replacing a shutter

Mother and child

A
Mother and child

  • 2
  • 0
  • 378
Sonatas XII-55 (Life)

A
Sonatas XII-55 (Life)

  • 0
  • 1
  • 2K
Rain supreme

D
Rain supreme

  • 4
  • 0
  • 2K
Coffee Shop

Coffee Shop

  • 7
  • 1
  • 2K

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
199,818
Messages
2,797,114
Members
100,043
Latest member
Julian T
Recent bookmarks
0

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
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!
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
IN t
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

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,849
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
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?)
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,849
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
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...
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
5,020
Location
San Jose, Ca.
Format
4x5 Format
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

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,849
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
More laws of nature:

There are no $75 shutters.

Amateur shutter repairs fail.

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

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
12,354
Location
North Carolina
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,849
Format
Multi Format
:smile: 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

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
12,354
Location
North Carolina
Format
Multi Format
Sounds more like someone with multiple items listed got crossed up on which one the question was about...
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
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...
:smile: Thanks!
 

David Lindquist

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 18, 2006
Messages
283
Location
California foothills
Format
4x5 Format
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
 
OP
OP

Camerarabbit

Member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
131
Location
NYC
Format
35mm
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

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,849
Format
Multi Format
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

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 18, 2006
Messages
283
Location
California foothills
Format
4x5 Format
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
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom