Zorki 3M beginner

[iamskye]

Just got my Zorki 3M in the mail thanks to a fellow forum member, it looks great, seems to work well, even the slow speeds.

I know that I should always cock the shutter before changing speed and the controls seem pretty simple, but I don't know

1. how to open the back
2. any special film loading instructions (do I have to trim the leader like the bottom loaders?)
3. purpose of the lever under the film rewind knob
4. film rewind procedure

I really want to go shoot with it today, so I eagerly await your responses 😀

Skye

 

[Valkir1987]

Dear Iamskye,

1. The two rings on the bottom can be lifted with your fingernail, and turned. Then the back comes off.

2. No trimming is needed. The beginning of the film should be properly fit to the spool. Lay in the film, close the camera's back and fire it 2 times.

3. With this lever, you can adjust the viewfinder to the dioptri of your own eye.

4. The small lever near the release button is turned. Then you can rewind the film using the rewind knob.

Good luck! The 3M is a worthy one...

With kind regards,


Valkir

 

[iamskye]

Thank you! That answers most of it.

I lift the two D-rings on the bottom and turn the left one anti-clockwise and the right one clockwise, still can't open the back?

 

[newspaperguy]

If I recall correctly (my Z-3M has been gone for years)
the back slides down and off after the latches are turned.


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=129959&ppuser=20714

 

[iamskye]

Finally figured it out, I didn't realize I needed to slide the back & bottom together off the bottom, I thought the back was hinged. Open now =) I found this Zorki 4 manual which helps a little:

http://www.russianplaza.com/ZORKI4MANUAL.htm

So it looks like the "nub" end of the take-up spool goes towards the bottom and the film leader goes UNDER the spool.

What's the proper method to reset the frame counter and fire off the first 2 blank frames? It looks like turning the "B" lever by the shutter release allows the frame counter to be reset, but I can't figure out the correct sequence.

Thanks again!

 

[iamskye]

Let me know if this is right....

1. Fire last frame on roll
2. Turn lever to B
3. Rewind film, remove back and remove exposed roll
4. Turn exposure counter to 38 (2 ticks before zero)
5. Load new film
6. Turn lever off B back to normal and replace back
7. Wind and shoot new roll twice to take up leader, counter now on 1

 

[wolves3012]

That's about it. Two things: first, you can turn the frame counter any time you like, just hold the wind-knob still and turn it. Most people advance the two frames and then set the counter to 0 but whatever works for you is fine. Second thing is that the rewind knob pulls upwards to make it easier to use - since you're a beginner you may not have realised this, that's not meant to be patronising!

Also, welcome to RFF and enjoy the 3M, great camera.

 

[iamskye]

That's about it. Two things: first, you can turn the frame counter any time you like, just hold the wind-knob still and turn it.

I don't quite follow "hold the wind-knob still and turn it" could you explain a bit more? Thanks

Edit - I see now, the counter ring can rotate independently of the wind-knob.
Alright time to load it up and hit the streets!
Thanks for the help everyone... I'll let you know when I have some shots scanned

 

[wolves3012]

I don't quite follow "hold the wind-knob still and turn it" could you explain a bit more? Thanks

Edit - I see now, the counter ring can rotate independently of the wind-knob.
Alright time to load it up and hit the streets!
Thanks for the help everyone... I'll let you know when I have some shots scanned

I can see now how badly I worded that! You figured it though - hold the knob still and turn the counter ring.

 

[robin a]

Just got my Zorki 3M in the mail thanks to a fellow forum member, it looks great, seems to work well, even the slow speeds.

I know that I should always cock the shutter before changing speed and the controls seem pretty simple, but I don't know

1. how to open the back
2. any special film loading instructions (do I have to trim the leader like the bottom loaders?)
3. purpose of the lever under the film rewind knob
4. film rewind procedure

I really want to go shoot with it today, so I eagerly await your responses 😀

Skye

I hope youi enjoy the camera as much as I have,takes great photo's.

Robin

 

[iamskye]

Here are some shots from my first roll of Tri-X through the Zorki

Sweet flare!

From my Flickr stream http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamskye/

Thanks again for your help 😀

Skye