need some help with this old shutter

[alex from holland]

Hi all,

I recently bought an old studiocamera ( about 60 years old)
It has an build in manual shutter.
It operates bij hand but also should operate with an small air bulb.
BUT, i t can't get it working with the air bulb.
There are 3 ways to operate, which is indicated with an A, P or i
Does anybody knows how to get it functional again and which way it should operate with an air buld, A, P or i
manual it works perfectly


thanks

alex

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121671382.jpg

inside camera

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121671383.jpg

front

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121671384.jpg

[Steven Tribe]

Looks like a Luk type shutter. If you search under Luc you will find lots of experience here. In summary, they are always full of dirt, fairly easy to strip and clean and function well after this attention. Perhaps you could do a photo series as I couldn't find "an illustrated guide" anywhere?

[alex from holland]

It seems to be a Silens shutter made in Italy, but can;t find any info or pictures of it on the internet

[csant]

Looks indeed like a Silens shutter. I have one (thanks Christopher), and Christopher does have a few. "A" probably stands for "Aperto", meaning "Open", "P" might stand for "Pressione", i.e. stay open while there is pressure, and "I" might stand for "Istantaneo", i.e. open with pressure but close right after it. Use "A" to focus, then "P" for long shutter times you'd control manually, and "I" for a short shutter time (I measured mine to be about 1/30). Christopher might have some more comments as far as maintenance is concerned.

[alex from holland]

Thanks !
That could be a good translation.
Unfortunatly it only works when i manually turn the knob at the front of the camera.
I don't have the guts ( at the moment) to take it apart.
Anyone who did this before ??

alex

[csant]

I don't have the guts ( at the moment) to take it apart.
Anyone who did this before ??

I know Christopher did, you might want to wait for his feedback.

[alex from holland]

I know Christopher did, you might want to wait for his feedback.

I have searched for his name in the member list, but there are a lot Christophers.......
Do you know his backname ?

alex

[csant]

Broadbent :)

[Wimpler]

The construction of these things is very simple. Don't have any fear of taking it apart.

I disassembled a similar shutter and they have very few parts. Just a spring, a rotating disk, the shutter leaves, and the lever.

[cjbroadbent]

...I disassembled a similar shutter and they have very few parts. Just a spring, a rotating disk, the shutter leaves, and the lever.

I missed this; I was away having a knee op.

I've fixed two Silens shutters without hassle.
What you need:
30 minutes and good eysight.
A white towel in a tray (you can't afford to lose one screw, they're metric).
A very small screwdriver.
A can of CRC (electric contact cleaner).
Tissues.

Remove 4 screws from the outside edge. Lift the back out of the case. Mark on the case the position of a minute hole which takes a hard-to-see lug on the edge of the back which ensures everything fits back right.
Try the shutter, It's usually gummed up with dry oil.
Remove each blade and screw and put aside in order. Don't completely remove the one which fits below a lever.
Clean the case and levers without removing them.
clean each blade and screw (they work as pivots) with tissue and CRC.
When all is clean and looks dry, real dry , replace the blades. You may need to magnetise the screwdriver to get the screws in place (don't strip the threads).
It should now work with the rubber hose.
Replace the back, lug first. It's tight and tricky.
A hard squeeze gives you 1/30th according to csant. I would say more like 1/10th.

[cjbroadbent]

...I disassembled a similar shutter and they have very few parts. Just a spring, a rotating disk, the shutter leaves, and the lever.

I missed this; I was away having a knee op.

I've fixed two Silens shutters without hassle.
What you need:
30 minutes and good eysight.
A white towel in a tray (you can't afford to lose one screw, they're metric).
A very small screwdriver.
A can of CRC (electric contact cleaner).
Tissues.

Remove 4 screws from the outside edge. Lift the back out of the case. Mark on the case the position of a minute hole which takes a hard-to-see lug on the edge of the back which ensures everything fits back right.
Try the shutter, It's usually gummed up with dry oil.
Remove each blade and screw and put aside in order. Don't completely remove the one which fits below a lever.
Clean the case and levers without removing them.
clean each blade and screw (they work as pivots) with tissue and CRC.
When all is clean an looks dry, replace the blades. You may need to magnetise the screwdriver to get the screws in place (don't strip the threads).
It should now work with the rubber hose.
Replace the back, lug first. It's tight and tricky.
A hard squeeze gives you 1/30th according to csant. I would say more like 1/10th.

[csant]

A hard squeeze gives you 1/30th according to csant. I would say more like 1/10th.

Christopher's actually right - looks like I did some mess-up in my last measurements, sorry for wrong info… Seems to be rather close to 1/10th.

[alex from holland]

Hi all,


I got it working again !
It wasn't that big deal. The most dirtiest part was that small "valve". Lots of dirt was in it.
Took everything apart, cleaned it with ethanol and it is working perfectly again !!

Christopher , thanks for the great help.

Some pictures

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121731870.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121731872.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121731873.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121731875.jpg

[cjbroadbent]

You did a much more thorough job than I ever managed. Congratulations.

[alex from holland]

This dirt came from the valve !

http://www.pbase.com/alex28/image/121731877.jpg

[alex from holland]

p.s. Don't forget to grease the valve a gain ( just a litlle bit)
I had to re-open it again because i cleaned it to good.......
When it becomes to dry it will give an air leak

alex