Zorki 4 (1957) Light Leak & Shutter Issues

[Zorki5731542]

Hi this is my first post and i'd appreciate some help with my Zorki 4. I'm experiencing what I believe to be a combination of light leaks and shutter problems and would love some advice on how they might be resolved.

Light Leak 1. This is a vertical band from the top of the frame (when looking at positive image). It seems to extend onto the film sprocket holes.

Light Leak 2. This is a crescent shape leak always appearing at the bottom of the positive image.

Shutter Issue 1. This is a fairly severe defect where one or more shutter curtains appear to stop in the middle of the frame.

Shutter Issue 2. I seem to be getting uneven exposures, with the left side of the positive image receiving more light than the right.

I've attached some .jpegs to illustrate these faults. If anyone has any advice on how I might resolve them I would be very grateful! Thanks

 

[wolves3012]

Have you checked the curtains for pinholes? Take off the lens and back and shine a bright torch on the curtain, looking from the other side. Do this with the shutter cocked and not cocked so you check both curtains. Hard to say if it's pinholes or a light-leak through a badly-fitting back. If you don't find pinholes, try putting black electrical tape or similar around the back when you next run a roll through it, that would help prove a back light-leak

As for the badly-running shutter, there's a sticky at the top of this section that covers a CLA on the Zorki4 and 4K. If the curtains are ok and you're willing to attempt it, it goes into some detail on how to get the shutter running well.

 

[css9450]

...try putting black electrical tape or similar around the back when you next run a roll through it, that would help prove a back light-leak

I used to get vertical light leaks too and the tape around all edges of the back cured them. Hard to believe that the carmera's back which seemed to fit so perfectly would leak like that, but it did. A cheap fix fortunately. I used black gaffer's tape so there would be no sticky residue.

 

[nzeeman]

its frontal leak since it is white-it would be oramge if from back.. but to me looks like internal reflection-since its very round... check for scratches in front chamber or on back of the lens...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Uneven exposure might be due to gummed old lube in the curtains drums. Shutter needs to be removed to get them cleaned, re-lubed.
It might be also due to this crappy slow shutter gear.
For holes in the curtains watch them in the dark with flash light in the film camber with rear door removed.
It looks like your Zorki is up to major re-haul.

 

[Zorki5731542]

its frontal leak since it is white-it would be oramge if from back.. but to me looks like internal reflection-since its very round... check for scratches in front chamber or on back of the lens...

It could be coming through the back, and hitting the emulsion side of the film as it winds around the take up spool, this would account for the curved shape of the light leak.

I've put some foam in where the back attaches to the body, along the top and bottom strips. I've also put a piece of circular felt under the self timer arm on the front of the camera, as i've read that there should be a light seal of some kind here, and non was present.

I reduced the tension of the 1st curtain, and by filming the shutter operating in slow motion using my phone, have been able to ascertain that the two curtains are now travelling at close to the same speed, which will hopefully mean even exposures.

I've put some rolls through it since these adjustments were made, but haven't had time to get them developed yet. As soon as i have results I will post them.

 

[nzeeman]

It could be coming through the back, and hitting the emulsion side of the film as it winds around the take up spool, this would account for the curved shape of the light leak.

I've put some foam in where the back attaches to the body, along the top and bottom strips. I've also put a piece of circular felt under the self timer arm on the front of the camera, as i've read that there should be a light seal of some kind here, and non was present.

I reduced the tension of the 1st curtain, and by filming the shutter operating in slow motion using my phone, have been able to ascertain that the two curtains are now travelling at close to the same speed, which will hopefully mean even exposures.

I've put some rolls through it since these adjustments were made, but haven't had time to get them developed yet. As soon as i have results I will post them.

it can't be-if its on takeup spool it would go through many layers and make multiple reflections -also colored... and yes last one with half frame black is surely capping-probably when you used top speeds.. so also curtain tension should be adjusted, or even worse whole CLA... 🙁