Werra 3: getting the top off

[Roger Hicks]

I'd be much obliged if anyone could tell me how to remove the top cover from a Werra 3 so I can adjust the rangefinder. I'm reasonably confident I can figure out the adjustment; it's just getting the top off I'd like information about. The only archive thread I can find does not seem to mention this.

Thanks in advance,

Roger

 

[ruby.monkey]

Unscrew the strap lug mounts (I think you'll need to use something like a pair of pliers with rubber-lined jaws).

 

[Roger Hicks]

Unscrew the strap lug mounts (I think you'll need to use something like a pair of pliers with rubber-lined jaws).

Great. That's what I had assumed but I didn't want to try until I had some confirmation.

Thanks very much indeed.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I think you will also have to unscrew the eyepiece after lifting the top cover slightly. I'll admit that I have yet to try this, but I have a Werra III sitting on my desk waiting to be stripped down. Should be fun.

If it's of interest to you, Thomas Tomosy covers this camera in his book, 'Restoring the Great Collectable Cameras', although he refers to it as a Werra II.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Ah; I have at least one of Tomosy's books, though I'm not sure about that one.

Thanks again.

Cheers,

R.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Yep, strap lugs and eyepiece.

It's facinating under that top.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Yep, strap lugs and eyepiece.

It's facinating under that top.

Dear Steve,

Lovely. Thanks!

Cheers,

R.

 

[Muggins]

Don't lose the little plastic washers off the lugs, and likewise the little shim or shims atop the shutter plunger!

ruby.monkey, Tomosys probably made a better job than me but I have a set of notes I was emailed that got me through a rebuild of a Prestor shutter - PM me if you are interested, and I'll find them.

Take lots of pics on the way in and out again - they are about half as complex again as most other shutters.

In my (very limted) experience, the big problem is that eventually one or both of the two springs that drive the actuating ring stretches. Once this has happened, you need a spare shutter, as I cannot find a source of springs man enough for the job.

On the other hand, if you have a completely locked shutter, there is a neat "gotcha" if you wind on whilst pressing the shutter down... This locks it solid, but unlocks if you take the top off and prod it - strange flaw, but easy to fix!

Hope that helps,

Adrian

 

[xayraa33]

Mike Elek would be a good person to contact Roger.
read the "Adjustment "section at around the 10th paragraph on this article.

http://www.elekm.net/zeiss-ikon/werra3/

 

[Roger Hicks]

Once again, thanks everyone. The Mike Elek piece was especially useful. I may get inside it today...

Though actually I ought to work some more on www.rogerandfrances.com.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I have now been inside it, and fixed it -- though I had to use the other RF adjustment as well as the one you can reach from the opening revealed by the grub-screw. I'll be writing this up, with step-by-step pics, on www.rogerandfrances.com (a free bit, of course) in due course.

Yet again, thanks.

Cheers,

R.

 

[xayraa33]

that is good to hear Roger.
the write up will be very use full for others.

 

[jesse1dog]

I understand that Ray Czerkas in Welham Green bought up a lot of the Werra bits and pieces when the British distributors closed down. He might, just might have springs etc that you need for shutter repair, and just might be prepared to sell them to you.
Ray@rccr.co.uk
is one of his contact addresses.
Worth a go anyhow.
He did a fix on one of my Werras although hadn't got a new top plate replacement - there are a fair number of different ones but he did have a brand new Werra 3 top in original wrapping paper!

jesse

 

[Muggins]

Thanks Jesse, much appreciated! I'll try him and see.

Always good to see a Werra thread - wish I'd known about them when I spent three months on the banks of the river Werra (not that I could have afforded on...)!

Adrian