s._katz

The aperture blades look clean and even from both sides, and work smoothly between 22 and 5.6; must be a mechanical problem then. In fact, the camera is in near mint condition otherwise. I'll just use it as is for now. Also, great car photo, Bill.

All good suggestions - thanks. BTW, I consider the lack of a meter a feature. Not using f3.5 seems like the most practical suggestion, especially since It is hard to focus accurately in dim light through this viewfinder anyway. I still need to see if the film advance, while apparently working, provides even frame spacing. Eventually I will not be able to resist taking the camera apart and I will try the limited degreasing idea first. When that time comes, is there a good source for disassembly instructions?

just bought a Yashicamat - the basic 120 only, no meter, with rapid wind crank and self timer. It has the 3.5 Yashinon lens but the aperture control jams at 5.6. It works fine from 5.6 to 22. If I try to push the control below 5.6 I can see 1 or 2 of the aperture blades flex outwards but I don't want to force it. The actual lens opening appears to be 5.6 to 22 so the control link probably didn't just slip. How do I get to the diaphragm mechanism to find out what is hanging it up? Thanks.

<p>Excellent information - thanks. Do you use a different Packard shutter with each lens? I have several barrel lenses I would like to try on the camera, some 3 1/2" diameter. I assume that the diameter of the glass at the back of the lens is what counts.<br> The shutter in the photo at: http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/ekc/eastcomm.htm seems to be permanently mounted in the camera. The photos are of a camera exactly the same as mine (except for the shutter) and I would like to duplicate the original configuration as much as possible. </p>

<p>I did check the current Packard Shutter company web site and asked them the same question. They did not answer the question about which size shutter was correct for the old Eastman Commercial 8 x 10 camera. A custom shutter could be built, but I would rather buy, and perhaps rebuild, an old correct size shutter than buy a new custom shutter.</p>

For an Eastman Commercial 8 x 10, the 1930ish catalog indicates a Packard #6 shutter is recommended, but it doesn't say what size. It looks like an 8" square (4.5" opening) would just fit, but later in the catalog #6 Packards are only available up to 7 1/2" (4" opening). The 8" Packards are style #8 with dual cylinders. The camera has 1 plugged hole for the air tube and a mounting spot for the instant pin, and I want these, especially the pin, to line up properly. Does anyone know which size shutter I should be looking for to fit this camera properly? Thanks.