The disappearing Zorki numbers.

[BillFoto]

Did any of the Zorki cameras use an engraved shutter speed dial and
would that shutter speed dial fit the 4K? I've got a 4K and from what I see the
painted on numbers on the shutter speed dial are a weak spot. If an engraved
dial from another camera would work I'd sure like to hear about it. Otherwise
I'm going to take a picture of a good dial to a print shop and have them print
the numbers to white adhesive backed mylar so I can stick them on to damaged
dials. This might be a bit expensive, would anyone else be interested in buying
some of these if I get them made?

Bill

 

[kiev4a]

I don't know if the ss dial on the early Z4 is the same as the Z4K--don't have them in front of me. The Z4s from 1956 to about 1960 were engraved, and some even later than that. One from one of thos cameras might well fit.

 

[RichardS]

The Zorki 2 has engraved numbers but the dial is larger than the dial of a Zorki 4K. The numbers on my Zorki 4K are still clear and since there is no reason to ever touch the top of the dial, I think they will last and last.

Dick

 

[xayraa33]

why not engrave the shutter speed number your self with the help of a burring tool & a 15x lupe. you can smear a bit of black paint on the dial and then quickly wipe it off, to fill in the engraved numbers.

 

[BillFoto]

The numbers on my Zorki 4K are still clear and since there is no reason to ever touch the top of the dial, I think they will last and last.
Dick

You'd think so....but looking at prictures of them on eBay shows a lot of them that are missing half their numbers.

 

[je2a3]

I don't know if the ss dial on the early Z4 is the same as the Z4K--don't have them in front of me. The Z4s from 1956 to about 1960 were engraved, and some even later than that. One from one of thos cameras might well fit.

....seems like the SS engraving on later Zorki 4s disappeared along with the strap lugs.

 

[xayraa33]

the shutter speed numbers will wear off ,the more you change shutter speeds/ the more you use the camera.

 

[kiev4a]

....seems like the SS engraving on later Zorki 4s disappeared along with the strap lugs.

There was a period in the early '60s when the Zorki 4 gradually changed. The factory apparently ran out of some of the older versions of part sooner than others. Vulcanite was replaced by nylon covering (that may have been when strap lugs vanished. But there are examples that have painted lettering on the front but an engraved ss dial or vice versa.

The same thing is found in the Zorki 1 models. The factory might have been building 1D models but there were still 1C parts scattered through the bins and since most parts were interchangable there are plenty of examples that don't fit the official profile exactly. It also happned with the Zorki 2 and 2C and with the Zorki 5s.

 

[xayraa33]

my 1965 Z4 is still engraved, and has strap lugs, the 1968 Z4, has painted numbers and strap lugs, my 1971 Z4 has painted numbers and no strap lugs.

 

[kiev4a]

my 1965 Z4 is still engraved, and has strap lugs, the 1968 Z4, has painted numbers and strap lugs, my 1971 Z4 has painted numbers and no strap lugs.

And I've got a 1963 model w/o strap lugs, nylon covering and painted name but engraved shutter speeds.

Of course the other fly in the oitment is the fact that some sellers mix and match parts from several non-working cameras to make one working model!

 

[xayraa33]

I have owned that 65 Z4 since it was given to me as a gift ,in the early 1980s. pre E**y.

 

[kiev4a]

I have owned that 65 Z4 since it was given to me as a gift ,in the early 1980s. pre E**y.

You deffinately lucked out getting one that late with all the bells and whistles. I suspect it would be considered a fairly rare example.

 

[je2a3]

And I've got a 1963 model w/o strap lugs, nylon covering and painted name but engraved shutter speeds.
Of course the other fly in the oitment is the fact that some sellers mix and match parts from several non-working cameras to make one working model!

I only have a single Z4 also from '63 and it has vulcanite and strap lugs with a matching J8 acquired at a camera show in the mid 90s, pre-eB*y. Along with QC issues "mix and match parts" are what collector/users have to contend with FSU cameras nowadays.

 

[xayraa33]

I do not mind the later Zorki 4s. I can live without strap lugs, I use just the bottom of an ER case if I do not want to fumble with a full camera case, but just remember, it was the ERC that preserved that 40 something year old camera in the fine shape that it is in now.The faded painted shutter numbers are more of a real drawback I think.

 

[reagan]

Just a brainstorm here... and I'm talking about something I know zip about... but at one time not long ago, a place I worked was considering buying one of those small PC controlled laser engravers. Not acutally seeing one in person, I looked over the ads, manuals, etc. at the time and from what I saw, if you could locate someone with one of those, it shouldn't be too hard to engrave the numbers farely accurately using a photo of an engraved dial.

If someone who had a laser engaver made the setup and posted here, a lot of painted Zorkis would be very happy I think.

 

[xayraa33]

If cost is not prohibitive, some jewellers still do engravings, on inside ring bands etc.

 

[brians]

Wow, I actually bought my Zorki 4 on accident. I have the later series with painted numbers, and the numbers were scratched in by the previous owner I think. It's odd because my Z4 is obviously an older model but it has strap lugs. Anyway, the scratches on the speed selector ring kind of.... suck. They look messy, but I guess it gets the job done. It's definitely a lovely workhorse of a camera. I got it CLA'ed and repaired by Oleg recently.

Oh yeah, what's a good bargain camera strap to use?