Shutter speed dial on Zorki 3 question

[linusforsberg]

Hi guys, I'm new here, just bought myself a beautiful Zorki 3 and it arrived in the mail yesterday. I am though a bit confused. I know I'm not supposed to change shutter speeds before cocking the shutter (I own a Kiev 4a since before so I'm familiar with this) but when cocked, the speed numbers are all nonsense. It seems that I must guess what shutter speed I'm using, and when the shutter is released, the shutter dial shows the correct speed.

This seems to be all backwards from what it should be? I contacted the seller on ebay and he told me that the dial show correct speed when shutter is uncocked and the other way around. But this doesn't seem right to me...

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Someone possibly has adjusted the dial to work this way. There should be a set-screw in the side of the dial that you can loosen, so you can adjust the dial to the right position.

 

[Sid836]

Try a few times coking and firing at different settings until you nail B. Cock again without changing speed, release the setting screws (mine has two at opposite sides), align the B on the knob with the mark on the top of Z-3 and then tighten the setting screws again.
Be careful with the setting screws as it is easy to damage them. Stop applying force as soon as you feel them a bit tight.

 

[wolves3012]

The seller is wrong and you are right. As has been pointed out, possibly someone has chosen to adjust the dial in this way but it's a simple matter to adjust it to the correct settings. If the camera works ok, I would simply put it to how it should be and start enjoying it.

I don't have a 3 but I have its later relative the 3M, it's a lovely camera to use.

 

[linusforsberg]

The seller is wrong and you are right. As has been pointed out, possibly someone has chosen to adjust the dial in this way but it's a simple matter to adjust it to the correct settings. If the camera works ok, I would simply put it to how it should be and start enjoying it.

I don't have a 3 but I have its later relative the 3M, it's a lovely camera to use.

Thank you guys, just as all of you pointed out, it was the dial that was misaligned and a simple task to fix. Other than that everything seems to be in order. A lovely camera to look at. And now loaded with a roll of Tri-X.

This forum is fantastic, and a great resource for a newbie like myself.

Thanks!

 

[Elmar Lang]

The Zorki-3 is one of the finest Soviet cameras; it was provided with a coupled viewfinder/rangefinder, when Leica still had them separate.

E.L.

 

[fanshaw]

The Zorki-3 is one of the finest Soviet cameras; it was provided with a coupled viewfinder/rangefinder, when Leica still had them separate.

E.L.

I have one. It's OK, but the later Zorkis are better.

 

[linusforsberg]

Another question, when I advance the film/cock the shutter, the rewind knob doesn't turn at all, do I need to reload the film?

 

[Sid836]

It should turn as you advance the film. Try gently re-winding it until you feel some resistance. That would mean that you have mounted the film leader on the take up spool properly.

 

[linusforsberg]

It should turn as you advance the film. Try gently re-winding it until you feel some resistance. That would mean that you have mounted the film leader on the take up spool properly.

And thus, like magic, it began to turn when winding. My biggest thanks for the help! Now I feel ready to use it in public. At least I look like money using it...