• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Zenit-3m Mirror issue

Ashfromdownunder

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Oct 10, 2021
Messages
6
Location
Australia
Format
35mm
Hey guys,

I recently picked up a Zenit-3m from someone on Facebook marketplace, probably not the best place to buy cameras as you will soon find out.

I've shot a roll of film on it so far, and everything worked fine up until I was doing some test winds yesterday night.
When I wind the lever, the mirror goes down to create an image, but before the shutter is fully wound the mirror automatically returns up, and there is no viewfinder image. The camera doesn't have an instant return mirror.

After poking around in the front of the camera, I found out that the mirror is not coming down far enough to get caught on the catch. When I help it out a little, it catches and everything works fine until the next wind.

Is this a problem with maybe a spring being worn out, or something else nasty?
I would appreciate any help in fixing this camera as I really don't have the money for a technician at the moment.
 

AgX

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,972
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
I assume the solution is somewhere here:

 
OP
OP

Ashfromdownunder

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Oct 10, 2021
Messages
6
Location
Australia
Format
35mm
Thanks for digging this up for me.
This should help, I’ll have to have a close look at it.
Do you happen to have the whole manual available?
 

AgX

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,972
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
The page is from the manual on the successor model E, which already got the return-mirror. But I guess it is of some help nonetheless and you can sort things out in the graphics. I got both models, but admit I did not explore the mirror control yet.

https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=866