Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Recent Ebay purchase:

Not owning a shutter speed measuring device (shutter tester) and noting that some speeds seem slow, I'm looking for recommendations for a CLA (Clean, Lube and Adjust) for a Compur shutter. I should mention that this is a large format film camera lens, specifically an 8x10 film camera lens.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Here is what I have been doing for about the past 10 years or so ....you will need LPS 1 greaseless lubricant - I get it from ACE hdw. - it is not cheap ! You also need canned air/dust remover with a straw nozzle.

Set the shutter to about 1/10 or 1/5. Cock the shutter, apply 1 small drop or less of LPS 1 in the cocking lever port and take the canned air and blow it into the shutter - activate the shutter release. Cock and release several times. When it sounds right, set the shutter to the next slowest speed and repeat cock and release. The idea is to work the lubricant into the slow speed escapement of the shutter gradually.

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Tempe Camera Repair.
https://www.tempecamera.biz/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm with Architect1776 on this one. Tempe Camera Repair. Joe, the owner, has done CLAs on several of my lenses, rebuilt a Leica IIIf, and repaired my Nikon F. I wouldn't let anyone else touch any of my photographic equipment.
--Bob

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You may be able to identify the part that is causing the hangup and clean/lube yourself if you are the handy sort.

DO NOT USE A LUBE THAT IS NOT INTENDED FOR CLOCKS OR WATCHES. The correct lubes are extremely low viscosity and also have high flow resistance.

In the old days lube derived from whale blubber was used, but these days you can get a mineral oil with similar properties.

https://www.nyelubricants.com/
http://www.moebius-lubricants.ch/en/products/oils

Moebius used to supply Compur.

NEVER GET OIL ON THE SHUTTER LEAVES, THEY ARE INTENDED TO BE DRY. If you get lube on them, pure ethanol or naphtha which will unstick a shutter and not attack any rubber or plastic.

NEVER USE COMPRESSED 'AIR' IN A CAN ON DELICATE CAMERA COMPONENTS. Canned air is anything but - it is usually a propellant like difluoroethane, can leave a residue and can damage delicate parts.

Or better, yet follow your gut and have it repaired professionally. I don't have a recommendation, other than asking the question in this forum:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Good luck and post some pics when you get it fixed!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you suspect the leafs are not moving properly and they are dry, lubricate with a dash of graphite - and exercise - if for some reason you detect a liquid lubricant on them, clean with a Q-tip and methyl ethyl ketone ( MEK) - available @ Ace also.

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ecurb1105

International Camera Corp in Chicago. I've used them since the 1970s.

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Thank You every one for your suggestions. For what it's worth, I'm really quite handy but I'm not about to ruin a shutter myself :). So off to a qualified technician it will go.

I've looked at the Large Format Photography Forum and Photrio. I'm really considering Flutot's or International Camera. I really should make a shutter tester myself and measure my shutters. If speeds are consistant, I can meter and compensate for that.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I downloaded a shutter repair manual a while back. After reading through it, I contacted Joe and Tempe Camera and had him CLA it for me. Though I had the tools, that did not look like something I wanted to tackle myself.
--Bob

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Were you happy with Tempe Camera? What is their turn around time. Flutot's is six weeks out waiting list.