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Difference between Copal and Compur shutters

markbau

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Excuse my large format ignorance but what is the difference between these two types of shutters?
 
It depends on the shutter. In theory, Copal #0, #1 and #3 shutters conform to the Compur #0, #1 and #3 standards. Same threading, same tube lengths. There's no Compur equivalent to Copal #3S. Compur #2 shutters were made with several tube lengths.

And then there are Copal Polaroid #0 and #1 shutters, all press type, which have slightly different tube lengths than the standard. Some of these have limited diaphragms that don't open as wide as the standard.

Finally, not all pre-WW II Compurs conform to the current standards.

Take a look at "the list," which has links to information on shutters' dimensions. There's a link to it in the first post in this
https://www.largeformatphotography....to-look-for-information-on-LF-(mainly)-lenses
discussion. Download the file, its index, a set of bookmarks, doesn't work in online pdf readers.
 
In terms of the innards, Compur tend to have better finished parts than Copal. But both are professional and reliable shutters.
 
Jojje is right-on! Compur tends to be more finicky to work on... they love proper lubrication and put up more of a fuss than Copals when that lube gets old.
 
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Older Compur shutters were probably designed in the era when whale oil was the best lubrication for ultra-precise escapements and gears. The same was true for old pocket and wrist watches. My former watchmaker (sadly now deceased) had some tiny glass vials of whale oil that he still used on pocket watches. Of course, now there are synthetic oils that last last longer.
 
I know conservation-orientated people don't share my view, but after running out of gun oil and looking for substitute in the depths of my cupboards I found out silicon oil is THE lubricant for shutters.
 
Substitute whale oil is jojoba. But if I ever need shutter work, I'll let a pro do it. Silicone (not silicon) can cause all kinds of problems if it accidentally gets on the wrong material, and lots of hardware store (vs industrial) versions are worthless junk brands.
 

I thought you always used nose oil?

If you are out, I can mail you some.
 
I shaved my mustache off a number of years ago, so no longer have baleen. Being unable to eat krill anymore, there is no longer enough quality blubber on me to make harpooning me and boiling me down to oil worth it. Blubber, yes, but not quality blubber. Just a little MSG or sodium nitrite in whale oil makes it corrosive to shutters.
 
markbau said:
Excuse my large format ignorance but what is the difference between these two types of shutters?
Click to expand...
Among other responses to your question, modern Compur 0 and 1 shutters have 1/3rd click stops and, on the rear of the shutters, there is a gear wheel and screw hole that allowed users to add a setting stick that allows you to set the apertures from behind the camera. Some versions also accepted a stick to also set shutter speeds from behind the camera.
 

Welcome to the forum Bob!
David
 

Jep, exept the Compur 0 having 1/2 click stops... the others have indeed 1/3rd like the Prontor Professional.

I prefer the black Compur over Copal for their feel, even if I never had any problem with modern shutters, be it Copal, ProntorProf. or Compur...

Best
Jens
 
My Fujinon 90mm f8 comes with a Copal 60 shutter. What is a 60 shutter? I thought it was supposed to be a zero, but somehow 60 is stamped on the lens.
 
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