First Film Loading Problem

[mynameislee2]

Hi,

I've just got my first RF, a Zorki 2c and it's looking pretty good. On loading my first film I successfully managed to cut the film leader correctly and inserted the film into the camera as per the instructions from 'two' different web sites 😀. I then spent about half an hour trying to wind the film.

I opened the bottom and realized that the take up spool wasn't going round. I thought I'd got either a broken camera or I was doing something silly.

It turned out I was doing something silly but I'm still not sure exactly what. The problem related to the postion of the control at the base of the shutter. Once moved to the dot position the film wound correctly and is now loaded and ready for me to take my first picture.

I've looked through the manual several times but can't see anything relating to this control. What is it and why didn't the film wind when it was in the other positions?

Regards,
Lee

 

[fidget]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
I believe that the lever (or later a collar) round the shutter button is the rewind release. This releases the sprocket drive, allowing you to rewind the film into the cassette.
In the wrong position, I guess that it would stop the winding.....
good luck with your new cam..



Dave

 

[Livesteamer]

Welcome! You have an interesting camera. Remember with the Russian cameras to wind the camera before changing shutter speed. Some models can be damaged if the shutter speed is changed when the shutter is not cocked. Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Joe

 

[fanshaw]

It is recommended to put the lever in the disengaged position when you insert the spool with the film leader attached.This helps to ensure that the sprockets enter the holes on the film rebate. It is a good idea to check that the sprockets are engaged with the film before putting the base back on. It is then essential to move the lever to the engaged position to advance the film.

 

[wolves3012]

Lee,

First, welcome to RFF. The control is the rewind release, it's purpose is to allow you to rewind the film, as fanshaw/fidget say. Unless you put it back after rewinding you cannot cock the shutter. Once you've loaded film, make sure it's fully towards the red "A" symbol. One other thing to notice is that the shutter button can be locked down, useful for long exposures....BUT it also often ends up locked down when you turn the rewind-release collar back and forth. Be sure it's in the normal position, this might have been your problem.

Also, take a look in the Leica LTM sub-forum on here, there's a sticky thread near the top that explains how to load this type of camera - for loading purposes your camera is identical to a Leica screw-mount, so have a read.

 

[wolves3012]

Welcome! You have an interesting camera. Remember with the Russian cameras to wind the camera before changing shutter speed. Some models can be damaged if the shutter speed is changed when the shutter is not cocked. Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Joe

Although it's better to get into the habit of cocking the shutter before setting the speed, it's actually quite safe to set it before on the Zorki C, 2, 2C, 5, and 6 and the FED 2 models, where they have the 2-piece dials with a rotating index mark. If the camera has slow speeds (i.e. below 1/30 or 1/25) then you can definitely get it into a tangle, at best - or break it, at worst - if you don't cock before setting.

The only caveat is never to try and pass between "B" and 1/500 if there's a stop pin fitted (I've had two FED 2s which had no pin and B>1/500 or 1/500>B was possible).

Supposedly, it also doesn't damage the Kievs, although there's some doubt about whether the desired speed will be set if you don't wind on first.

 

[mynameislee2]

Hi,

Many thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. I look forward to my first outing with the camera, allbeit resulting in 36 photos of air.

Regards,
Lee