Compound No. 5 Shutter

ivan35mm

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Mar 25, 2025
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Madrid, Spain
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Hello,

I'm about to send this Compound shutter out for service, but before doing so, I wanted to take a look at the internals, just out of curiosity.

In B mode, the shutter opens and closes
In T mode, The shutter opens (when it engages, which isn't always), but then it stays stuck open. (See video, as it demonstrates this issue, with the shutter set on T mode)
In M mode, The shutters cocks and fires instantaneously. As you release the cocking mechanism, it fires. You don't even have time to press the shutter release lever It also only fires at one speed, which I believe would indicate a seized piston.

I've successfully repaired the speeds on a Compound 3 shutter, by just cleaning the piston and cylinder, then re-assembling. However, this No. 5 shutter is confusing me a bit.

I'm still going to have it repaired professionally, but figured I would ask here if someone has experienced anything familiar?

Nothing appears to be broken (as far as I can tell), but is this a result of a previous user attempting to cock the shutter when it was in B / T mode? I know that can cause significant damage to compound shutters...

Thanks
-Ivan

 

Dan Daniel

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Jul 4, 2009
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upstate New York
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I've had a spring missing on one that made T not work. It was in the bottom left area, about 7 o'clock. You might check in that area to see if moving something where a spring might have been makes it work? This might affect the cocking action, also? Well, it was a basic 'V' spring, two legs. I made one from music wire; the action was not that pressure sensitive. Can't remember more specifics, and what I had might not relate at all to your situation.
 
OP
OP

ivan35mm

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Joined
Mar 25, 2025
Messages
89
Location
Madrid, Spain
Format
Analog

Thanks for your reply, Dan!

Not seeing a spring in the lower 7 o’clock area. Hmm. Maybe it’s missing.

But ya, this repair is beyond my ability, so handing it over to a much more skilled repair tech is the obvious next step.
 
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