Problem with New Fujinon W 135mm f5.6

[brahntril]

So I recently got a "Near Mint" Fujinon W 135mm off of the auction site for my first foray into large format. Then an issue came up while I was testing the lens; the shutter seems to treat the 'B' and 'T' settings as the same, once I cock the shutter after setting it the only way to close the shutter is to move the shutter speed ring. After that happens, all the slow speeds go out of whack and I have to fire the lens at 1/30th or 1/60th to get those speeds to act normally.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QirjPiKiqmCPRFNZOx1O5ZnbPdE_g2yk/view?usp=sharing

I know I can just return the lens and get another version of the same lens, but I wanted to know if this is a regular problem or if I did anything wrong.

[Eric Woodbury]

The video doesn't play for me. Maybe it's rated R.

Not sure from your description what is going on, but close the shutter first, then cock the shutter. This is most agreeable with shutters I have.

[Robert Opheim]

It may be that the shutter needs cleaning - often refereed to as a CLA (clean, lube, adjustment). Besides the T and B setting is the 1 second slow as well? If so this would be a indicator of a sticky shutter. I was able to look at the video. I have a shutter that needs a CLA as well.

[brahntril]

The video doesn't play for me. Maybe it's rated R.

Not sure from your description what is going on, but close the shutter first, then cock the shutter. This is most agreeable with shutters I have.

Actually in testing the lens again, it looks like the problem is just with the 'B' setting as it just sticks and the other speeds seem to do what they are supposed to do. I dont think it'll stay that way but it just seems weird. I can link a video I took of this if you want to see that.


It may be that the shutter needs cleaning - often refereed to as a CLA (clean, lube, adjustment). Besides the T and B setting is the 1 second slow as well? If so this would be a indicator of a sticky shutter. I was able to look at the video. I have a shutter that needs a CLA as well.

The 1 second setting is pretty much spot on but I'll look into a CLA for this shutter.

[Dugan]

It sounds like a CLA should take care of the problem.

[sharktooth]

It's odd that Bulb doesn't work properly. That's usually the thing that almost always does work.

Just a guess, but try actuating the viewing lever a few times. That's the black triangular shaped knob/lever that opens the shutter for focusing purposes. Maybe that's not closing completely, and interfering with the normal operation of the shutter. Move that lever back and forth several times, and make sure the shutter is properly opening and closing as the lever is actuated.

[lenicolas]

This lens isn’t rare so depending on the cost of a CLA I would look into returning it.
Btw I have one myself (actually a CM-W but potato/potato) and it’s a lovely lens, definitely worth owning.

I bought a 300mm cm-W from a Japanese seller on eBay, the lens looked like new but came with non working slow speeds.
I went through the trouble of getting it serviced because it’s an expensive and less common lens, plus I had already paid the import duties on it, but the service here in Norway cost me 140usd and I had to battle to get the seller to cover only half of it.
Now before I buy anything from ebay I ask the seller to test all the speeds. That way I have it in writing that it’s sold as in-working-order.

[robphoto]

I would "exercise" the shutter, fire it about 15 or so times at each speed, open and close the preview a bunch of times as suggested above, and see if it works ok then. Sometimes they just get sticky from lack of use.

If that doesn't fix it, ask your local repair place what they charge to Clean-Lube-Adjust a Copal 0 shutter. See if the seller will rebate you some money towards the repair.

Then compare the total cost of lens and repair to what else is available, and make your choice.

[Tin Can]

My example works fine

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/acceptable-shutter-speeds.128955/print

[brahntril]

It's odd that Bulb doesn't work properly. That's usually the thing that almost always does work.

Just a guess, but try actuating the viewing lever a few times. That's the black triangular shaped knob/lever that opens the shutter for focusing purposes. Maybe that's not closing completely, and interfering with the normal operation of the shutter. Move that lever back and forth several times, and make sure the shutter is properly opening and closing as the lever is actuated.

When I do that, the bulb setting works once and then goes back to sticking when I try it again. It might be an issue of exercising the shutter like other people are saying.

[Bernice Loui]

Beauty rating like "mint", "Excellent", "Ugly" and such often do not describe the functional condition of a Foto item unless the seller states then backs up their claim with a warranty or right of return, or why making a purchase on beauty ratings is not wise. Beyond stocky B_T, unless the shutter speeds have been accurately tested, they could be a problem waiting to spring a surprise.

This is a sticky shutter, it will need to be cleaned-serviced-adjusted-calibrated.

Given how common these Fujinon lenses remain, seriously consider returning it for defective shutter. Find another in proven good condition with assurance-warranty from the seller. Then move on.

Sticky-iffy shutters are going to be a problem when least expected as the iffy shutter can ruin your entire photo creating endeavor. Consider the following:

~Purchase sheet film.
~Load sheet film into film holders.
~Get all that Foto gear ready to make images. This could be around the house to a long journey out to _ .
~Set up, then make exposures and such.
~Pack up, put the Foto stuff away.
~Process the film.

... only to discover all the above is down the sewer due to the shutter-mal-function....

What all that worth your time, resources, effort and lost opportunity for images? If one is just beginning the LF view camera journey what happened above will be discouraging and draining in surprising ways.

Much about the Much bigger picture.
Bernice




So I recently got a "Near Mint" Fujinon W 135mm off of the auction site for my first foray into large format. Then an issue came up while I was testing the lens; the shutter seems to treat the 'B' and 'T' settings as the same, once I cock the shutter after setting it the only way to close the shutter is to move the shutter speed ring. After that happens, all the slow speeds go out of whack and I have to fire the lens at 1/30th or 1/60th to get those speeds to act normally.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QirjPiKiqmCPRFNZOx1O5ZnbPdE_g2yk/view?usp=sharing

I know I can just return the lens and get another version of the same lens, but I wanted to know if this is a regular problem or if I did anything wrong.

[sharktooth]

When I do that, the bulb setting works once and then goes back to sticking when I try it again. It might be an issue of exercising the shutter like other people are saying.

Yes, try exercising both the shutter and the viewing lever to see if bulb starts working more consistently. It definitely seems like a light sticking issue.

If the exercising doesn't cure it, then I'd personally use a little lighter fluid to see if that will clear things up. To do that, remove both the front and rear lens groups, so that you don't risk getting anything on the lenses. Once the lens groups are removed, put a few drops of lighter fluid into the gap where the shutter release lever works. Exercise the shutter and the viewing lever to see if it frees things up enough to get bulb working consistently.

[Keith Pitman]

Yes, try exercising both the shutter and the viewing lever to see if bulb starts working more consistently. It definitely seems like a light sticking issue.

If the exercising doesn't cure it, then I'd personally use a little lighter fluid to see if that will clear things up. To do that, remove both the front and rear lens groups, so that you don't risk getting anything on the lenses. Once the lens groups are removed, put a few drops of lighter fluid into the gap where the shutter release lever works. Exercise the shutter and the viewing lever to see if it frees things up enough to get bulb working consistently.

I’ve done this several times with gummy shutters and it frequently works. The main caution is to remove the glass before squirting lighter fluid into the shutter.

[brahntril]

Yes, try exercising both the shutter and the viewing lever to see if bulb starts working more consistently. It definitely seems like a light sticking issue.

If the exercising doesn't cure it, then I'd personally use a little lighter fluid to see if that will clear things up. To do that, remove both the front and rear lens groups, so that you don't risk getting anything on the lenses. Once the lens groups are removed, put a few drops of lighter fluid into the gap where the shutter release lever works. Exercise the shutter and the viewing lever to see if it frees things up enough to get bulb working consistently.

After doing this for like 10 minutes, it seems like the Bulb setting has stopped sticking. Not to look a gifthorse in the mouth, I'm still going to try and have it sent off for a CLA but it's not a lost cause after all.

The trials and tribulations of large format, I guess.

[Drew Wiley]

It could be the cable release itself getting stuck due to a kink or tight lock. Have you tried it with a different cable release, or not at all?