Zorki 4 Help needed please!!

[TimSmith-Laing]

So, my 'new' Zorki 4 - not 4k - arrived today. From ebay of course. Dead cheap, looks good, but I'm a bit stuck. This is my first rangefinder - my other cameras are an OM1 and an OM10 - and I might have jumped into the deep end too quickly:

I can't get the shutter release to work. I've looked at the manual online (http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/zorki4.html) and I'm still scratching my head. There's no response to the shutter release being pressed down, with the 'rewind ring' in either position. Plus the ring will happily turn counter clockwise to the marker, but not all the way clockwise to the other marker, only about 2/3 or so of the way. Everything else seems fine for the moment. I don't think I've done any of the really foolish things all the FSU Rangefinder sites warn about, but tell me not to do them anyway ... I need the help.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[clarence]

Hello,

It certainly brings back memories of my first Zorki-4K from ebay. When I told the seller, ruscamera, that the shutter wouldn't close properly, he promptly sent me pictures showing me how to fix it (tightening the shutter curtains helped). Perhaps you could try asking the one who sold it to you?

I have the same problem occasionally with the rewind release collar around the shutter release button. Giving it a firm twist helps. I haven't had any problems with the shutter release not working, though.

But servicing a cheap Zorki is part of the fun, really.

With My Regards,
Clarence

 

[RichardS]

I have a 4 K and I really don't know just what the difference is between the 4 K and the 4. On my 4 K I have to turn the dial at the bottom of the shutter release clockwise as far as it will go and then throw the film advance lever to cock the shutter. The are no markings at the dial on mine although they may have worn off. My only suggestion is to try and turn the dial clockwise farther. If you can't I assume something needs repairing. I think the 4 K is a very nice camera and I assume the 4 is also.

Dick

 

[Kim Coxon]

The 4K has a lever wind whereas the 4 has the older knob winder. The 4's and early 4K's have etched lettering whereas the later 4Ks have it printed on and it is likely to wear off.

I have a 4 K and I really don't know just what the difference is between the 4 K and the 4. Dick

 

[darkkavenger]

Hello,

maybe the ring inside the shutter release (with a red dot, usually) is not centered on the bottom, but a bit off the right side... try pushing down and turning clockwise 😉

max

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Tim and welcome to the forum,
Take the back off and have a good look. The first thing is to establish whether it is a shutter release problem or a winding problem. Operate the rewind clutch whilst looking in the back. It should push down on a cog at the bottom of the shaft. Can you operate the film advance in this position. If you can't it is likely that the winding mech is jammed and the reason the shutter wil not fire is because it isn't cocked. If this works, reset the clutch to the wind position. The cog at the bottom will move up. there is a pin on it and a similiar one on the wheel above. This is the shutter cocking and release mech. Operate the winder. The top wheel should be moving. When the pin on this "catches" up with the pin on the shutter mech, it should cock the shutter. It may take some extra winding to do this. If this won't move now, The shutter will either be cocked or jammed. When you press the shutter, it pushes the bottom wheel down allowing the shutter to fire.

Try all this and if there is still a problem, come back and I can consider the next stage.

 

[darkkavenger]

I'm going to post a picture with some basic instructions, it might help... 🙂

max

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

Wow ... so much instant help. And it's worked, I think. Kim, thank you for the detailed instructions, I've just followed them and then spotted your jpeg, darkavenger ... there's no dot to align on my shutter release, but twisting it till it stopped and then following your advice rewarded me with a beautiful, beautiful shutter open-close. Thank you both! This forum is amazing. I only hope you're all around when I fail to understand something else.

Thanks!

 

[darkkavenger]

😀 I'm really happy your Zorki works! 😉

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

So am I! Thanks! P.S. you have some beautiful shots in your portfolio, just took a look ... nice.

 

[darkkavenger]

Thank you! 😀

 

[satbunny]

Drive a tractor over it? Sorry, I'm bitter..

 

[grifon]

Congratulations on your purchase! Zorki 4 was my first RF too, it took me about a months of taking it apart, and putting it back together, figuring out how it works, and constantly tuning and cleaning it to make it a very nice, reliable and sharp camera. They have a great potential! just dont give up on it.