KMZ Zorki-4 - Overview and How to Use

[@paulleith1190]

Super helpful overview, with an excellent hack for when the take-up spool is missing 😲🏆

[@otto123443]

Thank you for the video. My Zorki is a 1974 one. Please note that you should not go directly from 1 second to 1/30 (the arc in red on the dial) whereas you can go from 1/1000 to B and 1/30. Going to 1/30 and B all around is just what will damage the camera.

[@mikaelrphoto]

That is indeed true! Now when I checked again the stopper prevents movement between 1 and 1/30. I mush have assumed it worked the same as my Zenit EM, where you cannot move between B and the fastest speed. Thanks for catching the error!

[@jfs_films]

Thanks so much!, the best in depth description of this camera.

[@mikaelrphoto]

You are welcome! I'm happy I can be of help!

[@p-r-i-v-a-t-e]

The best video on Zorki 4

[@wurlitzer895]

The Zorki 4 was my first 35mm camera, and it never worked properly; the shutter speeds were way out and in the end I gave up with it, and bought a Canon FTQL instead. The Zorki was extremely solidly made, I'll say that for it!. A very enjoyable, if nostalgic, video! Thanks for uploading. Peter A:)

[@mikaelrphoto]

Hey, thanks for your nice comment! My experience with Soviet cameras is the same, solidly built but with varying mechanical quirks! Fortunately the shutter speeds on this one seems to be working though!

[@wurlitzer895]

@@mikaelrphoto Hi Mikael. Thank you very much for your reply. It's many years ago now since I bought my Zorki 4, with the 'Jupiter' lens. I live in the UK, and the importers were 'Technical and Optical Equipment Ltd. Quite why I should remember that, I do not know - memory is strange. I persevered with the camera and eventually decided to have the shutter speeds professionally checked, and most were way out. Some were nearly twice the time indicated on the speed dial. I don't like to think how many reels of film were wasted in that camera, but I was extremely fond of it, and the idiosyncratic way of operating the speed dial. Wind the film on, pull up the dial and move in the appropriate direction. Ah, well technology has moved on a-pace since I bought mine in the early 1970s!! Best wishes and kindest regards from London. Peter A :) :) :)

[@mikaelrphoto]

@@wurlitzer895 Thank you for your interesting story! It's always nice to hear peoples experiences with these cameras! I've shot a few rolls with mine and I've had both nice results and some mishaps. I once ripped the film in two when advancing it, I didn't load the roll right because of the missing uptake spool. But I got some interesting double exposures from that :D. Despite their problems I enjoy using Soviet cameras and I have a bunch of them, my favorite is the Zenit EM.

[@wurlitzer895]

@@mikaelrphoto Hi Mikael. Many thanks for your very generous comment. The Zorki was the only USSR camera I owned, but despite its peculiarities I was very fond of it. Even the leather case was substantial! It's good to know that there are still enthusiasts, such as yourself, deriving much pleasure from using these instruments. Are there companies who can maintain and service them, as and when problems arise? Best wishes, Peter A :) :) :)

[@mikaelrphoto]

@@wurlitzer895 There are a few persons who specialize in fixing these cameras, I think in Russia and Ukraine. I've heard they are not very difficult to fix, but that of course depends on the problem!

[@carolingrimaldi]

Thanks for this review. Once had a Revue 4 (FED-4) which works the like.

Thank you for the video! Now I know how to rewind the film! I just got an almost mint 72 Zorki that just like yours doesn't have eyelets for the straps. I'm trying to come up with a solution that doesn't destroy the full leather cover, but still allows me to keep the half case while shooting.

[@mikaelrphoto]

Awesome! You are welcome! My leather case parts were also attached, but I cut off the lower cover where it is attached to the top one (around the rivet). A bit destructive but I can still close the top cover around the camera, and use the lower when shooting.

[@grahvis]

I removed the rivet holding the front part of the case and replaced it with a large pop connector. It has to be stitched on but that is not hard.

[@Baer9471]

Loool my zorki was made at the same year as yours lmao. 1971, 1406th camera made

[@almogtsadok7509]

Thank you for the video!

[@mikaelrphoto]

You are welcome! Great that people are still watching this video 😀

[@colnagocowboy]

I agquired my Zorki 4 in Jakarta after my Pentax died. Ive got the industar m26 50mm f/2.8.

[@siddj08]

What do you think of the lens? Is it sharp?

[@colnagocowboy]

@@siddj08 very happy with the results yes

[@PitlordWeedsmurph]

Hey Mikael! You can actually find 3D models of the spools for many of these cameras for printing.

[@mikaelrphoto]

That would be very useful!

[@hamiltonfixedrider]

Can you show us some pictures that you have taken using this camera ?

[@robertordonez9242]

If I’m not using a flash, I do not set it on X or M mode? I leave it blank?

[@mikaelrphoto]

Yeah, true, then it doesn't matter

[@icarus6087]

I lift the speed dial but it doesn't even want to move! How can I fix it? Mine is stuck showing 500

[@mikaelrphoto]

Does the shutter fire? (I suppose you have wound the shutter before changing speed?) Do you know the history of it, when was it last used, has any service been done to it?

[@icarus6087]

@@mikaelrphoto I have the 4k version. I inherited it from family. It was last used in 80s and I've been told that it was fixed once but they don't know what was the problem bc they also inherited it. Shutter does fire but speed dial is stuck at 500. When I pull the lever shutter dial turns simultaneously. It's just that I can't move it manually myself. When I grab it, it allows me to lift it but when I try to turn it, it's so stiff. Some moving parts of the camera are stiff though maybe there is some grease build up inside, not sure what to do.

[@mikaelrphoto]

@@icarus6087 yeah it sounds like the grease has become stiffened, so it's likely to be the problem. I would recommend to get it serviced by someone who has experience repairing these cameras.

[@TheEfX]

Is there anyway to know if the film is winding or not???

[@mikaelrphoto]

If it is winding forwards? The rewind knob will be rotating when you advance the film.

[@artdiaz8006]

Where do you select the ISO ?

[@mikaelrphoto]

You can't, there is no internal light meter.

[@matic7830]

Films had different ISO values 😅😅

[@Ali.lensman]

I have zorki 4K, same as 4, great compact cam and with amazing rangefinder but worst shutter speed knob ever and no way to attach strap to the camera body!

[@mikaelrphoto]

Yeah the strap situation sucks, fortunately there is the leather case at least!

[@НиколайАлександрович-т5х]

1971 год выпуска

[@mikaelrphoto]

Still works great!

[@rahulpradhan9603]

How much it cost ?

[@mikaelrphoto]

I payed 18 euros for it in 2011, but don't expect such prices today! Maybe you can still find them in former Soviet countries for that price.

[@rahulpradhan9603]

@@mikaelrphoto Thank you Mikael Robertsson 👍🙏

[@yakovradloff]

@@mikaelrphoto 18 euros?! They sell them for 10 euros maximum here in Moscow, because it's was most popular film camera in USSR, but if it includes shipping that changes the game

[@vijaygoudapatil9848]

I have this original

[@vijaygoudapatil9848]

This camera value how much

[@mikaelrphoto]

Depends a lot on the quality, typically between 10-50 euros.

[@garic80]

You have the cheapest lens that came with it. The more expensive Jupiter 8, the top and rarest Jupiter 12