Vintage Camera Repair
Vintage Zenit camera…shutter jammed!?
I have a Zenith Camera, roughly about 50 years old. I have tried to find out what model it is, but cannot find any pictures that look the same. I think it’s from around 1953 to 1958. However, i dont think it’s with it orginal lens as i’ts got a “prix brussells 1958 37 mm”
It’s back opens up, so it loads films from the back. The shutter seems to have jammed, as it wont move whatsoever and the wind-on arm wont budge from time to time. It makes a quiet click when i press the button to take a picture. The shutter just jerks ever so slightly, it wont open, just permantly closed.
I live in the UK and i wondered if anyone out there knows what may be wrong AND knows anywhere that can repair vintage cameras. I really want this camera to be fixed and usable, as it was sentimental to my uncle who gave it to me.
Thanks for any help!!
Do NOT put WD40 anywhere near your camera !!!!!!!
It is totally the wrong lubricant to use.
After setting the mechanism by winding on the film or in old models cocking the shutter SLR’s are like dominoes, pressing the shutter starts a chain of events. The first thing after pressing the shutter is the mirror flips up out of the way, the mirror trips the mechanism for shutting the lens aperture down, that trips the first curtain which trips the timer (mechanical in your case), which trips the second curtain, that resets the mirror. As I said just like dominoes. Its a chain of events where that chain stops is where your problem is.
If the mirror doesn’t move (easily checked by just unscrewing the lens) its probably because the light seals have turned to ‘goo’ and are gluing it shut. This is most likely the cause of all your problems, try to lightly lift the mirror upwards (don’t touch the shiny part of the mirror they are surface silvered and the coating damages easily which leads to an expensive repair). If the mechanism completes the sequence you’ve found the fault, new light seals required which is an easy and common repair, its likely that the sequence stops further down the chain. Sometimes the curtains (which are made of rubberised silk) have gone ‘gunky’ too, there are repair kits out there, but its a far more involved repair which means totally stripping the camera down and re-calibrating it as you re-build, a job for a professional.
If its just the light seals that need replacing then its a simple repair, I get mine from Jon Goodman in Texas, He’s on eBay and has a web site, great bloke to deal with. Heres His eBay link;-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Truth-About-Camera-Light-Seal-Foam-Please-Read_W0QQitemZ110339949900QQihZ001QQcategoryZ30038QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
He is a delight do deal with, his materials are the best there is (usual disclaimer). You will also need some Methylated Spirits and some Lighter Fluid (Lighter Fluid dissolves the old light seals and makes them easier to remove. Be very sparing though you don’t want this gunk all over the place, particularly on the mirror), some cotton buds and a roll of kitchen paper towels and away you go. Jon’s kits come with instructions and a link to his site which has details for specific cameras.
Chris
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