Focal plane shutter overhaul

[venchka]

Camera: 1953 Pacemaker Speed Graphic

The focal plane shutter seems fine at the higher speeds and higher spring tension. The curtains drag at slower speeds, 1/50, 1/30 and T. The curtains almost won't close in the T position. It gets worse when I turn the camera on it's side for a vertical composition. Obviously gravity helps when the camera is horizontal and the curtains are moving from top to bottom.

How difficult is it to open the camera and clean the mechanism? I counted about 6 screws holding the metal cover on the right side of the camera. The winding knob and release slider would have to come off too. Will this help or do I really need new springs? How hard are they to find?

I probably should send the camera to someone. Any recomendations? Volunteers? 🙂

Second question: Will the flash battery holder with red trip button activate the focal plane shutter if I connect the cord between the "Shutter" outlet on the flash and the bi-post conncection on the focal plane shutter? That would be a lot better than using the body release in tripod mounted close up situations.

What say ye?

 

[Iskra 2]

The "Speed's" shutter is designed like a rollup window shade. Not very complex and large enough in scale that it's hard to screw up when disassembled. Mine needed some parts and Bert Sanders supplied them.

bsaunders1@bak.rr.com

He'll give you some tips and may repair it if he's not too busy.

The focal plane shutter will not work with modern flash systems. The side posts are for flash bulbs which have a very long flash duration.

Regards.

 

[venchka]

Tripping the focal plane shutter

Tripping the focal plane shutter

The "Speed's" shutter is designed like a rollup window shade. Not very complex and large enough in scale that it's hard to screw up when disassembled. Mine needed some parts and Bert Sanders supplied them.

bsaunders1@bak.rr.com

He'll give you some tips and may repair it if he's not too busy.

The focal plane shutter will not work with modern flash systems. The side posts are for flash bulbs which have a very long flash duration.

Regards.

Thanks for the email address to Bert Sanders.

I know that the focal plane shutter won't sync. to a strobe. My question is will the red button on the flash handle trip the focal plane shutter if I connect the cord between the Shutter outlet on the handle and the double post on the focal plane shutter. I would like a better way to trip the shutter than using the body release or the sliding switch on the side of the camera.

 

[Iskra 2]

My question is will the red button on the flash handle trip the focal plane shutter if I connect the cord between the Shutter outlet on the handle and the double post on the focal plane shutter.

No. The shutter curtain is only actuated mechanically by the body release (using a finger or attached cable release).

The shutter curtain edge has metal strips which pass over contacts in the curtain path which are connected to the external side contacts. Pretty simple system that connects the batteries in the flash handle to the long duration flash bulbs. Regards.

 

[venchka]

Thanks! I don't have an attached cable release. I'll continue to use my finger and be careful not to wiggle the camera. I was hoping that the flash handle would trip the focal plane shutter the same way it will trip the solenoid on the lens board.

 

[venchka]

Focal Plane Shutter Update

Focal Plane Shutter Update

I did a bad thing. I picked up a screw driver and proceeded to try to "fix" my focal plane shutter. It wasn't broke until I tried to fix it. Big mistake!

I mailed the camera to Jim at Garland Camera & Repair in Graland, TX. In one day Jim fixed everything that was wrong on the camera: focal plane shutter, Supermatic (X) shutter, rangefinder, etc. He got the camera last Wednesday. Worked on it Thursday. Sent it back to me on Friday. In one week I had a new camera! The focal plane shutter now works on all speeds and works when the camera is turned for a vertiacl composition.

Thanks Jim!

Lesson learned: I will never try to fix a camera again.