Now I've done it - Zorki 4

[PetarDima]

Welcome to russian made RF cameras company. I am very glad to have an Kiev 4.Rangefinder create a mood for creative photos...

 

[ZorkiKat]

It depends upon the particular camera. Some have printed numbers on the speed dial while others ARE engraved. They were made from 1956 ~ 1973 and the early ones were engraved. I'm not certain when the change to printed speed scales was made.

Walker

Walker

Zorki 4 started getting printed, instead of engraved markings by around 1966. My Z4 from 66 has engraved shutter speeds, but the logo, switch positions, and arrow guides were all printed. By around 1969 or so, probably 1970, the shutter speeds were printed rather than engraved. One way to tell is that Zorki-4 without strap lugs (lost these too by the late 1960s as well) tend to have printed scales. Damian mentioned early in this thread that he got a 70s Zorki-4, and that would make his camera likely have printed instead of engraved shutter speed scales.

Jay

 

[ZorkiKat]

Checked a 1970 Zorki-4 and its shutter speed scale is printed.

 

[doubs43]

Walker

Zorki 4 started getting printed, instead of engraved markings by around 1966. My Z4 from 66 has engraved shutter speeds, but the logo, switch positions, and arrow guides were all printed. By around 1969 or so, probably 1970, the shutter speeds were printed rather than engraved. One way to tell is that Zorki-4 without strap lugs (lost these too by the late 1960s as well) tend to have printed scales. Damian mentioned early in this thread that he got a 70s Zorki-4, and that would make his camera likely have printed instead of engraved shutter speed scales.

Jay

Jay, thanks for the information. I have Princelle's books but I don't recall him being that detailed. I knew that the later ones had printed scales but wasn't sure when it began.

I have four Zorki-4's and the newest one is a 1966 with engraved numbers. I also have a 1959 MIR with engraved numbers. All of them have excellent rangefinders.

Of them all, a 1956 model has a bad self-timer. Otherwise, they all work as they are supposed to.

Walker

 

[Damian]

Walker

Zorki 4 started getting printed, instead of engraved markings by around 1966. My Z4 from 66 has engraved shutter speeds, but the logo, switch positions, and arrow guides were all printed. By around 1969 or so, probably 1970, the shutter speeds were printed rather than engraved. One way to tell is that Zorki-4 without strap lugs (lost these too by the late 1960s as well) tend to have printed scales. Damian mentioned early in this thread that he got a 70s Zorki-4, and that would make his camera likely have printed instead of engraved shutter speed scales.

Jay

I actually don't know what year mine is, but the speeds are engraved. Like you said, however, the name and pointers are printed. The pointers are worn a bit, and I'm thinking I might just use a dremel and engrave and paint them myself. I'll just make everything a 'dot'. My camera has strap lugs as well, and it has the flash delay ring under the shutter speed dial from 0 to 25 as well. Does the S/N indicate year of manufacture? Mine is 64189451.

 

[doubs43]

I actually don't know what year mine is, but the speeds are engraved. Like you said, however, the name and pointers are printed. The pointers are worn a bit, and I'm thinking I might just use a dremel and engrave and paint them myself. I'll just make everything a 'dot'. My camera has strap lugs as well, and it has the flash delay ring under the shutter speed dial from 0 to 25 as well. Does the S/N indicate year of manufacture? Mine is 64189451.

The first two digits of the serial number will be the year it was manufactured. Thus, your Zorki was made in 1964. It should be a nice one if in good condition.

Walker

 

[Damian]

Walker - It's in GREAT condition.... well, minus a film spool. I put some film in it and taped the leader to the spindle and wound it a few times. I figure I'll just shoot some random things to get a feel for it. I have to find or make myself a spool. I took it with me today on a minor road trip, and got some shots at the ocean. The camera feels much more precise and well put together than I expected. It almost feels, *gasp*, German.

 

[doubs43]

Walker - It's in GREAT condition.... well, minus a film spool.

Damien, have you found a spool? If not, PM me. I have to go out for a few hours but I'll answer later tonight.

Walker

 

[ZorkiKat]

Walker - It's in GREAT condition.... well, minus a film spool. I put some film in it and taped the leader to the spindle and wound it a few times. I figure I'll just shoot some random things to get a feel for it. I have to find or make myself a spool. I took it with me today on a minor road trip, and got some shots at the ocean. The camera feels much more precise and well put together than I expected. It almost feels, *gasp*, German.

Damian

Your Zorki would be from 1964. Your camera would still have engraved speeds, logo, and other markings.

KMZ, Arsenal and other Soviet camera makers used serial numbers whose first two digits represented the year of manufacture. Take or add a couple of months, perhaps. This was adopted probably in the middle 1950s. For instance, Zorki formerly sported 6 digit serial numbers. Then by around 1955, all the serial numbers started with '55' (maybe this started earlier, 1954 perhaps?)- and these digits appeared to have been just added as a 'year prefix to the original batch number allocation.

This system of numbering seems to be used for other Soviet manufactured goods as well. BTW, FED did not use this system.

Also, taping the film to the spool spindle may not a good thing to do. At best, you'd tangle the film or cause to wind, space, and position erratically. And you won't be able to rewind it. The film, if you'd been able to advance it all the way to its end, can't be pulled back once it's reeled in by the spindle. The spindle doesn't turn the opposite way to allow the film to be pulled back for rewinding.

A spool from a Leica or Canon (but these would probably cost more than the Zorki-4! 😀 ) should fit. If you plan to buy a spool, make sure that you get one that is made for the Zorki. The Soviet spools were slightly different, and spools meant to be used for the earlier FED or even other earlier Zorki may not fit.
🙂

Jay

 

[pgadler]

Picture

Picture

Finally I have a picture to post, from the camera that started this thread. I did collimate the Jupiter-8, but it turned out I was not thorough enough.

I made a mistake when I used tape instead of plastic or ground glass. The tape was not aligned properly with the film plane.

It turned out that the lens was OK to begin with.

This picture turned out OK anyway, due to DOF.

Now the lens is back in original position and a new film in.

 

[pgadler]

More pictures

More pictures

Well the first film thru my new Zorki was out of focus.

The second film got cut off in mid roll, propably due to faulty film loading.

The third film was colour (Fuji Superia 200) and tha camera was with me on my back when skiing (downhill mostly, but also some cross country) in north of Sweden a couple of weeks ago.

-28 Celsius in the morning, -10 during mid-day. My digital compact needed warm batteries (trouser pocket), my Zorki needed no fussing.

Here are some pics. I really like the edge sharpness of the Jupiter-8 seen on the wood wall of the cabin.