What is the Prontor shutter all about?

[nick rowan]

I currently have the option to purchase a Schneider Artar lens with a Prontor sh utter. All my life I have used only Copal--and occasionally Compur--shutters. Can somebody please explain to me what the main differences are between these th ree shutters, and how the Prontor compares to Copal and Compur--in terms of accu racy, reliability, ease of use, overall quality, etc? Does the Prontor have any disadvantages or negative features? What is the "street word" on this shutter?

Also, why does Schneider choose to offer its large-format lenses in three different brands of shutters, instead of just one?

Thank you.

Nick Rowan

[Wayne_6692]

I believe the modern Prontor shutter is a self-cocking "press"-type shutter (advantageous for "multiple-pops"). I remember seeing ads for Prontor electronic shutters also, they have a unique sliding aperture bar that can be seen from the back end of a camera. The modern Prontors are expensive. The Artar is probably in an older Prontor shutter, which I don't believe varies much from a Compur - although I've read that reliability-wise the Compur is considered to be better.

[nick rowan]

I should add that the lens in question is a late-vintage Schneider Apo-Artar (360mm), manufactured circa 1990--so the Prontor shutter on it is only about 10 years old.

Nick Rowan

[William Leviit]

There are 2 different Pronto shutters available, the Pronto and the Pronto Pro. I believe information is available at the Schneider Homepage. I would say that the Pronto Pro and the Copal are in the same class, from both reliability and construction. The Compur seems to be a construction in a whole other catagory.

[Paul Schilliger]

Prontor shutters are made for the studio photographer. They have large scales an d commands and are more convenient to use, but are large and heavy too. Not the backpacker first choice.

[nick rowan]

Thank you, Paul. I would be using the lens mostly in the field--so I don't think this shutter is the right one for me.

One more thing: the shutter is a Prontor Professional 3

[Doug Paramore]

Nick: I think with the Artar you are going to be stuck with a large shutter due to the design of the lens. The Artars are thicker through the center than the Plasmat designs. This is a quality lens and shutter and I believe you would find the setup an excellent picture- taker. I am not trying to tell you what to purchase, but the weight may well be balanced by the quality.

Regards,

Doug.

[nick rowan]

Doug,

Are you saying that I SHOULD get this lens? That the lens is big or thick ANYWAY, and that the Prontor Professional 3 shutter is NOT going to be much bigger or more cumbersome than say the Copal 3 or Compur 3- -even in the field? What if I could buy the same lens in a Copal 3 or Compur 3? Do you think that those shutters would NOT be better than the Prontor Professional 3 for location use (mostly portraiture, in my case)? I have been told that the Prontor Professional shutter also requires a "control box" accessory, as well as, optionally, "cables" or some such thing--and this makes it sound all rather complicated to use. I like simplicity--although I do like the idea of a self-cocking shutter, to be able to possibly shoot faster.

[Doug Paramore]

Nick: The Artars are not all that big, but they do not get smaller in the middle like the Symmars, for example. My choice would be a Copal shutter, but all #3 shutters are fairly large. The worst problem I can find with the Artar, if you plan to use it for location portraits, is that the maximum opening is too small. My 19in. Artar only opens up to f-11. I don't know the focal length of the one you are considering. Another problem is that the Artar is so blazengly sharp you will spend all your time retouching. Your portraits will look like medical book examples of skin problems without a soft filter. The Artars are wonderful for scenics and such where you are looking for all the detail you can get. As much as I like my Artar, I would look for another lens for portraits. In regards to shutters, the Prontar is top of the line, but the Copal seems to operate better for some reason (my opinion).

Hope this helps,

Doug.

[Paul Schilliger]

Although I have never used one, I have been told that the Apo-Artars are very sh arp lenses, comparable in design and size to the Apo-Ronars. Certainly an excellent long lens for landscap e too. Artar comes from Graphic Arts, a lens primarely designed for repro. The Prontor Pro with it's cen tral remote control unit is unfortunately expensive and awkward for "on location" takings. An Apo Tele-Xenar 400/5,6 New Compact version would maybe weigh not more than the Artar and control unit and it's cost would perhaps be comparable to the Artar and the required new control unit?