Old Compound questions

[john wilton]

Have acquired a Dagor Series III 9-1/2" in Compound on ebay. It has a number of issues:

1. Diaphragm is stiff but usable. Does it hurt anything to work it when it is stiff?

2. Strange cable release socket...it is unthreaded, and has a locking screw. The screw is bent. Any ideas on finding a replacement screw, and a suitable cable release?

3. The aperture scale markings are 2.9 4 8 16 32 64 128. Obviously this lens did not come in this shutter originally! However, what is the likelihood that the spacing is correct? I have ordered a lensboard, but don't yet have a way of looking at image on gg or taking a test photo.

4. Shutter has a few usable speeds: 100=instantaneous (will measure, sounds like 1/50); 50=1/4; 25=1.5; slower speeds verrry slow and erratic; B OK; T requires MBT lever to be moved away from T to close shutter. Can use it as is, will get a CLA if lens is a good performer.

Lens is marked "GOERZ DAGOR F: 6.8 SERIES III No 4 FOCUS 9 1/2 IN. No 310277". Approximately where would it fit into the Dagor history?

[Ole Tjugen]

That's a very old Compound!

The aperture scale is correct - but it's marked in US, not f-stops. US 16 is f:16, US 8 is f:11, and so on.

That cable release socket is a modified air release socket. The stop screw has been added to be able to use a mechanical cable release.

I suggest getting a CLA. If that shutter has paper aperture leaves, working a stiff aperture might damage them.

Sorry, that lens was made by Goerz US and I have no idea of what age that serial number indicates.

[Mark Sampson]

Look in the 'lenses' page on the front of this site for some Goerz serial#s and manufacture dates.

[john wilton]

Ole, thanks for the info. I tried gaffertaping a blower bulb to the release outlet; it works! Based on the table mentioned by Mark the lens was made in 1911, so chances are the shutter came with the lens, and a CLA would be worthwhile.

[Gene McCluney]

The hose and bulb style of shutter release seems to be the standard for pre-1920's lenses. I wonder when the clockwork shutter manufacturers started equipping their shutters for the more modern cable release?

[Ernest Purdum]

Deckel, the Compound maker, changed from air to cable socket in 1911.

[john wilton]

Any tips on finding a suitable bulb and tube?

[Ernest Purdum]

Sure, I'll send you one no charge. How much tubing do you want?

[john wilton]

Ernest, thanks for offer, but I took shutter in for CLA today; repairman will see if he can fit an adapter nut for a conventional cable release. If it doesn't work out, I'll pm you.