Zorki 4 problems

[farmersteve]

I finally had a chance to really try out my Zorki 4 the other day. I got the roll back and there are two problems. The first is that the film isn't aligned vertically. All the shots are exposing down into the sprocket holes. The 2nd problem is probably trickier to fix. It seems that my 60th/sec is off a little bit. It's overexposing at that speed, but when I shoot at higher speeds like 125th and up it seems to expose perfectly... Anyone out there know a solution for one or both problems? I'd like to get it fixed because I really like the way this camera handles and want to use it more often...

 

[Andrew McK]

Is it a Zorki 4 or a Zorki 4K?
the 4 has a removable take up spool, the 4K does not
I have a 4K but I have a similar sounding problem on one of my Feds.
I think it was caused by the take up spool being a bit disturbed and so it now doesn't wind the film on as straight ans as smooth as it is meant to.
It means that you end up with a black strip along the top of your photos.
How do your photos turn out? Does that sound familiar?
Also
What type of film are you using

 

[farmersteve]

I'll have a look at the take up spool and see if there is something I can fiddle with. I'm using 400 speed Kodak film, just some generic stuff I got at Costco until I can figure out these problems...

 

[Andrew McK]

are all the shutter speeds in the right place on the dial?
You know, if you set it to B is it actually B
My FED 3 had the speed dial pointing at the wrong things. I had to unscrew it and turn it around?

 

[fraley]

farmersteve,

I have one zorki with the low-lying film problem. It rides low across the rails. So I glued a thin strip of cardboard along the bottom edge, where it should be touching it, to act as a guide rail. You might try that. The zorki's are great cameras but they are not made to strict tolerances.

 

[brians]

Hi farmersteve. I don't know if this would help your problem with the exposure being on the sprocket holes, but make sure that the film canister is indeed aligned, and make sure that the film going from the canister to the takeup is straight, and with the teeth filling the sprocket holes.

About the slow shutter speeds not working well... I had that exact same problem. I tried busting a DIY move, but.... I failed miserably. I sent the greasy remains to Oleg and he revived it for me. Now, I think my Z4 is one of the best 70 dollar investments I've ever bought.

Hope all is well.

 

[captainslack]

Yeah, you can't go wrong with Oleg.