damaged shutter curtain

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bukaj

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Here is a photo of the second curtain of my IIIc. I'm guessing this means the curtains need to be replaced. Do I have any other options? The camera has been sitting untouched for a while, but I'd really like to start shooting with it again. Light leaks are very obvious in the center of the frame if I keep the shutter cocked for even a short time.

When curtains are replaced, is just the damaged one replaced, or are both? The first curtain is red, and as pointless as it is to functionality of the camera, it'd be nice to keep it.

Thanks
-jakub
 
Yeah, I'd replace it.
Sometimes, only the damaged curtain is replaced, but, if I were to spend all the effort to disassemble the body to get access to the curtains, I'd do both of them.
I've seen red curtain material for sale. Maybe you can find some.
 
I'm just vaguely aware of rare wartime screw mount bodies with red curtains. Could this be one? Would you diminish the collector value by replacing the curtain? I have no clue about this, just throwing it out there.
 
FrankS said:
I'm just vaguely aware of rare wartime screw mount bodies with red curtains. Could this be one? Would you diminish the collector value by replacing the curtain? I have no clue about this, just throwing it out there.
Click to expand...

Yes, and yes.

To the OP: Your camera is very likely a 'Stepper IIIc', with the little 'step' under the rewind lever. And has a 36xxxx through 38xxxx serial number, placing it in 1941 or 1942. A 39xxxx serial from 1943 or later with a red curtain is a true rarity and should definitely not have the red curtain replaced. Does your camera have any additional engraving on the top, like an 'fl no.', a specific batch number for army camera's? Or a serial number with a 'K'? If so, you have something extra-special!

As long as the red curtain does not show any black spots that actually feel a bit 'sticky' to the (very light!) touch, your curtain will be fine and would not need replacement. A sticky curtain is deteriorating and will sooner or later fail like the black one now does.

Vickko, I've never seen any red curtain material for sale yet! Rare as hens teeth if its original!
 
I believe it's a 40/41 model from when I last looked up the serial. It's a 368xxx and does have the step under the rewind lever. There's no special engraving. Here is my camera.

It looks better in that photo than it actually does. It's not in the best of shape. The red curtain looks fine, but maybe I'll leave that decision to the repairer when the camera is apart. I've already decided that if the curtains do get replaced, I will request to have the original parts returned.

I have thought of possibly buying another III and setting this one up on a shelf (probably wouldn't be too much more than the repair). It has been in my family for generations since almost new, so has sentimental value to me. But for that reason, part of me wants to keep using this particular camera.
 
colyn said:
Don't waste your money with this material. I've used it and it is worthless. The weave is too loose and prone to light leaks even after a few shutter actuations.
Click to expand...


Agree with Colyn with this. The cloth which microtools sell is not suitable for shutter material, if the camera in which the shutter is installed is to be used.

Shutter cloth from Aki-asahi is much better.
http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/curtains/shutter-curtain.php
Get the silk/rubber/silk type for the IIIc.
 
ZorkiKat said:
Agree with Colyn with this. The cloth which microtools sell is not suitable for shutter material, if the camera in which the shutter is installed is to be used.

Shutter cloth from Aki-asahi is much better.
http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/curtains/shutter-curtain.php
Get the silk/rubber/silk type for the IIIc.
Click to expand...

I've been getting my shutter curtain material from Aki Asahi for some time now and have found it to be the best available and it is reasonably priced..
 
colyn said:
I've been getting my shutter curtain material from Aki Asahi for some time now and have found it to be the best available and it is reasonably priced..
Click to expand...

The shutter straps are also included in the package. Real silk tapes and really strong. Close in thickness to the shutter cloth, which makes positioning the blinds and straps easier.
 
FYI, those might be the original split rings on the camera. If they are shaped to be very tight-fitting together and the halves fit nice and smooth, then they are original.

Those smaller split rings are not that common to begin with, and Leitz used ones that had halves that fitted closer than those used by other manufacturers. As a result the halves are so tight-fitting that they almost look like a single ring instead of two halves.

Not sure if I'm making sense here but wouldn't know how to word this otherwise either.

If the red curtain is good I'd keep it installed, no matter what the repairman says. It's a rarity and once it goes, you will never have another red curtain in there, unless from a donor camera...

Nice camera, happy shooting!
 
Would it be advised to get my own shutter curtain material or rely on who repairs the camera?

Any recommendations on who to send it to? I was thinking Youxin Ye since he did my CLA a couple years back.
 
Bumping this for my question that wasn't answered.

Thanks.



bukaj said:
Would it be advised to get my own shutter curtain material or rely on who repairs the camera?

Any recommendations on who to send it to? I was thinking Youxin Ye since he did my CLA a couple years back.
Click to expand...
 
"Would it be advised to get my own shutter curtain material or rely on who repairs the camera?
Click to expand...
"Any recommendations on who to send it to? I was thinking Youxin Ye since he did my CLA a couple years back."

I don't personally work on cameras as do many RFF members, so I would send the camera to Youxin so that I could be shooting soon.
 
I sent my IIIf to Youxin for a CLA and he found one of the curtains was getting quite hard so I had him replace both (he sent me back the old ones without my asking) The replacements look fine and has been working great, If Aki Asahi cloth is the best it would not surprise me if that is what he uses. Also had the beam splitter replaced which only cost $30 since the camera was already apart. I was happy with the viewfinder and thought it was pretty good but this made a very noticeable improvement. Great looking camera, I would not change the red curtain unless I absolutely had to

+1 Youxin
 
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