Shutter won't open

Lala29

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Jul 24, 2025
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1
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London
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Digital
I have a Kodak Retinette IB Pronto-LK but everytime I click the button to take a photo the shutters don’t open. I’m wondering if this is fixable? Thank you in advance!
 

F4U

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Jan 15, 2025
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Yes it is entirely fixable The shutter is so dried up it refuses to even open at all. But since Chris Sherlock is retired I don't know who to refer you to.
 

FilmShooterX

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Apr 5, 2024
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UK
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Medium Format
I think it has a leaf shutter. The most likely cause is oil on the shutter blades. There are many videos on Youtube that shows you how to clean the blades.
 

F4U

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This problem can not be remedied by owner. Even if he were able to get the shutter to open and close, the speeds would all be so inaccurate as to be worthless This requires a professional Trust me on this.
 

RalphLambrecht

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Sep 19, 2003
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I have a Kodak Retinette IB Pronto-LK but everytime I click the button to take a photo the shutters don’t open. I’m wondering if this is fixable? Thank you in advance!

The grease in the shutter is gummed up and needs a deep clean. I know one repair shop in the center of Cologne, but they are backed up for months. You can try to remove the front lens to get to the shutter, but it's not an easy feat.
 

F4U

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Jan 15, 2025
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Florida
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Well, duh.. what a dunce I am. Only 2 months ago Southern Photo Technical Service in Miami Florida overhauled the Compur shutter on my Super Graphic. i was very happy with the price and speed of service. And it turned out as perfect as anybody could hope. Highly recommend. But once again, do NOT attempt any kind of work yourself. You will most certainly ruin it. A Compur is not a Wollensak. It's in a whole other league. Only an experienced trained professional has any business touching one.
 

blee1996

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Jul 25, 2008
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SF Bay Area, California
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Unless it has sentimental value, the repair cost of those cameras far exceeds the replacement cost. If I were you, I would either buy another working one, or tamper with it myself. There is not much to lose here.
 

Don_ih

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Jan 24, 2021
Messages
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Ontario
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But once again, do NOT attempt any kind of work yourself.

Advice to be ignored.

If @Lala29 has any desire to learn how to repair things, go right ahead. The world doesn't end because a shutter never gets put back together.
 
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