Zorki flash sychronizer

That sounds like maybe that's the way to go , thankyou ,I'll go to collectable and see. I used to check sync by positioning a white paper in the filmplane and aiming the flash at the front of the camera without lense and looking for a complete white film plane as I fired the flash. I don't use flash that much and I could always use my Fed 4 , We just got 3 more inches of snow up here and I have to shoverl. have a safe daya all..Don

dgillette4
Salute!
Early Zorkis had a 0 to 25 markings in synchro ring.
This means that the electrical contact is done from 0 to 25 miliseconds previously the first curtain achieves the end of its travel. So if you put the camera at 1/25 (the cameras having such speed) and the synchro at "25" the contact will close before the curtain opens. At 1/30 (in cameras having such speeds) the contact will close and fire the flash at a hair wire opened.- (1/30 is quicker than 1/25) At "0" the contact shuts when the curtain is wide opened. More recent Zorkis have only M and X markings.
The flash delay was used for synchronizing bulbs that required warm-up time toachieve maximum luminance and this is the reason of such synchro system.
Regards
LP

There have been at least one add on device for flash sync that was popular back when very few cameras had a PC (Prontor Compur) connector. The one that comes to mind is the Hakosyn sync flash device (Made in Germany)that consisted of a cam attached to the shutter dial that tripped a switch that was slid into the accessory shoe.It came in a small metal tin box.
I believe it was hit and miss unless one took the time to calibrate for each camera that it was installed on.
john

[quote]Originally posted by dgillette4
Thanks for the quick response, I was thinking of trying to use it for X sync but that might not be possible. I really enjoy the the Zorki 1 ,for it's small size and good lenses, it just lacks one thing and that is flash sync. I saw one of these synchronizers for sale at Fedka ,maybe I can change the contact point so that it fires at full curtain open. Hmmm

[quote]Originally posted by dgillette4

[quote]Originally posted by dgillette4
I was thinking of trying to use it for X sync so if it is set a 0 ms. it would work for me. Good evening all and thanks again...Don

quote:

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Originally posted by dgillette4

[quote]Originally posted by dgillette4

[quote]Originally posted by dgillette4
I was thinking of trying to use it for X sync so if it is set a 0 ms. it would work for me. Good evening all and thanks again...Don

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I assume you want to use a strobe flash vs bulbs since bulbs are not readily available. It`s quite possible the Hakosyn device I`m referring to is capable of both since the flash timing is dependant upon exactly where the cam piece is positioned when mounted on the shutter speed dial.
Personally, I`ve never seen or used one and maybe few others here have since it`s a 40`s- 50`s item and I`m close to 66 yrs myself.
ritzcam.com (collector cameras)has one and I was originally tempted to order it because I`d like to have flash capability on any one of my FSU`s.
However it appears that it would be inconvenent to have to set it up and calibrate sync everytime I wanted to use a flash so I`ll pass on it.
The only other option is to have a PC sync professionally installed but who does this kind of work these days?
John

Dobryj den : I ordered the Hakosyn today and we'll try it out when it comes. Don

The good old flashbulbs have a very special feeling, and during past years I have bought a lifetime stock of them at flea markets. Usually nobody else is interested in them, so price is ridiculously low. In USA even the odd batteries like 22,5V are possible to get from Radioshack, at least when I last bought them. Now in my freezer to be used sometimes 2020?

Smena rules

quote:

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Originally posted by dgillette4

Dobryj den : I ordered the Hakosyn today and we'll try it out when it comes. Don

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Congrats! Don , you might become the resident expert on this subject after experimenting with that device . I sincerely hope you share your findings with us.
John

I certainly will John, and as far as 22.5 volt batteries go they can be made in a stack by yourself or ordered There is a place in Calif. that can make whatever voltage and size needed .,I will check for the web site. Reminds me I have some old portable radios that use 67v batteries...Ahh nostalgia. This site is a good place to get away from all the high tech electronics. I believe film will always be manufactured if not here elsewhere. Such as at Freestyle co. At least in my lifetime since I'm 62 now...

The web site for those batteries is www.photobattery.com they have the 22.5volt 15 volt for the b.c flash units Don

Just an update on the Hakosyn synchronizer , It arrived today and first thing I did was measurements. The foot of the unit had to be filed a bit to fit the Zorki 1 and the shutter part had to be filed just a little to fit. Once done I put a piece of white paper in the film plane of the camera, Then set the shutter on 1/20 second. Once I got the proper location I tested it and it works just fine, There was a full illumination of the white paper. The only problem is that to shoot outdoors I have to remove the shutter dial end of the unit so as to see the dial. At least I made the camera more usuable at b-day parties....Don

quote:

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Originally posted by dgillette4

Just an update on the Hakosyn synchronizer , It arrived today and first thing I did was measurements. The foot of the unit had to be filed a bit to fit the Zorki 1 and the shutter part had to be filed just a little to fit. Once done I put a piece of white paper in the film plane of the camera, Then set the shutter on 1/20 second. Once I got the proper location I tested it and it works just fine, There was a full illumination of the white paper. The only problem is that to shoot outdoors I have to remove the shutter dial end of the unit so as to see the dial. At least I made the camera more usuable at b-day parties....Don

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Hi Don,
I`m regretting my being hesitant to purchase it.
But I am glad that it worked out for you .
John

Well John: Someday I will tire of having to put it all together and I'll sell it to you or swap. I was thinking of just mounting a switch in side the body near the shutter speed shaft and have it permanently installed to a pc socket. I have to weigh the cost of modifying it vs: keeping it all original. Don

quote:

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Originally posted by dgillette4

Well John: Someday I will tire of having to put it all together and I'll sell it to you or swap. I was thinking of just mounting a switch in side the body near the shutter speed shaft and have it permanently installed to a pc socket. I have to weigh the cost of modifying it vs: keeping it all original. Don

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I`ve been toying with the idea of making something myself to use on my Z-3 and Z-3M but nothing that would alter the body itself.
John

Here`s another interesting flash sync (below link) that I managed to find for only $8.99. It`s a Kalart flash sync device sold in the 50/60`s.
This one , unlike the Soviet camera mount plunger type will not induce camera shake when using. But I`m not sure that is a factor with flash lighting but very well could be considering the slow shutter sync speeds .
John

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120149943850&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=002#ebayphotohosting

Another possibility would be to use the rotating cam in the bottom of the film chamber. Don't know where to mount pc socket. I sort of remember Leitz making one a long time ago. Unless there's a way through the tripod socket. At 1/20 second the flash would stop the action, but if you had high speed film there could be ghosting. Don

That type of synchronizer would sure keep the camera original, Using 1/20 sec shutter could cause ghosting with high speed film. This one i'm using works but is a bit awkward I think Leitz had a replacement base plate for their cameras with a p.c. socket in the tripod socket, I'm a bit hazy though maybe it's the age here. Don

Hi Don,
I tried to email you this but your excite email is returning it to me.
Just for general subject interest , take a look at this old flash sync setup.
It apparently was made for a Leica camera . Check out the dual shutter release/flash button.
All this slides into the accessory shoe.
John
http://www.pbase.com/johnd1/image/93869142

Quite an apparatus there John! .. just for entertainment's sake, here is a hand made sync made by one of our members on Kiev:

http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=76&ParentID=1&ContentID=624&Item=Kiev+II+synchro+flash

Vlad.

I remember seeing that one somewhere Vlad. It looks similar to what I`d expect a factory retrofit to look like. I wish I knew someone dependable who could do this work in a professional manner.
I`d have both my Z-3 and Z-3M fitted with the flash sync. I can`t see how this feature would seriously hurt the value of the camera since it enhances it`s useability.

John