraphic · Feb 21, 2010

If severe shutter issues means a slow shutter that can be repaired by lots of people. I wish I had a lens to sell you. Don't get discouraged. It's a great camera.

Ian Grant · Feb 21, 2010

Sean tell us about your severe stutter issues

It's possible the shutter can be cured of it's impediments, relatively easily and at far less cost than another lens & shutter.

Ian

Fotoguy20d · Feb 21, 2010

If you're looking for something like a 127mm Ektar in Supermatic or Optar 135mm in Graphex, I have a couple of those - they''re relatively inexpensive and not bad "normal" lenses. What is the lens you have now?

Dan

Mike1234 · Feb 21, 2010

That's an older Alphax shutter. You might be able to partially resolve the problem by removing the front and rear glass then dipping the shutter in naphtha while cocking and firing the shutter a few times. Fire the shutter at all speeds but pay special attention to 1 through 1/15th. Slow shutters are usually caused by oil that's turned to gunk. Of course, this won't lube nor adjust the shutter but it will give you an idea as to whether a simple/cheap CLA will help vs. a major repair. Be sure to thoroughly drain, and blow out any naphtha then allow to dry inside on its side over night or in the bright direct sun 30 minutes each side to assure all the naphtha is gone.

seanmophoto · Feb 21, 2010

thanks for all the replies
lens is alphax bogen-arcar 210mm f3.5

the shutter fires with random slow times every other or every third release
on 1 second, the actual 'timer' only appears to kick in every 3rd or fourth release(meaning I can only hear the timer every 3rd or fourth time, the others its firing at about 1/100th of a second or so)

Ian Grant · Feb 21, 2010

It sounds like your shutter needs a CLA, again you don't say where you are, a CLA is cheap in the US $30, but £50 in the UK and about the same in the EU in Euros.

Sometimes it's possible to do a simple clean yourself but it may not be your best option. But a couple of drops os Isopropyl alcohol on the shutter blades and firing the shutter a few times can sometimes work wonders.

I missed Mike's reply saying similar.

Ian

seanmophoto · Feb 21, 2010

in the US, portland OR specifically

is this lens worth fixing? glass is in good shape

Mike1234 · Feb 21, 2010

seanmophoto said:
in the US, portland OR specifically

is this lens worth fixing? glass is in good shape

The wide aperture suggests it will make a very nice portrait lens. I'd say it's definitely worth a a $50 CLA. Heck, the shutter alone is worth more than that.

Jon Shiu · Feb 21, 2010

I have used this place for a shutter tune-up:
http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/

Jon

illumiquest · Feb 21, 2010

Almost every old shutter I've had was repaired by simply dripping some lighter fluid on the blades and working the shutter.

Ian Grant · Feb 21, 2010

Jon Shiu said:
I have used this place for a shutter tune-up:
http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/

Jon

The problem with Flutots is too many people recommend them So she is always busy, with a waiting list.

Any good camera repair shop can do the CLA, and many will be far quicker. I get a 3-4 day turnaround in the UK on shutter servicing and the service is superb.

Ian

Mike1234 · Feb 21, 2010

illumiquest said:
Almost every old shutter I've had was repaired by simply dripping some lighter fluid on the blades and working the shutter.

Same thing as naphtha but I've read that lighter fluid sometimes has other ingredients. But the smallest can of naphtha I've found is a US quart and cost $8US off the shelf from a harware store paint department. The bright side is the quart will clean LOTS of shutters.

This method does often resolve the problem completely... at least for awhile... but a "true CLA" is the "best" option provided the shop is "honest enough" to do a "true CLA" at a "reasonable price". How many/which shops will do a "true CLA" at a "reasonable price"? I don't know but I suspect many will simply dip in naphtha and charge for a CLA. But... I have a severe "trust issue" reinforced by too many screwings. :rolleyes:

The above is NOT to impugn any of the companies mentioned in this thread. I've had no dealings with them. Even so... the only time I trust someone is when I'm constantly watching over their shoulder whilst holding onto my wallet.

Whiteymorange · Feb 21, 2010

But the smallest can of naphtha I've found is a US quart and cost $8US off the shelf from a harware store paint department.

That's "VPN", varnisher and painter's naptha- not as refined as the stuff in lighter fluid. If you put some on a sheet of glass and let it evaporate, it will leave a residue, same as it will on your shutter parts. Rosignol lighter fluid is cheap and cleaner, but I use electronic parts cleaner instead. It's an spray can with the usual red plastic tube , similar to the one WD40 has, and can be sprayed into the cable release hole on the shutter. I've also used alcohol, with some success.

None of these is the equal of a real cleaning, however. Go for the CLA, from any number of good shops, and replace the glass on the shutter rather than buying a whole new deal. If nothing else, you may be able to trade the newly cleaned shutter toward a different lens

Whiteymorange · Feb 21, 2010

Hey, from another thread I found that the Blue Moon Camera folks are in your neck of the woods. maybe they'll give you a price for a CLA. They're an APUG sponsor as well.

removed account4 · Feb 21, 2010

if blue moon can't help you with a lead

there are 2 places in rhode island that do cla's and take things through the mail :

http://www.midstatecamerarepair.com/
http://www.zackscamerarepair.com/

they both do very good work!

- john

mgb74 · Feb 21, 2010

First, other than the shutter issue, are you happy with the lens? If so, probably better to invest in a CLA than to buy another lens. Most of the really inexpensive lenses will be older Wollensaks or older press lenses (typically 127mm Ektar or 135mm Optar). You won't find a lot of really inexpensive 210mm lenses. If you do, it will probably need a CLA anyway.

I think going rate for a CLA is more like $80 (not $30 or $50) but I could be wrong. Lot's of good repair folks and all deal very reliably by mail. Flutot's is fine; so is Paul Ebel (paulebel44@yahoo.com).

Only drawback is going without your lens for a while.

seanmophoto · Feb 22, 2010

Yeah I'm going to go into blue moon...I get filmed developed there a lot and its a great store.
don't think I want to try and take the lens apart...I don't have a good track record taking apart intricate items..I'm the guy that ends up with a few parts left after taking something apart and putting it back together.

I'm planning on using this for portraits as I'm not a big landscape guy...but really its mostly just an experiment...I got the whole kit for $100 with a full pack of polaroid type 55(and a holder) so I really cant complain

I'll try the CLA route and maybe look into a picking up a wider lens so I can use something in the mean time

thanks for all of the replies...LF can be overwhelming

Roger Thoms · Feb 22, 2010

Jon Shiu said:
I have used this place for a shutter tune-up:
http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/

Jon

I'll second Flutot's. Yes Carol has quite a backlog so if your in a hurry she might not be the best route. She has a wait list so you don't send the shutter till she is ready to work on it. Once she has the shutter the turn around is good. I have been buy quite a few old lens, so I get right back on the list when I send a shutter to her.

Roger

Want to Buy wtb - lens for calumet 4x5

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