AGFA B2 Speedex shutter stuck

[McFortner]

I have an AGFA B2 Speedex that has the shutter stuck wide open. I've managed to figure out how to take off the front lens, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to unstick the shutter. I can't even see the shutter blades! The aperture works fine and the lenses are clean, but if I can't get the shutter loose then the camera is no good to me. Anybody out there have any clues or advise they could send my way? :confused:

Michael

 

[ricksplace]

The shutter probably needs a cla (clean, lube and adjust). Try percussive maintenance. A few light taps may help the shutter to close. (you say you can't see the shutter blades, so I assume that the shutter is stuck open). I have successfully cleaned a prontor sv from a speedex with lighter fluid. There are many threads on this site regarding how to DIY for a cla. Look for "ronsonol flush".

 

[McFortner]

Well, I got the lens apart and off the bellows so now it's soaking in a glass pint gar in Ronsonol. It's getting cloudy, so I am guessing it is getting the junk out of the shutter assembly!

Michael

 

[removed account4]

be careful with ronsonol
sometimes it can melt your aperture blades! ...
and some shutters were meant to be dry not wet ...

this might be helpful as well

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[McFortner]

Well, I've gotten the shutter blades to come out and close. But now I can't get the shutter to fire. It's all metal parts inside, so nothing to melt from the cleaning. I just not mechanical enough to know what to do next. Anybody out there good with CLA of these?

Michael

 

[Dave Pritchard]

Some links:

http://twoliver.ctzphoto.com/cameras/agfaspeedexb2.html
http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/AnscAgfa.html

It may take some time for the solvent to completely evaporate from all parts. The above links mention some operation quirks you may check out.

 

[Dave Pritchard]

I've got a Agfa B2 Speedex with me, and was checking the shutter. How are you triggering the shutter? Mine acts slightly differently when using the red button as opposed to just pressing on shutter lever. On mine, when using the red button, the actuating lever does not return completely, which keeps the 'T' setting from working as it should.

Are you manually cocking the shutter? What speed settings? My shutter makes slight clockwork sounds when shifted from long to short times (10 to 25 and larger).

 

[McFortner]

Dave, I have the entire shutter assembly off the frame right now. I am right now trying to remember, er, figure out how to put the front of the shuttery assembly back on it right. I think I'm at an impasse right now, so I'm taking a few hours away from it to clear my head and let it dry some more. It had soaked in a closed jar of lighter fluid for 24 hours, so it could probably use the drying time.

I just wish I could find and afford somebody who knew more than me to fix it. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so this is a big challenge for me right now.

Michael

 

[McFortner]

Well, crud. I just had one of the metal arms in the shutter break. So much for fixing this camera....