Zorki-1 shutter speed problems

[darin3200]

I just got a new zorki-1 and I'm having some trouble with the shutter speeds. On the slower shutter speeds the timing is never consistent, sometime the shutter won't close until I left my finger up. The lubrication on the lens was rather bad as well.

Should I be apply a lubricant, and if so, where?

Thanks

 

[je2a3]

Sounds like a slow 2nd curtain. Try this first: remove the top RF cover [see Jay Javier or Rick Oleson's site for info] to access the underside of the shutter speed dial.

Once the top is off, clean the shutter disk area and coupling pin lever area with lighter fluid. Brush off and blow away [preferably with compressed air] as much grime and excess liquid as possible. While doing this, set the shutter to "B" and fire it a few times. Once you notice a significant improvement in curtain action, clean up everything. Then using a syringe drop a sparing amount of watch oil or equivalent to the coupling pin lever [this turns to the right when you release the shutter at "B" setting] which controls the 2nd curtain action and the usual cause of curtain hang up in slow speeds. Assuming the curtain rollers are fine this should solve the problem.

Observe the curtain action at the "B" setting after cleaning and lubrication, both should be snappy and visually equal in velocity. I've done this to a couple of my FSU cameras with a good rate of success. However if this minor CLA doesn't work then it may need complete shutter disassembly to CLA the curtain rollers which is a more complicated operation.

Good luck!

Joseph

PS: While you are there, you might as well clean up the VF. With the RF be extremely careful not to touch the beam splitter mirror or you'll rub off the silver. Just blow away as much dust as possible. However if the RF is already dim you might find this information I uploaded helpful.

 

[darin3200]

Thanks for the help, however I can't seem to get the top off. I've removed all the screws on the body and the inside can move around within the casing, I just can't pull the insides out of the casing.

 

[je2a3]

Thanks for the help, however I can't seem to get the top off. I've removed all the screws on the body and the inside can move around within the casing, I just can't pull the insides out of the casing.

I just uploaded new information on my website including the best links that deal with removing top covers and etc.

Actually the early Fed and Zorki is the easiest model to remove the top - 3 screws in the accessory shoe, 1 screw between the 2 eyepieces at the back, another screw in front covering RF adjustment, shutter speed dial, front and rear RF/ VF and eyepieces. The top should come off easily.

Joseph

 

[ZorkiKat]

Thanks for the help, however I can't seem to get the top off. I've removed all the screws on the body and the inside can move around within the casing, I just can't pull the insides out of the casing.

Hi

You would have to take the screws off the lens mount flange as well. When you take off the lens mount, REMEMBER TO NOTE the positions of the paper shims you find there. Even the smallest bit counts- and it has to be placed back exactly where you find it.

When you try to yank the works from the shell, push the RF coupling arm a bit in since this swings out towards the lens mount and can catch there.

Joseph has linked the sites which you should look at first before you attempt any disassembly.

Jay

 

[darin3200]

I'm having trouble removing the top casing, I have taken out the screw on the shutter speed dial but it won't come off.

All the sites also show the lens mount with 4 screws, but after I removed the Industrar-22 there is just the metal ring on the front with the distance scale and no screws.



Thank you all for all the help you have provided, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[darin3200]

I was able to get to the inside and apply some cleaner but here is the weird thing.
When the camera is lying on its back with the lens mount pointing up the shutter fire perfectly every time. When the is lying on its bottom with the lens parallel to the table, it doesn't work properly. When using shutter speed 1/100 and longer I can push down the button and the shutter slowly opens and stays open, when I lift my finger off the button the 2nd shutter snaps right into place, its like bulb mode.

 

[ZorkiKat]

I'm having trouble removing the top casing, I have taken out the screw on the shutter speed dial but it won't come off.

All the sites also show the lens mount with 4 screws, but after I removed the Industrar-22 there is just the metal ring on the front with the distance scale and no screws.



Thank you all for all the help you have provided, it is greatly appreciated.

I think you took the lens barrel off from its mount. You should unscrew the lens first- complete - and you'll find the lens mount with 4 screws.

Regarding the shutter, I think you need to check its tensioning first. Does it take effort to wind the shutter?

Jay

 

[darin3200]

I've got the shutter fixed and it works fine now. Before I reassemble the camera I looked through the viewfinder. The rangefinder is vertically misaligned. I'm trying to take the shutter speed dial off to get the top of camera off to adjust the rangefinder but it won't come off. I removed the screw from the shutter speed dial and it won't pull off.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[je2a3]

I've got the shutter fixed and it works fine now. Before I reassemble the camera I looked through the viewfinder. The rangefinder is vertically misaligned. I'm trying to take the shutter speed dial off to get the top of camera off to adjust the rangefinder but it won't come off. I removed the screw from the shutter speed dial and it won't pull off.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Go to Jay's site for RF adjustment..... if the problem is just vertical or horizontal RF alignment, there's usually no need to take the top off.

Anyway the shutter speed dial is held by either 1 or 2 set screws depending on the vintage. If it has one screw the dial is threaded - loosen the set screw and then turn the SS dial CCW [shutter should be wound]. If there are two set screws, loosen both and the dial should come off.

I was under the impression you got the top off when you fixed the shutter problem.

Joseph

 

[darin3200]

Thanks for the link. I was able to fix the shutter problem without removing the top, however in my attempt to remove the shutter speed dial I managed to jam the shutter.

Its funnythat one my zorki's is a little angle that has always worked well and I'm having so much trouble with this one.