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Thread: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

  1. #1
    Embdude's Avatar
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    Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    I recently saw a chrome/silver colored compound shutter.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	355mm 6.3 Kodak Anastigmat Ektar in neat paintless compur  101.jpg 
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    it belonged to a Kodak lens, a 14" Eastman Anastigmat Ektar 6.3. (precursor to the Commercial Ektar lens which was in an Ilex shutter).

    It was for sale on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4618...0499322629146/

    I have not seen one of these chrome compound shutters before and am curious if it was specific to the Kodak lens or if anyone knows of other examples?

    I have not found an image of another chrome Compound shutter, and I have searched online a bit.

    What I have found is the Anastigmat Ektar was sold from late 1938 and could be ordered in barrel or compound shutter and was marketed in the Ilex by the end of 1939. So the chrome compound on this lens was only around for a year or less.

    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	244039 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Screenshot 2023-11-05 at 10.19.26 PM (2) copy.jpg 
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ID:	244040 Click image for larger version. 

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    There is a little mention of this lens and chrome shutter here at LF forum at this thread but no photos: https://www.largeformatphotography.i...-Common-Lenses
    Last edited by Embdude; 20-Nov-2023 at 17:25. Reason: Fixed dates to 1938-39

  2. #2
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    I may have one with failed shutter in OE wood box
    Tin Can

  3. #3

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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    Very interesting, thank you. Per some of Kodak's literature, the Eastman Ektars which followed shortly in the early 1940's had anti-reflection coating on their inner surfaces, something that's not mentioned for this lens. The Compound shutter is described as "specifically designed", wonder if that means the lens mounting threads are not what was standard for the Compound, similar to what was done later with the Ilex shutters.

    It was expected that the Compound shutter mounted lens would be available in early 1939, by late 1939 they switched to the Ilex shutter. Leaves me thinking that perhaps if it were not for WWII happening, we would have seen the Eastman Ektars and ultimately the Commercial Ektars mounted in Compound rather than Ilex shutters.

    Incidentally according to an on-line inflation calculator, $175 in January 1939 is the equivalent to $3846 today.

    David

  4. #4

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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    I'm thinking that very few of these were made before Kodak changed over to defense contracts. As I mentioned in the other thread long ago, I used to have a 1940 10' f/6.3 Eastman Ektar (in its original ebony box) as a desk ornament when I worked at Kodak. It was as-new and may never have left the building where it was made. s/n EY000 as I recall.

  5. #5

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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    Custom adaptation?
    Peeling off the paint out of the Compound to fit Commercial Ektar style?

    Pimped Wollensak Optimo No4 on my hands, paintless and shiny with front brass plate, previous owner liked to shoot in style. Looks unrecognizable and fancy.

  6. #6

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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    Quote Originally Posted by Vaidotas View Post
    Custom adaptation?
    Peeling off the paint out of the Compound to fit Commercial Ektar style?

    Pimped Wollensak Optimo No4 on my hands, paintless and shiny with front brass plate, previous owner liked to shoot in style. Looks unrecognizable and fancy.
    Yes. I've never seen a compound shutter in anything other than black, so I would guess that someone stripped the black paint off of it.

  7. #7

    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    Quote Originally Posted by Vaidotas View Post
    Custom adaptation? Peeling off the paint out of the Compound to fit Commercial Ektar style?...
    Yes, this was my thought, someone stripped the paint.

  8. #8

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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    Re custom adaptation, see the OP's third image. EKCo offered the lens in Compound.

  9. #9

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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    Custom adaptation or not, at least parts of that shutter look like silver/chrome paint and not really chrome metal. I.e. the piston cylinder and possibly the piston caps look painted. So you could do the same to your Compound if you wanted too.

  10. #10

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    Re: Chrome Compound Shutter... looking for information on them

    I have one of those lenses Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	244050says no.525k on it

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