FSU Camera porn

[TVphotog]

Well, the mailman finally dropped off the first of two packages winging their way from the motherland to me. I share with you the photos
First, the unmolested box...

Next, after carefully cutting the tape I pry back the lid...

Slowly, we peel away the newspaper packing...

At last the bounty is revealed. The Z3M is being taken apart for a good cleaning. Someone had actually 'colored' the camera with sharpie!!! The yak snot lubricant is gummy as ever. The shutters seem to be in decent shape though.

I don't know what to do with the Symbol. I may put a roll of film through it for grins. Well, off to find the lighter fluid and get to de-snotting the camera😀

 

[radiocemetery]

Yak snot? So that's what that stuff is. Thre is still some yak snot in the aperature mechanism of my FED 2's collapsible lens, but I haven't gotten brave enough to open that one up yet.

So now that the rush of searching, finding, waiting, and opening is over, what is next?

I like that Z3M.

 

[mjflory]

Ah, the joy of a big yellow box from the Russian Poshta! And a fine strip-tease you have given us. It looks like you've got a nice 3M (and a nice case to go with it). I think my 3M was the first FSU RF I bought, and I still admire its slightly cockeyed styling and lifesize rangefinder.

Enjoy it!

-- Michael

 

[TVphotog]

Actually. the camera looks much better in that photo than actual. I can't really complain, it only cost 6.50$ and postage. I can look at it two ways. One; I got a Z3M for 50.00$ after shipping with a free Symbol; or I got two 25.00$ cameras... either way, once it is cleaned up I am very happy with it. I may tear it apart for a repaint... Igor! bring me the black paint!!!!

 

[reagan]

Yep, you did good, TV. Sharpie should come off easily... easier than the yak.snot. 😉 I gave the cover of my 3M and another Zorki.1 a good scrubbing to reveal a slightly faded though entact and nice feeling finish that I rather liked. Enjoy it and thanks for sharing. You've inspired me to return to the [frustrating] labors of my 3M.

 

[Superbus_]

It's a bargain. Honestly the Smena symbol is just a very basic camera I had one when I was a child it was my first camera, so it was quite common in former socialist countries, not just in the Soviet Union. It's a camera for beginners and for children but the design is good.
Your Z3M looks fantastic I love zorkis!

Have fun!

 

[Screwy]

Still a nice price for a Zorki 3M and you will enjoy it all the more after you have fettled it 🙂

Sharpie ? I'm assuming this is indelible marker pen ? If so it's something I use on worn/scuffed Vulcanite 😱 it does sound bad I know , but what I actually do is apply the marker pen ,wait for it to dry (looks awful ) then rub it off with my thumb until no more can be removed then buff with a shoe shine pad .

This I find tends to stain the worn patches black and the light buffing blends the worn areas with the rest of the covering , But you do have to make sure you have rubbed it all off otherwise every time you use the camera you end up with black hands :bang:


Paul

 

[TVphotog]

That was the problem. I kept getting purple fingers every time I touched the thing. It is sitting in a 91% rubbing alcohol bath right now. It will be just a bare chassis by the time it comes out.