Pronto Shutter Help Needed

EdColorado · Jul 28, 2015

OK, I'm in deeper than I should be and need help getting out.

I'm working on a Pronto shutter in a nice clean and now not too terribly functional Voigtlander Vito B. I'm trying to get the shutter blades back in place and have a couple questions. This is the first time I've taken a shutter apart like this...

OK, the Pronto is a five blade shutter right? I have five sets of "pivots points" for the blades to mount on. I'm a bit confused though due to the fact that when I took this thing apart 6 blades fell out. I have nothing else apart, have no other shutter blades laying around, and did see and count 6 blades when I took this apart. Why would I have a sixth blade?

When putting the blades back in does it matter where I start? That is, does is matter which blade is on the bottom?

Thanks for any help, this is turning out to be a rather enjoyable learning experience but I really like this Vito B and would like to get it back up and running.

bernard_L · Jul 28, 2015

These might help:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139623
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5RBZb7SqS8

Good luck

Brett Rogers · Jul 28, 2015

EdColorado said:
OK, I'm in deeper than I should be and need help getting out.

I'm working on a Pronto shutter in a nice clean and now not too terribly functional Voigtlander Vito B. I'm trying to get the shutter blades back in place and have a couple questions. This is the first time I've taken a shutter apart like this...

OK, the Pronto is a five blade shutter right? I have five sets of "pivots points" for the blades to mount on. I'm a bit confused though due to the fact that when I took this thing apart 6 blades fell out. I have nothing else apart, have no other shutter blades laying around, and did see and count 6 blades when I took this apart. Why would I have a sixth blade?

When putting the blades back in, does it matter where I start? That is, does is matter which blade is on the bottom?

Thanks for any help, this is turning out to be a rather enjoyable learning experience but I really like this Vito B and would like to get it back up and running.

Some shutters use an additional blade to help cap off the shutter and it can overlap other blades. It may or may not be the same size as the main blades depending on the shutter. Eg. a lot of Compurs have three different types of shutter blades. It will almost certainly matter which blade goes in first and maybe even which one where. I have not worked on a Pronto, which is not to say I don't own cameras equipped with them, but they have not needed dismantling to date. But it will matter with many lens shutters. It's important to make notes about this sort of thing so that re-assembly presents less challenges than it otherwise might. The Vito B series are delightful cameras made when Voigtlander were arguably at the height of their quality. It's worth the effort to get it working if you can. Message me your email address. I have a couple of repair manual pdfs which may be of some help.
Cheers
Brett

EdColorado · Jul 28, 2015

bernard_L said:
These might help:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139623
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5RBZb7SqS8

Good luck

Excellent information, thank you Bernard!

Jon Shiu · Jul 28, 2015

The extra blade goes in last on top of the first one you put in after you go around clockwise.

Jon

EdColorado · Jul 28, 2015

Jon Shiu said:
The extra blade goes in last on top of the first one you put in after you go around clockwise.

Jon

Thanks Jon. Any clues as to where to start? The position of blade no. 1?

Jon Shiu · Jul 28, 2015

I was actually thinking about another shutter called Prontor, so my mistake. On that shutter it didn't matter where to start and was easier with the shutter in the open position.

Jon

shutterfinger · Jul 28, 2015

1. look at your shutter blades carefully. The longest tip goes toward the center of the shutter opening. Any blade with the tip bent down goes on first, any blade with the tip bent up goes on last.
2. look at the blade controller from the top of the shutter plate and locate the controller pin/post/lug closest to the setting mechanism/cocking lever. Turn the plate over with that pin in the 3 o'clock position.
3. depending on shutter, start with the blade pivots just above or just below the 3 o'clock position and as previously stated lay the blades on in a clockwise direction. some shutters it matters, others it does not.
4. the final blade goes on top of the first. kodak supermatic shutters use a 6th blade with the 1st. having a hole and pin and all the others having two holes.
5. assemble main plate to shutter case then check shutter blade operation. blades should go from full closed to full open or from full open to full closed with only the weight of a small down feather applied to the controller pin/lug with no springs connected. do not force if any binding occurs as you may bend a blade.

MattKing · Jul 28, 2015

EdColorado said:
OK, I'm in deeper than I should be and need help getting out.

Good choice for a signature line

EdColorado · Jul 29, 2015

Success!!! The shutter is back together and mounted back on the body. Everything works as it should with only collimation to be done. A big thank you to all who helped with information, directions, and documentation. Once I figured the trick (remove the escapement and set the shutter just a little off full open) it went pretty easy.
Now back at it, I should be running film this afternoon.

AgX · Jul 29, 2015

As a side-note:

bernard_L said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5RBZb7SqS8

There are some interesting animations on that channel, even mechanical inclined people will find something helpful.

EdColorado · Jul 29, 2015

Done and working great. The skin will get re-glued after I use the camera a bit, just to be sure.

Brett Rogers · Jul 30, 2015

Congratulations! It's a camera that deserved to be saved and deserves to be used. A genuine classic.
Cheers
Brett

Pronto Shutter Help Needed

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