Ektar 203 adaptability to modern Copal #0 shutter?

[Hening Bettermann]

Hi again!

To Kerry: Yes, I am aware of the relationship between resolution, contrast and apparent sharpness. But since there are - to my knowledge - no MTF charts available for all these lenses like your resolution charts, I felt I had little choice with regard to what to base my decision on. The much more so do I appreciate your additional detailed comments, which have made me aware of some problems.

With regard to the weights of #1 Copal and Compur shutters: I am sorrry - I had overlooked that my weights included the old-style (ca 1982) Arca Swiss lensboards, which weigh 48 gr undrilled - that is very consistent with 40 gr drilled (205 minus 165 for the Copal).

Thanks to all of you who responded. - Hening.

[Andrew Crump]

the kodak 203 'mount 370'was made in Britain from I think, early 50's fitted in an Epsilon shutter and later in the Prontor SVS-- they will fit into copal 0 and compur 0
they dont need the recess in the shutter so will fit in some earlier compurs as well
the mount 370 refers to the 37mm push fit series accessories that mount on the front. Most were originally supplied attached to the British made Kodak Specialist Cameras(Which are similar to the earlier Kodak Clinical) sold to government organizations .(weight in epsilon shutter is about 150gms)

[Doremus Scudder]

For what it's worth, I had my Supramatic shutter CLA'd by Steve Grimes some years ago. At that time he replaced several springs. The shutter speeds test extremely consistantly and accurately. I believe he made the replacement springs himself, and assume also that his successors could do the same. Cost was about $75 (maybe less). The Supramatic, when working well is not only extremely reliable, but quite rugged as well (maybe Kerry Thalman can coroborate this...). One can probably find a fairly good 203 Ekatar in a Supramatic on *bay for under $100 with a little patience. Even if the shutter needed work, this would be a good deal. I love my little Ektar and use it regularly.
Hope this helps.

[Ernest Purdum]

If anyone is interested, there is a Mount 370 lens on eBay now. The item number is 7516411398. The seller allows return.

I had never heard of these until about a month ago. Now it seems that I find reference to one every time I turn on the computer. I did buy one myself, and I would recommend them to anyone, but particularly someone starting out in the 4X5 format.

[Hening Bettermann]

Thank you for your concern, Ernest!

( I tried to send this little ThankYou privately, but the address ernestpurdum-at-webtv-dot-net did not work).

Good light! - Hening.

[Paul Cocklin]

So I was searching for some info and got this thread. Here's the story:

A few months ago I got into LF with my first purchase; a Calumet monorail 4x5. Since then I've had a blast with the 150mm Rodenstock I picked up on ebay. In fact, I've had so much fun on ebay, I've become somewhat of a camera and accessories dealer, buying polaroid holders and other accessories cheap and hoping to get more for them than I paid.

Yesterday, I bought another Calumet 4x5 monorail with lens, for a little over $200. The lens was what I wanted, I figured I can get $150 or more for relisting and selling the camera and the lens will have only cost me around $80. The lens? A Kodak Ektar 203mm f7.7 in a Flash Supermatic shutter.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what kind of color performance I might expect (allowing for individual variances of lenses and condition). I've read that this lense covers 5x7, so movements I'm not worried about; Sharpness would be my main concern, as most of what I shoot are landscapes. Does anyone know of any adverse sharpness issues when stopped all the way down to f45? Also, I assume since the shutter is called a 'flash' supermatic that it has flash sync. I think (remember, I'm new at this) that the two little posts sticking up are for flash. but how on earth do I hook up my SB-28 to that? :-)

Any information, opinions or suggestions would be much appreciated. I love this forum, it has renewed not only my faith in people, but given a boost to my enjoyment of life itself. Dramatic words, but true none the less.

Thanks all,
Paul

[Ernest Purdum]

Hening,

I've corrected the email address problem ((I hope). Thank you.

Paul,

I wouldn't worry much aboutr either color performance or sharpness when stopped down. You've got it, go try it, I think you'll like it.

You are right about the two little posts. Unfortunately, not only are connecting cables to fit hard to find, there is a built-in time delay to allow for the ignition lag of flashbulbs.

Congratulations on your second Calumet purchase. Selling a view camera with lens on eBay rarely gets as much money as selling the same items separately.

[Mark Sampson]

A Kodak Flash Supermatic shutter should have X-sync. On the face of the shutter there is likely to be a curved opening with a sliding panel beneath it, and a screw to hold it tight. Loosen the screw and rotate the panel beneath until you can read "X". I also have a Supermatic that has the single long post flash connector, callled an ASA bayonet post. There are also adapters for those types. And bi-post flash connectors are still made by Paramount, a good camera store should have them.

[Ernest Purdum]

Kerry,

I just noted that while a 1942 Kodak lens and shutter book indicates that the 203 is mounted in a Supermatic, an earlier, undated, version says that the then "No. 70 Kodak Anastigmat, f7.7, 8-inch" came in a No. 1 Compur.

Apparently, those late 203mm Ektars in Compur you mention were a reversion to an earlier specification. Too bad they didn't leave the cells the same, and adjust the shutter dimensions accordingly, when the Compur shutters became unavailable.

[Geoffrey Poulton]

Kerry,

I just noted that while a 1942 Kodak lens and shutter book indicates that the 203 is mounted in a Supermatic, an earlier, undated, version says that the then "No. 70 Kodak Anastigmat, f7.7, 8-inch" came in a No. 1 Compur.

Apparently, those late 203mm Ektars in Compur you mention were a reversion to an earlier specification. Too bad they didn't leave the cells the same, and adjust the shutter dimensions accordingly, when the Compur shutters became unavailable.

I have an Ektar 203mm in a Compur 1 shutter, so it wasn't just the No 70 Anastigmat f7.7 that came in that shutter.

Or am I misunderstanding your point?