Zorki 4k shutter cocking issue

[burgosburgos]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere - I've looked but can't find any reference to this problem.

My Zorki 4k won't wind on. Pic 1 shows the problem area.

As far as I can figure out there are 2 pins, one on the film advance spool (pic2 'A') and the other on the cocking mechanism (pic2 'B'). When you advance the film, the uppermost, pin A, looks as though it should drag pin B through 360deg, pulling the curtain across and cocking the shutter mechanism. I can sometimes get this to happen if I turn the camera upside down and tap it a few times.

However, usually pin A just slips off the top of pin B and winds through 360deg on its own therefore leaving the the whole camera unwound (see pic3)

My first question is have I figured it out correctly? Is this how the mechanism is supposed to work but the pins have just become worn?

If so my second question is, what's the solution? Is it a case of replacing one or other or both pins or is there a 'spring' function that pushes pin B up so that it catches pin A?

Any advice gratefully received - this is my first attempt at DIY repair!!

Here are the pics.....







Many thanks,

Matt.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

On my Zorki 4 the pin at A sticks out almost touching the gear at B, so if your pin A is riding over B, it is out of whack for sure.
It looks like the release spring is not pushing the lower gear and pin up, as I can see a spring gap and the lower end of the release rod.
Probably something in the lower gear train fouling up the works, some film bits or a dirt-dobber nest.
Sure, take it apart yourself and clean it out, but be resigned to tossing it later.
I myself am sort of a do-it-yourself guy and have taken apart many nice watches and cameras. I have never put one back together.

 

[wolves3012]

Not quite sure from the angle of the photos but your camera could be in "rewind" mode, either accidentally or through a fault. Try turning the shutter release button collar back & forth and see if the pins move away from each other and back. The rewind mechanism could be stuck. I have also seen this fault on a Zorki 1 where it was caused by wear in the lower bearing, allowing the pins to drop the wrong side of each other and causing a "double wind". The shutter did still cock though, just a dead frame after every one!

 

[burgosburgos]

Thanks gents,

It's definitely not in rewind mode but, having said that, something is stopping the spring arm returning the full distance. I'll pull it to pieces and see if there's something jamming the mechanism.

So, on an entirely connected note, watch the classifieds for a knackered Zorki for spares or repair in about a fortnight!!!

Thanks,
Matt.

 

[wolves3012]

Have a look in my CLA thread in the stickies, it'll show you how to get at the rewind mechanism. You can just ignore all the other stuff about the slow-speed mechanism etc and go straight to the possible problem area. You don't need to do much beyond removing the top to get at it.

 

[Largeneg]

Zorky 4 fix! Make shutter work after rewinding

Zorky 4 fix! Make shutter work after rewinding

Figured out the most frequent reason the shutter won't work after rewinding a Zorky 4.

There is a shutter lock. Not described in any manual that I've come across in English. Rotating the shutter button counterclockwise locks the shutter. Clockwise unlocks the shutter.

Here's what happens- your roll full of Mona Lisa's is finished. You rotate the rewind release knob/ring (that encircles the shutter release) counterclockwise. Unknowingly, you've also just rotated the shutter release counterclockwise (because of friction/age of lubricant/big fingers/etc.) and locked the shutter!!!

You load the new roll of film, rotate the rewind release clockwise and advance the film. The sprockets engage, the film advances, but the shutter doesn't cock! Why? The shutter lock is still stuck in the counterclockwise locked position!!! It didn't stay stuck to the rewind knob/ring and come back to where it started. The shutter lock keeps the shutter drive train away from the take up spool drive and you see the little pin stick out at the bottom of the take up spool drive thinking that the rewind mechanism is gummed up, or worse.

Summary: make sure the shutter button is unlocked (shutter button rotated fully clockwise and standing up proudly) after returning the rewind knob/ring to it's fully clockwise position.

A simple fix, as it was never broken in the first place...