Black Copal shutter on Fujinon lenses

[peter lagus]

When did Fujinon replace the chrome ring Copal shutters with the Black ring Copal shutter? Were all shutter changed over at the same time or did the change occur gradually over a period of years?

Pete

[ic-racer]

I don't think Fuji made the shutters under license. They used what they got from the manufacturer. I suspect as the manufacturer started shipping black ring shutters Fuji may have had a supply of silver ones to use up first.

http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/brochure.htm The 1981 brochure shows silver-ring shutters and the 1997 brochure shows black ring. Access to brochures in between those years may narrow it down.

Even if you figure it out, the information may be of little use, since lenses, shutters and aperture plates can be switched without leaving telltale marks.