Zorki-5 Shutter and Lens

[wotalegend]

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of a Zorki-5. The salivating doesn't diminish with experience. Tonight, on the following web site:
http://home.att.net/~wayne.cornell/camera/zorkic5.html

I found the following statement: "Several Z5 authorities warn that the camera can be damaged if the shutter is tripped without a lens on the body."

Now with my rudimentary understanding of FSU LTM bodies - 8 FEDs and 3 Zorkis - this has me stumped. I mean, how does the shutter 'know'
whether there is a lens mounted or not? Does anyone have any experience of this, and why is it so?

Cheers, Peter.

 

[Spyderman]

Several Z5 authorities warn that the camera can be damaged if the shutter is tripped without a lens on the body.

It's pure bulls**t.

 

[pshinkaw]

There is a problem in the design of the rangefinder coupling arm on the Z-5. On some models where it is slightly out of specification, the movement of the shutter can cause a collision of parts inside the body when the rangefinder is all the way forward (w/o a lens mounted). I don't think it occures very often, but if anybody proves that it exists, I wold like to hear about it.

The Z-5 also had a design flaw (feature?) in the film advance/shutter winding mechanism that could result in a jam if the arm is allowed to snap back to the body. As a matter of precaution, I ease the winding lever back gently on my Z-5, Z-6 (where it was supposed to have been cured) and my Kiev-60 (which has also been reported to have a similar probem.

-Paul

 

[Spyderman]

Really? then please ignore my previous post. it seemed to me as a total nonsense, but I'm not a Zorki 5 'guru'

 

[ZorkiKat]

There is a problem in the design of the rangefinder coupling arm on the Z-5. ...... but if anybody proves that it exists, I wold like to hear about it.


-Paul

Paul

Maizenberg warned not to wind the shutter without the lens in place. But since both winding and firing involves the same action in the parts, it should also apply to firing.

I have unintentionally fired my Z-5 without lens (and cosequently winding it in same state) and no damage has apparently happened. Threat is very real- all you need to do is to look at what's happening inside (without the topplate) when firing and winding with no lens in place. Those little levers and discs can really catch and mesh with each other.

Though my camera hasn't done it yet (not that I wish that it would), I certainly wouldn't tempt fate by winding or firing it without a lens. It does sound differently when fired, and the winding feels a bit more restricted when these are done without a lens on the mount.

It should take a slight displacement in either speed regulator disk or RF lever
for both to mesh. That's not difficult to achieve.

Jay