Unloading film on a Zorki 4k

[fstorm]

Hi,
I've just put the first roll of film through my new acquired 4k. I've got one major problem, I can't rewind the film.

I have read the manual, twisted the shutter release collar clockwise 90 degrees and pulled up the rewind knob and started turning, but the film is not rewinding.

Anyone any ideas,

Thanks

 

[fidget]

Did you see that the rewind collar retracted into the body a little as you turned it clockwise?

 

[fstorm]

Hi Fidget,
yes it does, didn't notice it till you mentioned it.

 

[fidget]

just looking at my 4K here, the fixed spool is permanently engaged and running on the clutch. When rewound the film is pulled off the spool by slipping the clutch. Yours could be very tight. The sprocket shaft is released when the collar is depressed, so allowing the film to run back to the cassette.

If you have the collar depressed, the winder can be operated as the clutch will simply slip and the sprocket shaft "should" be dis-engaged. Trying this might free the clutch and shaft a little, otherwise it looks like a few minutes in dark place for you to get the film off.........

 

[fidget]

Not sure about turning the rewind collar by 90 degrees. I guess that you have done this, but for what it's worth, turn it until it won't go further.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Do you need to lift the rewind knob - doesn't that stop it turning the spool in the casstte?

Mike

 

[fidget]

Oh, and welcome to the forum! Now you are initiated by the non-working FSU aquisition, you must choose from:
1. Dump it and don't look back. Never buy another commie camera.

2. Try to fix it, get involved, buy another, and another. Start threads along the lines....."I can't Stop!!!" 😀😀😀😀

 

[PMCC]

Try it once, you're a philosopher. Try it twice, you've got issues.

 

[fstorm]

hahahahahah
ok
so I in the dark I undo the cover and then somehow feel around to release the film so that I can wind it back ...
hmm
I'll try it and let you know

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[fstorm]

I was seduced by the simplicity
Wooed by the pure mechanics
Dream broken by a cantankerous winder

 

[fstorm]

It took all of 2 seconds to free the film, my enthusiastic winding tore the film and it got jammed (I think), I've lost about 4 frames at the end.

Is there a particular way load the film to stop this happening ?
Am I doing anything wrong?

 

[fidget]

OK, you've now got an empty camera?

Check that the spool will turn (slip). This can be done by holding the spool and winding on. It should slip with enough tension to pull the film onto the spool, but light enough for you to pull it off and back into the cassette.

Check too that the sprocket releases and can be moved in either direction when the release collar is engaged.

One of these actions will fail?

 

[fstorm]

Once I opened the back, I could feel the film had partially ripped. I applied a little pressure, heard a click then the film was very easy to pull out of the spool.

I've since put another roll of film in it and have tried the rewind shutter collar, I've found that it twists clockwise a lot more than before, I also wound the film back and this time it worked liked its supposed to.

I think it was just mechanical gremlins ....

Thanks for your help.

I'll see if jessops will process my first zorki4k (ripped) film

 

[johannielscom]

...I'll see if jessops will process my first zorki4k (ripped) film

Welcome to the forum! Please share those shots with us, the "I point anywhere at home to test my camera" shots provide valuable insights to your daily life and surroundings 😀

 

[konicaman]

This might sound kind of crazy - but what kind of film are you using?
I have used 3 Fuji films in FSU cameras (Fed3, Zorki4) and all 3 got stuck. I read somewhere, that Fuji films could cause problems in FSU cameras, but I did not believe it until I tried. Kodak and Ilford never caused me any problems.