Zorki 3S setting the film counter to 0

[johnbay]

Hello,

I am a new member, having used rangefinders for the last six years, XA and Hexar RF but have recently become fixated on FSU cameras and have learned much from members of this forum. I just received a nice Z3 S from Yuri with FED 2E is on the way from cupog. I have read the Zorki 4 manual online multiple times and seem to have mastered the functions except for setting the frame counter. I have not put film through the camera but everything seems in order. Thanks in advance for any help.

Best regards,

Johnbay

 

[ZorkiKat]

Hi Johnbay

Welcome to the forum!

The frame counter is set by turning the dial's "zero" position against an index mark. This is done after loading the film and firing one or two blanks. Set the counter when the shutter is wound.

Also, always turn the dial clockwise. In some cameras where the counter disk is not part of the knob, such in Zorki-1, S, 2, 2S, FED-1, FED-2, etc, the winding brake spring may be damaged if the dial is turned counter clockwise.

Jay

 

[johnbay]

Thanks ZorkiKat. I should have understood that the frame counter could only be set after film is loaded.

Johnbay

 

[ZorkiKat]

Thanks ZorkiKat. I should have understood that the frame counter could only be set after film is loaded.

Johnbay

The frame counter disk will function independently of film. You don't need to have film in the camera to set it or to make it work. 🙂

The procedure given above is just the sequence needed to be done once the film is in the camera- to synch both so the counter 'counts' the frames as the film moves in the camera. And since the disc has no means of setting itself back to zero, it should be manually reset everytime a fresh roll is put through the camera. 😀

Jay

 

[johnbay]

Duh! This turned out to be a simple problem to fix once I realized what the problem was. The frame disk was simply stuck. I just needed to very slightly loosen the screw. It now works perfectly. Thanks for your help. It has been a long time since I handled a totally manual camera. Having a great time though. Relearning Sunny 16.

Johnbay

 

[Xmas]

John

Jay says set the dial clockwise for the simple clones, the latch mechanism can indeed be stressed (if not damaged) unless you counter hold the knob.
So the simplest thing to do is wind on the empty camera, set to -2, load film wind on to zero fire and put the camera away for the shoot session.
I counterhold the knob, unwound, so I'd not have told you, about the damage hazard..

Noel

 

[johnbay]

XMAS,

Thanks for the info. I have been counter holding the knob and turning the disk counter clockwise.

Johnbay