The Compur shutters are still
in widespread use. The most popular sizes are #0 and #1. Scroll down
this page for a table of sizes.
The earliest versions have three blades which open and close to
deliver the exposure. The vast majority of these are #0 and #1 size,
although there are a few #00 size.
Most have no flash synch; these are obsolete, as a practical matter.
However since they are of the usual rimset design they look similar to the
later versions.
Later versions are called "Synchro Compur" or, in the case
of the non flash version "Compur Rapid"
and have five blades. These are
also common in the tiny #00 size as well as the #0 and #1
. Like the earlier models they use
the tension type mainspring. The larger one in the picture is a special
version of the same shutter made for Linhof.
 The latest
version of the Synchro Compur began production in
the early 1970's and is still in limited production.
It has a new design torsion type mainspring and was
originally available in sizes #00, #0, #1 and #3.
Here, I show the #1 in the largely unsuccessful battery
timed "electronic" version. Most of the electronic
versions don't work. Battery vendors for the PX 21 can be found via a Google search..
In addition to the usual #00, #0, #1 and #3 sizes there is an elusive
size referred to by default as #2. There are variants and versions
that make this a difficult size. These are usually
four bladed shutters and exist in both dial set and later as rim set
versions. They work more like the Compound shutters but are called Compur
and were made thru the late sixties. This size (and the #00 size) is no longer available
and replacement with new shutters is a problem.
Repair of these
an option which must be considered. #0, #1 and #3 sizes are readily replaced
with new shutters, so the option of replace instead of repair is available.
The Compur shutters are nicely made and well designed. They make use of
more machined parts and fewer die stampings and therefore were more expensive
to make and sell and have a reputation for high quality.
The latest versions are perfect in operation and if it were not for their
very high price would be popular. The earlier versions are OK but their performance
does not equal their current Japanese made replacements.
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DIMENSIONS
