replacing a shutter

Camerarabbit · Jun 3, 2020

Hello all! Am quite new to larger format photography. I was recently out shooting with my 180mm Symmar-S lens, and I put a battery in this shutter than has a battery pack attached to it (I"m told such a shutter was popular because of its precision for long exposures) and fried the shutter - it now only shoots at what seems to be the fastest speed. Before i order a new shutter, I wanted to see if someone can confirm which kind of shutter i need, and if I need any special tools other than a small screw driver (to loosen the ring on the back). Anything in particular to look at/for when buying a shutter, and what's a fair price? Pic of the lens + shutter @ https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xyyewnk76s006mv/AAAygDV4Ude_yH8S2ZiQiDwba?dl=0
Thank you!

shutterfinger · Jun 3, 2020

More pictures please, mainly the other side.
It likely needs a CLA.

Camerarabbit · Jun 3, 2020

IN t

shutterfinger said:
More pictures please, mainly the other side.
It likely needs a CLA.

More pics the dropbox folder. I know nothing about these lenses, but from what I understand, I can buy a new shutter and attach the lens to it, since the shutter controls aperture and speeds, etc. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks!

Dan Fromm · Jun 3, 2020

Your lens is in a Compur #0 electronic shutter. The cells are direct fits in any Compur or Copal #1 shutter.

Please check that the new batteries are good and were installed in the correct orientation. The timing circuit isn't getting power or is dead.

The last poster in this https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...ematics-for-compur-electronic-shutters.28920/ discussion said he has a schematic. He's still here, PM him.

Camerarabbit · Jun 3, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
Your lens is in a Compur #0 electronic shutter. The cells are direct fits in any Compur or Copal #1 shutter.

Please check that the new batteries are good and were installed in the correct orientation. The timing circuit isn't getting power or is dead.

The last poster in this https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...ematics-for-compur-electronic-shutters.28920/ discussion said he has a schematic. He's still here, PM him.

Thanks, I'll look into it!
BUt is it possible to just buy a new shutter and use the lens with that? Maybe one that doesnt take a battery (which would be what? A Copal 1?)

Camerarabbit · Jun 3, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
Your lens is in a Compur #0 electronic shutter. The cells are direct fits in any Compur or Copal #1 shutter.

Please check that the new batteries are good and were installed in the correct orientation. The timing circuit isn't getting power or is dead.

The last poster in this https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...ematics-for-compur-electronic-shutters.28920/ discussion said he has a schematic. He's still here, PM him.

Also, have tried two net sets of batteries to no avail. I fried something in the shutter and have no engineering skills to speak of to fix it

Dan Fromm · Jun 3, 2020

CameronRabbit said:
Thanks, I'll look into it!
BUt is it possible to just buy a new shutter and use the lens with that? Maybe one that doesnt take a battery (which would be what? A Copal 1?)

That's what I almost said. Thing is, mechanical shutters haven't been produced for some time, Practically speaking, new ones are not to be had.

Used shutters are offered on the great auction site. They can all be serviced. If I were you I'd look for a reputable repair shop and ask it what can be done with your dead shutter. Zack's, a Photrio sponsor, has a good reputation. '

Be aware, there's a law of nature to the effect that all used shutters need to be overhauled, spelled CLA for clean, lubricate and adjust. I said that Compur and Copal ones interchange. Don't rule out a Compur in good order or that can be brought into good order.

Camerarabbit · Jun 3, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
That's what I almost said. Thing is, mechanical shutters haven't been produced for some time, Practically speaking, new ones are not to be had.

Used shutters are offered on the great auction site. They can all be serviced. If I were you I'd look for a reputable repair shop and ask it what can be done with your dead shutter. Zack's, a Photrio sponsor, has a good reputation. '

Be aware, there's a law of nature to the effect that all used shutters need to be overhauled, spelled CLA for clean, lubricate and adjust. I said that Compur and Copal ones interchange. Don't rule out a Compur in good order or that can be brought into good order.

Contacted a Linhof certified repair guy in Cali and he quoted me $175 (plus shipping), so was hoping I could just buy a new $75 shutter and do it myself. Plus. I dont even like this battery powered shutter... Looks like I can get a Symmar-S with a mechanical shutter for $150 range on eBay...

Camerarabbit · Jun 3, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
That's what I almost said. Thing is, mechanical shutters haven't been produced for some time, Practically speaking, new ones are not to be had.

Used shutters are offered on the great auction site. They can all be serviced. If I were you I'd look for a reputable repair shop and ask it what can be done with your dead shutter. Zack's, a Photrio sponsor, has a good reputation. '

Be aware, there's a law of nature to the effect that all used shutters need to be overhauled, spelled CLA for clean, lubricate and adjust. I said that Compur and Copal ones interchange. Don't rule out a Compur in good order or that can be brought into good order.

Will contact Zack's, thanks for the tip

shutterfinger · Jun 3, 2020

CameronRabbit said:
Looks like I can get a Symmar-S with a mechanical shutter for $150 range on eBay...

Add another $125 + shipping for a CLA of a mechanical shutter even if listed as all speeds good. If the seller has a 99% or higher rating and handles mostly photography equipment their comments are likely accurate otherwise be skeptical. KEH, Roberts Cameras, Adorama are reputable sellers on ebay.

I have no experience with the electronic shutter but its in my wheel house of expertise.

Dan Fromm · Jun 4, 2020

CameronRabbit said:
so was hoping I could just buy a new $75 shutter and do it myself.

Looks like I can get a Symmar-S with a mechanical shutter for $150 range on eBay...

More laws of nature:

There are no $75 shutters.

Amateur shutter repairs fail.

180/5.6 Symmar-S in good shutter for $150? Improbable.

Camerarabbit · Jun 4, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
More laws of nature:

There are no $75 shutters.

Amateur shutter repairs fail.

180/5.6 Symmar-S in good shutter for $150? Improbable.

I will listen to the experts (you) but the guy selling this https://www.ebay.com/itm/163734481107?ul_noapp=true wrote me:
Hello,
Thanks for the question.
I checked all the shutters.
This item is old, so 1/500 is about 1/350.
It's not perfect, but it's a good.
Thank you.
And has like, 10k positive reviews. I dont need perfect. What do you think?

Donald Qualls · Jun 4, 2020

That's the kind of honest, sensible response you'd look for. No CLA is going to make that 1/500 actually 1/500 (it may have been below 1/400 when new).

That said, you might want to budget for a CLA for the shutter, if not immediately, within the next year.

FWIW, I've done successful CLA on a number of leaf shutters. Small parts, assembly order matters, keep your smart phone handy so you can take pictures every time you take off a part -- but if you're the sort who fixes stuff everywhere (like me, pushing the doors back into their track at the grocery store when they're stuck partway open due to someone having pushed past), it is very much possible. That said, if you can afford to send it away and your'e not a natural fixer, send it away...

Dan Fromm · Jun 4, 2020

CameronRabbit said:
I will listen to the experts (you) but the guy selling this https://www.ebay.com/itm/163734481107?ul_noapp=true wrote me:
Hello,
Thanks for the question.
I checked all the shutters.
This item is old, so 1/500 is about 1/350.
It's not perfect, but it's a good.
Thank you.
And has like, 10k positive reviews. I dont need perfect. What do you think?

The seller is an idiot.

That is a Copal Press shutter, top speed 1/125. Look at the picture.

Donald Qualls · Jun 4, 2020

Sounds more like someone with multiple items listed got crossed up on which one the question was about...

Dan Fromm · Jun 4, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
Sounds more like someone with multiple items listed got crossed up on which one the question was about...

Could be.

Camerarabbit · Jun 4, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
That's the kind of honest, sensible response you'd look for. No CLA is going to make that 1/500 actually 1/500 (it may have been below 1/400 when new).

That said, you might want to budget for a CLA for the shutter, if not immediately, within the next year.

FWIW, I've done successful CLA on a number of leaf shutters. Small parts, assembly order matters, keep your smart phone handy so you can take pictures every time you take off a part -- but if you're the sort who fixes stuff everywhere (like me, pushing the doors back into their track at the grocery store when they're stuck partway open due to someone having pushed past), it is very much possible. That said, if you can afford to send it away and your'e not a natural fixer, send it away...

Thanks!

Camerarabbit · Jun 4, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
The seller is an idiot.

That is a Copal Press shutter, top speed 1/125. Look at the picture.

oh wow, good point. Will write and ask

David Lindquist · Jun 4, 2020

CameronRabbit said:
Contacted a Linhof certified repair guy in Cali and he quoted me $175 (plus shipping), so was hoping I could just buy a new $75 shutter and do it myself. Plus. I dont even like this battery powered shutter... Looks like I can get a Symmar-S with a mechanical shutter for $150 range on eBay...

Please tell us who this was. Linhof shows two California service providers, Laflex in Palm Desert and Precision Camera Works in Vacaville (Linhof still shows them in Skokie IL). See: http://linhof.com/en/linhof-vertretungen/

And to confirm, YOU DID TELL THEM IT'S AN ELECTRONIC SHUTTER, RIGHT? (Sorry for the caps). The thing is it's easy to find assertions on the internet that it's difficult to find repair people willing to work on electronic shutters and, for example, Carol Flutot explicitly says she does not, so it would be valuable to know who is willing to work on these. Please also let us know if Zack's will work on electronic shutters.

David

Camerarabbit · Jun 4, 2020

David Lindquist said:
Please tell us who this was. Linhof shows two California service providers, Laflex in Palm Desert and Precision Camera Works in Vacaville (Linhof still shows them in Skokie IL). See: http://linhof.com/en/linhof-vertretungen/

And to confirm, YOU DID TELL THEM IT'S AN ELECTRONIC SHUTTER, RIGHT? (Sorry for the caps). The thing is it's easy to find assertions on the internet that it's difficult to find repair people willing to work on electronic shutters and, for example, Carol Flutot explicitly says she does not, so it would be valuable to know who is willing to work on these. Please also let us know if Zack's will work on electronic shutters.

David

Soooo Zack's said he'd be willing to look at it but isnt sure if he could fix it. Also wouldnt give me a ballpark quote.
Also the place in Cali was Laflex, but the owner said he'd buy this electronic shutter from me (since they're supposedly kind of rare) and provide me with an overhauled manual shutter. Only problem is that he leaves me hanging on email and only responds when I follow up with him, and hasnt replied to my last email which I sent him over 10 days ago - don't feel like doing with business with someone like that. So frustrating!

Dan Fromm · Jun 4, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
Sounds more like someone with multiple items listed got crossed up on which one the question was about...

You could very well be right. I took a look at the seller's listings. > 1,800 including many shutters at very low prices, also a few interesting items that piqued my curiosity.

OP, thanks for posting the listing. I have no idea whether any of the seller's shutters are in good order, but he has a number of #0 cock-and-shoot Copals at very low prices.

David Lindquist · Jun 4, 2020

CameronRabbit said:
Soooo Zack's said he'd be willing to look at it but isnt sure if he could fix it. Also wouldnt give me a ballpark quote.
Also the place in Cali was Laflex, but the owner said he'd buy this electronic shutter from me (since they're supposedly kind of rare) and provide me with an overhauled manual shutter. Only problem is that he leaves me hanging on email and only responds when I follow up with him, and hasnt replied to my last email which I sent him over 10 days ago - don't feel like doing with business with someone like that. So frustrating!

Thank you very much. Useful information; at least Zack's is a possibility. Please keep us informed as to how this turns out.

David

Camerarabbit · Jun 4, 2020

David Lindquist said:
Thank you very much. Useful information; at least Zack's is a possibility. Please keep us informed as to how this turns out.

David

Thank YOU for your help

replacing a shutter

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