Dial-set Compur shutters.

Ian Grant · Jul 13, 2016

There are quite a few variations of the older Dial-set Compur shutters.

This advert from Peeling and Van Neck Ltd in the 1929 BJP Almanac is the only source Ive ever senn with details on the variants.

Ian

BrianShaw · Jul 13, 2016

That's very interesting, Ian. One of my favorite LF lenses has a dial-set Compur. A few years ago it became sluggish so I took it to the local camera repair shop for an overhaul. He sees all sorts of gear but was fascinate that I still use equipment that old... and was willing to pay $$$ to have it overhauled. That was some of the best money I have ever spent on camera equipment. They purr like a proverbial Swiss watch and, for me at least, are exceptionally accurate and consistent. I've never seen such a list of models either.

Ian Grant · Jul 14, 2016

Brian, I have quite a few LF lenses with Dial set Compur shutters and also a couple of spare shutters. What surprises me is how smoothly even the oldest of them run, far smoother than modern Copals and also still remarkably accurate, my two oldest are pre-WWI approx 1913.

I've one I need to fix, it's with a Schneider Doppel Anastigmat Isconar 16.5cm lens but appears to have no shutter blades, it came with a half plate early Gandolfi field camera. The camear was used as a display piece and the bellows were falling to bits judging by the poor homemade lens board it's possible a junk lens/shutter added. Luckily the service details for these shutters is available online

Ian

AgX · Jul 14, 2016

What is the meaning of "Tube Number" and its designations "Normal" and "Wide"?

Ian Grant · Jul 14, 2016

The Normal and Wide seem to indicate a slightly wider barrel diameter. The Tube no is just a code but the higher numbers have a longer barrel, remember many of the lenses were sold in barrels, sunken mouts, focussing helicals and shutters.

I have at least two #1 Normal Dial set Compurs and a;so a #1a, comparing same size shutters the #1a with an f5.3 16.5cm Tessar with a #1 with an f6.3 16.5cm Tessar the differences bcome apparent, the #1a has a longer barrel length (increased cell spacing) as well as the barrel being wider in iameter, This also means they take different retaining flanges as well even though the case size is identical.

You do see some Dial set Compurs with sleeves to accept small threaded cells, also to chnage cell spacing, this becoms more common after WWII with Prontors and rimsel Compurs.

Ian

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 14, 2016

Thanks for that... saved for future reference.

Ian Grant · Jul 14, 2016

Old-N-Feeble said:
Thanks for that... saved for future reference.

I've similar details for newer Compurs and Ibsor, Pronto and Vario shutters I'll get around to scanning them. Same company's adverts 2 years later. The Pronto is different to the later Prontor which replaces the Ibsor.

Ian

SalveSlog · Jul 14, 2016

Ian Grant said:
... Luckily the service details for these shutters is available online

Ian

Where?

Ian Grant · Jul 14, 2016

SalveSlog said:
Where?

Camera-Eccentric.

Ian

SalveSlog · Jul 14, 2016

Thank you. I've already seen that one. It's rather sparce infromation, so I hoped that there was something more.
But it is probably enough? .. I haven't dared trying my skills on mine yet.

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 14, 2016

Ian Grant said:
I've similar details for newer Compurs and Ibsor, Pronto and Vario shutters I'll get around to scanning them. Same company's adverts 2 years later. The Pronto is different to the later Prontor which replaces the Ibsor.

Ian

Thanks, Ian... looking forward to seeing those.

Ian Grant · Jul 15, 2016

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

Ian

Old-N-Feeble · Jul 15, 2016

Big thumbs up, Ian.

Dan Fromm · Jul 16, 2016

Ian, thanks for both lists. Unfortunately none of the ads say anything about tube lengths or threading. Can't have everything, I guess.

Ian Grant · Jul 16, 2016

Dan, the tube threads are listed for the Dial-set Compurs, lengths aren't which is a pity. I was surprised the advert 2 years later for the Rim-set Compurs gave no details other than case size.

I think though it would be possible to add the details on Tube length for the Dial-set Compurs as they are so common, that's off course if someone could be bothered. I think it's more important to know that there was data on these early Compurs that has been over-looked for years.

Ian

Dan Fromm · Jul 16, 2016

Ian Grant said:
Dan, the tube threads are listed for the Dial-set Compurs, lengths aren't which is a pity.

Diameter yes, pitch no.

Still, the ads make people aware that the subtleties exist.

Ian Grant · Aug 12, 2016

Dial set Compur #0 Normal (tube internal thread dianmeter 27mm) has a barrel length of 18.65mm (Goerz-Ihagee Dialyte)

Dial set Compur #1 has a barrel length of 20.7mm (Meyer WA)

Dial-set Compur #1a has a barrel length of 23.0mm (CZJ 165mm f5.3 Tessra).

Ian

mrc · Nov 24, 2018

Old thread, but I add some data from three Compur dial set No.1a shutter/lens combinations.
The barrel(tube) lengths for the same size shutter are not all the same, also the thread pitch appears to be in tpi and not mm.
This might appear odd as the shutters were made in Germany but there are precedents as the Leica thread mount is in tpi as well.
Steinheil Unofokal f4.5/13.5cm , barrel length 23,75mm, thread 35mm x 40tpi (0,6mm)
Rodenstock Eurynar f4.5/13.5cm , barrel length 23,6mm, thread 35mm x 40tpi (0,6mm)
Schneider Jsconar f4.5/135mm, barrel length 23,6mm, thread 35mm x 40tpi (0,6mm)

Dial-set Compur shutters.

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