Cocked shutter on Bessa R4M

[thomasmarthinsen]

Hi

First let me say that after too many years with only digital, it feels really good to back in the analouge world. My latest darlig is a Bessa R4M with the 35/1.4 Nokton. I'm loving it!

And now, just a short question:
Usually I don't store my camera with the shutter cocked. But, could it damage the camera if I do so for, let's say, 24 hours?

Thanks in advance
Thomas Marthinsen

 

[Rogrund]

Welcome to the forum, Thomas!

No, it won't damage your camera.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

No, it won't hurt to leave it cocked for 24 hours.

 

[DFNDRMP]

Hi,

In exactly the same boat (except a 21mm F4), and was wondering exactly the same thing!

Have a habit of cocking the shutter after every shot, never read anything suggesting its bad, but im likely wrong. : )

Will

 

[thomasmarthinsen]

Wow, so many good answers in a few minutes.

Thanks guys!

Thomas

 

[sevo]

Usually I don't store my camera with the shutter cocked. But, could it damage the camera if I do so for, let's say, 24 hours?

Not any more than storing it with the shutter uncocked. It is generally safe to assume that manufacturers are on the safe side concerning the extension/compression of the shutter springs - camera springs do not fail due to being stored cocked, nor will your car's suspension collapse if you forget to prop it up for the night...

In my experience, even very old cameras (and Graflex RB's in particular, whose users mostly subscribe to an anecdotal cult with the sacred mantra "relieve tension before storage") can be stored tensioned over more than twenty years without suffering any harm.

That is, cameras do seem to dislike storage per se - among mine, more have been found dead when I pulled them out of a long term storage shelf than in hard use. But that is not related to tensioning, but usually due to grease hardening on mechanical and capacitor unforming on electronic cameras.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I had never thought of it... I've stored all my cameras with their shutters cocked, always, for 25 years... And sometimes for more than 24 hours: weeks or months! I guess it makes no difference as I have never needed any repair...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Guaranteed]

Lol I never gave it any thought till I read this thread, I'm also in the habit of cocking the shutter after every shot.