[LargeFormat] Shutterless lens usage

[Clive Warren]

At 21:12 17/10/2003 -0400, LNphoto wrote:
>there is something called a country shutter.
>
>I've made fancier versions , but the useful one is made up of a ruler (or 
>paint stick)
>attached to an empty 4x5 film holder box, preferably a 50 sheet version.
>
>It's long been rumored that the best boxes for this were the original 
>verichrome boxes made from virgin timber back in the 40s but I've found 
>common Tmax boxes work okay too.
>
>the idea is to "hang" the shutter on the lens, carefully pull the 
>darkslide, pick up the handle and pull the box away from, but still in 
>front of the shuttre.  Now with a 'flick of the wrist"  lift up and 
>back.  With practice you can get it down to about 1/8 of a second.  I made 
>one for a portrait photographer friend with an LED light that blinked off 
>the seconds.  For fast lenses I've gone so far as to line the box with 
>velvet...darn black stuff.
>
>Les

Les,

I have lost count of the number of people who have been introduced to your 
country shutter!

It has been an essential part of all the f32 large format workshops.

Cheers,
            Clive