Repair instructions on my site
Printed from: USSRPhoto Forums
Topic URL: http://localhost:8088/modern/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3695
Printed on: 11/5/2026 5:47:44 AM
Topic
Topic author: uwittehh
Posted on: 20250302141812
Hello,
I think this might be of interest to you all too, so I have put all my repair instructions, which were scattered all over my website, together on one page.
All pages are still in German, but I will translate them into English in the future.
If you are interested you can have a look:
http://ritzelkiste.de/kameras/repair/index.htmHave fun
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReplies
Reply author: Vlad
Replied on: 20250303112626
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20250303141659
Vlad,
thank you. I knew there was such a section somewhere, but I hadn't found it :-)
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20250303163832
Vlad,
I have translated the main repair page and the first two instruction pages :-)
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20250304151442
Thanks for all, Ulrich. No doubt it will help.[:)]
I will have a special look on the Kiev service.
And as for me, I appreciate the translation!
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20250306162355
Jacques,
the Kiev service is more of a quick and dirty service, like the Zorki 4. I disassemble the Kievs and Contax quite extensively, but I have not yet disassembled the shutter itself.
Recently I had a broken Kiev shutter where the spring of the first curtain had no more strength. I then took it all apart. You can't get it back together again, everything is too small...
A FED or Zorki shutter looks crude and primitive in comparison ;-)
But have fun looking at it anyway.
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20250402160248
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20250915165509
Summer is slowly coming to an end, and autumn is on its way. The FED 2a pre-series page has now been translated.
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20251216144750
So, I've now translated everything and added the repair of a Zorki 3C as well as the overhaul of a few lenses.
Enjoy reading :-)
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260207161312
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260307155515
A new update.
Cameras and lenses are now separate. I have added how to fix a stiff aperture on the retractable I-10.
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: Valkir1987
Replied on: 20260313055710
Thank you for sharing Ulrich. The website looks great.
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260314161000
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260426173909
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20260427035512
Very interested by the repair instructions about the Zorki 3: I have an early one which should need an operation! But I am not skilled enough to do that now, alas. Very professional and most useful for the community. Thanks, Ulrich!
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260427114849
Jacques,
thanks. Yes, the Zorki 3 is probably the most complicated of the Leica replicas. Right now, I have a jammed Droug with broken shutter curtains on my table. Years ago, I opened one up once, but only to take a look inside and clean it. It all looks completely different under the covers. This could be the next repair guide :-)
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260506152432
Hello,
some Droug-news.
Just to clarify, the Droug is designed completely differently from all previous Zorki cameras. It was originally supposed to be called the Zorki 7.
The lower section with the chain winder can be completely removed, and the shutter can be taken out as a module, just like on a Kiev. Everything is finished to a very high standard and fits together perfectly. The rollers for the shutter curtains, the curtains themselves - everything is constructed completely differently.
I've now replaced the broken shutter curtain and am putting the pieces back together. We'll see how it turns out - in any case, there will be new instructions coming soon :-)
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260524154936
Right, I’ve successfully taken the Droug apart, repaired it and put it back together again :-)
Here’s a brief guide (it could be much longer), but it was already enough work as it was...
https://ritzelkiste.de/kameras/drougrepair/indexe.htmEnjoy watching.
Ulrich
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20260525043111
Hats off once more, Ulrich! Your guide gives an idea of the complexity of this camera.
I did not think it was so different from the "ordinary" Zorkis... and so well made.
I suppose you have put the extra pin in a safe, to get it out, just in case?😉
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20260525154303
Jacques,
thank you very much. I was also really surprised by the camera’s modular design and high-quality build. I suppose that’s why so few were ever made. It wasn’t possible to manufacture it at a profit under the Soviet system.
Of course, I kept the bolt; maybe I'll take the other Droug apart again just enough to see if it belongs there or not :-)
Ulrich
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20261014172011
Reply author: Vlad
Replied on: 20261020101603
These are absolutely fantastic guides! I am going to follow one to to fix Zorki 4 lagging curtain issue as you show disassembly really well!
By the way, you should add an SSL certificate to your site all browsers complain about unsecure connections
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20261022152455
Vlad, thanks :-) I’m already working on the next tutorial – a Zorki 5.
And thanks for the tip about SSL; I’ll have to ask my web host how it works. I actually have one free SSL certificate, but whenever I try to activate it, I keep getting redirected to a payment page...
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: Vlad
Replied on: 20261022154244
Yeah I've had reports of people could not open your site from various work PCs because they block non-secure connections..
I've been studying your guides for last few days, I really like the way you did a step by step.. I am considering printing these pages on color printer and putting them into a binder to use when repairing.. you need to publish a book from these!
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20261023052155
So, everything should now work via SSL. I contacted the hotline, and they were able to activate it for me. However, they couldn't explain to me why I couldn't activate it myself ;-)
Ulrich
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20261023154442
Vlad, thanks :) But I think I will not publish a book. Maybe when I have made more repaires ;-)
Ulrich
https://ritzelkiste.de