Zenit TTL shutter re-rubberizing

Spaghetta · Nov 1, 2015

Hello everyone,

I have a Zenit TTL that has the black rubber coating on the shutter worn off. When cocked, the shutter is basically see through. I have tried to apply black plastidip to the shutter with a q-tip which blocked out the light, but was too thick to cycle. I then applied silicone lubricant, which allowed it to cycle, but the plastidip began to peel it seems I just can't win. Does anyone have anything I can try? Should I try to re-apply the plastidip? Thanks.

Xmas · Nov 1, 2015

Buy another Zenith.
When applying fabric paint dilute it with thinners and leave the shutter stationary for 48 hours between applications.
Lube needs careful application ie only on bearings.
A FSU rangefinder is easier to learn repair on...

AgX · Nov 1, 2015

Welcome to Apug!

Spaghetta said:
Should I try to re-apply the plastidip?

Once you "messed-up" things with silicone-oil lubricant you can likely forget about applying any coating anyway.
You would need intensive cleaning before that.

Spaghetta · Nov 1, 2015

Xmas said:
Buy another Zenith.
When applying fabric paint dilute it with thinners and leave the shutter stationary for 48 hours between applications.
Lube needs careful application ie only on bearings.
A FSU rangefinder is easier to learn repair on...

What type of fabric paint should I use? And should I dilute it with water or something else?

AgX said:
Once you "messed-up" things with silicone-oil lubricant you can likely forget about applying any coating anyway.
You would need intensive cleaning before that.

Do you think I can clean the silicone lubricant out with alcohol? Or should I try taking the camera apart and risk breaking it further? Also, thank you for your welcome, much appreciated

AgX · Nov 1, 2015

You can try organic solvents, but those may dissolve the rubber coating. Thus start with alcohol instead.

I'd rather go for another TTL body sample or a for-parts body of any Zenit and take out the shutter from there (assuming the shutters are all the same).
As with most repairs there is the issue of strain/fun/education of repair and economics.

Spaghetta · Nov 1, 2015

I ordered another body online this morning, hopefully that shutter is in better shape. Definitely going to be risky taking it apart though

Xmas · Nov 1, 2015

It is easy taking it apart, cutting up new blind material and ribbon needs care, putting it all back together is more difficult.

But if you have long winter nights better than surfing the web.

leicarfcam · Nov 1, 2015

You don't re-rubberize shutter curtains. You replace them when the rubber begins to flake.. Patching a hole is nothing more than a temporary stop-gap since the rubber has started rotting away..

Xmas · Nov 1, 2015

Spaghetta said:
What type of fabric paint should I use? And should I dilute it with water or something else?

Do you think I can clean the silicone lubricant out with alcohol? Or should I try taking the camera apart and risk breaking it further? Also, thank you for your welcome, much appreciated

The paint that kids use to write things on their t shirts that survives the washing in the front loader.
The bottle or pot should have the thinning recipe instructions.

Keep the camera and rebuild it, read the how to do its, available on web Google is your teacher.

trythis · Nov 1, 2015

Zenits are not worth the effort to repair. After laboring over that something else will break. If its just for fun, go for it but if you want to take photos move on to a functional unit.

Sent with typotalk

leicarfcam · Nov 1, 2015

trythis said:
Zenits are not worth the effort to repair. After laboring over that something else will break. If its just for fun, go for it but if you want to take photos move on to a functional unit.

Sent with typotalk

I couldn't agree more. Zenits are cheap breaks easy cameras and are not worth repairing.. I had one years ago and seldom got a roll finished before something would break. I'd fix it and the next time I used it it broke again..

The Kiev's and Fed's are a much better option if you like Russian cameras..

Pioneer · Nov 1, 2015

Usually I touch base with Oleg when I am considering some adjustments or repairs to any of my Russian classics. He may have some contacts that can help.

Try him here http://www.okvintagecamera.com/index.html

BTW, don't listen to most of these yahoos. Any camera is worth repairing if that is what you want to do. I have kept a lot of cameras alive over the years because I liked using them, not because they were worth thousands of dollars.

leicarfcam · Nov 2, 2015

Pioneer said:
BTW, don't listen to most of these yahoos.

Most of these yahoos are experienced enough to know when it is time to move on to a better camera and quit putting money into a lost cause and Zenit's are a lost cause. The Kiev's and Fed's are a much better investment..

Pioneer said:
Any camera is worth repairing if that is what you want to do.

There comes a time though when it is time to quit throwing away your money.

Pioneer said:
I have kept a lot of cameras alive over the years because I liked using them, not because they were worth thousands of dollars.

I've got some old cameras that I keep them up with regular upkeep but I prefer cameras that are worth it..

I don't like putting film in a camera knowing I may not get usable images from it...

Xmas · Nov 2, 2015

leicarfcam said:
There comes a time though when it is time to quit throwing away your money.
.

I'd agree if you substitute time for money, in your sentence but if you are poor there is no better way of learning how to do camera maintenance.

The Fed and Zorki are easier than Kiev in terms of complexity, but the Zenith is not impossible to maintain.

leicarfcam · Nov 2, 2015

Xmas said:
I'd agree if you substitute time for money, in your sentence but if you are poor there is no better way of learning how to do camera maintenance.

Time is money... You can learn Zenit repair but there comes a time if you want to learn camera repair, you'll need to branch out with other models..

Xmas said:
The Fed and Zorki are easier than Kiev in terms of complexity, but the Zenith is not impossible to maintain.

True... They are easier to work on than the Kiev but again if you want to learn camera repair, you'll need to take the plunge and try your hand at more complex models..

I started out in the Navy repairing Nikon's and Topcon's but once I felt I could do it, I went to other models and ended up doing it for over 40 years and still do it but now with my own cameras..

I repaired many cameras but I never got a Nikon F3. I may have to buy a non-working one off eBay and see if I can bring it back to life..

Spaghetta · Nov 2, 2015

So the shutter is fixed... However the mirror will no longer lift when I take a picture. Any ideas?

trythis · Nov 2, 2015

trythis said:
Zenits are not worth the effort to repair. After laboring over that something else will break. If its just for fun, go for it but if you want to take photos move on to a functional unit.

Sent with typotalk[/]
I dont often quote myself

Sent with typotalk

Spaghetta · Nov 2, 2015

trythis said:
trythis said:

Zenits are not worth the effort to repair. After laboring over that something else will break. If its just for fun, go for it but if you want to take photos move on to a functional unit.

Sent with typotalk[/]
I dont often quote myself

Sent with typotalk

Click to expand...

You were quite right in this instance. I'm headed in the right direction though so I'm going to continue breaking and fixing things. The camera has challenged me and I wish to best it.

AgX · Nov 2, 2015

trythis said:
Zenits are not worth the effort to repair. After laboring over that something else will break. If its just for fun, go for it but if you want to take photos move on to a functional unit.

Thus Zenits were sold by millions (about 2million) because things broke and people had to buy a new sample?

Spaghetta · Nov 2, 2015

Thread continues here...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Zenit TTL shutter re-rubberizing

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