This old Zorki, like the older Kiev’s, are symphonies of mechanical clockwork cameras. Thanks for posting this camera tear down. The skills and abilities demonstrated will be hard to replace.
It's great to see the old camera working again, I have a few old Zenits... It looks like someone found this in someone's estate and gave it the old WD-40 hose down and sold it off... but now it's rescued!
This was a fascinating episode! I’ve never had the guts to tear a camera down like this, but it was great to see what the components of a cloth shutter mechanism look like.
Loved my zorki to death at the beginning of my photographic journey. It now lives under the seat of my motorbyke in a plastic zip bag with a roll of film inside. Ready to shoot for some instant action in case something notable happens on the go. And I admit that something notable never happens around here, and there it sits, poor camera. But these cameras are so cheap that it is nice to have a spare to bang up without worrying too much. I'd never do anything like that to my Canon 7z. That zorki is a fighter!
Great video I wouldn’t be brave enough to do that strip down but I might be tempted to remove a few screws now. No mention of the split image viewfinder (I was surprised) a very important component of these Zorki’s as is the shutter. It’s a mystery to me how they know the lens is in focus and how they are calibrated. I will keep watching. Richard
I wonder if the holes in the cloth shutter curtain were generated by someone leaving the camera minus the lens cap pointed at the sun, effectively subjecting that cloth to the "ant under the magnifying glass effect". (Yes, this makes me think of Gary Larsen.)
Very likely. It was the part of the curtain exposed when the shutter was wound on. Although you’d think that collapsible lens wouldn’t focus the sun when collapsed, but maybe they walked around with it extended.
Thank you for this very interesting video. I don't know what year you recorded it. I am faced with the same problem, the curtain of my Fed1 is damaged and I have to change it. Could you tell me where I can buy this light-proof fabric, I would like to buy it even if it's in the USA and I'm in France. Could you give me the contact to find it? Thank you and sorry if I do this publicly. Thank you
I used to have a Leica IIIc. I sold it a while back since I wasn't using it. Kind of regret it sometimes, but it was a nice little camera. IIRC, I did have to have it serviced as well. I don't recall whether it needed a new shutter (it may have). These days, as far as rangefinders go, I have my dad's Argus C3 kit. I should also put a roll of film in it and use it once in a while.
I have a C3 that I use as my main camera since it's such a good one-- an impressive feat since I have well over 100 cameras. My uncle has three Leicas and he still says his C3 was better than them!
Ethan, where did you get your camera maintenance training? you are amazing! any extra parts? What does the name Zorki mean? In what country was it made? How long did the glue have to dry before use?
Zorki means "Bright light." Made in USSR. Spare parts available by purchasing broken cameras online! But most are only now available from Russia! It took several hours for the glue to dry. As for Ethan's training, it was learn-as-you-go, he bought some cameras, tore them apart and learned to put them back together. These cameras are copies of Leica screw-mount cameras, so in theory you could interchange those parts.
It's kind of funny, I'm watching this as I disassemble the greasiest camera I have ever seen! It's a zorki, it must be common to just douse these is oil.
This old Zorki, like the older Kiev’s, are symphonies of mechanical clockwork cameras. Thanks for posting this camera tear down. The skills and abilities demonstrated will be hard to replace.
I have an old Zorki-4 (1959). He also had a few small holes in the curtains. I just smeared with droplets smeared with thick black varnish.
this was interesting to watch as I just had a 39 FED completely refurbished.
What a fascinating repair journey, provided so much info, thanks for sharing ! 🤩👍
It's great to see the old camera working again, I have a few old Zenits... It looks like someone found this in someone's estate and gave it the old WD-40 hose down and sold it off... but now it's rescued!
This was a fascinating episode! I’ve never had the guts to tear a camera down like this, but it was great to see what the components of a cloth shutter mechanism look like.
Wow, impressive rebuild. Ethan's a great guy to have around :D
Indeed!
This was great! Thanks guys.
Loved my zorki to death at the beginning of my photographic journey. It now lives under the seat of my motorbyke in a plastic zip bag with a roll of film inside. Ready to shoot for some instant action in case something notable happens on the go. And I admit that something notable never happens around here, and there it sits, poor camera.
But these cameras are so cheap that it is nice to have a spare to bang up without worrying too much. I'd never do anything like that to my Canon 7z. That zorki is a fighter!
Nobu San, a good man indeed
Ethan Moses is the mechanic I want to fix my soviet cameras & car. Just look at his fingers ! He knows the sh!t.
Really interesting. Would love to see the full process with higher end camera work.
Great video I wouldn’t be brave enough to do that strip down but I might be tempted to remove a few screws now.
No mention of the split image viewfinder (I was surprised) a very important component of these Zorki’s as is the shutter.
It’s a mystery to me how they know the lens is in focus and how they are calibrated. I will keep watching. Richard
I do wonder if Leica LTM lenses will register correctly on a Zorki 1 or Zorki 4 for that matter?
Very interesting repair.
I wonder if the holes in the cloth shutter curtain were generated by someone leaving the camera minus the lens cap pointed at the sun, effectively subjecting that cloth to the "ant under the magnifying glass effect". (Yes, this makes me think of Gary Larsen.)
Very likely. It was the part of the curtain exposed when the shutter was wound on. Although you’d think that collapsible lens wouldn’t focus the sun when collapsed, but maybe they walked around with it extended.
Is it possible to attach a pair of external metal rings on the body (upper left and upper right) to put a fresh leather strap?
Thank you for this very interesting video. I don't know what year you recorded it. I am faced with the same problem, the curtain of my Fed1 is damaged and I have to change it. Could you tell me where I can buy this light-proof fabric, I would like to buy it even if it's in the USA and I'm in France. Could you give me the contact to find it? Thank you and sorry if I do this publicly. Thank you
You can find it on eBay, the seller is called "nobbysparrow" from Japan. He also provides repair videos here on CZcams.
I used to have a Leica IIIc. I sold it a while back since I wasn't using it. Kind of regret it sometimes, but it was a nice little camera. IIRC, I did have to have it serviced as well. I don't recall whether it needed a new shutter (it may have). These days, as far as rangefinders go, I have my dad's Argus C3 kit. I should also put a roll of film in it and use it once in a while.
I have a C3 that I've never put film into. I need to rectify that.
I have a C3 that I use as my main camera since it's such a good one-- an impressive feat since I have well over 100 cameras. My uncle has three Leicas and he still says his C3 was better than them!
Really interesting, as with any camera you don't know if it will work properly untill you put some film through it. I'm sure yours will.
I had attempted to use a Leica Hector 135mm on my Zorki 1 and it was blurry. However, I have used other 50mm lenses with success.
Ethan, where did you get your camera maintenance training? you are amazing! any extra parts? What does the name Zorki mean? In what country was it made? How long did the glue have to dry before use?
Zorki means "Bright light." Made in USSR. Spare parts available by purchasing broken cameras online! But most are only now available from Russia! It took several hours for the glue to dry. As for Ethan's training, it was learn-as-you-go, he bought some cameras, tore them apart and learned to put them back together.
These cameras are copies of Leica screw-mount cameras, so in theory you could interchange those parts.
I read somewhere that, Zorki, means hawk, but my Russian translator says it means sharp sighted.
It's kind of funny, I'm watching this as I disassemble the greasiest camera I have ever seen! It's a zorki, it must be common to just douse these is oil.
👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋
This is hypnotic
Jeez, pulling apart a vintage camera like that is hair raising. He obviously can put it back together blindfolded.
Doe the gentleman have contact info in case someone needs service?
Is that a NEW shirt??
AHH Russian..? Ukrainian? Did you see any Mig-29s?
Canon rangefinder shutter cloth repair
Canon rangefinder shutter cloth repair