Zorki 1 Optical Wedge cover stuck

[acheyj]

Hi all, got a problem. Got from Russia a Zorki 1 complete and a Kiev 4a body, suposedly in good order HA. Thanks to Alex and a couple of Kiev spares got the Kiev behaving. The Zorki was a mess, good CLA and the shutter works ok. The 4 screws that hold the outer body to the shutter box were too small and dont have any. Major problem is a stuck bezel cover onto the optical wedge cannot budge it any thoughts ?. Oh yes the other window for the front rf window was also an optical wedge (also stuck !). Need 4 screws, optical wedge, rf window, maybe better to call it quits and use the damn thing for a WA scale focusser. I really want to belt the darn thing into submission tho. Any help with the stuck optical wedge most welcome. Better not say whence the two butchered cameras came from as he offered to pay for repairs !

ron

 

[laptoprob]

Welcome Ron, to the forum. If the seller has offered to pay for repairs why not let him?
AFAIK only one eye, the left from front, has the optical wedge. The cover hardly has a screw thread, should be able to get off. Getting it back on will be more difficult. Behind the cover is the adjusting bit.
Let the seller send you the parts, that may be best. Then you can get the bezel covers off and do the repairs yourself.

 

[acheyj]

Thanks for the welcome Rob.
Re seller, as I do my own repairs in all honesty could not take his money, the cost of return would be greater than the camera value as a spare. Also was missing take up spool, I asked seller to send me a spool + optical wedge, no reply ! oh well. Its the first bad experience I have had. Both cameras were put together from bits, wrong screws, hand painted, draging shutters, rubbish ! .
Good results with 3 Kievs and 1 Zorki from Alex-Photo and Siberian-Shop, great dealers.
When I get time will report on my Kiev learning curve (steep and disaster ridden !).

The Zorki wedge has me beat, until I get the cover off can not align it, no problems with my other Zorki, tho it was a time consuming job going from inf to close up.

This is a great forum for help and I must thank Jay, Rick and all the help available here.

Having real fun with the RF's remind me of my early days with 1950 - 60,s available light passion.

ron

 

[wolves3012]

If you are referring to the outer chrome bezel around the RF window, under which sits the optical wedge, you are best off using the proper wrench for the job. It looks like a flat strip of metal with a slit along it and a hole near the end. It would be possible to make one with a bit of ingenuity. To break the initial hold, try a pencil-flame gas torch. Play it gently around the bezel but be careful to keep it away from the glass and don't get things too hot. That will break the corrosion and also expand the bezel slightly whilst it's hot. They can be a PITA to remove!

 

[acheyj]

Thanks wolves, better make myself clear the chrome bezel and the optical wedge came out of the camera together (made myself a tool as you described). Problem is seperating the bezel from the wedge, tried soaking etc. You idea of heat is good trouble is there is little of the wedge protruding to grip. Can you confirm the optical wedge is glass not plasti ?. Will infuence amount of heat. If i truly lose my temper will proceed to the farm workshop and the oxy gear !!!.

ron

 

[wolves3012]

As fas as I know the wedge is glass. The only other likely material would be perspex, which was available then but it would have yellowed with the age of these cameras. I can only suggest soaking the joint with penetrating oil for some time, then applying heat. You'll have to be very careful using a blowtorch if there's oil around, it is flammable of course! I've never had this problem so I can't offer any other suggestions, sorry. The oxy-acetylene method may satisfy your temper but I bet the result won't be what you want!