Voigtlander Braunschweig 21cm Heliar f 1 : 4,5

[eduardtoader]

I purchased this lens 10 months ago. The Compound shutter was blocked and I send it to repair. Now I still have two problems:

1 - the shutter speed is very innacurate ( 1/30 sec = 1/60 sec - It seems to shoot more quickly than normal speed - but I´ve not test it because I don´t know how). The repair man told me that the compund shutter use a little compressed air cylinder with a piston that control the shutter blades blabla. In time the cylinder loose the air compression, so the piston go more fast.

2 - the front element is blocked so I can´t remove it.

Now I want to know if this lens is a good quality lens. I´ve loked on web but I´ve not meet anything about this model ( image circle or other specifications ) It´s worth to send it for change the shutter? If I want to sell it how can I ask for it?

[Dan Fromm]

eduard, the Heliar is supposed to be a fine lens. The 210 is a normal lens for 5x7, allows limited movements.

Compound shutters are very robust, can usually be repaired. Your repairman seems to have done a bad job.

In the US, www.skgrimes.com and www.flutotscamerarepair.com will work on them; there may be others.

In the EU, try http://pagesperso-orange.fr/nicorep/index.htm , http://www.photosuffren.com/ , http://www.photo-technique.com/

Sorry, I'm not aware of any good repair shops in Spain.

[Steven Tribe]

For many many people the Heliar is the portrait lens. Wide open it does give a very pleasing glow on faces. Compound shutters have a very good reputation and were made for a long period and were the standard fitment ex-voigtländer. Finding a replacement shutter will be difficult without considerable costs. You can find image circles at Cameraeccentrics website. I am not sure your serviceman is correct about why the speeds are up. If the shutter speeds are consistent, I would suggest you accept them as they are and choose film speeds and aperture which match your planned use. Heliars are quite common on e**y so you can judge value there.

[eduardtoader]

thank you Dan. It´s great to have arround people that know more than I.. It´s very helpfull. I´m lerning a lot here.. thank you all that endure my rough english!

Yeah.. Is the only repair man in 400 km area. He is an old man who was living and working in Switzerland. I´m shure that he know more than I about cameras but i´m shure too about the lens not work good.

I will take a look to your links.

best regards!

[cdholden]

Eduard,
As long as you're exposing for conditions that require slow times, you can still use the "B" setting for "bulb" and count the time manually. It will still allow you to use the lens, and will delay or prevent you from having to spend the money to fix it if money finds it is not ready to leave your wallet yet.
Bueno suerte.
Chris

[Ken Lee]

I have one of these lenses. Here are two larger files, from photos were made with it on 4x5 TMY.

Modern designs are coated, and provide greater coverage and color fidelity - but the Heliar is a superb lens for many situations.

http://www.kennethleegallery.com/html/tech/still3.php

http://www.kennethleegallery.com/html/tech/still4.php

[eduardtoader]

hello Steven.
I thought to keep the lens without another repair sesion but i´m not shure about the speed equivalence. I have only one choice to use it correctly - with the flash, so I would like to have i for more light situations.

I looked on the e**y but there are not another like mine.

[Steven Tribe]

There are 5 on the site! All in compound shutters like yours.

Current listing ending tomorrow 170461375507.
Completed listings 29045030792 , 320497971055, 110480004584 and 150420454074.

[eduardtoader]

You right, Steven. I marked the worldwide options but this morning I didn´t saw anyone..

I wil send mine to fix it. The french camera repair have reasonable prices.

[Philippe Grunchec]

In France, Maël Bilquey who is located in Limoges (not too far from Spain) does a very good job at very reasonable prices!
http://www.photo-technique.com/