Replacing Warped Beaulieu R-16 Turret Plate

NateMcDaniel · August 16

I noticed today that the turret (right at the edge of the c mount) is warped. Looks like maybe it was dropped at some point. I haven't shot anything with it yet and would like to fix it before I do. I assume a warped mount would cause a blurry picture. Assuming I have a replacement turret, is it fairly easy to remove and install? Or is this something that would require the camera to be sent to a professional? My R-16 is a single mount if that changes anything. Thanks in advance.

Simon Wyss · August 16

How much did you pay for the scrap?

NateMcDaniel · August 16

I haven't bought the replacement piece, yet. I was trying to decide if I could do the job before I bought one. However, I found a used turret in good shape that is $100.

NateMcDaniel · August 17

Here are some pictures. The first is of the gap created by the warped turret (it's warped, but lenses can still screw on), the second is of the new one I plan to buy. In my head it's only a matter of using a pin wrench on the center piece, and a screwdriver for the two screws. It looks pretty straightforward. I'm assuming that once the screws are tightened, everything will be in alignment. I guess I'm worried that I'm oversimplifying it in my head and that there are more complicated steps involved. Like if something needs to be aligned precisely with a tool that I do not have.

Simon Wyss · August 17

As far as I am attracted by the Beaulieu Reflex 16 and 9.5 it’s about the spring driven models with the three-lens turret. A number of compact and lightweight mechanical cameras such as these, the Paillard-Bolex H, ETM P or the Filmo 70, are losing a lot as soon as you bring in a zoom objective and electronics. Beaulieu lost themselves completely in electronics with the News 16. One little problem, filming halts.

The Beaulieu R. 16/9.5 weighs only lbs 4½. It’s against its character to overload it. If you’d like to take full advantage of a zoom lens, choose a heavier camera that has a large base for good connection to a tripod. You’ll be disappointed by the Beaulieu in that respect.

The bent plate can be dressed back but as a mechanic I tell you that it’s not an easy job. Anodized aluminium kinks when under pressure, it takes patience and constant rechecking whether one is still on track or has lost it.

Edited August 17 by Simon Wyss

NateMcDaniel · August 17

Thank you for your replies, Simon. I'm fine with using smaller primes, I don't necessarily have to use zooms lenses. Yes, the base of the camera is annoying. I wish it was easier to mount to a tripod. I'm no professional, though, so it's good enough for me.

I had not considered trying to bend it back because I assumed that was out of the question. I thought it would be easier to just buy another plate and install it. I guess that's my main question. Is swapping the old plate out with a new one a straightforward task that I could attempt, or should I send it somewhere? Will everything be aligned once I mount the plate and tighten the centerpiece/2 screws, or is there some element that needs to be adjusted precisely? There's not much information online about this so I thought I'd ask the forum.

Sebastian Bock · August 17

Hi, Nate!

As far as I know, these turret plates exist in different thicknesses to bring the mount/the lens in the correct back focus distance. You need to find one where that thickness fits to your specific camera. A Beaulieu technician could measure this and choose the right plate. If you don't measure this, it would be just try and error.
Changing the plate itself should be straightforward and as easy as you assume.

I don't know, if its 100% correct, what I wrote, but I once wanted to buy a strengthened plate from Beaulieu-Guru Bjorn Andersson and asked him, if I could swap this plate against my 3 lens turret plate back and forth by myself and he answered, yes. But he also said he would definitely need my camera to measure, which strengthened plate would be the correct one for my camera.

Maybe the best advice would be to ask Bjorn Andersson.

But before you do so: Are you sure, that really the turret plate is warped? Especially, if yours is not the 3 lens turret, but the strengthened one for heavier lenses, it is very unlikely, that it warped. In your picture it looks more like the mount of the lens itself is misaligned and responsible for the gap. I'd try another lens before buying a new plate...

Good luck,

Sebastian

NateMcDaniel · August 18

Thanks for the advice, Sebastian! I had a feeling that the turret plates weren't all the same. I do have some digital calipers so I could try to measure the thickness of mine after removing it. I just sent an email to Bjorn asking him for advice as well. Yes, I tried it with another lens and unfortunately the gap is still there. I might try to take better pictures of the turret plate and post them.

Dr. Thomas Faehrenkemper · August 26

Simple thing. On the back of the turret plate, you normally find the adäquate thickness scratched in, 4+- mm. When you order a new one, justt tell the technician the thickness of the old one.