Werra 1, slow shutter speeds waaaay off

[tomperson]

Hi all.
I recently bought a nice Werra 1 (I think it's model 1 because it doesn't have rangefinder nor does it have meter). Cosmetically it looks nice, the cocking mechanism works ok (it sounds funny, but works ok), everything's ok.

Unfortunately slow shutter speeds are waaaay off. For instance when i set the shutter at "1", the camera remains open for 2 seconds (metered with a stopwatch). When I set the shutter at "2", the camera remains "open" for 1 second. Testing speeds below that, i wouldn't really know what's going on. I'm not fast enough to meter the time correctly as you can imagine.

The thing is, is there anything *simple* i could do to avoid this problem?

And, how can I test the other shutter speeds? How can I know if the faster speeds work ok or, if they are off, how much? I mean, i can live with this problem, as long as I can compensate what is required to get a decent exposure...

Thanks!

 

[ZeissFan]

My guess is that the shutter needs to be serviced. And that means some disassembly is involved.

 

[ruby.monkey]

If it has the Prestor RVS shutter, take off the back and look through the lens while firing it to make sure that the secondary capping shutter is opening.

But run some film through it. You may well find that, although the slowest speeds are off, the speeds that you actually use are good enough to work with.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Sticky shutters are nothing unusual. Sometimes they improve with use, but really the shutter needs to be cleaned -- not an especially difficult job for a repairer, especially with a Werra.

You say 'waaay off' but it's only a stop -- not much of a problem with neg film, especially if you rate it at its nominal speed or even a bit faster. I have a Pentax with speeds like this (I have a shutter speed tester) and all I do is rate the film 1/2 stop higher than ISO.

Why not bracket a few demanding shots -- long brightness range -- and see if you have enough shadow detail? The slow-speed escapement is separate from the fast speed regulation, and gets used more, so is less likely to be sticky.

Finally remember that 1 stop out is the same sort of error that many people get with 'sunny 16', guesswork, poor metering technique... It's no big deal, and it's in the right direction (overexposure) for negatives -- though I'd not shoot tranny in the camera.

Cheers,

R.

 

[tomperson]

Hi all! Thanks for replying!

@Ruby: Yes, i'll have to run a test roll through it and see what happens...

@Roger: I know what you mean, it seems to be a stop off, but that's just an estimation. I mean, i metered with a stopwatch...What puzzles me is how to know for sure how off are faster shutter speeds...

What do you mean by "tranny"? (I'm no native english speaker, forgive me if the question sounds silly)

 

[Roger Hicks]

@Roger: I know what you mean, it seems to be a stop off, but that's just an estimation. I mean, i metered with a stopwatch...What puzzles me is how to know for sure how off are faster shutter speeds...

What do you mean by "tranny"? (I'm no native english speaker, forgive me if the question sounds silly)

Sorry: 'tranny/trannie' = 'transparency'. Old slang.

Look at it this way:

The speeds are not going to be fast. It's only a question of HOW slow. Purely from experience, I'd guess 1/3 - 2/3 stop for the faster speeds.

A classic way to test speeds was with a gramophone turntable at 78 rpm. Mark it with a white spot; set it in motion; photograph it. A full revolution is near enough 0.8 seconds; 1/10 revolution is therefore .08 seconds or 1/125...

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Kristian H. Johansen]

Shutter testing

Shutter testing

I record the sound of the shutter on the PC with an audio program (Audacity works well & is free!) - this works well for slower speeds.
For faster speeds you can use a TV (google for "Rick Oleson" "shutter speeds")

 

[Jack Conrad]

If the speeds are consistent, it's not really a problem. Just compensate. It's likely a worn spring on the slow escapement.
Although odds are good that all speeds are a bit slow...
A sticky or gummed up shutter won't be consistent. Sometimes it will open slowly. Sometimes it'll try to open but may just stick closed. That's when a drop of Naptha might help, though usually a temporary fix.