Zenit 19 Top Foam Replacement

Does anyone have / know of a guide or service manual for light proofing the top part of a Zenit 19? -- I also need help figuring out where a couple of shims go.

There's a PDF posted here in Photrio that comes from the Zenit Camera Club in Facebook, but it doesn't include the 19.
There's probably more information that Facebook group, but not sure if it's still active nor maintained since my membership has been pending for some time now.

Any info or pointer greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!!

--
Alex

Alexo said:

Does anyone have / know of a guide or service manual for light proofing the top part of a Zenit 19? -- I also need help figuring out where a couple of shims go.

There's a PDF posted here in Photrio that comes from the Zenit Camera Club in Facebook, but it doesn't include the 19.
There's probably more information that Facebook group, but not sure if it's still active nor maintained since my membership has been pending for some time now.

Any info or pointer greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!!

--
Alex

Click to expand...

What PDF? It might be one of mine.
Not sure why you cannot join the funface group. I have no idea who admin are, I will see if I can PM them.
As for service manuals, as far as I'm aware there is only one for the E.

Niglyn said:

What PDF? It might be one of mine.

Click to expand...

This one: zenit-foam_replacement-ver-1-pdf

The beginning of the doc starts with:

Zenit E series E, EM, ET, 11, 12, 12XP, 122
Foam replacement Ver 1.0 N.L. 24/05/2022
There are Subtle changes between years and models, so there may be some discrepancies. Check in the files section of the Zenit Camera Club Facebook group for updates & other guides.
Please say ‘Hi’ to me, Nige Last, in the group, if this guide has been useful or additional help is required.
See separate document as to how to remove the top, which can be found in the files section of Facebook in The Zenit Camera Club group.
See separate document how to test for and locate light leaks, which can be found in the files section of Facebook in The Zenit Camera Club group.
[...]

Niglyn said:

Not sure why you cannot join the funface group. I have no idea who admin are, I will see if I can PM them.

Click to expand...

Says this:

Your membership is pending
You'll be notified if your request to join is approved.

Niglyn said:

As for service manuals, as far as I'm aware there is only one for the E.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I found the E manual here https://learncamerarepair.com/
But the 19, as you probably know, is nothing like the E series.

I know where most of the foam used to be but the part around the eyepiece not sure how to do it.

Do you know of anyone that has refoamed a 19?

Thanks!!

--
Alex

Hi, Yep, that is my pdf.

I have never got my mitts on a 19. The later plastic ones were not sold in the UK, so hardly ever come up on ebay.

I have PMed the admin of the funface group. Somebody a while ago had a similar issue when trying to join.
Last members to join are showing as two weeks ago. There is only one admin and no mods for the group, so only one person who can approve requests.

Post some photos of the 19, with the top off, might be able to give some ideas.

In general, the Zenits without top mounted light meter had very little light sealing in there. There was no need for it, as light could not get in the top anyway.

Use a strong torch (as described in one of my guides) to find any possible entry points for light & add baffles or foam. Light will always work its way backwards, through the viewfinder, into the prism and then into the mirror-box. This light should not find it's way onto the film, but on some Zenits, it could get through and around the mirror, when it is up, so I add thin dense foam to the underside of the mirror and along the front edge. These are shown in my guides, if you can ever get into the funface group )