A really dirty Zorki !

[GeorgesGiralt]

Hi pals !
I've just got my Z3M.... Unfortunatelly, it is really dirty, and has suffered a damp basement somewhere.
The lens mount is rusty and the lens chamber is polluted with fungus. ( the seller had dropped the original lens and fitted a black I61 in place)
questions :
1) how do I get rid of the fungus without totally dismantling the camera ?
2) Is it possible to find a body lens mount , and are all lens mount the same ? Or do I need a Z3M lens mount ?
I'm fortunate as the camera has a bright and clear viewfinder, and that the rangefinder seems accurate. The shutter sounds good, and the body is not so bad, except the rusty lens mount.
TIA !

 

[reagan]

LTM Lens mounts should be quite interchangable. (I'm 90% sure the lens mount on my black Leica is a Zorki and it works with no problems). I'd ask around here in the RFF classifieds and see if you can come up with a Zorki mount, any model, and it should function fine.

I've taken care of fungus and gunk with Ronsonol lighter fuel applied lightly with a small brush or Q-tips.

Good luck and Enjoy the 3M.

 

[santino]

as already mentioned, lighter fluid. take a test roll and take a closer look at your shots, if they come out well then you're lucky (did I say something special??? 😀).
PS: I got a FED 2 pretty much suiting your description and it works like a charm without taking it apart.

 

[GeorgesGiralt]

Hi !
Thanks for your help !
My fear is that the fungus inside the Z3M expand to the lens... And that would be a different story !
I will try car polih and valve grinding paste to remove the rust on the mount. I can't do worse than it is !
Now, !I'm going to process my test roll so we jnow for sure !
Thanks

 

[Bill58]

XXXX steel wool and Ronsonol/ Kerosene are the standard for rust removal. Go lightly.

 

[Spyderman]

Get a Zorki 4 from evilbay, you'll have good source for parts.

Anyway I would recommend disassembling the camera to completely clean all the fungus inside as well as some lube on the internal moving parts and inspection of shutter curtains... It's not at all difficult to do it. I got one Zorki 4 in pretty dirty shape (not fungus though) and after my C+L+A it works great again.

 

[reagan]

"My fear is that the fungus inside the Z3M expand to the lens..."

I haven't serviced an I.61, but if it's similar to the I.26m, that wouldn't be too tough either.

Getting the lens mount in working order should be doable... you're on the right track. Good luck.

 

[dave74]

I've got a Zorki 3C in pieces; contact me at "djb@netsplash.ca" if you want its lens mount assembly (metal plate attached to the body, on which is mounted the LTM ring).