fabio_pollero Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 Hi everyone, Again need some help: I have bought an used but nice Ilex-Calumet Series-S f:4,8 mounted (guess from factory) on a Ilex No. 3 Acme Synchro shutter. The camera is a nice Cambo 45N which is a reliable piece of equipment to me. The problem I've faced is that testing the lens after purchasing, I can't had a sharp image on the GG unless I close the diaphragm to f:22 at least. Of course at that aperture even sunlight is something like spotting a black cat in a moonless night with your sunglasses on! Is it the lens mounted on an adequate shutter? Do anybody use this lens coupled with same shutter? How can be possible that simple screwed element to shutter that seems to be perfectly fitted one to each other can't give a sharp image on the GG? Before to pack everything and mail to SKGrimes (I'm in Italy!) I would like to hear from other guys with same type lenses... Thank you Fabio Pollero NW Italy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_galli4 Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 Hi Fabio. Sounds to me almost like someone took the groups apart to clean dust inside and got an element reversed. Those were convertible. Try focusing with just the rear group. It should focus at about 380mm. If that works, try putting the front group in the back and focusing with it. Compare the 2 front/ back groups to see if they look symmetrical. Elements in groups like (( ( <shutter/aperture> ) )). If it's non symmetrical, like (( ) XX ) )) somebody put it together backwards. These lenses were 6 elements in 4 groups plasmats like any Symmar or Sironar. Hope this helps more than confuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcrisp Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 Fabio: I had this same experience with the same lens, it was only usable at f:22 or below and even then it wasn't very good. I would not put money into the lens. The shutter, however, is robust and can be used for other projects, but as a user lens/shutter I can't recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel_ingram1 Posted February 13, 2003 Share Posted February 13, 2003 I own this lens and I like it a lot. If you're having this trouble then Jim's advice is right on -- sounds like an element in the wrong way. I'm looking through mine right now -- it's sharp even wide open, so they're definitely not designed to only work at small apertures. These are fine lenses for the price -- I've always seen them in Ilex #3 shutters, and I bought mine for about $120.00 I've taken hundreds of fine images with it at many apertures, with roll film, and with 4x5 and 5x7 formats. There's something wrong with yours that shouldn't be too hard to correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabio_pollero Posted February 14, 2003 Author Share Posted February 14, 2003 Thanks everybody. It seems that the lens inspire diferent moods ;-). I'm confident the problem is the easy confusion of elements during cleaning as Jim says (tks) and I will try to test all the positions (with the lens....only;-)Thank you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabio_pollero Posted February 14, 2003 Author Share Posted February 14, 2003 I have to thank you all as today I finally had a sharp image on my 45N GG!!!!! One of the lens of the front element was in a wrong position (thank you Jim): just turned her and everithing has gone fine. Thanks again, it's my honour belonging to this Community. Fabio Pollero Savona NW Italy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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