How to start working on a shutter?

[Havoc]

I have here a couple of shutters (Compur, Synchro-Compur, Ilex, Prontor...) that have various problems. Some are blocked, some have the slow times that stutter, some don't stay cocked and other various small issues. Now these shutters aren't on cameras that are rare or expensive and it isn't very important that they do work. So I'm not planning on spending lots of money on them to have them repaired. For some it is even cheaper to buy another one that to have them repaired. But I'd like to be able to use those cameras at least once.

Now I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to mechanics. I have purchased suitable oil (Moebius), I had already a more than full box of assorted screwdrivers, spanners, pliers and tweezers. If needed a mill and lathe are in the downstairs workshop. There is also a collection of various wrecks of cameras around.

What is lacking is knowledge and experience.

Experience I can't learn, that will only come from doing it. So I need to make a start but I don't like to do this blind. Are there good resources about working on those shutters? What would I also most likely be missing? What would be a good shutter to start learning on?

[Drew Bedo]

First off: I thought I wanted to do some woprk on one of my shutters once. I checked on YouTube and found a few how-to videos. After watching, I re-evaluated my tools and skill set and did not turn the first srew.

I have all my shutter work done by Professional Camera Repair here in Houston.


Go to: www.professionalcamerarepair.com

[Paul Ron]

its not all that hard if you are handy, have good screw drivers, lubes, cleaners, and the patience to sit for several hours.

when starting out, get a few junk shutters n work on them. if you have a bad shutter that you wouldnt mind if it ever works again... thats a perfect one to start on... worst case it still wont work. best case, you get it working... either way its an education n thats never free.

google shutter repair n you will find a ton of diy information. there were a few sites that once were dedicated to diy repairs. maybe you can find those in the way back machine?

[Tin Can]

I have a set of old mail order Camera repair books

They are not much help, poor images, insipid text, not worth scanning

and now my eyes are too poor to even try, even with magnifiers

I just fit any lens to a Packard Shutter and carry on, I even add flash sync which is easy

The Packard advantage is it can be mounted inside most cameras, thus enabling many lenses

[paulbarden]

Chris Sherlock demonstrates servicing a Compur-Rapid shutter in great detail. Start here, with part one (2 more parts will follow):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68uBN6gzpYs&t=13s

Part two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0JeUwC_vD8
Part three: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHZXTokynME&t=17s

I've learned from Chris's videos, and have serviced at least 15 Retinas to date. If you are patient, and can follow instructions well, you can do it. If I can, anyone can, with patience.

[Havoc]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll look at the Compur-rapid shutter videos, there is a Retina involved so that is handy as a start. It works but is sluggish. Just must find a way to store those youtube videos. To often I see one that I want to review later and cannot find it back or it just doesn't want to play anymore.

While a Packard shutter might be a solution for some applications, not all the things I would like to do are LF. Quite a lot are MF folders where I would like to keep the original shutter.

[rjbuzzclick]

As said above, start on a shutter you don't care about, then just start. Some things I find helpful are to take photos along the way as you see fit to remind you of how and where springs and levers normally sit. Also, I use plastic multi-compartment parts boxes and place each piece in it's own compartment along with any screws and springs that attach to it. Reassembly is then going through the parts box in reverse. Also, working with a towel underneath you as opposed to a hard workbench will help keep small things from bouncing too far away when they get dropped.

Also, there are a lot of good sources online so I'll do a little research on a particular piece before working on it. Jo Lommen's site along with graflex.org have a ton of info.

[Paul Ron]

there is a ton on retinas. google it?

retinas are fun to work on. the shutter comes right out just by taking the retaining ring off from inside.

which retina do yiu have?

[Havoc]

Good question. I received it as a gift from someone that has a whole collection of them. Looks like a 010 with a Xenar.

[ic-racer]

Download as many PDF service manuals as you can find. Watch as many you tube videos (though beware always of misinformation that is rampant on the internet) and take apart and re-assemble some shutters similar to what you want to learn. Maybe even buy some broken shutters just to take apart and re-assemble until you can do it without looking at the notes.

[GoodOldNorm]

I have here a couple of shutters (Compur, Synchro-Compur, Ilex, Prontor...) that have various problems. Some are blocked, some have the slow times that stutter, some don't stay cocked and other various small issues. Now these shutters aren't on cameras that are rare or expensive and it isn't very important that they do work. So I'm not planning on spending lots of money on them to have them repaired. For some it is even cheaper to buy another one that to have them repaired. But I'd like to be able to use those cameras at least once.

Now I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to mechanics. I have purchased suitable oil (Moebius), I had already a more than full box of assorted screwdrivers, spanners, pliers and tweezers. If needed a mill and lathe are in the downstairs workshop. There is also a collection of various wrecks of cameras around.

What is lacking is knowledge and experience.

Experience I can't learn, that will only come from doing it. So I need to make a start but I don't like to do this blind. Are there good resources about working on those shutters? What would I also most likely be missing? What would be a good shutter to start learning on?
If you decide to take a shutter apart take plenty of photos and make sketches and keep notes. I make drawings on corrugated card and poke holes in the card (with a needle),where the screws go. Then as I remove screws from the shutter assembly I place them in the matching holes drawn on the cardboard. I have taken shutters apart to clean and lubricate them. Washing the gear trains in alcohol completely dries them out, be careful not to use too much lubrication as the oil will slow every thing down. I have no idea where to source new springs from if they need replacing. Also any dirt or oil on the shutter blades can cause havoc with the shutter speeds. Other than cleaning and lubricating my knowledge is limited. I would love to learn how to do a full shutter repair and service.

[Jim Noel]

I have a set of old mail order Camera repair books

They are not much help, poor images, insipid text, not worth scanning

and now my eyes are too poor to even try, even with magnifiers

I just fit any lens to a Packard Shutter and carry on, I even add flash sync which is easy

The Packard advantage is it can be mounted inside most cameras, thus enabling many lenses

I have a fairly large PAckard mounted on a board which I can mount on the front of every lens I own which has no shutter. Handy.

[Dugan]

Wear eye protection.

[Greg]

Over the years have worked on several shutters. Started off with Betax shutters. Always worked in a 16x20 processing tray to catch parts... trust me one under tension will pop out on you eventually... Worked under a digital camera on a copy stand. Was easy to click the shutter as I removing each part. Parts went in order of disassembly into multi sectioned plastic cases. Also kept a log of what I was doing. Last thing is never to work in a room with a rug on the floor. In the end working in my darkroom sink, with the drain covered up, proved the easiest work area.