Baldix 6x6 Folder Rear Lens Element Removal

[Russell W. Barnes]

What's the best way to remove the rear lens element from a Baldix 6x6 folding camera? Ideally I'd like to take out the shutter unit but this looks like it requires a key - which I can make - to fit the slotted ring behind.

Does the knurled chamfered end of the barrel unscrew, allowing me to release the lens with the shutter mech. in situ? If so, what's the best way to do it?

 

[Russell W. Barnes]

Does the knurled chamfered end of the barrel unscrew, allowing me to release the lens with the shutter mech. in situ? If so, what's the best way to do it?

Right... Done it. Answered my own question! 🙂 Shutter mech and lenses removed from camera.

The ring with the four notches wouldn't budge at first (using modified long-nose pliers) and I didn't want to risk damaging it. I dribbled some WD40 around the threads with a pin and left it awhile, and it yielded after that. I can now remove the knurled chamfered ring, finger-tight once a purchase was obtained, which is indeed the bit that holds the rear lens element in place and, hopefully can clean with isoproyl alcohol and cotton buds all lens surfaces.

I note that upon withdrawing the shutter mechanism from the bellows front plate that there are two very thin paper shims on the barrel. Is this normal at manufacture or would thay have been added to achieve some sort of compensation for focussing when the camera was serviced?
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Kind Regds,

R.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I note that upon withdrawing the shutter mechanism from the bellows front plate that there are two very thin paper shims on the barrel. Is this normal at manufacture or would thay have been added to achieve some sort of compensation for focussing when the camera was serviced?

Most likely factory. Lenses are not always exactly the focal length they are designed to be. Especially with older lenses using somewhat simple grinding machines (compared to recent CNC precision). So it appears that many cameras were built with the shutter block plane slightly short and then shimming would be done at final assembly to accommodate the actual lens.

I see these shims on both folders and on TLRs (Rolleis and Minolta Autocords, e.g.) all the time. If I don't find any shims on disassembly I get nervous and plan on having to check and shim on final assembly.