jammed Fed 3a shutter

[eli griggs]

Well, it was bound to happen sometime, I've jammed the shutter on my favorite 3a and before I do anything with it, I'd like to know if this is something I can remedy myself.

Yesterday morning, about 2 am, I was working the shutter speeds on the empty camera and I stupidly missed winding the advance and now the shutter won't go above the setting it was on, 60th IIRC. The curtain is now about centered in the lens as it opens and closes on what feels like a 'B' setting.

Any help is welcomed as I really like this camera and want to keep it working, even though I have another on hand.

Cheers

 

[ZorkiKat]

Did you change speeds without winding?- I guess you did say that.

This is the most common cause for wrecking shutters on FED and Zorki cameras with slow speeds. What happens is that the pins engage in the wrong places and jams with the slow speed mechanism.

You may be able to work on this, but it can be difficult without a repair manual to guide you. I've been sent two Zorki-4 with the same problem. Still pending to be repaired. I think what needs to be done is to remove the top, then partially disassemble the shutter speed setting mechanism. The slow speed mechanism can be a PIA to work with.

Jay

 

[wolves3012]

Oops, cardinal sin on a FSU with slow speeds. I agree with Jay that you probably need to take the top off and see what's going on. The machanism is very similar to the Zorki 4, for which there is a sticky on doing a CLA. That thread will get you enough information to see what gives.

Befor you do that, just try winding on VERY GENTLY until you feel some resistance. At that point, re-set the shutter dial as far clockwise at possible. Now, without releasing the shutter, wind again, as before only turning until resistance is felt. Keep going like that and you should end up with a cocked shutter set at 1/30th. Now fire the shutter and see if it behaves normally afterwards. This just MIGHT disentangle things, if you haven't broken anything. Be very careful to stop as soon as resistance is felt, don't force it at all or you may well make things worse.