Home

Please support mflenses.com if you need any graphic related work order it from us, click on above banner to order!

SearchSearch MemberlistMemberlist RegisterRegister ProfileProfile Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages Log inLog in

Newly acquired Zorki-4 not working :-( Boo
View previous topic :: View next topic  


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:12 pm    Post subject: Newly acquired Zorki-4 not working :-( Boo Reply with quote

My Zorki-4 recently acquired via the 'Bay and looking cosmetically good appears to have expired. I've put one film through which is away being developed.

Put second film in today, took it out and, hey presto - no go! Film winds on, shutter depresses - but possibly not quite all the way, possibly but curtain moves about 2mm so film is not exposed.

Any ideas? I've got the back/base plate off, I've removed the plate on the inside base which is held in by 2 screws but can't see anything clever...

I'll email the vendor but frankly I think I'm in caveat emptor territory. The shutter on the first and only film I've put through sounded like a military service rifle action: sound akin to "plop". Well engineered but designed for reliability and durability rather than for smooth, near-silent chronometer functionality.

Sub £30 purchase so no great loss but it could put me right off Russian cameras if I can't get it going again.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a Fed 4 do this too. Buy a Kiev, 100x better.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Somewhere on this site I posted a link to the Russian Camera Repair book, I'll go and find it. I have some links to repair information as well. I'll be back.....


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Russian cameras are not worst than Contax or Leica , can be dead can be good all, I bought many from them , Leicas were same dead than several Zorki. Latest Contax made in Stuttgart was entirely dead nothing worked. My conclusion on countless Russian cameras was a few did not work at all , most of them did work slow above 1/60 and a few was accurate like swiss clock.

What you can do ? Either ask repair man to refurbish , usually not much may another 30 UKP and you will have a properly working camera in next decade or buy another one from a trustworthy source where seller clearly say film tested working item.

If I can help let me to know it, I have experts here to refurbish cameras, I think I have several Zorki-4 some of them tested already with film. We can sort it out which is best to you.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33914

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33748&page=2

http://www.g-st.ch/privat/kameras/zorki.html

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/zorkiparts.php

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-131.html

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-58.html

http://jay.fedka.com/

http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zorkis/repair/

Some links to keep you going. Wink


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

and the link to what is considered to be the bible of Russian camera repair.

http://cccp.alien-planet.net/maizenberg-cameras1.pdf

It's a big download, it might take a while.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:
Russian cameras are not worst than Contax or Leica , can be dead can be good all, I bought many from them , Leicas were same dead than several Zorki. Latest Contax made in Stuttgart was entirely dead nothing worked. My conclusion on countless Russian cameras was a few did not work at all , most of them did work slow above 1/60 and a few was accurate like swiss clock.

What you can do ? Either ask repair man to refurbish , usually not much may another 30 UKP and you will have a properly working camera in next decade or buy another one from a trustworthy source where seller clearly say film tested working item.

If I can help let me to know it, I have experts here to refurbish cameras, I think I have several Zorki-4 some of them tested already with film. We can sort it out which is best to you.


I agree with this, I've put 30-40 rolls through my Kiev-II in 6 months or so and it's not missed a beat, it's a Contax, just says Kiev on it instead, it's a 1957 one, later ones are a bit different, but still good, my 1987 Kiev-IV works great too. Shutter speeds on my Kiev-II are still accurate, which is impressive given it's age and how much it has been used.

My Fed 4B I am sure would be very simple to fix, all that is wrong with it is the shutter curtains are slightly out of position so when closed, the gap is visible on the right hand side of the gate, it's probably jumped on the rollers and someone who knew what they were doing could put it right in half an hour. I should get it fixed sometime as it's a lovely camera and was new and unused when I got it so it's still like new.

Maybe David would like to attempt to fix it? If so, I'll gladly donate it to your collection. I have a Zorki 6 I can use for my M39 lenses, but I very rarely use them now as I have Kievs and a Contax and I prefer those.


PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're all great guys here - thank you for all the support, advice and links.

Having taken a gentle hold of the curtain from in front and behind and given it a very gentle tweak I am pleased to announce that we're up and running again.

And we've been out to watch The Hobbit in 2D. I'll be going back for 3D methinks.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great to hear it's working again. I expect my Fed would only require a similar tweak.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd certainly take a look at the FED Ian, it sounds as though it's worth saving.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cool, I'll pass it along, hopefully it will be a simple fix. Smile


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
I had a Fed 4 do this too. Buy a Kiev, 100x better.


Sorry for hijacking the thread, but: it's some time that I'm thinking about buy a kiev, and maybe christmas will be a good occasion for that.
Can someone suggest me which model should I buy (i tried to look for differences, but I'm not so sure it's clear to me) and where I'd better look for it?


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A tested working one, anything else is no matter. My personal preference oldest as possible and without light meter.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Look for the older one with no light meter if possible.
The one with genuine leather covering.


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I agree, an older one, 1950s if possible, they are exactly like a Contax.

Here is my 1957 one, she serves me very well:

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, thanks guys, i'll start hunting.

Ian, that kit looks beautiful!


PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers, wasn't expensive either. Smile