Zorki Mir stiff wind on

[garythegit]

Hello chaps, received a Mir in the mail the other day in excellent nick. Only thing- the wind on seems really stiff, to the extent that my thumb is getting quite raw! This only seems to happen when the shutter curtains are being dragged on as the operation of the wind on knob is really smooth when the rewind collar is down.

So my question is, how can I give this a wee CLA without having to send it to Oleg (i'm broke!)?? I suspect the shutter curtain rollers have gone stiff, is there anywhere I can access it and squirt in a drop of lighter fluid or two?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

 

[Spyderman]

Don't need to use any lighter fluid.

Try to release the shutter curtain tension. I'm sure you can find the info how to do it at http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page510.htm

My Zorki 4 was also stiff, and releasing the tension helped a lot. Be sure to work with the shutter released, and after releasing ALL tension. Just count turns and then secure with the nut and the small set-screws. Start with the suggested amount and then fine-tune it...

 

[Valkir1987]

The reason why the curtains where overtensioned is that it possibly needs relubrication. The drums, the gears etc. I use east German "Feinmechaniköl" watch oil to make everything run proper. It doesnt dry out so quickly. But normal watch or gun oil will do. Apply the oil carefully with a needle. Make sure no oil gets on the curtains. Do not use wd40 or silicone spray.

Greetings 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
Just a thought as it might not be the curtains. Is it stiff to wind on all the time or only with a film in? If it is only with a film in, I would look to taking the rewind shaft out, cleaning it and replacing with some very light lube. I suspect that rthis is a more common problem than shutters that are that much overtight.

Kim

 

[garythegit]

hey thanks for the tips guys!

kim, the wind on is stiff even when there is no film, but not when the release collar is depressed in rewind mode so it's def the curtains being sluggish... might try the watch oil idea but where should i apply it?? i can't see any direct access to the curtain rolls as the mir has them encased in metal! most strange!