Ilex #5 Universal Synchro Shutter issue (Kodak)

[Balazs Szabo]

Hello all,

So I bought a new lens :cool:
It's a 14" Commercial Ektar in the shutter mentioned above, in lovely shape.

Previous owner said the shutter was serviced and is working perfectly.

Well, almost..

1)
everything is fine and all speeds (apart from 1 sec sometimes) sound accurate and strong as long as the lens and lensboard are in vertical position. When the lens is pointed at the ceiling or at the floor, however, all speeds become a painfully slow mess, the shutter blades take ages to open up and close down, as if they were doing everything in slow motion. Turn the lens back so that the barrel is parallel to the ground and it works perfectly again.

2)
I also noticed that the viewing lever is a bit funny, at least I think so - never had any other lens an ilex shutter before. Opening is fine, the blades quickly pop open, but when shutting it close it seems like they only fall back to position thanks to gravity. The lever itself goes back into closed position without encountering any resistance indeed, as if it was disengaged.

3)
Me thinks something's off. xD

Any advice is much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Balazs

[Dugan]

It sounds like time for a CLA.
Carol at Flutot's CLA'd an Ilex Acme #3 for me and it still works great ~3 years later.
Others may have other recommendations.

[Balazs Szabo]

Thanks Dugan,

I expressed my disappointedness to the seller and consider sending it off to get cla'd - once I get compensated. I also asked him who serviced the shutter, as I definitely want to avoid sending it back that way.
I live in Europe, but if I can't find anyone closeby, I might consider Flutot's.

[Bernice Loui]

If the shutter for this Ektar is shipped for service, seriously consider shipping only the shutter without the Ektar lens cells with proper protection for the shutter during the abusive shipping process. This way, the Ektar lens cells will not endure the abuse of shipping and great risk of damage to the lens cells due to the shipping process.


Bernice


Thanks Dugan,

I expressed my disappointedness to the seller and consider sending it off to get cla'd - once I get compensated. I also asked him who serviced the shutter, as I definitely want to avoid sending it back that way.
I live in Europe, but if I can't find anyone closeby, I might consider Flutot's.

[Balazs Szabo]

Considering it will likely go to the US for service, this is seems like a very good bit of advice. Will definitely do so.

Thank you very much ��

[Mark Sampson]

An Ilex No.5 shutter is not a complex device. Have a look at skgrimes.com; they no longer service shutters, but used to have a page about them with illustrations.
If you know of a camera repair service in Italy, they may be able to fix your shutter without international shipping.
By the way, you've made a fine choice of lenses. Best of luck!

[John Kasaian]

I've got a couple of No. 5 Universals and I don't recollect any of mine ever being position sensitive.

[Balazs Szabo]

I've got a couple of No. 5 Universals and I don't recollect any of mine ever being position sensitive.

No, I don't think it's normal for any shutter to be sensitive to being pointed up or down. ��

[Balazs Szabo]

An Ilex No.5 shutter is not a complex device. Have a look at skgrimes.com; they no longer service shutters, but used to have a page about them with illustrations.
If you know of a camera repair service in Italy, they may be able to fix your shutter without international shipping.
By the way, you've made a fine choice of lenses. Best of luck!

Yes, I heard they are considered reliable and easy to service.
I'd prefer having it serviced here in Italy.

[paulbarden]

Hello all,

So I bought a new lens :cool:
It's a 14" Commercial Ektar in the shutter mentioned above, in lovely shape.

Previous owner said the shutter was serviced and is working perfectly.
Balazs

If the seller stated that it was "serviced and is working perfectly", and yet does not function correctly when aimed up or down, then it has NOT been properly serviced and is certainly not "working perfectly". You've been lied to. If I had made such a purchase I would be very quick to request a refund and send it back.

[Balazs Szabo]

Thank you, Paul.

Exactly what I thought. I requested a return just after a few messages were exchanged with the seller. Never heard of him since then. Luckily I always prefer paying the extra fee for money back guarantee, unless I buy from a trusted source.

Looks like I just have to wait and see whether he'll offer compensation or take the lens back.