Iskra shutter service

[anfenglin]

Hey everybody!

I have an Iskra which is in dear need of a shutter service. It doesn't lock in cocked position, it fires the instant you take your finger of the cocking lever.
I have quite an experience in servicing shutters, including compund, compur, compur rapid, synchro-compur, tempor and so on, so the FXch should not be that big of a problem.
My problem is that I can't seem to find a service manual or something online. I'm not exactly sure how to take off the locking first ring which can be adjusted by pulling it out a little. I'm not sure how this one is fixed an how I can get it off. I can see little grub screws but I'm afraid something will fall out or something when i take them off.
Has anybody ever serviced the shutter of an Iskra before and knows how to open it?
Any hints will be much appreciated.

 

[Steve Goldstein]

Jurgen Kreckel (certo6.com) may be willing to give you some advice. He works on old folders of all sorts but says he will no longer touch an Iskra, so it's not like he'd be losing business by helping you. Don't worry that his web site seems out of date, he's still in business and active on ebay (also certo6).

I'd be interested in anything you learn, I have an Iskra that needs similar work.

 

[Greg Heath]

Side Scales

However you decide to service the shutter make sure you remove the printed aperture/shutter ring because if you stick that in a white gas bath, in an ultrasonic cleaner, it will remove the writing. I have redone some shutters. One Compur Rapid from a Rolleicord, and Agfa Isolettes, and Agfa Record shutter. You need the proper tools to do it right. Precision German Screwdrivers, and other tools. If you can find someone to do it that does it all the time then it's worth getting it done. Also, if it's a bellows camera, then email SandehaLynch.com and have him build you a new bellow. I do this to all of my folders. Bellows are the weakest link in these great systems.

Greg

P.S. Here is my Flickr Album for Shutter work. https://www.flickr.com/photos/kb2qqm/albums/72157651667174417

The Compur Rapid shutter is a pain in the ass, because there is a self contained shutter timing escapement that hinges from inside the shutter either closer or farther away from the lens barrel, which either makes the shutter faster or slower per the shutter settings. These escapements are very old and sometimes the coiled spring is rusted so really it's a waste of time. If the camera has been a closet queen and it's in great shape then maybe its worth it. The 1/500th setting is set by a separate spring. I much prefer the Agfa shutters. They are easy to work on.

Here are some photos of the Shutter and Timing Escapement gear. I am sure your camera is close to this...







the last photo shows how much gunk that came out of the shutter. These types of shutter are like 50 and 60 years old and need a proper tear down to really get them running like new.

 

[Greg Heath]

never never never open a shutter from the back....because that is where the aperture blades are. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THEM. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth...and many F bombs... flying through the air.... trust me my family got to experience this first hand....

 

[Greg Heath]

Iskra shutter on Google

I love Google Images.... This shutter looks a bit packed..lol. I started out all my teardowns by using a camera and every thing I removed I took a photo. I have not worked on this shutter. If you want to work on shutters buy a bunch of junk cameras and play with them...

https://www.google.com/search?q=Isk...X&ved=0ahUKEwiIpMOM8czKAhVDg4MKHb_FCgcQsAQIKg

 

[anfenglin]

Thanks guys, I've written Jurgen a message, lets hope he can help me.

 

[anfenglin]

OK guys, forget it, I just saw that a shutter blade is ripped. 'tis a sad day

 

[Greg Heath]

Its just a setback thats all. Buy a junk camera on ebay and send it to Juergen and ask him to swap it out.

 

[anfenglin]

He told me his equipment and tools and everything is in storage atm because they'll be moving houses soon. He could help me starting March. He also told me he's seen that problem reasonably often, maybe about 20 of 4000+ shutters had that problem.
We'll see what I'll do.