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Duolab123
6-Apr-2016, 18:06
I need a really nice bulb for a Packard shutter. I bought a bulb and tube for 25 bucks off Ebay works fine but lacks substance. I have a really nice c.1950 Deardorff V8, (front swings no cast aluminum bed plate ) has a big ol Wollensak Velostigmat II, 12 inch (nope isn't old enough to have diffusion ring) . When I got the camera it was filthy, packard shutter didn't work, so I set it aside. First thing I did was put a 12 in Commercial Ektar on the camera (with shutter) which is great.

I finally got the nerve to open the Packard, two minutes had it fixed. Now I'm itching to make some f4.5 portraits by window light.

The original bulb is petrified, rubber tubing is fine, original bulb and tube are red. The bulb I have is a cheap black bulb, boring.

Is there a excellent source for these bulbs (is my best bet to call Packard? )

Sage advice needed, thanks, Best Mike

Tim Meisburger
6-Apr-2016, 18:12
I would say Packard given your needs and desires. I have in the past used the bulb that comes with those air blowers used for lens cleaning.

mdarnton
6-Apr-2016, 18:50
I gotten bulbs and hose several times from Packard. His are the best quality, and he send things quickly. The real Packard bulbs are black and smooth. You might think you want a nice red one, until summer when it gets weird and sticky and you can't clean it.

Tin Can
6-Apr-2016, 19:10
Call Reno (son owner of Packard family biz) he does have the best and they are worth it.

Tracy Storer
6-Apr-2016, 19:27
PLUS 1 on the quality of the bulbs and tubing I have gotten from Packard. http://www.packardshutter.com/

Call Reno (son owner of Packard family biz) he does have the best and they are worth it.

Duolab123
6-Apr-2016, 19:45
I will be getting a hold of Packard, I should have known better than to fiddle around on Ebay.
Thanks! !
Mike

seezee
7-Apr-2016, 10:57
I gotten bulbs and hose several times from Packard. His are the best quality, and he send things quickly. The real Packard bulbs are black and smooth. You might think you want a nice red one, until summer when it gets weird and sticky and you can't clean it.

I was going to chime in that I got mine on the big auction site, but seeing as it has a red bulb I'm throwing in with mdarnton. Guess I'll be experiencing some "weird & sticky" soon.

mdarnton
7-Apr-2016, 12:04
For the record, my weird one was matte finish, not shiny. It was softer rubber and I think that made a difference.

seezee
7-Apr-2016, 13:37
The truth is, all natural (latex) rubber degrades over time. Add heat and humidity and you accelerate the process. The ideal material for those bulbs would be some sort of silicone.

Jac@stafford.net
7-Apr-2016, 14:07
An inexpensive large ear syringe would work. Knock yourself out.
.

AtlantaTerry
7-Apr-2016, 20:34
What about using a squeeze bulb from an enema bag or other drug store item?

Gary Deal
23-Apr-2016, 04:34
The big red bulb and long plastic nozzle that are made for removing acid from a car battery (to put in a hydrometer). I'm not sure if they're even made anymore.

The plastic part is easily reworked, and the bulb is *large*. My dust blower is made from one of them with the stepped nozzle from a toothpaste-style tube of silicone glued onto the front - cut to the smallest size. It's worked great for several decades now. The dust blower, poked into the tube going to the shutter, also works great, though I don't use the Packard much. You just have to make sure you don't pull the bulb off the tube at a critical moment.

It looks like Packard's price for their bulb isn't really that much at $15.

scheinfluger_77
23-Apr-2016, 12:56
An inexpensive large ear syringe would work. Knock yourself out.
.

That's what I have, cost about $12 at the local pharmacy.

Oh, and it has little wings so you don't stick it in (your ear) too far.

Tin Can
23-Apr-2016, 13:40
I know you all love your alternative bulb...beat the system.

However I need the real thing, meaning what Packard sells.

It has a removeable wood plug in the top, which I use all the time. The top hole is very handy for 'Bulb' exposures where you want to open the shutter and have it stay open. Then when you want to close the shutter you squeeze the bulb tight with the hole open, plug hole with thumb or the provided wood plug and SUCK the shutter closed.

Hard to do, but possible, without a bulb with a hole.

How is a turkey baster at doing that?

scheinfluger_77
23-Apr-2016, 13:59
Shucks, just trying to be helpful. The turkey baster might work if you have a straight shot at it....

Tin Can
23-Apr-2016, 14:54
Shucks, just trying to be helpful. The turkey baster might work if you have a straight shot at it....

I know and I often walk a long way to save a penny.

However, I have bought 3 of the original and don't regret.

I actually need 3...:)

Michael Cienfuegos
24-Apr-2016, 11:12
When my bulb wore out I used the bulb off an old blood pressure cuff. It is still in good condition.


m

adelorenzo
24-Apr-2016, 15:51
I just made one using a rubber pipette bulb I had lying around and some elastic tubing I bought for a few dollars at the medical store. Drilled a hole in the bulb for the proper thumb action. Works perfectly.