Weird Bessa R3M shutter problem... Where to get repaired?

[rolleicaster]

Hey all -- I have an R3M with a weird shutter problem -- the top curtain is not getting out of the way fast enough. Consequentially, anything above 1/250 is not working -- only exposing half the frame.

I shot a message to Mr. Gandy who was unsure of the problem and quoted the price for a full CLA + whatever else needed fixed. I may end up doing this, but it is a bit expensive for my budget right now.

Anyone ever experience this issue with their Voigt? Or does anyone else have suggestions regarding where (near the west coast if possible) I might send this for a shutter diagnostic? I hope it's an easy fix - it's my first Voigtlander and the viewfinder is so beautiful ;_;

Thanks in advance!

 

[monopix]

Sounds like the tension on the first curtain spring has been lost, but I've never heard of it happening or ever seen it. If it is then it should be possible to retension the spring but the shutter needs removing to do it so not a cheap fix. If it's not that, then maybe something stuck in the curtain or in the mechanism. Either way, I would think the shutter needs taking out. The shutters are not difficult to work on but a repairer may consider it cheaper to replace it. Sorry can't help with a repairer, I'm the wrong side of the Atlantic.

 

[agentlossing]

If the shutters are indeed the same between the Voigtlander models, I wonder if you couldn't have a repair service cannibalize a cheap Bessa L or something and replace the shutter...

 

[monopix]

cannibalize a cheap Bessa L or something

I think a cheap Bessa anything is a thing of the past. Even Bessa L bodies go for, what seems to me, stupid money. The shutter is used in other Cosina bodies so I would be looking at a CT1 Super or similar as a donor - though you can get minor differences between the shutters so some care is needed.

 

[GMOG]

I'd not worry myself thinking about a shutter swap from another camera. By the time you figure out what will fit, buy it, and pay someone to install it, how much time and money will you have spent? How would swapping a shutter, which probably involves more disassembly than a normal service (2 cameras instead of 1), cost you less than servicing the existing mechanism?

I'd send it to Gandy's crew when budget permits, and let them sort everything out for you. They are on the west coast. I bet the price he quoted is a bargain considering the amount of knowledge, time and effort that's required to properly service your camera.

Good Luck! 🙂

 

[monopix]

How would swapping a shutter, which probably involves more disassembly than a normal service (2 cameras instead of 1), cost you less than servicing the existing mechanism?

It depends if the shutter is repairable though. If not, then a swap out is the only answer. I guess Stephen's repairer may have replacement shutters available. I was really thinking what I would do.

 

[GMOG]

It depends if the shutter is repairable though. If not, then a swap out is the only answer. I guess Stephen's repairer may have replacement shutters available. I was really thinking what I would do.

As someone who dabbles in repairing my own film gear I relate to where you are coming from. It could be a fun and rewarding project; tracking down the donor and making a successful swap.

I could be wrong, but I assumed based on what I read that rolleicaster is not looking to do the work. In this case it makes sense to me to send the camera to a service provider who knows the product and has access to whatever is needed to make a proper repair.

Cheers!

 

[Beemermark]

Do you really think that the shutter is damaged? The second curtain is released either magnetically or by a spring cog arrangement. Sounds like your camera just needs a good CLA. If you can't afford now I'd suggest you sit aside and safe your money till you can afford it.

 

[newst]

You could send these folks an email describing your problem and asking what they would charge. They have done good work for me in the past and their prices were always at the lower end of the estimates I would receive.

http://www.midwestcamera.com/classic.html

 

[monopix]

Do you really think that the shutter is damaged?

I think it was me who suggested it was rather than the OP.

The second curtain is released either magnetically or by a spring cog arrangement. Sounds like your camera just needs a good CLA.

From the description, the problem is with the first curtain which is mechanically released (this is a mechanical shutter) once the front shutter has opened. Once released, the curtain travels under spring tension. If it's not travelling fast enough, which is what the symptoms suggest, then, either the spring tension is lost or there's something slowing it up. Could be as simple as a shard of film stuck in there.