Timegoblin
Newbie
Hi,
I havent picked up a film camera in quite some time and have decided to return to the fray. In my dubious photographic past I have used a lot of old FSU gear mainly SLR and fixed units but also a fed RF or two.
I have Just purchased a Zorki 4k from fleabay along with the usual jupiter 8 lense, I have also purchased some rolls of my old fav film, illford XP2 super and was wondering before I go on the photographic rampage around my home town is there anything peculiar to the Zorki I should be aware of? Camera should be arriving this week, wont have time or money to get it serviced so hoping for a runner.
Plan is to do a photo shoot around my home town of Newport, South Wales as I am moving soon and would like to build a photo library of the sights of Newport. And my weapons of choice will be my trusty Lubitel 166U, the new Zorki and probuably a zenit (prob an 11 or EM) with a small selection of lenses.
Photo shoot should be Sunday the 5th and Monday 6th September.
I havent picked up a film camera in quite some time and have decided to return to the fray. In my dubious photographic past I have used a lot of old FSU gear mainly SLR and fixed units but also a fed RF or two.
I have Just purchased a Zorki 4k from fleabay along with the usual jupiter 8 lense, I have also purchased some rolls of my old fav film, illford XP2 super and was wondering before I go on the photographic rampage around my home town is there anything peculiar to the Zorki I should be aware of? Camera should be arriving this week, wont have time or money to get it serviced so hoping for a runner.
Plan is to do a photo shoot around my home town of Newport, South Wales as I am moving soon and would like to build a photo library of the sights of Newport. And my weapons of choice will be my trusty Lubitel 166U, the new Zorki and probuably a zenit (prob an 11 or EM) with a small selection of lenses.
Photo shoot should be Sunday the 5th and Monday 6th September.
Valkir1987
Well-known
Well you should be aware of not changing the speeds before cocking the shutter. Check if the black light sealing cord is in between back and the camera. Check the shutter at all speeds, also the slow ones. If not so, it may need a good CLA or an overhaul. That occurs when the greases have dried out and the camera slept in a closet for over a few decades.
It may increase the price you pay, but its worth it. It's better than buying more gear until you find a properly working example.
Good luck, and have fun
It may increase the price you pay, but its worth it. It's better than buying more gear until you find a properly working example.
Good luck, and have fun
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
In addition, check the removable film take up spool.
First, the camera should come with one, otherwise you can't even load a film into it.
Second, the take up spool may be worn out that it doesn't hold the film tension. Test it with the back open until you're sure that it won't slip and unroll the film in the middle of shooting. You may have to sacrifice a good number of frames in a film roll to test this.
First, the camera should come with one, otherwise you can't even load a film into it.
Second, the take up spool may be worn out that it doesn't hold the film tension. Test it with the back open until you're sure that it won't slip and unroll the film in the middle of shooting. You may have to sacrifice a good number of frames in a film roll to test this.
Mephiloco
Well-known
You should be aware that the Jupiter 8, if a good copy, is an amazing lens. It's my 50 of choice when I don't need more speed, though the non clicking aperture makes it a litle more tricky on non metered cameras.
Valkir1987
Well-known
The nice thing on the 4K is that is has a fixed spool. But its good to check its film holding capacities anyway.
With kind regards,
M Schekkerman
Veloman
Recently infected w. RF
Do not forget to take the lens cap off! Just happened to me...
Have fun!
Have fun!
racoll
Well-known
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Timegoblin
Newbie
Well, the Zorki 4k finaly arrived- think the seller forgot about me!
Lens appears a bit tatty... more than a bit tatty actualy. the alluminium has corroded and is covered in what i like to call while ally rust- the white powder alluminium gives off when it corrodes. nice. feels very stiff. has a filter "welded" on the end. tried to unscrew it but it wasnt going anywhere.
I have got an old Fed 4 which doesnt appear to focus properly so swapped the lens from that. fits the Zorki fine and focuses no problems. thats an industar, think the tatty one is a jupiter. the jup is all silver (white) while the industar is black and silver. looks nice on the Zorki
focusing is very good- i can see the yellow focusing area and it appears to focus well. done a few trials with a tape measure, all looking good.
I have wound it on and tested the shutter speeds, 1000, 500, 30, all sound / look about right.
Taken the back off and the inside is imaculate. there is a take up spool- it appears removable.
Exterior looks very clean (now theres a new lens fitted) all in all its looking good and i am looking forward to using it.
oh nd the eveready case is in one piece! result! not bad for £12 all in I think it was.
Lens appears a bit tatty... more than a bit tatty actualy. the alluminium has corroded and is covered in what i like to call while ally rust- the white powder alluminium gives off when it corrodes. nice. feels very stiff. has a filter "welded" on the end. tried to unscrew it but it wasnt going anywhere.
I have got an old Fed 4 which doesnt appear to focus properly so swapped the lens from that. fits the Zorki fine and focuses no problems. thats an industar, think the tatty one is a jupiter. the jup is all silver (white) while the industar is black and silver. looks nice on the Zorki
focusing is very good- i can see the yellow focusing area and it appears to focus well. done a few trials with a tape measure, all looking good.
I have wound it on and tested the shutter speeds, 1000, 500, 30, all sound / look about right.
Taken the back off and the inside is imaculate. there is a take up spool- it appears removable.
Exterior looks very clean (now theres a new lens fitted) all in all its looking good and i am looking forward to using it.
oh nd the eveready case is in one piece! result! not bad for £12 all in I think it was.
Timegoblin
Newbie
ahhh my error, its a zorki 4, not the 4K it appears.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350384126653&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350384126653&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
Last edited:
SteveM(PA)
Poser
The shutter speeds, if not engraved, will rub off very easily...so be careful to only touch the sides of your dial if you can
gholen
Now what!?
Yes. First one, and always a rule for FSU cameras. Wind film first, THEN set shutter speed. Anything else and you may hurt the camera, really bad (broken shutter, hard to take pics with).
Rule number one-a. When mounting or dismounting the lens, it has to be set at the nearest mark.
Rule number two: Read above.
Rule number three: Do.Not.Lose.Takeup.Spool.
And finaly, rule number four: shoot with it! (my exaple of the J-8 takes really good portraits @ F/5.6, sheck it yout yourself.
Rule number one-a. When mounting or dismounting the lens, it has to be set at the nearest mark.
Rule number two: Read above.
Rule number three: Do.Not.Lose.Takeup.Spool.
And finaly, rule number four: shoot with it! (my exaple of the J-8 takes really good portraits @ F/5.6, sheck it yout yourself.
Kim Coxon
Moderator
I think you have made a terrible mistake!!!
You have put yourself in severe danger of obtaining more FSU items. I honestly think the best thing you can do is pack the camera up and send it to me. It will be really hard but I will sacrifice myself to save you!!!
Seriously though, I am wary of the description "untested". It will probably need work. Most of the points have been covered. You can download a copy of the 4K manual from my website here http://pentax-manuals.com/manuals/range/zorki%204k.pdf
If you have any problems with the camera or the lens needs a service let me know. Much easier as you are also in the UK.
Kim
You have put yourself in severe danger of obtaining more FSU items. I honestly think the best thing you can do is pack the camera up and send it to me. It will be really hard but I will sacrifice myself to save you!!!
Seriously though, I am wary of the description "untested". It will probably need work. Most of the points have been covered. You can download a copy of the 4K manual from my website here http://pentax-manuals.com/manuals/range/zorki%204k.pdf
If you have any problems with the camera or the lens needs a service let me know. Much easier as you are also in the UK.
Kim
Timegoblin
Newbie
Ok, been using the camera a little while now though still not finished that one roll of film. camera works exactly as it should (for now) though the lens is well knackered. the filer fitted has become welded on and will not let go so all film shot is with the industar off my trusty FED.
as for my attaching myself to FSU cameras, bit late for that. back in the day I used to read amateur photographer they did an article on soviet cameras, think it was called "they came from the east" i think purchased the Princip book on soviet cameras and that was it, i was smitten. at the time I was doing photography in collehe and could not afford a decent med format camera so bought a lubitel (£20 from bath road cameras) and that served me very well.
my current FSU collection consists of...
Zenit 19, 2 x zenit EM olympics 1980 edition (1 x black, 1 x silver), 2 x zenit 11 black, zenit E silver, Fed 4, cosmic symbol, cosmic 35, lubitel 166U, zorki 4k, plus an array of lenses.
im the poor man collector
as for my attaching myself to FSU cameras, bit late for that. back in the day I used to read amateur photographer they did an article on soviet cameras, think it was called "they came from the east" i think purchased the Princip book on soviet cameras and that was it, i was smitten. at the time I was doing photography in collehe and could not afford a decent med format camera so bought a lubitel (£20 from bath road cameras) and that served me very well.
my current FSU collection consists of...
Zenit 19, 2 x zenit EM olympics 1980 edition (1 x black, 1 x silver), 2 x zenit 11 black, zenit E silver, Fed 4, cosmic symbol, cosmic 35, lubitel 166U, zorki 4k, plus an array of lenses.
im the poor man collector
wolves3012
Veteran
I bought a Zorki 1 a few years ago and was so pleased with it that it led me down the slippery slope! I'm not sure if it was a good or bad thing that it worked flawlessly (still does)....
One trick to getting that filter off would be to wrap a piece of rubber around it (elastic band, maybe) or a strip of fine emery/sandpaper to get some extra grip. If you use the emery/sandpaper option, only turn it far enough to loosen it a fraction - unless you want a sandpapered finish!
One trick to getting that filter off would be to wrap a piece of rubber around it (elastic band, maybe) or a strip of fine emery/sandpaper to get some extra grip. If you use the emery/sandpaper option, only turn it far enough to loosen it a fraction - unless you want a sandpapered finish!
Kim Coxon
Moderator
If you want me to service the J8 for you, I would be happy to do it. I still have a couple of old J8's for spares. Just send me a PM
Kim
Kim
David Hughes
David Hughes
With filters you can use those gadgets they sell to move stubborn jam-jar lids. (About 99p, usually.)
Also, it often works to tighten it a fraction and then try unscrewing.
Regards, David
Also, it often works to tighten it a fraction and then try unscrewing.
Regards, David