New shutter or new lens

[Don Wallace]

I have an older 90mm Super Angulon in a Compur shutter. For some time, the 1/15 speed has not worked and the local repair shop said they could not get it working. Over the weekend, the shutter stopped working altogether. Also, the lens is quite worn, with scrapes and some good dings (not on the glass). I like 90mm SA's (although f/5.6 would be nice) but here is the dilemma. They are not very expensive on ebay. I saw one very nice and more recent one, in a Copal, go for only $400. Do I:

1) possibly throw good money away getting an older Compur fixed only to have it die again?

2) buy a new Copal to fit, approx. $250? (I am also assuming it is a simple screw-in swap)

3) just buy a more recent one in a Copal?

Has anyone been through this? I am open to suggestions.

[Don Dudenbostel]

I just had Schneider in California replace the Copal 0 on my 121 SA. I had an accident a few years ago and the shutter was damaged beyond repair. I sent the lens in and had a new shutter put on with a new custom F scale and the lens completely disassembled. cleaned and realigned for just over $400. It's basically a new lens now and as good as it was the day I bought it in 1973. If you like the performance of the sample you have and it's not in a Compur 00 then why not spend the money and keep one that you know works properly. Save the extra money and buy some film or something else you want. Cosmetics don't make better images.

[Dan Fromm]

Don, I believe that the 90/6.8 Angulon goes in a #0 shutter. I don't know if he has the goods, but Tim Sharkey (see http://lensn2shutter.com/shutters.html ) claims he has the shutter(s) you want, used and overhauled at reasonable prices. If you're patient, you should be able to find a lens in a clean Copal #0 on eBay for considerably less. I have a nice #0 Copal Press, which would have done for you, that came with a 105 Comparon and an unexpected 2x3 Pacemaker Graphic focusing panel for under $40.

Not to impugn your local repairman, but Carol Miller or Paul Ebel or skgrimes might be able to revive your dead shutter.

Budget for having whatever shutter you buy scaled for y'r lens.

FWIW, I replaced a 65/6.8 Wolly (different design than the Angulon, functionally equivalent to it) with a 65/8 Ilex (strongly resembles an SA) and am much happier with the Ilex than I was with the Wolly. Thinking of which, you might look for a 90/6.8 Wolly in Rapax.

[Deckled Edge]

Don,
You can't tell from any of my prints which of my lenses were dinged and scraped. If the glass is good and you like your SA, then have the Compur replaced. Nearly everyone agrees that the Compur is superior to the Copal, and once repaired they're *nearly* bomb-proof. I agree with a repeat overhaul by known overhaulers. Carol just spruced up two of mine to good-as-new condition, but her wait list is long.

[Ole]

Don, I believe that the 90/6.8 Angulon goes in a #0 shutter. ...

But this is a Super Angulon - and the 90/8 SA is either in a #00, in a #0, or a #0+1.

If it's in a 00, it is difficult to get it remounted in a 0. The others should be fairly standard. So if it's the tiny little #00 shutter, you have a good excuse for buying a new(er) lens!

[Dan Fromm]

Thanks, Ole, time to have my vision checked.

[jimgalli]

Don't forget that if you replace it you can list the one that needs repair and get some of the $$ back. Just be very honest in the description. The tinker and get it running crowd slobbers all over themselves paying more than this stuff is worth. Get the newer one in the Copal.

[Ian Grant]

You can buy a good second-hand Super Angulon for not much more than the price of a new hutter. Alertanively check which shutter it is and put a wanted ad here in the classifieds. Also look out for a lens with separation/fungus with a good shutter (that's the right size).

Or as Jim says sell the lens cells and broken shutter, someone would buy them.

Ian

[Don Wallace]

Don,
You can't tell from any of my prints which of my lenses were dinged and scraped. If the glass is good and you like your SA, then have the Compur replaced. Nearly everyone agrees that the Compur is superior to the Copal, and once repaired they're *nearly* bomb-proof. I agree with a repeat overhaul by known overhaulers. Carol just spruced up two of mine to good-as-new condition, but her wait list is long.

You are quite right about the relationship between cosmetics and function (i.e., there isn't one). My only concern was that I would be spending more money on fixing an older lens when a newer one might be cheaper. Why is the Compur considered superior to the Copal?

[Ian Grant]

The Compur's are far more reliable. I have numerous and all are accurate even the very early dial set models. In contrast the modern Copals get lazy particularly the slow speeds if not used.

Ian