Retaining ring or workaround

[plywood]

Just picked up a 135mm f4.7 Wollensak Raptar. Price was $10 and it works okay except that no retaining ring was present. I measure the thread diameter at 33.5mm. Are these retaining rings specific to a brand and type? Are they available anyplace or are they very hard to find?
Regardless, I will figure out a solution, but it would be nice to have a regular retaining ring.
The retaining ring from my 90 f6.8 Angulon is close but a bit too small.

[Sanford]

The rings are specific to the shutter. Look here for what you need http://skgrimes.com/products/mounting-flanges/u-s-a-stock-flanges

[Randy]

Since I make my own lens-boards, cut from Masonite...I think (old clip-boards I get at yard sales), if I am making one for a lens that has no retaining ring, I cut the hole in the lens-board just a bit small, then with a rounded file I enlarge the hole until it is just large enough for me to screw the lens (or shutter) into it, and the threads cut into the Masonite, making a nice firm mounting. I might be hesitant to do that with a large heavy lens, but I have some smaller lenses that have been mounted that way and used for many years.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Just picked up a 135mm f4.7 Wollensak Raptar. I measure the thread diameter at 33.5mm.

A great work-around are external retaining rings https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-1-1-8-in-Steel-External-Retaining-Ring-79638/202210088 illustration). They work!

Surf the 'net for exact fit. Order one slightly smaller than 33.5mm

[Tin Can]

Dental floss!

Wind it tightly around the threads in the correct clockwise direction until it is good enough.

Then tie a knot or drop of glue.

I only recomend this for $10 lens...

Don't ask me how to fix a flat tire in the middle of nowhere.

[plywood]

Thanks all. I'm leaning toward the 'hole just the right size' and 'dental floss' solution. Benefits are no extra expense and it's renewable.
On more complete examination this units shutter is.....well put kindly, a bit lacking. Since I'm only messing about with photo paper negatives at a nominal ISO 6, I've locked the shutter open and will stop well down and just cover/uncover the lens for the correct time.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Thanks all. I'm leaning toward the 'hole just the right size' and 'dental floss' solution. Benefits are no extra expense and it's renewable.

Yeah, the $1.75 snap ring is too expensive.

[jmontague]

That snap ring is a great idea. Don’t need to apply that solution at this time, but would never have thought of that. Love the LF Forum.


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[Tin Can]

No, it's too hard to find on Saturday night, and few actually have a 'real' hardware store.




Yeah, the $1.75 snap ring is too expensive.

[plywood]

No, it's too hard to find on Saturday night, and few actually have a 'real' hardware store.

That's true. The MEGA stores, Lowes and HD are useless for oddball stuff. Fortunately in our town there is a hardware store that is local and been here since the stone age. They have everything! We also have Tacoma Screw, they have almost any fastener you can think of, either in their Olympia location where I live or at their main place in Tacoma. They probably have the snap rings too.

[domaz]

You can use plumbing o-rings for smaller size shutters a lot of time. If you get a tight fit they hold really well. Ace Hardware or Mclendon's will have you covered on those.

[Luis-F-S]

Dental floss!

Don't ask me how to fix a flat tire in the middle of nowhere.

Dental floss????

[Luis-F-S]

If it's worth keeping get a retaining ring, if not get rid of it. L

[Tin Can]

One method of fixing a flat tire in the middle of nowhere.

Is stuff the tire with grass, hay, weeds, rags what you. Keep at it.

I have seen this done, it's hard work, but it saves the tire from total destruction and will get you down the dusty road. Remember this is middle of nowhere...

Flight of the Phoenix (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flight_of_the_Phoenix_(1965_film)) is one of my favorite movies. The first one, made in 1965.





Dental floss????

[Dugan]

I really like the snap ring idea.

[Paul Ron]

just buy a retaining ring instead of a sloppy workaround.

https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1535

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM33RR

[plywood]

just buy a retaining ring instead of a sloppy workaround.

https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1535

https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM33RR
Thanks but...this is a 'junk' lens for a specific application. I spent $10 for it and will use it for paper negatives with the shutter rigged to open as I press the cable release and close when I release the cable release plunger. Someday I spend around $200 and get a used 150mm something something that will operate within nominal limits. I'll make sure my $200 lens comes with a retaining ring.
And hey, this is a step up from a single element, series 6, +5 (200mm) close up lens that I'm using now and stopping down to f64 (1/8 inch hole).

[Paul Ron]

epoxy it in if its a junker.

[Jim Jones]

epoxy it in if its a junker.

I agree. If it's a junk lens, improvise a junk lens board and epoxy it.

[Gary Beasley]

Easy way to epoxy it might be the putty type epoxy, mix and form a thin rope and wrap the threads, press it into the back of the lens board and let it set. Might even be removeable of the threads are wiped with vaseline before the procedure.

[malexand]

I've had great results with a hot glue gun - especially for junkers, experiments or lens testing. Quick, easy to use, not as permanent as epoxy and wont damage the lens or your lensboard.

[Roger Thoms]

I've had great results with a hot glue gun - especially for junkers, experiments or lens testing. Quick, easy to use, not as permanent as epoxy and wont damage the lens or your lensboard.

+1

Roger

[plywood]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the great ideas.
@malexand, Never thought of hot glue or even used one. Sounds like something I should have handy, they are certainly cheap enough.
I've not quite reached the Miroslav Tichy school of camera building, but I do like to use 'found items' whenever possible.

[jim10219]

I've had great results with a hot glue gun - especially for junkers, experiments or lens testing. Quick, easy to use, not as permanent as epoxy and wont damage the lens or your lensboard.

I wasn't a hot glue fan until I discovered the glue will lose it's bond without melting everywhere when exposed to rubbing alcohol. That makes it really convenient for anything that is supposed to be semi-permanent. Now I use it all of the time!