Zorki flash sychronizer

From what I've learned in my long less-than-years of collecting from knowledgeable folks here, in collector's eyes, any time you -make modifications to an original camera you're destroying its historical value... even though Zorki-3 and Zorki-3M are somewhat rare, I wouldn't consider it a huge travesty if you modify them... if you would've done something like that to a Sport or Pre-war Smena, a lot of people from this forum would've threw stones at you

Vlad

Yes, and well understood too . Serious collectors would want the camera original without the flash sync but if it was a user (myself) choice he would probably prefer the flash option.
I might never be able to find someone to do this but if I did I think there are enough of the Z-3 and Z-3M`s around to make my slightly alterated cameras negligeable. I see available and not a blow to Russian camera history.
Believe me if I thought they were so few examples of these models i would not consider it but there are plenty of these on Ebay. There is a nice pair of them presently on the bay for sale .

may be you can hunt for that : original from KMZ

It might come down to that one but first I have to try this one that should arrive very soon.
http://www.pbase.com/johnd1/image/93904847

There was a unit like this that they called a passivated synchronizer for non sync cameras. The only problem with these and other units even the Hakkosyn that I have is that they have to be set up exactly the same each time you use them. The same number of turns on the release able or location of the shutter dial attachment. The best is still internally installed sync. I test sync with white paper and 1/20 each time I install it. Don

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Originally posted by dgillette4

There was a unit like this that they called a passivated synchronizer for non sync cameras. The only problem with these and other units even the Hakkosyn that I have is that they have to be set up exactly the same each time you use them. The same number of turns on the release able or location of the shutter dial attachment. The best is still internally installed sync. I test sync with white paper and 1/20 each time I install it. Don

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Yes Don , there`s no question that these are all borderline contraptions at best with calibration specific to each camera being essential and at the same time repetative with each subsequent use once removed from the camera.
Still, I would think the auto mechanical Geiss and Hakosync types are somewhat of an improvement of a sort and undoubtedly more consistant (once set/calibrated) since they don`t rely on the inconsistant / uneven / undependable synchronization created by flesh pressure by a push of a thumb transferred to the calibrated depth of a plunger on a shutter release.
The more my mechanical mind thinks about this the more it becomes evident that this is all an exercise in futility.
But it`s part of the fun too I suppose.
John

Yes John: but does it work with daylignt flash powder? I couldn't help it ,forgive me. When I worked in a camera shop my partner and I discussed wierd things like these, Not that color film was a problem then. And your'e right about the flash unit. The hakosyn would be pretty stable, maybe it's all the snow we are getting here in Michigan , have a great evening..Don

Hi All,

I'd just like to to say that I have a Soviet made cable release flash synchro hidden away somewhere in the attic of my home.
It's a few years since I've seen it, but as I remember it looks a little like the Soviet pneumatic self timers that turn up from time to time.
Next time I'm home I will try to find it and post a picture, but unfortunately that won't be until the end of next month.
Regards,
Jim.

I just noticed this thread and think you may be interested in the "surprise" Zorki 2 I found on Ebay.
When it arrived it had an Orion 15 lens on it (not mentioned in description) and this rather clever flash synch that has the connector on the baseplate and a neat little cam on the extended shutter dial shaft. I tried it at 1/25 sec and it works very well.See picture
Pushkin

Hi Peter, you forgot the picture

Thanks,
Vlad.

Hi All: Just in case , there is a Leica base synchronizer for sale for $89 plus shipping on E-Bay, whats interesting would be to check all the dimensions to see how much difference or similarity there is between leica and Zorki-Fed. Or can somebody on forum enlighten me. Great idea though. Don

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Originally posted by mermoz37

may be you can hunt for that : original from KMZ

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I have now one, 6.50 euros from Tallinn in Estonia

More abut my new goodies later, we arrived only a couple of hours ago so no pics yet...

Smena rules

The one pictured above looks like the exact one that Fedka has listed at $39.
It must be operated with a shutter release cable. Possibly quite useable on a tripod but hand holding use has to be tough. Calibration on a particular camera must be done and difficult to find an exact setting that works consistantly..
I have a flexible adaptation that works simlarly but it too is difficult to calibrate with any degree of dependability.
John

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Originally posted by uccmmcpo

The one pictured above looks like the exact one that Fedka has listed at $39.
It must be operated with a shutter release cable. Possibly quite useable on a tripod but hand holding use has to be tough. Calibration on a particular camera must be done and difficult to find an exact setting that works consistantly..
I have a flexible adaptation that works simlarly but it too is difficult to calibrate with any degree of dependability.
John

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Oh boy, I think I`m repeating much of what I wrote earlier. Sorry.

Smena rules

Interestingly I took apart a Fed 2 yesterday to repair the flash and I found that flash contact is made (at all speeds) as the shutter is depressed. I would have thought that contact is made as a shutter cam rotated but it appears to be purely mechanical and caused from a push of the shutter. It makes contact just as the shutter is released and obviously at 1/30 sec the curtain is open long enough for it to work within an acceptable tolerance.
John

Just maybe the Hakosyn unit would be reliable once calibrated to the shuttter speed dial since that doesen't change, either would the shutter rod inside the body. The only problem as I said is that I can't see the shutter speed dial once the cap is on ;the unit. Maybe I could engrave shutter speeds on the adapter cap, A bit time consuming. Don

Btw, this synchronizer Russian manual is there:
http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/synchronizer/synchronizer.html