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Instructions for Zenit-3M?
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:18 pm    Post subject: Instructions for Zenit-3M? Reply with quote
I have this beautiful and shiny Zenit-3M which I bought in Budapest after indication by Attila together with an also shiny and new exemplar of Helios-44 - both camera and lens export version, with western writings.
I paid for both the huge sum of 1900 Forints which correspond to a little more than 7 Euros.

I am unable to figure out the use of the shutter speed knob that it's right of viewfinder and it also have a mysterious selector for "X" and "M".
I can not understand also why it has to spin when I advance the film lever.

Also not clear is the use of what appears to be an ISO selector knob, on the left. No idea where is the setting point and strange this "colour" indication.

Anyone can help?


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello,

Some data about Zenit 3m
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenit3m/
http://www.rus-camera.com/camera.php?page=zenit&camera=zenit3m
http://www.xs4all.nl/~tomtiger/Zenit3m.html
and Zenit E manual (could be similar):
http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/zenit-e/zenit-e-eng.html
See sections:
OPERATION OF FLASH SYNCHRONIZER
EXPOSURE TIME SETTING
But, careful with the order of which is first: the time setting or the shutter cocking. I think first you have to cock the shutter and only after set the exposure time, but still, it would be wise to ask someone who knows it for sure !!! If the order is not right you might damage the camera !!!
About that ISO selection, I don't think ist important since the camera does not have a light meter. May be only for remember the film's ISO present in the camera.
Sorry, only this, I found.
Good luck.

Cosmin.


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The Zenit 3M was my first ever SLR over 40 years ago. The shutter speed knob is just made that way, I don't know the reason, but it turns as you wind the film on. You don't need to cock the shutter as far as I remember, that's done by the film advance lever in the normal way.

The X-M control is for flash synchronisation. X for electronic, M for flashbulbs. Flash synchro only operates on 1/30th as far as I remember.

The dial around the rewind knob is purely to remind you what film you have loaded - it has no mechanical connection. There is no ISO setting on this camera as there is no meter. This is truly "back to basics"! Smile


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
montecarlo wrote:
But, careful with the order of which is first: the time setting or the shutter cocking. I think first you have to cock the shutter and only after set the exposure time, but still, it would be wise to ask someone who knows it for sure !!! If the order is not right you might damage the camera !!!


Hi Cosmin. You're right, on earlier Zenits it was possible to damage the shutter mechanism if you got the order wrong, but the problem was cured with the design of the 3M. I might be wrong, but I think the turning of the speed knob was the result of this improvement. The same thing happens with the Zenit-E.


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you much Cosmin.
I think that my model is broken, the shutter curtain is very slow on slow times, and stops half the way Sad


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
Thank you much Cosmin.
I think that my model is broken, the shutter curtain is very slow on slow times, and stops half the way Sad


That's exactly why I traded mine in after 4 years. It only happened on the most important shots! Smile I got a Praktica Nova 1B instead


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:

That's exactly why I traded mine in after 4 years. It only happened on the most important shots! Smile I got a Praktica Nova 1B instead


I will never give mine away, first is a memory from Budapest, second it is a camera from the 60s which is the decade I was born in, and thirdly it is so beautiful!


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
peterqd wrote:

That's exactly why I traded mine in after 4 years. It only happened on the most important shots! Smile I got a Praktica Nova 1B instead


I will never give mine away, first is a memory from Budapest, second it is a camera from the 60s which is the decade I was born in, and thirdly it is so beautiful!


I wish I hadn't now, but I was not a rich camera and lens collector then! Smile Several times I've been tempted to bid on one for old times' sake, especially when they include the case and cardboard box. They certainly are appealing.

What lens does it have Orio? Mine had a silver Industar 50 with black round the glass.


PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:

What lens does it have Orio? Mine had a silver Industar 50 with black round the glass.


Mine a shiny and new Helios-44 alu finish, western alphabet, that works incredibily well - it's the sharpest of all my various Helios-44s variations.
Old is better - must spread the word out.


PostPosted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:

I think that my model is broken, the shutter curtain is very slow on slow
times, and stops half the way Sad


It demands preventive maintenance if long lays without work. The fallen asleep dirt, the dried up greasing the typical reasons such. If after 20-30 times on short endurances it will not earn - to the master on preventive maintenance.
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