MXP
Established
I have one of the older Zorki 4's.....from 1958. I observed looking at my film strips that frames are not 100% symetrical. I have about 1mm from the top of the sprocket holes and at the bottom the frame goes a tiny bit into the sprocket holes. I did an investigation and found out that the film canister was correct in place. But I also observed that there is a 0.5 - 1mm thick spacer placed where you insert the film canister. I could look like if I was able to remove the spacer everything would be ok. Do you have this spacer in your vintage Zorki's 4? ....and do you have same "troubles" like me? 
blazejs
Established
Yep. I have a Zorki 4 from 1966 and my frames also are not straight along the film - every frame is a little bit bend.
MXP
Established
OK!
It is easy to see if you play with a film with open back that the film strip is not 100% symetrical. But have you observed the metal spacer disc where you insert the film canister? .....I have thought about if it is possible to remove the disc....to correct the problem.
Spyderman
Well-known
You would probably have to add a similar spacer on the bottom (the lock on the back).
blazejs
Established
Well, there's film inside my Zorki now so I can't check it out. I've just learned how to live with it ;-)
MartinP
Veteran
Mine was also "not straight", but I think one of the original re-loadable metal rotating cassettes would make the thing straight. The standard that is in place for the single-use 135 cassettes came from Kodak, and was some time after the original Leicas, and copies thereof, were designed.
MXP
Established
You are probably right. The canister has to be locked into place. It is just a bit strange it has been designed this way. Could it be that a self loading canister using bulk film would fit better?
Think I just have to be happy that the images just with this camera with its J8 are very sharp. I would say images looks at least as sharp as images taken with my M3+DR Summicron. This is also a bit strange.
Spider67
Well-known
Could be a problem with the film developed in a 1 hour phozo shop or simlar places
MXP
Established
santino
FSU gear head
well, I had the same problem and have solved it by really really carefully loading the film. it's kinda hard, but give it a try or ten
MXP
Established
You can't solve it completely by hard trainging? ......but I will give it a try
Additional technical information on the 100% crop the film are is 1mm x 0.7mm so J8 is sharp I think. A 8000 dpi scan may pull more information out........
Additional technical information on the 100% crop the film are is 1mm x 0.7mm so J8 is sharp I think. A 8000 dpi scan may pull more information out........