Zorki 4 Problems

[P4ND3R]

Hi,
this my first post in this forum after having bought my first rangefinder.

A few days ago I bought a 1960 Zorki 4, which seemed in good condition, and I filled a film with it with no problems, careful to not adjust the shutter speed before cocking the shutter. A few tests triggers after rewinding the film the shutter locked in almost fully cocked position.
After taking off the cover and jiggling the slow speed mechanism and stuff, it decided to work again, but only intermittently. If I tilt back the body, it will catch the shutter and wind it, but sometimes after a few winds of the film advance. If I tilt the camera forward, it usually won't catch at all. I did not open up the shutter mechanism it self, but every time before the film advance catches the shutter winder I hear a little click and something falling into place.

Does anybody know whats wrong with my camera? It would be great if you guys could help me repair it! Thanks!

Phil

 

[wolves3012]

I'll take a guess at what may be wrong. Take the back off and have a look at the sprocket. At the bottom of it is a small pin, this engages on another pin below it. Wind and fire the shutter a few times, do the pins end up sitting on top of each other? Is that click you hear the sound of them falling beside each other? I suspect the rewind release may be gummed up, or there may be wear in the shaft under the sprocket.

 

[Murray Kelly]

As Wolves says the Zorkii 4 needs to be carefully reset after you rewind a film.

The shutter button MUST be rotated fully clockwise and the rewind ring around it has to be wound fully anti-clockwise (looking down on the top of the camera.

When you rewind a film it is almost impossible not to wind the shutter button away from the correct position.

Have a look at the lower end of the sprocket wheel and you will see the 2 pins that engage when winding the film on.

The click you hear is probably the pins jumping over each other instead of locking together full length.

I know this because it happened to me when I got my Z-4. The seller said it could be 'tricky' but I don't believe he understood the problem.

Murray

 

[P4ND3R]

Thank you for your help!

I looked at the pins on the film advance, and it seems that the lower pin and cog will be moved with the upper one for a while (although the pins aren't touching each other) and then it starts to wind the shutter, after a while. I'll give it a lube and see if that helps.
I'll report back on this.

Cheers