Zorki 4K tears film at end of roll

[arj7297]

Hi folks,

on my last 2 film rolls, the fllm from the canister has been broken. Do you think the winding mechanism is too strong? I don't feel the "stop" when I get to the end of the roll...so I just keep winding and taking pics.

Never happened before, am I winding too hard or something?

Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[WDPictures]

With my Fed 2 I've shredded some sprocket holes. This was with film taped to the spindle, I imagine it could have pulled off the slot kind. Noticed the end of roll but still not without the damage done. Just considered it a getting-to-now-the-camera situation. How did you finally realize you were shooting blanks?

 

[arj7297]

thanks guys!

Don't really know why I don't feel the end of that roll, i'm not cranking the lever any harder than before and it's just a regular 35mm roll (not a bulk load).

I'm gonna buy some cheap rolls and try to be a bit more careful.

 

[wolves3012]

Try turning the film spool by hand when the camera is empty. It should have some resistance but shouldn't be too hard to turn. If it's very stiff then the clutch isn't slipping as it should and that could cause the tearing problem.

The clutch is supposed to allow the sprockets to turn a constant amount (one turn per wind-on) whilst it turns differently, depending on how much film has been wound onto the spool. Is the camera "heavy" to wind, with film in it?

You can find instructions on how to remove the spool and clutch in the "HOW TO" thread. It may be gunged up with old grease or lube.