Keeping shutter release half pressed on Supermatic

[liubrian]

I adjusted the body shutter release paddle on my Pacemaker Speed Graphic to reliably trip the Supermatic shutter (with 135mm f/4.7 Optar) that I'm using. Since the body release cable is a bit sticky, I've had to move the paddle so that it keeps the shutter release lever on the shutter itself halfway pressed, even at rest. Will this damage the shutter? I figure I can twist the paddle out of the way when I'm not using the camera.

[Kevin Crisp]

If the shutter freely cocks and fires you are OK. Even without a sticky cable, getting the paddle, as you call it, to work with a modern copal shutter is tricky and with even a slight pre-load on the lever the shutter will sometimes not cock normally.

[liubrian]

If the shutter freely cocks and fires you are OK. Even without a sticky cable, getting the paddle, as you call it, to work with a modern copal shutter is tricky and with even a slight pre-load on the lever the shutter will sometimes not cock normally.

Good to know. Yes, it does cock and fire smoothly despite the pre-load. Thanks!