Any Werra shutter experts?

[johnf04]

I have just bought a Werra 1e, and it appears to have a shutter fault. When I fire it , the shutter blades slowly close to leave a star shaped gap...

This seems to happen at all speeds, but it is only noticeable on B and the slower speeds.

Are there any suggestions as to the fault?

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I've not used a Werra but despite the peculiarities of its shutter design, it is a lens shutter and as it's cycling slowly, it's very likely that it's in need of cleaning and possibly lubrication. All completely typical for a camera of its age. I think you are probably not far from Chris Sherlock if you're in Dunedin. You could ask him if he'll sort it out if you don't want to do it yourself, he's a lens shutter specialist.
Cheers
Brett

 

[johnf04]

I should clarify the shutter behaviour - the picture attached was taken on B, with the shutter held open. On 1 second and faster, the shutter slowly closes while the timer is running, but it closes fully at the end of the timer cycle. The blades aren't being latched open while the timer runs.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I should clarify the shutter behaviour - the picture attached was taken on B, with the shutter held open. On 1 second and faster, the shutter slowly closes while the timer is running, but it closes fully at the end of the timer cycle. The blades aren't being latched open while the timer runs.

All as above, if it is cycling slowly, chances are high it's being bogged down by old lubricant residues which need to be cleaned off. Correct operation should re-commence when this is done.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[v0sh]

I restored the shutter of my Werra and it was quite some work involved. Initially, it showed similar behavior as yours and while I was able to get that fixed by flushing it with alcohol (EtOH 75%) several times, a spring inside the shutter mechanism broke. So, I had to open it and get that spring back to work. Now the rangefinder cannot be aligned as some screw heads broke.
The shutter blades probably need cleaning, try flushing with alcohol while you let the shutter fire at different speeds.

 

[mpaniagua]

Had the same issue with a Rolleicord and a Lubitel. It was a lubricating issue for me.

Edit.- Sorry for the vague information. I mean it was a shutter blade lubricating issue for me.

Regards

Marcelo

 

[johnf04]

The camera now has the shutter/lens mechanism removed.

I had to do some moderately terrible things to the ring which holds the two parts together - the lens spanner didn't shift it, applying solvents to the thread didn't help. Tapping with a hammer and punch didn't move it. In the end, I heated the ring with a large soldering iron, then tapped it off with a hammer and punch. It will need cleaning up and repainting before it is refitted.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Mechanics ain't for the faint of heart ( or hand ) ! Peter

 

[johnf04]

This is the problem..

The shutter is uncocked here. When it's cocked, the tooth with the green arrow is held by the hook below it. When the shutter is released, another hook (purple arrow) is held by the tooth with the red arrow, until the timing interval is complete.
In this shutter, the ring is slipping past the red arrowed hook to the next tooth .

 

[johnf04]

I'm fairly sure I've found the problem. The next pictures are the shutter with the wind ring removed. The blades can still be cocked, and fired. The first picture shows the fault - the arrowed lever should be towards the centre of the shutter. If the shutter is fired in this condition, the blades open and then close immediately.

The next picture shows the shutter cocked, but with the arrowed lever in the correct position. If the shutter is fired now, the blades open, but don't close until the lever is moved towards the outside of the shutter. This puts the cocking ring in charge of timing control.

Tomorrow, I'll flush out the shutter, and with any luck, fix the problem.

 

[phofseth]

And of course the Photobucket shutter cannot easily be cleaned.

 

[johnf04]

I've now deleted my Photobucket account - the messages should disappear soon. Now I have to find somewhere else to host pictures.

Oh - and the shutter? It's been flushed, and I need to reassemble it, to see if it works correctly.

 

[Muggins]

You are a brave man, diving into a Prestor shutter! I believe there are notes on the Classic Camera Repair Forum archive that is hosted somewhere on RFF (in fact, I think I started at least one thread), but it's so long since I've been in one I really don' think I can help any more. I might have some spares, but have moved house since I saw them last, and am in the UK...

Adrian

 

[johnf04]

I know what the fault is - there is an escapement which is supposed to be tripped at the end of the cocking stroke, which releases the lever which holds the shutter blades open, while the timer runs. On this shutter, the lever isn't being set to the timing position. I have tweaked the cocking ring lug which is supposed to trip the escapement, and I'm going to blow some graphite powder into the escapement.

 

[johnf04]

After reading the online reaction to the Photobucket fiasco, I restored my account - just in case they decide to allow older pictures to be displayed. If they continue as they are, I will delete the account again.

 

[johnf04]

I've registered a web address, and paid for a year's hosting. Coming soon - photos hosted on my own page.

A few hours later...done. I installed Wordpress on the website, and learned how to use the basic picture gallery. This allows me to link the pictures to here.