shutter for Linhof Technika III

[Dan Henderson]

I recently purchased my first large format camera, a Linhof Technika III. It has a 150/300 mm lens in a Linhof shutter, but I managed to break the cable release attachment while getting to know the camera. It appears that I can buy a new (used) shutter for not much more money than having this one repaired. Which raises for me a couple of questions that I know others here can help me with:

>I see references to Copal #0, #1, etc. shutters. What do the numbers mean?
>Are all shutters interchangeable with different make lens boards, or is that what the numbers signify?
>What would be a good shutter be for this camera?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.
Dan

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The best thing to do would be to have the cable release attachment replaced and have a general CLA on the shutter at the same time. I assume the shutter is a Synchro-Compur with Linhof engraving. These are good shutters.

The number refers to the size of the shutter, but the sizes aren't necessarily the same from one brand to the next, and some lenses may be shimmed for a particular shutter or the threads may have been adapted, so adapting to a different shutter may be an expensive project (particularly if it means buying a new shutter, plus having two adapter rings made).