Zorki 1d - Stiff Shutter Release

[Lawrence Sheperd]

I recently acquired a Zorki 1d in very good shape, with the exception being a stiff (as in hard to depress) shutter release. After taking off the bottom plate i was able to see the spring plate at the base of the release shaft. I noticed that if I held the plate in the extended position that the pressure necessary to actuate the shutter release was greatly reduced.

Other than a brute-force bending of the spring plate, is there another way to mitigate the force of the spring on the release shaft? Possibly some sort of shim between the spring and the chassis bottom plate?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Paper between leaf spring and shutter cradle.

 

[Lawrence Sheperd]

Thanks, Ko.Fe.! Great suggestion!

 

[newspaperguy]

You might want to try a modest amount of lube on the shaft (like a drop.)

 

[Lawrence Sheperd]

Thanks, Rick. I have an tiny oil syringe that faithfully delivers a minute drop of oil. The shutter actuation is already much improved with a very thin cardboard shim in place, per Ko.Fe.'s suggestion.

 

[rbiemer]

Possibly one of Tom A's Mini Soft Releases would be helpful as well; it won't change the force required but it will feel easier.

Rob

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

FWIW. I think you'll find that with any make of camera of that age once one thing shows up the whole lot needs checking.

And I don't think the spring has anything to do with the current problem, btw. If a drop of oil has improved things them I'd suggest everything needs a drop of oil or whatever and that means a complete strip down and cleaning and so on.

The Zorki 1's are great cameras and worth looking after but, luckily, they are not too expensive to maintain. The expert is Oleg at OK Vintage Camera or

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/repair.html.

Regards, David

 

[Lawrence Sheperd]

Thanks Rob - good idea.

David, the shaft itself moves easily if the pressure from the leaf spring is eased (as in holding the leaf spring away from contact with the shaft end.) The spring itself is quite stout, as you know, so between the thin shim and my flexing the spring several times with a flat putty knife, the tension has eased enough to make the shutter release pressure quite manageable now. I haven't oiled the shaft and probably won't need to. However, point well taken about a CLA. And thanks for the link to Oleg's website.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Point taken but I'm surprised as I'd expect a spring to weaken a little over the years and the oil/grease to migrate or dry out. Add a little rust to cause friction and that was my starting point. So I'm a little more baffled than usual ;-)

Anyway, it looks as though you've sorted it out. We'll expect some pictures once you've put a film through it...

Regards, David

 

[Lawrence Sheperd]

David, thanks for the reply. This 1d looks as though it's had very little use. I-22 is crystal clear with no cleaning marks, no dust, nada. The camera interior is exceptionally clean also. Beautiful curtains; no shrinkage or wrinkles (unlike me!) And this came from an American seller, so perhaps brought back from 1950's Europe and put in a drawer? Who knows….could have had a CLA at some point. Focus is very smooth as is wind-on. Rangefinder is clear and well-aligned. I really lucked out (knock on wood) for my $79.

I've got a test roll of expired Fuji Superia X-tra waiting to take to the only local store to process C-41. After that, it's probably going to be a black & white only camera for me.

 

[farlymac]

The I-22 sings with B&W film.

Zorki 1D/B and Ilford HP-5 Plus.

Relic by br1078phot, on Flickr

And that was before I cleaned it out. Please excuse the scratches.

PF

 

[David Hughes]

David, thanks for the reply. This 1d looks as though it's had very little use. I-22 is crystal clear with no cleaning marks, no dust, nada. The camera interior is exceptionally clean also. Beautiful curtains; no shrinkage or wrinkles (unlike me!) And this came from an American seller, so perhaps brought back from 1950's Europe and put in a drawer? Who knows….could have had a CLA at some point. Focus is very smooth as is wind-on. Rangefinder is clear and well-aligned. I really lucked out (knock on wood) for my $79.

I've got a test roll of expired Fuji Superia X-tra waiting to take to the only local store to process C-41. After that, it's probably going to be a black & white only camera for me.

Hi,

In many ways I envy you as there's nothing like a new unknown camera to bring a thrill to life...

The downside is minor but it does irritate when people start telling everyone what lousy cameras FEDs and Zorkis are. And go on about them being a rip-off from Leica (same with Kiev and Contax) yet never do it about all the other cameras developed from Leica and Contax. And then there's those idiots who think WW2 was started by Stalin to seize CZ's Contax assembly line...

Anyway, enough ranting, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my ones. As farlymac says they just love B&W film. I use FP4+ and the 200 ASA Fomapan and it's great to see a proper negative.

Regards, David

 

[Lawrence Sheperd]

Wonderful tonality in your photograph, PF, and crisp, too. I also love the old baggage cart. In Atlanta Ga, where I grew up, an itinerant preacher would climb up on one at the College Park railroad station and give a sermon to beat the band. THAT I wish I had a photo of!

David, I agree with you on all points. I'm just glad people disregard the Soviet cameras as that keeps the price down for me! My FED 2 and Kiev 4 are both fine cameras, with the FED being my favorite and the Kiev kept in reserve for mortal combat. I have not tried the Fomapan, so I think I'll order some from Freestyle.

 

[CamB]

This is very interesting. Would shimming the spring apply to a FED 2 as well. It's the top style spring in the picture for #4 in the link:

http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page391.htm

 

[wolves3012]

A bit late to this thread but a few words of caution. The long spring in the bottom of the camera is indirectly responsible for correct operation of the "B" setting, tampering with its position might prevent this speed especially from working properly. The other thing is, the spring is tempered steel. Any attempt to bend it permanently will fail, worst case it will simply snap. If the correct lubrication is present, there is nothing that will materially affect the "weight" of the shutter release and they certainly do vary.

 

[CamB]

Caution noted - will leave it alone.