S.K. GRIMES
Ilex Shutters for Large Format Photographers
The most numerous older view camera shutters are the ILEX brand.
ilex
A 1948 Pop Photo Ad

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T he Ilex shutters were a product of the American optical industry located in Rochester, New York. There are numerous versions produced over fifty years of industry. They are in abundant supply and still widely used today.
This picture is of a 1962 school science pamphlet cover featuring a typical factory installation of a 12" Goerz Dagor lens.
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This is an ordinary Ilex #3 "Rim Set" shutter. The shutter speed is selected by turning the knurled rim anywhere on the outer circumference . Click on the picture to see an enlarged version with the various parts labeled.
The set and release type "Synchro" models have a complicated set and release type delay mechanism for use with flash bulbs. Since a flash bulb requires some time to become illuminated shutters intended for pre-electronic flash require a method to trip the flash before the shutter is opened. The numbers indicate the milliseconds that the flash is started before the shutter is released. This is obsolete and for use with electronic flash the dial is set to the red "0" setting. It is an inconvenience that two cocking operations are required when using flash: one to set the shutter itself and the other to set the flash synchronizer. This must be done even at the "0" setting. (Click on the picture for an enlarged 17kb view in a new window. Click your browser close button to return here)
When is an Ilex not an Ilex? Shutters marked as "Made for Eastman Kodak", like this one are often made to different dimensions from the standard production runs. This means that lenses and mounting flanges may not be easily interchangeable between different shutters. Scroll down the page or click here to see a table of usual dimensions for Ilex shutters. 

          
The Ilex is one of the most "American" of products. 
            It's simple design uses mostly stamped metal parts. 
            Although stamped metal parts have a reputation of 
            being "cheap" this method of mass production requires 
            a rare mastery in the design and fabrication of the 
            tooling for the original parts.
            

              

                 
              

            

          
 The $2.00 windup alarm clock of which the Ilexes 
            are reminiscent is only that cheap because millions 
            of them were made. The tooling and technology to make 
            a reliable cheap mechanism is very sophisticated. 
            
 
          
Even taking this into account, the Ilex company 
            came up with at least one real dog of a model: The 
            Dial set version illustrated below on the left, is 
            a lookalike for a more expensive German made shutter. 
            They rarely work at all and reliable operation is 
            nearly impossible. These should be avoided. (Other 
            Black finished models are virtually the same as the 
            usual, reliable, silvery colored ones) 
            

            

                
              
 "DIAL SET"                             "RIM 
                SET" 
              



            

            

              

              

          
            
To appreciate 
              the reliability of the Ilex shutter line its best 
              to realize that they were designed to be accurate 
              to within one stop. In addition, the stamped metal 
              parts provide no particular sophistication for adjustment 
              depending on the skill and experience of the mechanic 
              to clean, file, bend and tweak to obtain the best 
              performance and then leave well enough alone. If 
              tenth of a stop accuracy is required the Ilex shutter 
              should be replaced with a new Copal or Compur shutter 
              of most recent design.  
              
              
          

          
      











  

    
 THREADS 
       DIMENSIONS
  


#3#3 (dialset)#4 #4 (dialset)#5



    overall Ø
    3.375"
    3.070"
    4.025" 
    3.825"
    5.20"
  


lens thread1.775-481.785-482.340-40
      2.360-40
      2.988-30


overall thickness1.025"0.828"1.060"0.866"1.060"


front to iris0.566"0.415"0.623"0.458"0.614"


mount flange thread1.915-401.915-402.500-302.500-303.225-30


lensboard hole Ø 1.985"1.985"2.604"2.604"3.365"


iris Ø (Max)1.362"1.375"1.730"1.741"2.525"









"Ø" means "diameter"




  

    


  • How to measure screw threads.  Some hints about
thread measurement---- >


    		• 
 Thread
    Measurement    

    

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   (We also repair all these shutters. 
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    Phone: 401-762-0857--Contact 
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