Mir shutter problem

[ChrisN]

Hi folks, hope you can help me with a problem. I've searched through the archives and found a few people with maybe similar problems, but haven't found the fix yet.

Camera is a Mir (Zorki 4 without slow-speed shutter settings). In a momentary lapse of concentration I've apparently managed to do the forbidden - adjusted the shutter speed before cocking the shutter. :bang: When I wind on film, the winding knob rotates through what feels like the normal rotation, to a stop point, but it does not feel like the shutter is cocking, and the shutter speed setting dial does not rotate. When I press the shutter release (no sound), nothing happens, except that after pressing the shutter release, the film-advance is freed-up so I can wind on again.

There's no shutter lock on the Mir, so that's not the problem.

Where is the damage, and what do I need to do to get it working again? I've looked at Rick Oleson's site and searched a few others, without finding the guidance I need. I'm sure I'm not the first person to make this mistake. Please help!

Chris

 

[einolu]

There is a shutter lock on the Mir, the ring around the base of the shutter release rotates, maybe this is the problem? Also make sure that when you set the shutter speed (even if you do it before you cock the shutter) to an actual speed, so make sure the speed selector is actually in a groove and not just in the middle of nowhere.

 

[ChrisN]

Thanks for the suggestions einolu, but mine certainly does not have the shutter lock - the sleeve around the shutter release twists clockwise to release the film for rewinding, or anti-clockwise to allow winding-on, but no lock. Lots of variations in these I suppose.

The shutter speed selector appears ok, via visual inspection after removing the top cover - but I still have the problem that winding on does not appear to cock the shutter, and pressing the shutter does not fire the shutter or shift the speed select index mark away from the selected shutter speed.

Chris

 

[einolu]

No, mine is the same way but the rewind switch can kind of act like a shutter lock. Anyway, sorry, dont know how to help here.

 

[wierdcollector]

Hi Chris,
You might find the answer to your question in a search for the thread by Rigtenzin posted Oct. 20, 2004 named "I broke my Zorki". Several things to try are listed there. Just because I was curious and like to fiddle around, I tried the same with my Mir. Tried changing shutter speeds without cocking the shutter and yes, I got your results. Maybe I just have a pocket full of horseshoes, but mine reset properly again by wiggling the wind/rewind knob back and forth a few times, then manually turning the tractor wheel (geared tooth assembly directly before the take up spool). I didn't need to pry on anything or remove the top to reset it properly. Hope this is the case with yours as I've seen and heard of several other members with cameras they've jammed like this, and I'm hoping this works for theirs also. Take care, Curt in Canada.

 

[ChrisN]

Success! Curt and einolu - thanks for your suggestions. I actually went in deep again tonite; pulled off the top and the bottom plate and the body as well, pulled out the self-timer (got that working again too!), and the plate at the front that hides the shutter curtains, and finally pulled off the cover over the shutter bits that holds the flash-synch contacts. Under all that I found a bunch of bits that looked somewhat like the diagrams on Rick's site. Fiddled with that until I understood what I was poking at, and suddenly the shutter released! The problem was the little cam that lies under the disk with the notches - it had been rotated away from its proper position lying within the curve of that bit that manages the "B" setting (if you've been there you'll know what I'm talking about - maybe!). Did a major clean and lube on the way out, and it's all back together again with no bits left over.

Time for a test drive 🙂

Chris

 

[einolu]

Thats always fun, also very rewarding. A bonding experience with you camera 😛

 

[lynn]

i read this discussion with great interest, since i just recently received my e-bay mir and it has the exact same problem! the problem is: i am a total rf beginner, and have never attempted to dismantle a camera, and although rick oleson's guidelines are welcome and excellent, i don't know where to start. are there any other resources i can consult? and is it absolutely necessary to take the camera apart in order to fix this?
how DID the test drive go? 🙂

 

[wyk_penguin]

Taking a new camera apart is part of the fun. Isn't it?

 

[ChrisN]

The test drive went well! The shutter is now working fine, although I have had to do some work on light seals, but I think I have that fixed.

Lynn - the Mir is a very simple camera, and you will find that removing the top cover is not too scary. If you have a look at the pictures here http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6117 as well as studying the diagrams on Rick's site, you may be able to work it out. (When you want to remove the knob that cocks the shutter, remember that after removing the little set-screw, the big knob has to be turned counter-clockwise to remove it.)

Take it slowly and remember that you can always stop, and ask questions here for advice before proceeding. If you have a digital camera you can also post pictures with your questions, which makes it easier to get good advice.

Good luck!

 

[lynn]

wyk_penguin: well, i'll soon find out, won't i? 🙂
chris: thanks for the encouraging words. i know that rick oleson and matt denton and jay javier make anything seem do-able...
and yes, i'll keep my digital camera poised. good idea!