Help with first attempt repairing a folder - Voigtlander Virtus

Patrologia

Patrologia

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Dec 13, 2017
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As the title says, I need some help with a Voigtlander that I picked up this weekend. It mostly looks (to my untrained eye) to be in pretty good shape, but there are a couple of issues. First is that the whole shutter/iris/lens assembly at the front (what is this called?) turns pretty freely. It isn't supposed to, right? The second is that I can only turn the shutter speed between T and 25. There seems to be some sort of a stop preventing me from getting to 50, 100, and 250. I can't find anything blocked, but I also don't really know what I'm looking for. I've uploaded a video showing what I mean if my words aren't clear. At the end it also shows the back side of the lens while I rotate the front. Any help is appreciated, I'd really like to dip my feet into 120 Folders.
Working Link

44914228624_628ea64523_b.jpg
 
Hello and welcome to the forum Patrologia.

I'm sure someone will help soon. All I could is tell you how to break it. Where's the link to the video? When I clicked on the link all I got was a photo.

Have you done much as far as fixing cameras go?
 
From this image: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/voigtlander-virtus-part-repair-476513530
there appears to be a register hole ... I would suspect the front shutter assembly has a pin that sits in it to prevent it from freely turning.

Typically with these types, the front cell unscrews to get underneath to be able to remove the cover for the shutter mechanism.

It sounds like someone has gone into it before.
 
@seany65 Thanks for pointing out the bad link. I think I've fixed it now.

@dxq.canada That sounds very possible. When you say the front cell, do you mean that if I just unscrew the lens from the front I'll have access through there?
 
Congratulation, that looks like a beautiful camera. Generally, there is a thin nut on the back side of the shutter assy that holds everything to the lens board. Open the back with the front still closed and you should see a ring around the back element with two slots in it. You hook something in there to twist that retainer nut on and off. See if it's loose. I have a pair of needle nose pliers that I filed to a point and use it on those retainer nuts, but if you are clever and handy you can figure out something that will work.
 
Steve M. said:
Congratulation, that looks like a beautiful camera. Generally, there is a thin nut on the back side of the shutter assy that holds everything to the lens board. Open the back with the front still closed and you should see a ring around the back element with two slots in it. You hook something in there to twist that retainer nut on and off. See if it's loose. I have a pair of needle nose pliers that I filed to a point and use it on those retainer nuts, but if you are clever and handy you can figure out something that will work.
Click to expand...
Thanks Steve, that was it. I'm going to need to use a tool to tighten it down properly, but just using my fingernail I got it tight enough to hold the shutter assembly still. Unfortunately, I now lost use of "B" and "T" shutter functions. I can still dial to them, but can't cock the shutter. Still can't turn to the speeds above 25 either.
 
Old Compur shutters do not require cocking for the B and T settings. You just press the shutter release when those settings are selected.
 
mconnealy said:
Old Compur shutters do not require cocking for the B and T settings. You just press the shutter release when those settings are selected.
Click to expand...

Thanks, you're right, they work perfectly.
Now I'll just have to figure out what's going on with the high speeds. That'll probably reveal itself once I start getting the thing apart.
 
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