Zorki 4k questions

[winston_smith]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on this forum and I have to warn you that I'm a complete newbie in (film) photography. Being nostalgic by nature, I recently bought a Zorki 4K on ebay. I paid quite a bit on it and it really seems to be in fantastic shape. I loaded it up and I already took the first shots. However, this evening I did a little "research" on Zorki 4K on the internet and I found something puzzling. Basically, all Zorki 4K are supposed to have a fixed take up spool. While I cannot open the camera now (I don't want to lose the film), I clearly remember that mine did not have a fixed one. I was even close to losing it, actually. What do you think? As I know nothing about cameras, I am little bit worried that maybe I was duped.

Thank you for your time and please excuse me for bothering you with such silly questions.

W.S.

 

[photobizzz]

Well I am unsure if it is removable or not but here is a PDF user manual.

http://www.pdfcameramanuals.org/russian/zorki_4k/zorki_4k.htm

Hope it helps!

 

[winston_smith]

Hi and thank you for your help. I checked the manual earlier, but that didn't solve my dilemma. Maybe I'm just a little paranoid, but I must admit I find it hard to get over it as I lack the necessary information about these cameras.

Thank you,
W.S.

 

[bawang]

Hi,

I don't have a Zorki 4K, but Zorki 4 which from I learn are basically the same camera without the lever wind of 4K.

The Zorki 4's take-up spool are removable, to a point it drops out when the cover is open and some got lost as a result.

I am guessing, your 4K spool is also removable.

 

[wlewisiii]

Only the Zorki 6 had the fixed takeup spool, IIRC. All other models had the standard LTM type removable spool.

William

 

[xayraa33]

Only the Zorki 6 had the fixed takeup spool, IIRC. All other models had the standard LTM type removable spool.

William

the zorki 4k has as fixed take up spool.

 

[Stanton]

Mine has a fixed take up

Mine has a fixed take up

My Zorki 4K, serial number77143***, has a fixed take up spool. Mine also has the printed, as opposed to the engraved shutter speeds. I understand that one variation of the 4k had the shutter speed dial engraved. Since the print is beginning to go, I understand the advantage of the engraving.

Oh, sweet mystery of FSU cameras.

Dave

 

[fanshaw]

The 4K certainly normally has a fixed take-up spool. Apart from the lever wind it is the other feature that distinguishes it from a Zorki-4.

 

[JohnTF]

Am told that the Russian word for lever begins with K, well, they actually told me the word, but all I recall is the K. ;-)

Regards, John

 

[sojournerphoto]

I sold one recently on ebay - I can't actually remember the take-up spool tbh, but surely it will be obvious if it works?

Mike

 

[winston_smith]

Hi everyone and thank you so much for all your help. I have to live with the idea that I have a one of a kind Zorki 4K, it seems. 🙂 When I'll unload the first film, I'll check more closely the take up spool and I'll post my findings here.

Thank you,
W.S.

 

[wolves3012]

The 4K should, indeed, have a fixed spool. The two I have do anyway!

 

[konicaman]

My 4K has a fixed spool as well, but you can never be sure with these commie cams; Often they have been tampered with at the kitchen table during the long Russian winter nights. My first Zorki 4 did not have a take up spool at all. My FED 3 has a brass take up spool which is clearly homemade, and I have seen a FED 4 with a spool glued on that was almost certainly from a FP4 cartridge. Who cares as long as the spool does its job? 🙄

 

[fanshaw]

Well, you can be pretty sure that the Zorki-4K originally had a fixed spool, because reference was made to this feature in the manual supplied with the camera.