W K Longcor
2-Sep-2008, 13:29
Well, since finding this forum, I've been digging through cases of equipment. Have not "rebuilt" a darkroom as yet - so actual photography is not started. I am getting excited about using the wooden cameras and brass lenses that I used for years as dust collecting decor. Anyway, I have a B&L Protar VII in Volute shutter. The lens is a
14 5/16" f/ 7 -- front element is 27 1/8" f/12.5 and rear is 23 1/4" f/ 12.5 -- the lens looks like it would be a lot of fun to use. The shutter is a problem. It seems to work well -- only about 10% of the time. About 90% of the time, it works on "T" . So, my question. Do I use it only on "T" for long exposures? Do I forget it all and use a Packard or my hat as a shutter? Or are these old clunkers "fixable" -- without mortgaging the house? If you think a simple cleaning will do -- I'm not afraid to tackle that on my own -- provided I am forewarned of possible flying springs and the like.
By the way -- I just tried something that may be of help to someone else. The volute has an aluminum body. There was an old brass flange attached. It was on tight and would NOT come off (No the threads were not crossed). I tried everything to get it off -- even a strap wrench and lots of "tug". Finally put it in the freezer ( without the lenses) after about 20 minutes the aluminum contracted faster than the brass ( I'm guessing) -- the flange spun off -- just finger tight.
14 5/16" f/ 7 -- front element is 27 1/8" f/12.5 and rear is 23 1/4" f/ 12.5 -- the lens looks like it would be a lot of fun to use. The shutter is a problem. It seems to work well -- only about 10% of the time. About 90% of the time, it works on "T" . So, my question. Do I use it only on "T" for long exposures? Do I forget it all and use a Packard or my hat as a shutter? Or are these old clunkers "fixable" -- without mortgaging the house? If you think a simple cleaning will do -- I'm not afraid to tackle that on my own -- provided I am forewarned of possible flying springs and the like.
By the way -- I just tried something that may be of help to someone else. The volute has an aluminum body. There was an old brass flange attached. It was on tight and would NOT come off (No the threads were not crossed). I tried everything to get it off -- even a strap wrench and lots of "tug". Finally put it in the freezer ( without the lenses) after about 20 minutes the aluminum contracted faster than the brass ( I'm guessing) -- the flange spun off -- just finger tight.