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Thread: Can't remove front element from shutter.

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    Tucson AZ
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    Can't remove front element from shutter.

    I have a Grandagon 115 in Copal 1 - everything seems to be in beautiful condition except for a small problem with the shutter and Carol at Flutot's was kind enough to tell me how to fix it myself. "Minor" problem - the front element won't let go of the shutter - it's really locked on there SOLIDLY! I'm not a small person but it really won't budge at all.

    Any good tricks to get it off???

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Nara, Japan
    Posts
    1,296

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    Does your shutter have a locking pin?
    If so:
    1. Mount it on a suitable board so that the pin is engaged and the shutter can't rotate.
    2. Mount the lens board on your camera. This ensures that you have both hands free.
    3. Use a strap wrench to rotate and loosen the front cell.

    Kumar

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Nara, Japan
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    1,296

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    Duplicate.

  4. #4
    Photographer
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Pine Junction, CO
    Posts
    992

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    Strap wrench (from Harbor Freight - very cheap) was the best advice I've gotten on separating lenses stuck in shutters.
    Keith Pitman

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    1,856

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    Usually the front of the shutter, holding the front of the lens, and the back, are held together with only three small and long screws. I could easily see the opportunity, using something like a strap wrench, to break, or worse, rip out, those screws. Am I worrying unnecessarily?
    Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
    Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
    Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
    You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    1,136

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    some heat from a heat gun may help too, go easy with it, but it's worth a try.

  7. #7
    multiplex
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    local
    Posts
    5,356

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    hi jim
    over the years i have heard
    of putting the whole thing in the freezer
    and then after it gets really cold using
    a bike tire as a grip .. can't say if it works or not
    but the internets ( even this website ! ) has suggested it ..

    YMMV

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    San Joaquin Valley, California
    Posts
    9,599

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    Quote Originally Posted by mdarnton View Post
    Usually the front of the shutter, holding the front of the lens, and the back, are held together with only three small and long screws. I could easily see the opportunity, using something like a strap wrench, to break, or worse, rip out, those screws. Am I worrying unnecessarily?
    Hold onto the shutter below the front element and use the strap wrench with your other hand?
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  9. #9

    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    744

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    Quote Originally Posted by jnanian View Post
    hi jim
    over the years i have heard
    of putting the whole thing in the freezer
    and then after it gets really cold using
    a bike tire as a grip ..
    That would also help in the unlikely case that someone had the foolish idea to lock the lens element with crazy glue (crazy glue cracks in freezing temps). You never know...

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Seattle area, WA
    Posts
    1,328

    Re: Can't remove front element from shutter.

    I have a lens where the front element is stuck and the shutter body is somewhat "loose". The lens still work well enough so I haven't tried to force it out, my guess is if I did the entire shutter assesmbly would break or worse. Caution is the name of the game here.

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