Kiev 4M overlapping frames

[Philip Whiteman]

I start this new thread having read and digested the very useful advice available elsewhere on the forum regarding frame spacing. The problem with my 1981 Kiev 4M is not that the frame spacing opens up as the roll is wound through the camera (as others have explained, this is resolved by backing off the take-up spool clutch tension) but that, quite randomly the wind-on mechanism fails to engage on first moving the advance. This results in frames overlapping and double exposure of the overlapped sections - very annoying!

I have had the top casting off in pursuit of the light leaks the camera also suffered. These were spotted and fixed easily enough, but hours spent operating the wind-on mechanism left me none the wiser as to what was from time to time failing to engage. Certainly, the shutter chassis of this late model Kiev is so poorly cast the some of the gear wheels are misaligned - but none of these showed signs of tooth damage or appeared to be jumping.

So my question is; Has anyone discovered what actually causes the frame overlapping problem and come up with a fix - or is it, sadly, an unavoidable consequence of late-model Kievs being so poorly made? (Many parts of the 4M are beautifully made, but the built-in take up spool looks like it came from a cheap Hong Kong toy of the 1960s!)

 

[Valkir1987]

The gear that drives the transport sprockets for the film perforation is located underneath the cover next to the advance knob. It is held in place by a special screw next to it. This screw gets loose sometimes and causes the problem you describe.

The complete top casting has to be removed. To get to this screw.

When you fasten it, lock it with Loctite 243 or such.

 

[Philip Whiteman]

Aha! I did note that screw, Valkyrie - but I couldn't turn it (it felt like it was locked or had bottomed). Anyway, next time the problem appears I will take the top cover off and have another go.

Thanks for the rapid and helpful response.

 

[Valkir1987]

You can also try to retain the sprocket wheel, while winding the shutter to see where the malfunction comes from. There are several pins in the assembly too which could have been dislocated or misplaced after service.

 

[keechoon]

I have a similar problem with the overlapping frames. On mine, the overlap seems to start at frame 15 onwards. I have checked the screw above, the winding fork but still unable to locate the problem. Wondering if the 'repairs' done by the seller actually made it worst.

 

[Valkir1987]

Mine has the habit of wide spacing on the first three frames. The others have an even but quite narrow spacing.