Ultrasonic Mechanical shutter cleaning: I recently posted a request for knowledge on shutter cleaning. I meant to ask about ultrasonic cleaning but typed electrostatic(mental lapse...

Tedcritch Loc: Lexington, KY

I recently posted a request for knowledge on shutter cleaning. I meant to ask about ultrasonic cleaning but typed electrostatic(mental lapse that I can’t explain)
Any info on ultrasonic fluids or techniques would be appreciated. My thanks to the member who pointed out my error.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

As far as I know, ultrasonic cleaning is done by immersing the object in a fluid of some sort and applying high frequency pressure bursts. So that would require either that you remove the shutter from your camera for cleaning or you immerse the camera in a fluid.

Which of those options sounds preferable?

Of course a third option is to send the camera to a facility that knows the best way to clean your shutter.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Ultrasonics can damage delicate things - like mechanical shutters. And the liquid that the objects are immersed in is usually some kind of solvent. The wrong kind of solvent could damage any non-metal parts of the shutter mechanism, plus it would totally remove any lubrication. You would then be left with the problem of finding appropriate lubrication. Apparently you can't use just any lubricant. Too thick and it impedes the shutter, too thin and it can migrate onto other parts like the optics. The fact that you have to ask about it suggests that you don't know enough to experiment with that technique. if you want to use ultrasonics, do so only with professional guidance, or pay a professional to do it.

Robertl594 Loc: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Nantucket

I would not attempt to clean my shutter in an ultrasonic cleaner unless it was first removed from the camera and the fluids used dry leaving no residue, and only on metal shutters. There are much better options.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I guess another question would be:

What makes you think your shutter is dirty?

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

DirtFarmer wrote:

I guess another question would be:

What makes you think your shutter is dirty?

I believe the OP is dealing with a leaf shutter as was commonly found on the folding cameras in the last century. In my experience with collecting some old folding cameras those shutters will become slow and sticky over time due to congealed lubricants and dust that works it’s way into the mechanism.

Stan

Tedcritch Loc: Lexington, KY

To StanMac,
I think my shutter needs cleaning because it takes about a full second to open and close when set on 1/500 sec. Plus I can see oil residue that has crept out on to the blades.

Does anyone know a pro who can clean and lube a Kowa 6 shutter I’ve had little luck finding someone

MJPerini

I believe that the correct way to clean old sticky lubricant from shutter and aperture blades is to dis-assemble them , clean the parts and re assemble with fresh (and appropriate) lubricant . That also probably requires a disassembly pf the lens elements, all of which need to be re assembled and re spaced and re centered.
It probably requires specialized tools and skills.
You need to find someone who specializes in mechanical cameras to do the job.
Good luck

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Tedcritch wrote:

I recently posted a request for knowledge on shutter cleaning. I meant to ask about ultrasonic cleaning but typed electrostatic(mental lapse that I can’t explain)
Any info on ultrasonic fluids or techniques would be appreciated. My thanks to the member who pointed out my error.

Tedcritch wrote:

To StanMac,
I think my shutter needs cleaning because it takes about a full second to open and close when set on 1/500 sec. Plus I can see oil residue that has crept out on to the blades.

Does anyone know a pro who can clean and lube a Kowa 6 shutter I’ve had little luck finding someone

Aha! So it is an old style shutter. That was not mentioned in the original post. I (and I suspect many others) think first about modern cameras when a question is asked without full details.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Tedcritch wrote:

To StanMac,
I think my shutter needs cleaning because it takes about a full second to open and close when set on 1/500 sec. Plus I can see oil residue that has crept out on to the blades.

Does anyone know a pro who can clean and lube a Kowa 6 shutter I’ve had little luck finding someone

I would suggest contacting Zacks Camera Service (Google him) in Providence, RI. Michael has repaired and/or CLA'd probably 20 vintage cameras of mine and has always done excellent work. He has also repaired a couple of lenses for me as well.

Stan McReynolds

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

What are you cleaning? Ultrasonic cleaning fluids can be a simple as detergent and water ot very aggressive chemical cleaners. It all depends on what you are cleaning and what the base material is. Remember when remove from the cleaner there will be no lubricant left and the proper lube will have to be reapplied.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

StanMac wrote:

I would suggest contacting Zacks Camera Service (Google him) in Providence, RI. Michael has repaired and/or CLA'd probably 20 vintage cameras of mine and has always done excellent work. He has also repaired a couple of lenses for me as well.

Stan McReynolds

I need to add that after replacing and repairing a couple of bellows for me Michael told me he didn’t want to do any more bellows work. So, be aware of that if the bellows in your camera are in need of replacement in addition to servicing the shutter. He will work on your shutter and collimate the lens but won’t repair or replace the bellows. I’m assuming, of course, that your camera is a folding type with a bellows.

Stan