Cock the shutter prior to changing speed

Hi,

Everybody knows that it is important to cock the shutter prior to changing the speed on a F.E.D., Zorki, Salyut, Kiev, etc. but what about those cameras they originate from? Leica, Contax or Hasselblad? Or are the interior mechanics not similar (copied, cloned)?

Stefan

Wel, on my Leica M7 I can turn all knobs in all directions without any damage. Hence the simple mechanics of those FSU RF camera's it is not a bad idea to buy a FED-2 or Zorki-6 without those slow speeds. I am pretty happy with my Z-6 together with an I-61 , J-8 or J-12. I would like to have a Russar F/5,6-20mm but they are pretty expensive, even from Lomography (Russar+ better quality materials) EUR. 599,- ; OK incl. a LTM-M adapter. The same price I paid for my Leica Elmarit F/2,8-21mm.

Robert
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quote:

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Originally posted by Steffepe

Everybody knows that it is important to cock the shutter prior to changing the speed on a F.E.D., Zorki, Salyut, Kiev, etc. but what about those cameras they originate from? Leica, Contax or Hasselblad? Or are the interior mechanics not similar (copied, cloned)?

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I changed the speed on a Zorki-1 by mistake before cocking the shutter and what a surprise nothing got damaged. I didn't try this again though. I think this rule was more meant for the Zorki-3 which was produced at the same time as Zorki-1 and there might be damaged Zorki-3 because of mistakenly changing the speed. The Zorki-3 has this second speed-dial for slow speeds like on Leica-III.

For Leicas it must be easy to find out, can't be difficult to get a manual in german or english. Since I can't read russian I don't know if this rule is mentioned in a Zorki-1 manual. But because it might be important for Zorki-3 it's not bad do use this rule in general.

In a perfect Zorki camera from model 3M,4, 4K and FED 3,4 and 5 series & variants they will be not damaged, but speeds changed BEFORE cocking do not fall in the right position.
This is also true in all Leica screw thread mount.
Regards
LP

I always understood it that the shutter had to be set after winding the film/cocking the shutter. I'm pretty sure it says so in my zorki 4k manual. I read on a website that setting the speed first can cause damage or at least make it difficult to change speeds. I also saw a method of freeing up the speed dial after such trouble. I used the method on a zorki 4k and it worked. So if anyone happens to be looking or info about this I'll put it here.

If the shutter dial on an fsu camera that is new to you is stiff or even impossible to change, taking these steps could help:

1) Leave the speed at whatever speed the camera is set at. Gently inch the wind lever forward a tiny bit at a time until it reaches the end of the throw.

2) Fire the shutter.

3) Repeat steps 1 and 2 a few times and then see if the speed dial can be changed. If not repeat steps 1 and 2 at the same speed until the speed can be changed. The dial will probably still be quite stiff.

4) If the speed dial can be changed then change it to the fastest speed you can change to-this may not be the camera's fastest speed, then repeat steps 1 and 2 a few times.

5) By now the dial should be easier to move so move it to the camera's fastest speed and repeat steps 1 and 2 a few times.

6) Change the speed to the next fastest speed and repeat steps 1 and 2.

7) Do this for all speeds. By the end the dial should be as easy as normal to change.

I always had in my mind it can spoil the camera. Especialy this spring made of wire which is under top cover.