Compur shutter questions

[PunkFunkDunk]

Hi all

New(ish) to the forum and enjoying the hive mind very much.

I’m about to pull the trigger on a Schneider Xenar 15cm f/3.5 that comes with a working Compur shutter (old model, not Synchro-Compur model). I’ve searched the web for specifications but still have some questions. Hoping anyone familiar with Compurs can help!

1. Is the maximum speed 1/200?

2. What do the letters B, T, Z, D, M stand for on the dial? Which setting is used for regular use? (assuming B is Bulb and T is Timed exposures).

3. Does it have preview switch and cocking lever like modern shutters?

4. Do Compur type numbers correspond to Copal, ie. does a Compur No. 1 fit in a Copal No. 1 lens board?

Thanks in advance.


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[Ron (Netherlands)]

Most reliable German shutter made by Friedrich Deckel:

I - B - T : Instantaneous - Bulb - Time
M - D - Z: Moment - Dauer - Zeit

Maximum speed depends on the size of the shutter, but for a 15cm lens it could be 1/200 sec.

some sizes of the old Compur:
http://lostlabours.co.uk/photography...s/compur-1.jpg

Here you find info on most different compur and compound shutters:
http://www.tontrennung.de/assets/doc...ur_shutter.pdf

Others could answer your question about Copal - seems they have different measures.

[Oslolens]

This is a prewar lens with a prewar shutter.
IBT and ZDM is English and German.
Set the dial to Z and activate to view, or a locking remote on B.
Dial to I and shutter will work on the times.
Do show us a picture!
Mine f3.5 is nice and sharp, though a bit more heavy than a modern Copal #0.
Same shutter measurement as my 8x10" 159mm wollensak, so lens elements are mostly in the drawer

[J. Patric Dahlen]

1. Is the maximum speed 1/200?

If it says so. The smaller Compurs 1/250. They are probably a little slower than that by now, but you can still treat them as they are correct.

2. What do the letters B, T, Z, D, M stand for on the dial? Which setting is used for regular use? (assuming B is Bulb and T is Timed exposures).

Yes, B = Bulb, T = Time. M = Moment. (D = Dauer, Z = Zeit in German).

3. Does it have preview switch and cocking lever like modern shutters?

You open the shutter on T for focusing, then close it. Then set it to M and cock the shutter, and you are ready. You can set the aperture while focusing or after closing the shutter.

[j.e.simmons]

To emphasize- you do not cock the shutter on T.

[J. Patric Dahlen]

To emphasize- you do not cock the shutter on T.

True, nor on B.

Many of them have coated paper aperture leaves, so be careful if you try to clean the shutter.

[PunkFunkDunk]

Thank you kindly for the useful information. Here are some pics of the lens I just bought.


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[abruzzi]

It looks to be missing a retaining ring or flange for mounting. I’ve bought a number of lenses recently where I forgot to notice whether it has a ring. In those cases, I’ve got a new ring from SK Grimes, but it does add to the cost a bit.

[PunkFunkDunk]

It looks to be missing a retaining ring or flange for mounting. I’ve bought a number of lenses recently where I forgot to notice whether it has a ring. In those cases, I’ve got a new ring from SK Grimes, but it does add to the cost a bit.

Yes, I had noticed that. I’ll have to wait for the lens to be delivered to me since I don’t know if this particular Compur is equivalent to Copal 0 or 1 size.


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[Dan Fromm]

It looks to be missing a retaining ring or flange for mounting. I’ve bought a number of lenses recently where I forgot to notice whether it has a ring. In those cases, I’ve got a new ring from SK Grimes, but it does add to the cost a bit.

If I read the photo correctly the front cell's side is engraved Xenar 1:3/5 F - 15 CM. If so, the shutter is larger than a #1. Best to wait until you have it in hand, then measure. In the worst case, if you can't find a metric thread gauge, you'll have to send the shutter to skgrimes. Here's a link to their retaining rings and flanges page: https://skgrimes.com/products/mounting-flanges/