Lenses using Copal 3 and 3S shutters. Chart ?

[Daniel Grenier]

Anybody know of a chart showing which lenses use Copal 3 shutters and which use the 3S? I need a Copal 3 and don't want to (again) buy a "cheap" lens that may have a 3S as opposed to a "true" #3.

Thanks all.

[Joe Forks]

Daniel,
Does that mean you have a cheap copal 3s shutter laying around?

Sorry I don't have the answer to the chart. I've been investigating this myself.

Best
Joe

[Oren Grad]

Copal 3S shutters are the exception, not the rule. I've never seen a lens from a major vendor offered in a 3S. It's most often seen in aftermarket mountings, especially of process lenses, such as the several focal lengths of the Kowas and Computars that screw in directly.

If I bought a "cheap" lens that turned out to come in a 3S, I'd be tickled, not irritated - the shutter alone has substantial value. I'd either turn it for a profit or keep it around for the next time I stumbled across an interesting 3S-compatible process lens.

[Daniel Grenier]

Daniel,
Does that mean you have a cheap copal 3s shutter laying around.....

I did... but no longer as I sold the lens. I thought it'd fit my 355 G-Claron but no! That is when I found out there were two types of Copal 3 shutters :mad:

[Joe Forks]

Beware of Oasaka's they use the 3s, as do the Kowas, and computar according to Oren.
I also heard somewhere that possibly some Fujis may be in a 3s, but I can not confirm this.

May I inquire what the cheap lens was that you bought which used a copal 3s?

Best
Joe

[John O'Connell]

The most common cheap lens you get with a 3S is the old Congo 180/4.5. I picked one up for about $120.

[Joe Forks]

Thank you John.
Best
Joe

[Ole Tjugen]

I did... but no longer as I sold the lens. I thought it'd fit my 355 G-Claron but no! That is when I found out there were two types of Copal 3 shutters :mad:

Another thing to be aware of is that some older G-Claron 355's fit in Compound #3, not Copal #3. I was lucky with mine, since I had a Compound shutter to fit it in. I also have several other lenses in Compound #3, and none in Copal 3 (or 3s). That makes it easier to use - I dont need yet another lensboard hole size.

[BrianShaw]

So what's the difference between a true-3 and 3S? Does 'S' stand for 'square'? ;)

I read (here on APUG, perhaps) that the Fuji 250SF is in a 3S, but mine says 'COPAL 3' on it.

[Oren Grad]

Copal Dimensions and Specs (from SK Grimes)

COPAL #3
front thread M58-0.75
back thread M58-0.75
overall thickness 32 mm
front to iris 17.7 mm
mount thread M62-0.75
lensboard hole 65 mm
iris dia 45 mm

COPAL #3S
front thread M56-0.75
back thread M56-0.75
overall thickness 28.6 mm
front to iris 16.25 mm
mount thread M61-0.75
lensboard hole 64.1 mm
iris dia 45 mm

[BrianShaw]

Copal Dimensions and Specs (from SK Grimes)


Ahhhhhhh. Thanks!

[Oren Grad]

No sweat. LF trivia R Us. ;)