Thrift store Leica (zorki 1d)

B-9

B-9

Devin Bro
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Popped into a local resale shop a few days ago, first thing I spotted was a black camera stuffed into the corner of a high shelf, I could just barely see the "Leica" stamped onto the lens cap.

I knew it was a Zorki, and after a search for a step ladder, And a friendly
Conversation. I discovered it to be a late Zorki 1D with black Leica top
Plate (fake of course!) along with a Black faced industar with Leitz engraving.

So I could t help myself, I went back last night after work and snatched it up.

Surprisingly, the camera has fresh curtains, and shutter speeds appear within their respective ranges.

All in all I made out like a bandit for 21.20$

I plan to replace all the "Gold" hardware with chrome. Paint the cold show black, and attempt a more Authentic looking Leica clone!

I knew I bought that zorki 1B last week for a reason! ;) It will serve as a donor body (soft body) along with a few of the vf/rf bezels. Although its still about 10 days out from hitting U.S. soil.

Here's a link to a quick photo. I didn't want to upload it to the gallery here.
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/dnelsonphoto/8596917571/

What do you think of the idea?
 
It does need a rangefinder, the split image is weak and only partially visible in strong light.
I have a good stash of donor zorki/fed cameras in need of curtains.

I certainly don't mind tearing into this one.
My thought leaving the store was, 20$ is what the curtains alone are worth to me.
And it was my original intention to scalp them.

Now I'm thinking a hybrid of the many parts I have laying around without use.
 
So I took the camera and a few parts with me to work today.
Here's what I managed to get done wile on lunch.

New:
Advance assembly (for using older metal spools)
Chrome advance and rewind knobs
Chrome frame counter
Chrome cold shoe
Chrome shutter speed dial (old speeds)
Chrome RF bezel (this was loose, forgot my flex clamps)
Chrome baseplate latch
Zorki 1c shell (will be swapped with a 1b)

I also let off some of the tension on the shutter, it was firig inconsistently at speeds below 1/200, so it will see a full tear down and cla. Along with a new more flexible shutter release spring. I was given a small sheet of brass this morning, I'm going to attempt to make my own with a tad less resistance. Ido prefer the older style springs, they feel better.

Here's an updated photo.
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/dnelsonphoto/8597383457/


This may just become a build thread!
 
Look at it this way... it will keep you away from WW&S for awhile.:rolleyes:

BTW - the Zorki 1 remains one of my favorite shooters (More so than the IIIf, or :)rolleyes:gasp) even the CL.

I use a CV bright-line finder and always prefocus, so the dim, squinty RF is no problem.
 
B-9 said:
Zorki 1c shell (will be swapped with a 1b)
Click to expand...
The "b" shell was reputedly quite soft and easy to deform, you may want to re-think that decision.
B-9 said:
I was given a small sheet of brass this morning, I'm going to attempt to make my own with a tad less resistance.
Click to expand...
Hopefully spring-brass, normal brass sheet will be useless. The "long-spring" metal is actually very springy tempered steel. Don't let me put you off trying but I suspect brass will give nowhere near enough tension.

By the way, if the RF patch has deteriorated badly, it's the same size as a Leica's (I think it's 10 x 8mm) and replacement is very easy - just be sure to put the half-silvered side in the right way (towards the eyepiece, I think, check the old one).
 
Thanks for your comments!

It is indeed spring brass, still wants to coil up, I may end up throwing that idea out.
As I am planning to use a 7-speed shutter, which has the old style spring.
Currently has a 5-speed, but if I'm gonna do this right for me, 7 is key.

I wasn't entirely concerned with the RF, it will surely be the last on my list.
I do have a stock of spare parts, including 2 complete rangefinders.

As far as the 1B body goes, its purely for the look. I never did like the trim of the newer bodies. Being "soft" doesn't bother me, although I have seen them contorted in ugly ways.

Thanks again everyone!
Here's an updated photo! Still waiting on the 1B.
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/dnelsonphoto/8612846347/
 
I don't get it. When I click on the links, all I get is text on the page (not computer code, just all the text that would normally appear on the page). But it's not anything about the photo, just the stuff one would find on say your home page.

PF

PS: Went a little further, and it's actually the information on MY home page. What's up with that?

PS: PS: Tried again, by replacing the leading m with www, and my home page come up in it's entirety.
 
Ohohoo.. Looks really cool! Any chance of posting the BB code so the full image will be shown? And I envy what you managed to do on your lunch time. :D
 
It may be that it is a Mobile link. Ill try to post BBcode next time I'm near a computer.

Thanks! With the right tools, these cameras are easily dismantled.
 
The post dropped off my 1B camera today.
Went and grabbed it at lunch, not exactly what I was expecting.

The soft body shows the typical deformation near the lens mount.
There is no way this camera would make in focus images.
The good is, the shutter appears recently serviced with all speeds appearing right on.
Curtains are fresh with no dry rot or peeling, advance is smooth.
Cosmetically a rough rider, with all knobs and dials showing little wear.

This afternoon I will dismantle the camera, in hopes of clamping the body straight again.
The troubles of a soft body indeed!

Edit: After I got the body straight again, I started in on finishing the project with a 7-speed swap. This is where the project is taking a turn for the worst. I have 2 different styles of this particular shutter. Not a big deal, but I did come to find that I do not have a usable set of curtains. Upon close inspection with strong backlight, every curtain I have shows multiple pinholes. I have one complete curtain set, the other 4 I have all came unglued from their respective rollers.

I will have to replace the curtains, and I might as well rebuild all my crates with fresh curtains.
Out of the 5 I have 1 is marked and 1 is complete.

Does anyone have any helpful hints on glueing curtains and ribbons on drums?
I'm most concerned with placing the ribbons and curtains on the main drum in correct
Spot on the drum or am I just over thinking the importance of the original placement?

As of right now, Im back to a completely stripped top plate and a bin of carefully labeled parts.
 
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