Zorki 4 - shutter issue

[mgb74]

Just received a mintish looking Zorki 4 with J-8. This is a later one with the silk-screened (not engraved) shutter dial. However, the speed of the shutter seems to have no relation to the speed that is set (setting the shutter after winding). Nor can I find any setting that delivers very fast (1/500) or very slow (under 1/30 - except for bulb). Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Valkir1987]

Dear MGB 74,

The B mode works, that means the second curtain is catched by the mechanism. (in technical terms).
Main idea is that this camera stood still for several years, having its oils and lubricants dried out. There is (if i'm not mistaken), a sticky for the CLA of the Zorki 4. I recommend only do perform CLA and repair yourself if you are patient, confident, and a bit technical experienced. Otherwise, you may find a good repair service like Oleg or Fedka, to have it done. 🙂

With kind regards!

M Schekkerman

 

[batterytypehah!]

You should feel the slow speed mechanism engage as you move the speed dial. When you go (counter-clockwise) past 60, there is more resistance and you can hear the gears spinning.

Opening the Zorki is pretty easy. Full instructions on Rick Oleson's website: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-58.html

And this explains how the shutter works in the first place: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-131.html

I would check the slow speeds mechanism, the large gears at the bottom of the drum, and while you're at it, the curtain tension.

I got sort-of lucky with my own Zorki-4. The speeds sound and look fine (no film through it yet) now that I released the excess curtain tension. However, I can't get the top off because a previous owner mangled the set screw on the advance knob.

 

[julio1fer]

The speed dial may have been rotated from its standard position.

After winding, set speed dial clockwise as far as it will go. That is 1/30. If 1/30 is not pointed, loosen the set screws on the speed dial, rotate it to correct position (i.e. pointing to 1/30), tighten set screws again. Check that stops correspond to marked speeds. Then you may verify if speeds are correct.

Curtain movement is at the same speed in every setting at 1/60 and faster - exposure is controlled by the slit width in the curtain; you'll see no "fast movement" for 1/500, but rather a narrower slit in the curtain. Slow speeds, however, do keep the shutter open long enough that you can check visually.

 

[mgb74]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will try Julio's suggestion first when I'm back in town on Monday.

I assume the film advance should be wound before loosening and resetting the indicator dial, correct?

 

[batterytypehah!]

Yes, exactly. The pointer lands in a random position after firing the shutter. You need to wind on for a meaningful setting.

I needed to do exactly what Julio said on mine, too -- already forgot about that. Turn all the way clockwise. There's a stop between 1/30 and 1 sec. 1/30 is the last setting before the stop when going clockwise. So this way you're sure what the mechanism is really set to internally, and can move the pointer if needed.

 

[wolves3012]

The pointer lands in a random position after firing the shutter. You need to wind on for a meaningful setting.

Well, actually it's not random (picky, I know). It doesn't come back to the original position though, so you're certainly right that it's not correct until wound on!