IIIa question...

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I got my IIIa out and thought I'd exercise the shutter a little bit (actually just wanted to fondle the camera), and noticed that most of the shutter speeds sound correct when I hold the camera upside down 😱 but some stick when right side up. Now I know it really needs a CLA since it hasn't been shot in at least 25 yrs or so but is this indicative of 'sludge' flowing to the lowest level in the works and gumming up? Seems to me it would stick either way.
I suppose I could just shoot it upside down.🙁

 

[Roger Hicks]

Well, it is possible that upside-down the (very small) weight of the shutter spindles, etc., allows for a tiny movement, and that the bearings at the bottom of the camera are (a) more full of flowed-down sludge and (b and more likely) more full of dust and crud that got in though the open bottom of the camera.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Mudman]

try working the camera for a while with the shutter at different speeds. It might come back to life. Really though, you should get a CLA for it.

 

[rick oleson]

If it's that close to the edge, it probably isn't working correctly upside down either, it just sounds better. It needs cleaning, and there's also a chance that it might need new curtains.

 

[Roger Hicks]

If it's that close to the edge, it probably isn't working correctly upside down either, it just sounds better. It needs cleaning, and there's also a chance that it might need new curtains.

Dear Rick,

Very true.

Cheers,

R.