Changing shutter speed on a Ektar 127mm f4.7?

[ryanmills]

I just received a Ektar 127mm f4.7 and it has a supermatic #1 shutter on it. I just about need a spanner wrench to change the shutter speed. Is that normal or am I suppose to hold something down to change it?

[Jac@stafford.net]

Always change the speed before cocking the shutter.

Did you do that?

[ryanmills]

yea its not cocked, from about 100 to 2 its semi moveable, I cant even get it to 400 and to get it to 1 I really have to twist on it. not sure I could even do it mounted on a lens board. Is it safe to say that's not normal?

[Jac@stafford.net]

Turning to the highest speed is often difficult, but not that difficult. Moving it to 1/2 should be easy.
Something is wrong, which is not unusual with the Supermatic.

[Mark Sampson]

I've had a couple Supermatic shutters like that. Most likely gummed-up lubricants from decades of disuse. A trip to the repair shop cured both of mine... btw, I just realized that the 1948 Supermatic (that holds my 135 WF Ektar) was last cleaned up in 1989, and it's still working fine.

[ryanmills]

How crazy would I have to be to try and lube it myself?

[ryanmills]

Would removing the front and rear elements and flushing with lighter fluid do me any good?

[Jac@stafford.net]

I don't know, Ryan, but it couldn't hurt!

Best of luck on this one.

[James E Galvin]

The front of that shutter comes off easily. The speed ring that turns has dried up grease. Take it off, clean it and the surfaces it contacts, alcohol is fine. Then lube with a very small amount of light grease. It should now turn very easily, except for going to 400 is stiffer as that step tensions a spring. Don't get grease into the shutter internal parts. The wheel and spring for 400 just sets in its hole, best to not invert the shutter when the front is off so that you have to figure out how it goes back in. When putting the speed ring back on, you have to turn it back and forth (gently) so the prongs sticking up from the works go back into their slots in the speed ring. NOTHING requires force.
I think lighter fluid is an emergency quick and short term fix, the shutter blades have to be clean so they don't stick together, the lighter fluid will move old grease between the blades, making them sticky.

[E. von Hoegh]

Would removing the front and rear elements and flushing with lighter fluid do me any good?

No.
The shutter needs to be disassembled, cleaned, and relubricated with the proper lubricants applied in the proper amounts, in the proper places.

By "proper amounts", think of this - a single drop of oil (watch oil, not 3-in-1) will suffice for several shutters of your type.