1/60th?

[350D_user]

I've finally recieved the black FED-2 today. Putting the camera through its paces (minus film), I've found an intermittent shutter problem on its 1/60 shutter speed. The second curtain sometimes does not fully close.

All the other speeds work ok, including 1/30 and B. Is this an issue with the shutter tensioning?

[Mauro]

Dear Dave,
it seems to be common problem with Feds: I have a Fed3B which showed the same problem. it can be easily fixed by checking the curtain tension.
There is a thread on this subject, you may check the camera repair forum on this site.
Hope this helps!
Ciao

[350D_user]

Dear Dave,
it seems to be common problem with Feds: I have a Fed3B which showed the same problem. it can be easily fixed by checking the curtain tension.
There is a thread on this subject, you may check the camera repair forum on this site.
Hope this helps!
Ciao
Thanks. I've had a read of that thread, the procedure seems simple enough. It was just the thing about it being on a slow speed, but not its slowest, that was puzzling me. :)

[clarence]

I would suggest cleaning it with some lighter fluid first before trying to adjust the tension. If the former solution works, you wouldn't have to mess around with the tension mechanism.

Clarence

[wolves3012]

A sticking second curtain tends to be more noticeable on slow(er) speeds. Usually a sign that some lubing is needed on a couple of awkward-to-get-at places. If it's slight you may get away with increasing the tension a little but I'd be wary if the increase needed isn't slight. Longer term I'd factor in a proper CLA. In a properly lubed camera there's very little force needed to move the second curtain and tension should be quite low.

[350D_user]

I would suggest cleaning it with some lighter fluid first before trying to adjust the tension. If the former solution works, you wouldn't have to mess around with the tension mechanism.

Clarence
Lighter fluid dabbed along the tracks?

[wolves3012]

Lighter fluid dabbed along the tracks?
Not wise - if you get it on the tapes you could unglue them! Try just increasing the tension a little first - if a small increase will solve it then don't worry, it's probably down to ageing tension roller springs. Does it work ok on B? Try and make sure there are no film chippings or debris in the path too.

[350D_user]

Not wise - if you get it on the tapes you could unglue them! Try just increasing the tension a little first - if a small increase will solve it then don't worry, it's probably down to ageing tension roller springs.
Ok, will do.
Does it work ok on B?
It works fine on B, as well as 1/30
Try and make sure there are no film chippings or debris in the path too.
I had considered that, but with the shutter working fine at 1/30, it seemed more to be the mechanism itself being faulty in some way, as opposed to a physical blockage.

[mike goldberg]

From what I know of the Fed-2's, wolves has got it right above. Want a 2nd opinion?
Check with our Spyderman.

[wolves3012]

Just another thought on a possibility to check out: Could the curtain be sticking against the light baffle in front of it? This would probably affect all speeds or be worst on B but it's something to look at.

[350D_user]

Just another thought on a possibility to check out: Could the curtain be sticking against the light baffle in front of it? This would probably affect all speeds or be worst on B but it's something to look at.
Just had a look, the baffles look ok. I've even attempted to clean out whatever debris is in the tracks with a hurricane blower, the intermittent problem is still there.

When I'm able to, I'll have a go at adjusting the shutter tension.

Failing that, I'll avoid 1/60 on this camera. :)

[wolves3012]

Good luck then - bear in mind that if there is an uderlying problem rather than just tired springs, increasing the tension much will risk making the shutter cap at higher speeds. I'd estimate that if you add more than a turn then you are treating a symptom not the cause. Definitely try the TV/monitor check after adjustment anyway.

[350D_user]

Good luck then - bear in mind that if there is an uderlying problem rather than just tired springs, increasing the tension much will risk making the shutter cap at higher speeds. I'd estimate that if you add more than a turn then you are treating a symptom not the cause. Definitely try the TV/monitor check after adjustment anyway.
Noted, thanks. :)

[fidget]

I had one that did a similar thing. It bugged me for ages, trying to figure what could do this whilst allowing B, the worst case, to work fine.
I never pinpointed what caused it, it went away following a light clean and relube of the selector gear. The advice you have been given seems sound.
I just wondered if it has a kink in the curtain and/or ribbons, as sometimes happens if stored without moving for long periods (very long, I should say).

Dave...

[350D_user]

I had one that did a similar thing. It bugged me for ages, trying to figure what could do this whilst allowing B, the worst case, to work fine.
I never pinpointed what caused it, it went away following a light clean and relube of the selector gear. The advice you have been given seems sound.
I just wondered if it has a kink in the curtain and/or ribbons, as sometimes happens if stored without moving for long periods (very long, I should say).

Dave...
There's no evidence of a... kinky shutter... but I can't check the ribbons properly yet.

There is however, a vertical "scorch strip" (a narrow strip of blind that's shinier than the rest) on the blind though, that's the only area of interest (so to speak) on the shutter blind. This doesn't seem to be hindering it at all.

Tomorrow, I'll lock the shutter open, and properly go at the tracks with the blower and a brush, I found a tiny triangular fragment of film had appeared "from nowhere" after I'd given this a quick attempt previously.

[wolves3012]

The "scorch strip" you describe is on most of mine too. I am not sure how it gets there but it's clearly a common thing and has no effect that I can tell. As for a crease/kink, I have that on a Zorki 1. It doesn't seem to bother it at all, in fact it's one of my best-running cameras. I think it got there from years of non-use.

[350D_user]

Damnit. After tensioning the second shutter curtain and testing the shutter, I've noticed the locking nut isn't holding the screw in position. The screw will return to its old place. At first I thought I was imagining this, but then I actually saw the screw rotate back to its original position on its own.

Other than a dab of glue to secure the nut, any ideas?

[wolves3012]

Damnit. After tensioning the second shutter curtain and testing the shutter, I've noticed the locking nut isn't holding the screw in position. The screw will return to its old place. At first I thought I was imagining this, but then I actually saw the screw rotate back to its original position on its own.

Other than a dab of glue to secure the nut, any ideas?
You're turning them the right way I hope? They're LEFT-HAND threads. Hold the screw in position and turn the locking nut anticlockwise to lock. Assuming you're doing that then maybe there's a damaged thread there somewhere, it's hard to know. A dab of glue will work, of course, but not something too strong or it'll never be adjustable again!

Depending how much you're prepared to fiddle, I would undo the locknut carefully and then back off the tension to zero, counting turns. Take the nut off completely and have a close look for reasons. You might possibly try inverting the nut; in theory it'll make no difference but sometimes it can.

[350D_user]

You're turning them the right way I hope? They're LEFT-HAND threads. Hold the screw in position and turn the locking nut anticlockwise to lock.
Ah, I was just holding the nut in place. My mechanical knowledge is pretty much... zilch.

Ok, now the locking nut is doing its job, the second curtain has been tensioned, I've tolerated enough morning tv (whilst checking the running slit)... the intermittent problem still exists.

Time to go for the easiest route... avoid 1/60 on this camera. This problem looks like a strip-down job, something I'm in no hurry to even consider.

Once again, thanks for the help that was offered on this, as usual it's much appreciated.

[fidget]

Too bad that the extra tension didn't help. Your plan of avoiding the use of 60th is certainly different. If you do this, with your first film, include a few shots of something of a uniform tone. Sky, a plain wall, in fact anything which will help you to have confidence that the other speeds are working well, so do not show any irregularities in exposure. I would be concerned that problems might exist in one or more other speeds.

Good luck, please share your results with us.

Dave

[350D_user]

Too bad that the extra tension didn't help. Your plan of avoiding the use of 60th is certainly different. If you do this, with your first film, include a few shots of something of a uniform tone. Sky, a plain wall, in fact anything which will help you to have confidence that the other speeds are working well, so do not show any irregularities in exposure. I would be concerned that problems might exist in one or more other speeds.
I already have a "litmus paper" test. Ilford FP4+, 125asa, and the "Prestolee Road" location. ;)
Good luck, please share your results with us.

Dave
Will do. :)

[Ulrich Witte]

I've finally recieved the black FED-2 today. Putting the camera through its paces (minus film), I've found an intermittent shutter problem on its 1/60 shutter speed. The second curtain sometimes does not fully close.

All the other speeds work ok, including 1/30 and B. Is this an issue with the shutter tensioning?

Interesting. I have a FED 2 here too, that had the same problem, B and 1/30 are running good, but 1/60 hangs. I've cleaned it and tensioned the second curtain by half of a turn with the screw. Now it works well.

Ulrich

[350D_user]

Interesting. I have a FED 2 here too, that had the same problem, B and 1/30 are running good, but 1/60 hangs. I've cleaned it and tensioned the second curtain by half of a turn with the screw. Now it works well.

Ulrich
I only went for quarter of a turn, before I "panicked".

Half a turn... I'll give that a go tomorrow. :)

[Ulrich Witte]

I only went for quarter of a turn, before I "panicked".

Half a turn... I'll give that a go tomorrow. :)

Don't panic :-) If it isn't overtensioned you normally can try to tension it by one ore more full turns. If it doesn't work then you can tension it back. Sometimes it's a good idea to untension both springs and retension them carefully while testing if the speeds work well. I takes some time but if it succeeds you may have a really quiet camera that cocks very smooth. One of my FED 2 works so smooth that you think there isn't a shutter in it :-) But I've also had some Zorkis and FEDs where nothing helped, I couldn't get them working, don't know what was wrong there... maybe the soviet quality control was beating me ;-)

Ulrich