Zorki 3C shutter problem

[Jones]

Got myself a Zorki 3C and found out that the shutter is not working properly. When I cock the shutter, the advance wheel stays a bit loose allowing the curtains travel back few millimeters. This causes the shutter not open properly and the B not staying open. This doesn't effect the slow speeds and if I hold the advance wheel in place it doesn't occur.

I appreciate any help and tips.

 

[martin_t]

It could be the friction spring on the main wind shaft. Pull
your takeup sprocket out and look up there and see if you
can spot a short curved plate retained by two small screws
just to the right of the main wind gear. If it's not there, someone
has been playing with the camera. If it is the spring might be
gone or just worn out, but that's unlikely for a Zorki. In any
case, if the problem lies in this part of the camera the top
has to come off to fix it properly.

Just a guess,

martin

 

[fidget]

I don't know how the winder is held in place in a Z3, but what you describe sounds like the winding gear non-return catch is in need of attention. This is probably what Martin has identified too. On Zorki 5s and 6s there is a mix of a spring ratchet (gives a zippy noise when wound) and the noiseless spring strip on the 6s which is dragged back into the cog by a slight backwards movement of the winder.
My guess is that the spring strip is used on the 3 and that it has been deformed. (easy to do if trying to unscrew the wind knob).
I agree that the top must come off....good luck

Dave

 

[martin_t]

Take up spool not sprocket. Bad terminology sure doesn't
help.

martin

 

[Jones]

At least the spring that Martin described was in place.

By taking the top off, do you mean just the top plate or the whole top including slow speeds and rangefinder. I just wonder how difficult this might be, since I'm not very good at these things.

By the way, the camera's case has a little pocket for blank plastic card that came with it. I just wonder what's this card for. For writing down film speed and such info?

 

[Valkir1987]

the advance wheel stays a bit loose allowing the curtains travel back few millimeters

I had this problem with a Fed1, I replaced the spring with the one of a Zorki 4.

I don't think you need the complete top cover removed to replace this brake-spring, just remove the spool holder, the winding knob and the two screws holding the spring and the winding gear.
A new one can be made from steel music wire, with a diameter of 0,5mm.
The spring diameter is slightly less then the shaft, and it has 5,5 coils, according to Maizenberg 🙂