Zeiss Ikon Contina III Shutter disassembly

Eric the Red · Sep 7, 2022

I have had this camera for a while now awaiting its turn to be looked at, and that time has come.
I usually find something on the web to give me a tutorial so I don't screw anything up too badly in my fumbling learning. However, I have not been able, no matter how I word it, to find any instruction on how to take this shutter apart so I can clean it. It's a little sticky on anything slower than 1/15 second. I did a Pax 35 not too long ago, and was pleased with my results, as it works well, and my pictures all came out. Ha! But I was able to find some direction on disassembly.
I would like to know if there is someone who has done this, and would be willing to give me a general idea of what not to do, or could point me to a [something] ?, as all Google seems to be able to do is send me links to ebay, etsy and places that have copies of the owners manuals.
Thank you in advance.
Eric

dxqcanada · Sep 7, 2022

I googled and it appears that the camera has a Prontor SVS shutter.
That should not be difficult to service.

Learn Camera Repair should be able to give you skills to tackle most cameras and shutters.

dxqcanada · Sep 7, 2022

Ah, and LCR has a Facebook group that you may want to join if you enjoy servicing cameras ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/360490091319202/

We are generally helpful ... though do not mention WD40 or flushing shutters.

albada · Sep 7, 2022

You only need to remove the front rings to get access to the low-speed escapement. You need to carefully clean the starwheel and pallet in the escapement to get those slow speeds running again. Clean with a tiny piece of cloth soaked in naphtha or quick-drying electronics cleaner (found in auto-parts stores).
Regarding front rings: Be very careful to mark the infinity-position of the focus ring before loosening its set screws (AKA grub screws) and removing it. Also, if you need to remove the front lens element by unscrewing the helical, carefully note the position at which the helical separates. They often have multiple start-threads, and you need to start on the correct thread upon reassembly.
Good luck!

Mark Overton

Eric the Red · Sep 7, 2022

Thank you DxqCanada for your quick response. This is the camera lens that I have. I have gone to "learn camera repair" in an attempt to find this shutter. I must have the odd duck. I used them to rebuild the Pax 35. So I was hoping they had this one. Alas, twas not to be.
Unfortunately, I do not have facebook. I have considered it a time or three, but have never gone ahead with it. I have enough trouble trying to keep up with instagram..... ha!

Albada, I saw you responded while I was typing. Thank you! Are these the rings you are referring to? The ones with the screws holding them on?

I was not wanting them to have suprises waiting behind them to spring out and disappear into the void, so I figured I'd ask before having to buy another camera.

Eric the Red · Sep 7, 2022

Forgot to add that the focusing lens group comes out by pressing the lever with the red dot at the bottom of the lens, and twisting the focusing lens counter-clockwise. Pops out like a "modern" SLR camera.

Eric

albada · Sep 7, 2022

Eric the Red said:
Forgot to add that the focusing lens group comes out by pressing the lever with the red dot at the bottom of the lens, and twisting the focusing lens counter-clockwise. Pops out like a "modern" SLR camera.

Oh, this model has interchangeable front elements! My instructions about removing rings need to be modified.
First remove the front element using the red release-button below the lens.
Then figure out how to remove the ring into which the front element mounts, which is probably the same part with the DOF scale on it.
Then you can pull out the shutter-speed ring, giving you access to the escapement.
There is a small lever that gives the shutter-speed ring its detents, and you'll need to take care that it doesn't fly away when removing the speed ring.

chriscrawfordphoto · Sep 7, 2022

Eric the Red said:
I have had this camera for a while now awaiting its turn to be looked at, and that time has come.
I usually find something on the web to give me a tutorial so I don't screw anything up too badly in my fumbling learning. However, I have not been able, no matter how I word it, to find any instruction on how to take this shutter apart so I can clean it. It's a little sticky on anything slower than 1/15 second. I did a Pax 35 not too long ago, and was pleased with my results, as it works well, and my pictures all came out. Ha! But I was able to find some direction on disassembly.
I would like to know if there is someone who has done this, and would be willing to give me a general idea of what not to do, or could point me to a [something] ?, as all Google seems to be able to do is send me links to ebay, etsy and places that have copies of the owners manuals.
Thank you in advance.
Eric

We have several service manuals and guides for repairing the Prontor shutter that might be useful for you on Learn Camera Repair. Unfortunately, we don't have the service manual for the Contina III.

Prontor | Service Manuals | Learn Camera Repair

learncamerarepair.com

dxqcanada · Sep 8, 2022

Eric the Red said:
Forgot to add that the focusing lens group comes out by pressing the lever with the red dot at the bottom of the lens, and twisting the focusing lens counter-clockwise. Pops out like a "modern" SLR camera.

Eric

Hmm, that like the Retina.
Probably once you get the front cell off you can just work on the Prontor.

... and also the National Repair Course lessons cover how to service a leaf shutter properly.

Eric the Red · Sep 22, 2022

Well, here is the wee beastie, all cleaned, lubed and polished. I put in a roll of expired Fuji 100 to see how it will do. All shutter speeds work consistently now, I think the slowest speeds are a bit slow, but I doubt I will be using them much. Best news, the meter works, and is still sensitive enough to register in my living room with just the ceiling light!

Thank you to all who helped me figure out this camera. I appreciate it.

Eric

Perry Way · Feb 23, 2023

Very interesting. I have 5 Continas but not this one. I want to clean all the shutters except 1 is perfect. Just happens to be the oldest too, a Contina I folder. I'm watching this thread in case there are any other additions.

titrisol · Feb 22, 2024

Eric the Red said:
View attachment 317004
Well, here is the wee beastie, all cleaned, lubed and polished. I put in a roll of expired Fuji 100 to see how it will do. All shutter speeds work consistently now, I think the slowest speeds are a bit slow, but I doubt I will be using them much. Best news, the meter works, and is still sensitive enough to register in my living room with just the ceiling light!

Thank you to all who helped me figure out this camera. I appreciate it.

Eric

Awesome! How did the photos turn out?
For entry level cameras the Continas were still built with Zeiss standards (to last a lifetime plus 20 years)

Zeiss Ikon Contina III Shutter disassembly

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