I just received my "new" Crown Graphic, woohoo! However, the shutter on the Graphex lens does not close at the T and B settings. The other settings from 1 - 1/400 secs work (but I don't know if they're accurate). Is this something that I can fix myself or does this require professional attention? Thanks!

-- Bong Munoz (bong@techie.com), November 07, 2001

Answers

Hi Bong

For T you have to push the button 2 times 1. to open 2. to close. B should be as long oppen as you push the button on your cable release. If they are really stuck, use all other times for a while if the T and B still dosn`t work Steven Grimes is your man! Good luck!

-- Armin Seeholzer (armin.seeholzer@smile.ch), November 08, 2001.

You might think of a good cleaning... at a shop it will cost about $90USD or you can pretty easily do it yourself with a micro screw driver, a small paint brush, alcohol and some Kodak Film Cleaner.

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), November 09, 2001.

I've had this problem with several older lenses. It tends to happen when a lens sits around without being used for a long time. A cleaning may or may not work. Sometimes they just get so gummed up that they can't be fixed. Regardless, assuming you're operating it correctly a cleaning is your best choice and hope for the best.

-- Brian Ellis (bellis60@earthlink.net), November 13, 2001.

I had the same problem with a Synchro-Compur-P for a Century Graflex. After unscrewing the lens elements I squirted non-residue electrical contact cleaner and powdered graphite into the cocking lever slot while working the shutter. Aftet letting the shutter dry thoroughly for a day I cleaned the residual graphite off of the shutter and iris blades using a facial tissue dipped in naphtha. Now the shutter works fine at all speeds. Don't use the contact cleaner without the graphite because when the fluid dries, the shutter will lock up completely.

-- George P. Lazarus (geolazrs@megsinet.net), November 15, 2001.