Kodak 3A shutter release cable?

Christophoto · Jan 1, 2017

I scored a near mint 3A series II on the bay and the only thing wrong with it is a broken shutter release cable, which seems to be common. The plunger head says it's a #2, but I'm striking out looking for a replacement online. Does anyone know of any other good sources for parts? Could there be any other compatible cables that are labeled differently?

Dan Fromm · Jan 1, 2017

A standard cable release with tapered end should fit the shutter. If you have one handy, try it.

Oh, yeah, I just did the experiment. Mine works.

Christophoto · Jan 1, 2017

Huh... I tried it at work last night and it seemed to bind the shutter up, that and I was worried I'd cross thread something. Just tried it again and sure enough it works. Not perfectly though, it seems to work a few times and then stop until I unscrew it a bit. Could just be my release not playing nice with it. Guess I'll go order a short one to leave tucked into the camera. Thanks for encouraging me to try it again.

Christophoto · Jan 1, 2017

Haha figures... Searched the bay all night at work for an original and couldn't find anything, go there now for just a similar looking new one and find an excellent condition original, exact same markings and everything. Perfect.

NedL · Jan 1, 2017

Have fun, the series II is a nice camera!

BAC1967 · Jan 1, 2017

Some old Kodaks used a straight thread. You can find them on eBay by looking at the pictures closely, most people don't realize that's what they are selling. They're usually the cloth covered type but they are kind of hard to find.

AgX · Jan 1, 2017

There were

-) tapered thread (still used today)
-) straight thread
(both standardized)

-) the Leica rim thread (for the "cap" type remote release)

Were there more?

Christophoto · Jan 3, 2017

This one is definitely straight threaded. I couldn't find on on ebay by searching for the #2 that was in the plunger, but searching for Kodak cables I stumbled on the exact one I need. Not compatible, exact, same cloth covering and #2 on the head like it came from another series II. Watch it doesn't work lol.

rjbuzzclick · Jan 3, 2017

If you're using a cable release where the plunger tip is rounded, that might be your issue. Many of the releases for older leaf shutters have a flat tip, a rounded tip can slip off the internal lever that the plunger hits. It's easy to file a rounded tip plunger flat if you need to.

Christophoto · Jan 3, 2017

Good to know, thanks.

AgX · Jan 3, 2017

AgX said:
There were

-) tapered thread (still used today)
-) straight thread
(both standardized)

-) the Leica rim thread (for the "cap" type remote release)

Were there more?

So we got two shapes of the tip of the bolt?
I never thought of this issue

Dan Fromm · Jan 4, 2017

AgX said:
So we got two shapes of the tip of the bolt?
I never thought of this issue

Cable releases with straight tips are very uncommon. I have one that I use with my 2x3 Pacemaker Speed Graphic's body release, whose cable release socket is straight. But and however, a cable release with a tapered tip can be attached to it too.

AgX · Jan 4, 2017

Dan, my comment was not about the thread being straight or conical (these difference in threads is somewhat known), but about the shape of the tip of that rod or plunger:

rjbuzzclick said:
If you're using a cable release where the plunger tip is rounded, that might be your issue. Many of the releases for older leaf shutters have a flat tip, a rounded tip can slip off the internal lever that the plunger hits. It's easy to file a rounded tip plunger flat if you need to.

Kodak 3A shutter release cable?

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