P3D changing shutter speeds

[John Toeppen <toeppen@xxxxxxxx>]

The shutter of a camera (ideally) should not be cocked when the shutter
speeds are changed.  Set the speed and then cock the shutter if
possible.  In fact it is best not to have the shutter cocked until you
are ready to take the shot.  This is more than an argument in metallergy
and thermodynamics related to long term storage.
The shutter Realist has a cam with a spring loaded follower for timing. 
The cam is especially steeply sloped between 1/50th and 1/25th.  Turning
over this range too hard or too fast can cause a screw to lossen.  This
is especially true if the shutter is cocked.  This is easily fixed with
a Realist, but not so with most other equipment.  So be gentle, slow,
and don't go around fully cocked!  With my Realists I always advance the
film after I shoot but do not cock the shutter until I am ready to shoot
again.  With Kodaks or Reveres, TDCs, etc. I don't advance the film
until I am ready to shoot (also because there is no shutter lock!).  I
just have found this to be good practice with all equipment, but
especially classic stuff.

John Toeppen
http://members.home.net/toeppen/index2.htm


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