Zorki 1 frame counter problems

ray*j*gun

ray*j*gun

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So I caved in and bought another FSU (a mint Zorki 1e) after swearing I would never again.......so of course there is a problem although its the only issue so far after the first roll.

Ok the problem is when I set the frame counter to 0 (after the loading and advancing is all done) the first wind-on takes the counter to 3 not 1. Oddly after the first "jump" the counter advances as it should. Are these counters adjustable and if so how would one do it?

Thanks!!
 
Sometimes on the first advance after you reset the rewind lever the advance knob "free-wheels" a bit before it catches. That could throw off the counter. If it behaves normally after the first frame, just reset it and ignore the problem.
 
Thanks Peter. I'm going to shoot a roll today and I'll see if the counter moves accurately after that first frame.
 
As pschauss says, the winder may not "catch" first time around. It's not only a trait of the FSUs, many other cameras can do it. To avoid the problem, make sure it re-engages by turning the lever back to advance and winding on a couple of times. Do this before you try to re-load it.

If it continues to double-wind on a random basis, it's a fault and is usually caused by wear in the mechanics. I have a 1e that did this and I ended up pulling it all apart and making a bearing insert to fix a worn shell - hopefully you don't have this problem.
 
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Thanks Wolf..... its weird in that it seems to jump 3 frames only after the frame counter wheel is turned regardless whether it was rewound or not. Its like when the wheel is turned it sort of loses friction then bites again......does that make sense?

Thanks
 
Yep, same happens with my FED 2 and 3. After shooting a bit with them I've learned the way each one likes to be setup when loading a fresh roll.
 
ray*j*gun said:
Thanks Wolf..... its weird in that it seems to jump 3 frames only after the frame counter wheel is turned regardless whether it was rewound or not. Its like when the wheel is turned it sort of loses friction then bites again......does that make sense?

Thanks
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The frame counter is only held in place by a spring sitting under it, that's what provides the friction. If the winder knob itself turns only one full turn (ok, it's actually not exactly one turn but it's very close) per wind then maybe just the spring holding the counter in place is iffy.
 
ray*j*gun said:
....
Ok the problem is when I set the frame counter to 0 (after the loading and advancing is all done) the first wind-on takes the counter to 3 not 1. Oddly after the first "jump" the counter advances as it should. Are these counters adjustable and if so how would one do it?

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Just a few minutes ago I loaded my recently CLA'ed Zorki Ie (by Oleg) and it showed exactly the same behaviour, so I don't think that there is anything wrong with yours.
 
Thomas78 said:
Just a few minutes ago I loaded my recently CLA'ed Zorki Ie (by Oleg) and it showed exactly the same behaviour, so I don't think that there is anything wrong with yours.
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I have several and none of them do this, so I am sure that the counter is supposed to move one division at a time. It is such a simple mechanism that it is hard to see how it could go wrong.
 
Well be trial and error, I think I have a solution.

Once the camera is loaded and I wind on for the first frame, then I set the wheel on #1. From then on it advances one frame at a time. It seems that if I set the counter AFTER the shutter is cocked, it will not skip....I have no clue why but hey if that fixes it that's fine.
 
ray*j*gun said:
Well be trial and error, I think I have a solution.

It seems that if I set the counter AFTER the shutter is cocked, it will not skip....I have no clue why but hey if that fixes it that's fine.
Click to expand...

I have noticed that if I am not careful when I set the film counter it may advance the film slightly when I try to set it. This will, of course, throw the setting off.

Good luck with your Zorki. I have found that a properly sorted out Zorki I is a real joy to use.
 
fanshaw said:
I have several and none of them do this, so I am sure that the counter is supposed to move one division at a time. It is such a simple mechanism that it is hard to see how it could go wrong.
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Unless the disc is loose on its fixing (which would be obvious), I'd go so far as to say it's not possible for anything to go wrong with the counter itself. What can go "wrong" is when turning the camera back to advance - the shutter mechanics don't always re-engage immediately, hence the odd results. Once the mechanics re-engage, only a shutter fault or loose disc can prevent the counter showing the correct frame.
 
pschauss said:
I have noticed that if I am not careful when I set the film counter it may advance the film slightly when I try to set it. This will, of course, throw the setting off.

Good luck with your Zorki. I have found that a properly sorted out Zorki I is a real joy to use.
Click to expand...

My assumption is that your are right.
When the shutter is uncocked and you try to set the film counter by rotating it clockwise (the same direction as the film advance) there might be a possibility that the friction between the film counter and the advance knob also rotates the advance knob just a little bit.

Normally the advance would be 39 / 40 of one revolution which moves the friction film counter one image further.

If setting the film counter - by rotationg it clockwise - would rotate the advance knob - by friction - about 2 / 40 of a revolution as the film counter is set to "0", it olny needs to be rotated 37 / 40. Rotating the Knob for 37 / 40 would give a +3 on the film counter.

I will take a closer look when I will have finished the film in my Zorki Ie.
 
Thank you Peter, Wolf and Thomas.

I have a number of Barnacks (including a IIIc K) and even a Canon IIIb and this is the first time I have had this issue. Again I don't know why but if I set the wheel to "1" after I wind-on, and ignore the "0" all together it seems to work ok. I can live with this if that's not a precursor to problems later.
 
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