A question for the Zenit E experts

Does anyone know how to adjust bolt for the spring tension of the mirror? Is it adjusted together with the curtains, or is it adjusted afterwards? How many turns are needed for an average adjustment? (it speeds up the first curtain as well for as far as I know)

Zenit E is a little akwards. If you want a good adjustment you first much have to have the right adjust of the curtains with the removed mirror assembly. (as an RF camera
Test all speeds and see them properly working.
Now re intall the mirror assy remembering you have a left spring screw for mirror adjusting. without the locking screw, try to adjust the the central screw locking it with he nut. this adjust is only for fighting againt mirror inertia.
That is not so easy once previously all gears must be in the right position unless the mirror will not move up previously from picture taking nor will come back after curtains are closed. So see previously the working of the whole set aiding the shutter movement by forcing with fingers the main curtain shaft. Once everything OK go charging mirror spring up to the the right working. Lub the system with graphite in the gears.
Regards and good luck.
LP

Hi Valkir,

Is your problem a little like mine? Check this YouTube video:
http://youtu.be/e7xG6VO61i4?hd=1

I have a 1980 Zenit E with a "slow" shutter curtain, and are wondering if I can just lube the system - maybe you know about that Luiz?

I am sorry if your problemis not like the same - then I have hijacked the thread without any chance of helping us both [V][B)]

But I hope it can help both of us [8)]

---
You can call me "Yuri"...

SSSR collections so far:
1956 FED 2 C
1978 Zenit E
1979 Zenit FS-3 Photosniper (ES)
1980 Zenit EM Olympic
1980 Zenit E Olympic
1993 Zenit FS-12-3 Fotosaiper (12XPS)
a Zenit UPA 5M enlarger
... plus some "foregien" stuff.

Dear Luiz,

Thank you for your reply. That sounds very logical. I assume that after the assembly of the mirror and the adjusment of the bolt, the speeds need to be checked again.

Dear Crazycatman,

It looks like your mirror does not flip up. There could be various causes for this, you would find once you have disassembled the camera and removed the mirror housing.

With kind regards,


Milo Schekkerman

No, the problem is my curtain - I am almost sure: it's like it's "stuck" - or at least it doesn't run smoothly. I was wondering if I can just "lube" it (I read that lighter fluid is best to use?) But I am not sure if it's just that...
It seems much "slower" than on my '74 E - and studing the curtains it's seemed that it's just that. On 0.44 on my video you can see the metal frame of the curtian on the '80 E that it's like it doesn't move properly and don't really open fully. Around 1.20 you see the mirror on the faulty Zenit goes up - but there is a black screen behind because the curtain doesn't open as smooth as on the '74.
Neither my '79 ES nor my '80 EM has the same problem.

The test is run at flash mark X and shutter speed 125.

---
You can call me "Yuri"...

SSSR collections so far:
1956 FED 2 C
1978 Zenit E
1979 Zenit FS-3 Photosniper (ES)
1980 Zenit EM Olympic
1980 Zenit E Olympic
1993 Zenit FS-12-3 Fotosaiper (12XPS)
a Zenit UPA 5M enlarger
... plus some "foregien" stuff.

Dear Crazycatman,

Lighter fluid only dissolves the old grease for a short while. It's used as a cleaning liquid more often. It will dry out, and your problem is back in a day. You should get a proper lubricant and a very thin needle to oil the joints and axes. If you can't get watch oil, you may use sewing machine oil or lock oil. Other lubricants used around the house such as WD40 and other multi purpose creep oils are not suitable and can cause a lot of trouble.

Well, I did the shutter curtain adjustment on mine! It's a little heavier then I expected, but I can live with it. It still needs some adjusment afterwards though. The bolt had to be treated very carefully, its made of soft metal. But it survived the operation. The on i'm working on is from '73. Now I know how to work on it. I love the Zenit more then I did before!

Dear People
Lub must be criteriusly done!
Lub every pivot and bearings with normal sewing machine oil
WD40 and similar operates marvelous at first but dry the mechanics. Curtains must be "lubed" only with graphite..
You that have a slow curtain and are sure that the ribbons were not changed (slight thicker ones doesn't work) try to put graphite in its path and observe a new working life!
Regards

Hi Milo and Luiz,

Thanks for your answers; I will try some graphit or lockoil (should be the same, right?) and some sewing machine oil (should be the same as I use on my shaver I read?).

Thank you.

... and again sorry for the hi-jack!

---
You can call me "Yuri"...

SSSR collections so far:
1956 FED 2 C
1978 Zenit E
1979 Zenit FS-3 Photosniper (ES)
1980 Zenit EM Olympic
1980 Zenit E Olympic
1993 Zenit FS-12-3 Fotosaiper (12XPS)
a Zenit UPA 5M enlarger
... plus some "foregien" stuff.