Prontor or Compur

[Arvay]

Which shutter is more reliable?

 

[Gumby]

It is a difficult question to answer. It depends. Which model?

In Hasselblads, for example, I don't know if there is much data to support one being more reliable than the other - they are both extremely reliable.

Some Compurs - Synchro Compur, in particular - are very reliable... until they decide to fail. And they tend to be so precicely made that they fail befoer some other "less precisely" built shutters, like the Copal.

All-in-all, it might not be worth worrying about.

 

[Arvay]

Sorry, I thought it will be more informative if we are not talking about the particular models.
But my interest is focused on Zeiss Icon Folders

 

[KoNickon]

My take may be mistaken, but I think of the Compur Rapid shutters, which are generally older than the Synchro Compurs, as being more reliable.

The Copals and Seikos tend to be very reliable.

 

[Solinar]

I like my Compur Rapids, first version Synchro Compurs over the Prontor S, SV shutters. I must add that I've never had a Prontor S or SV fail after receiving a proper CLA. I have had a Prontor SVS give up the ghost.

Both Prontor and Compur were part of the House of Zeiss after the second world war. Prontors were generally less expensive and did not have a top shutter speed of 1/400 or 1/500th of a second.

 

[nikon_sam]

Give this site a quick look over...I was hunting around today and found it rather interesting...

www.certo6.com/shutters.html

I've been throwing a few rolls into my Agfa Ansco Viking 4.5
Had to recalibrate the focus and then test another roll or two...
I also might want to look for a 645 format folder...any suggestions???

 

[Steve Bellayr]

This is a theoretical question. Isn't it more important to consider the condition of the camera rather than the type of shutter when buying a used instrument?

 

[Gumby]

This is a theoretical question. Isn't it more important to consider the condition of the camera rather than the type of shutter when buying a used instrument?

Most times I'd agree with your sentiment, Steve. And, it's not really just a theoretical question; it can be a very practical question. In large format lenses, for example, it is much better to have lens with an old Copal shutter than the same lens with an old Compur because of parts availability. If the Compur becomes inoperative parts are not available except for parts scavenged from other old shutters. The likelihood of reviving an Compur, in that example, is much lower than reviving an equally broken Copal.

 

[ZeissFan]

My own feeling is that both shutters are reliable. However, you should fully expect that either shutter will need to be serviced if it's attached to a Zeiss Ikon (not Icon) folding camera. That means it's at least 50 years old and possibly up to 70 years old.

If the shutter has been properly serviced, then it comes to down to the fact that the top speed on a Prontor shutter will often be 1/300 or even 1/200, while the top speed speed of a Compur shutter will range from 1/250 to 1/500, depending on the camera.

In general, most problems with Compur and Pronto(r) shutters tend to be that their gummed up with old lubrication and moisture or oil on the shutter blades.

I've encountered very few Compur or Pronto(r) shutters that couldn't be serviced -- fewer than five of maybe 130 or so.

The one shutter that has given me problems is the East German Prestor shutter.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Hasselblad CF lenses have Prontor Shutters instead of the Compur shutters that the older hasselblad lenses had.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Which shutter is more reliable?

Both are extremely reliable, provided they are maintained.

 

[wlewisiii]

In my experiance, both are about equally reliable. But then, so is the old Kodak ball bearing shutter on a B&L Rapid Recitilinear I've got from the 00's (1900's that is 🙂 ). The big thing is to get any old shutter you intend to use regularly serviced so that you can get it to the point where the speeds are consistant and you know what they are. The Syncro-Compur on my 135/5.6 Symmar was CLA'd by Carol Miller and has tested speeds of: 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/400. Yes, 1/400 not the 1/500 marked & IME that's doing pretty good.

Wiliam

 

[Roger Hicks]

Historically, Compurs were always regarded as the better shutter and were normally the most expensive option. They are extremely reliable but as others have said, parts availability will decline: most faults in Compur 2 shutters are already irreparable.

Equally, I'm very happy that my Alpa-mount 38/4.5 Biogon is one of the first series, in a Compur.

Cheers,

R.