Yashica Half 17 Shutter doesn't fire

[CliveC]

Just got a Yashica Half 17 in decent-looking shape. The advance works and the shutter clicks, however, the shutter itself doesn't open. Doesn't work on bulb either. The light meter seems to work and the shutter varies in length of time it clicks open, but again the shutter blades themselves don't move, but look clean.

Is it likely it's a linkage problem or a gummed up shutter? There's no movement at all, which makes me think it's the former.

It has a Copal shutter, if that helps any.

Any insight would be helpful. I have rudimentary tools to open up a camera, but I don't think I'm up to disassembling the shutter to clean the blades.

 

[btgc]

My bet is that cleaning is in order.

 

[farlymac]

If it makes a sound like it's working that varies in speed, then most likely it is sticky. Sometimes the ring the blades are mounted on gets gummed up before the blades do. While you're in there, you can clean the escapement too, and self timer if it has one.

PF