Difference between Compound and Compur shutters.

[Duane Polcou]

While persuing Ebay I viewed some lenses with shutters that closely resembled dial-set Compounds but were labelled Compur. Do Compur shutters have paper iris blades as do Compounds, and what are the primary differences between the two? I do not care for the delicate nature of the paper blades, and would be more inclined to buy a used lens with a Compur shutter if the blades were metal. Thanks.

[Louis Pacilla]

never mind.

[TheDeardorffGuy]

Who told you they were "paper" Iris blades? They are hard sheet rubber and seem to last forever. I have an old Zeiss double anastigmat from 1915 or so. Its in a Compound and works flawlessly. The iris has never given any issues. in nearly a 100 years. I do not touch it either. In nearly 40 years of LF repair only once did I have to replace a set of blades. The owner put oil on them to make them move easier. He broke all the pins off. You do know the Dial Set Compur is a gear retarded shutter and a Compound is vacumm and airpressure. Hence the Compound name. It uses air in two different ways.