Help with a broken Wollensak Rapax lens

**E. von Hoegh** · 11-Jul-2012, 09:46

Originally Posted by Fotoguy20d

Occurs to me I have a 162mm Optar in an alphax shutter. Bought it to use the shutter with a velostigmat series II that's in a busted Betax. Strangely, while the back dropped right in, the front didn't fit well. Glass on it is not great. Some scuffs and cleaning marks in the front coating. I think I paid $70 for it if you're interested.

Dan

To the OP, your lens elements will screw directly into this shutter. It is a clone of the shutter your lens in mounted in. It may still need a CLA, but that is part of the cost of taking pictures with these cameras.Like film and chemicals; like maintenance is part of the cost of owning and using an automobile.

Edit - See below.

**Dan Fromm** · 11-Jul-2012, 10:35

E., are you sure that an Alphax or Betax will substitute for a Rapax? I ask because I've never found a set of specs for the shutters that I could understand and believe.

Directions to specs would be much appreciated. I've already read about Betaxes at www.cameraeccentric.com.

**E. von Hoegh** · 11-Jul-2012, 10:49

Originally Posted by Dan Fromm

E., are you sure that an Alphax or Betax will substitute for a Rapax? I ask because I've never found a set of specs for the shutters that I could understand and believe.

Directions to specs would be much appreciated. I've already read about Betaxes at www.cameraeccentric.com.

Scheisse! No, I'm not. Somehow I read it as being in another Rapax, and I have no way of checking compatibility.

**SpeedGraphicMan** · 11-Jul-2012, 12:15

It appears that you have it mounted onto a speed graphic?
If so, why not just use the cameras rear focal-plane shutter?

**E. von Hoegh** · 11-Jul-2012, 12:21

Originally Posted by SpeedGraphicMan

It appears that you have it mounted onto a speed graphic?
If so, why not just use the cameras rear focal-plane shutter?

Because the iris is broken.

**John Koehrer** · 11-Jul-2012, 14:45

Rather than guessing that something is broken and needs replacement, have an estimate done.
Something like this could be caused by a loose plate holding the blades in place. Since it's more than one blade, I think this would be more likely.

If you're curious disassemble it. You may fix the aperture but end up with some shutter parts.

**Amphetadream** · 11-Jul-2012, 15:27

Originally Posted by John Koehrer

Rather than guessing that something is broken and needs replacement, have an estimate done.
Something like this could be caused by a loose plate holding the blades in place. Since it's more than one blade, I think this would be more likely.

If you're curious disassemble it. You may fix the aperture but end up with some shutter parts.

I let a friend take a look at it. He was able to reset the blades to open position, so I may have an always-stuck-at-f/4.5 lens on my hands. I'll continue tinkering with it, but I think I'll just bite the bullet and buy a another shutter.

**Fotoguy20d** · 11-Jul-2012, 17:19

Originally Posted by SpeedGraphicMan

It appears that you have it mounted onto a speed graphic?
If so, why not just use the cameras rear focal-plane shutter?

OP can answer for sure but that looks like a B&J press.

Dan

**Amphetadream** · 11-Jul-2012, 21:05

Originally Posted by Fotoguy20d

OP can answer for sure but that looks like a B&J press.

Dan

You're correct!

**Carsten Wolff** · 14-Jul-2012, 03:54

I would either:
a) Send the pic to Carol at Flutots; she MAY give you an idea, re: minimum cost; or
b) get ANY working Rapax shutter of the same size irrespective of focal length and swap both the lens and the shutter face over so your aperture scales match, or
c) put the whole misery up as-is for sale/auction and start afresh with something that works.

PS Dan is of course right. Alphax/Betax are different size than Rapax, so don't go down that route if you're intent on doing a DIY swap.