Zorki 5 mystery

[outfitter]

The Zorki 5 had a winding mechanism that was anything but smooth (this was corrected in the Zorki 6 but many Zorki 6 are just as gritty and stiff - possibly needing lube). The Zork 5 and 6 share an overly long winding lever throw that makes it necessary to remove the camera from the eye to wind on.

Lo and behold I have a Zorki 5 type 2 (with vulcanite body covering) that not only has a extremely smooth wind on but a much shorter lever throw. I've checked and the shutter curtains cycle fully and the speeds look correct.

Unfortunately it shares the same crummy neck strap studs that are press fit and loosen up or fall out if used - my wonder 5 has one turning stud so I have to figure out how to fix to avoid light leaks at the very least.

ANyhow anybody have an explanation for this?

Michael

 

[TVphotog]

Changes were made incrementally in the Russian camera world. Most likely, you got one that had the newer winder installed and your worker had not had much vodka that night/day. Be happy about it and go on. Of my 2 Z6s, one had a really crummy/crunchy winder. The other one was smooth like butter. The crummy one had better shutters, so I switched the winding mechanisms. As far as the strap lugs go. If it is coming out, pull it out. Re-install it using either a small amount of two part epoxy or JB weld. Either way, just use enough to coat the lug before installing it. Wipe off the extra, if there is any. Wait a day or two before testing the lug. Oh yeah, do this without film in the camera!!!😀

 

[outfitter]

If it is coming out, pull it out. Re-install it using either a small amount of two part epoxy or JB weld. Either way, just use enough to coat the lug before installing it. Wipe off the extra, if there is any. Wait a day or two before testing the lug. Oh yeah, do this without film in the camera!!!😀

For the time being I've used heavy black duct tape to cover the hole where the lug fell out (and is lost) and to back up the loose one (as a light seal) in the Z-5.
I must confess today I screwed up the bottom loading of the film into the Z-5 (I'm old enough to know better - heck I still have my original 1950s leader template) so I took the lugless Z-6 to test.

Thanks for your reply

Michael

 

[wolves3012]

I have a Z5b and Z6 and of the two the Z5 is lighter to wind. I have lubed and adjusted the gear train on it, however, since it was not so good when it first arrived. The Z6 has a heavier spring and longer throw; it's just as smooth but without the "zip" of the ratchet that the Z5 has. I've just finished the first film through the Z5 and the results are excellent - not a single frame has any issue, all properly exposed etc. I'm very pleased...Z6 next roll!

 

[TVphotog]

I noticed, when I took my Z6s apart, that the spring sizes were very different. One had a very small diameter wire spring and the second looked like it was made out of 12 gauge. I have since located and purchased a much lighter spring for it. The differences in wind tension and sound may be accounted for by this. As evidenced by history, they obviously just used whatever they had on hand for that day.