Zorki 4 Lens Alignment

[Don Promillo]

I have a small issue with my Zorki 4. The lenses do not align properly upright in the mount when screwed in.

The flange distance seems to be ok and the focus to infinity appears to be fine. It is not the lens, since all of them screw into my FED correctly and all of them are off in the Zorki.
My guess would be that the mount itslef is off by a few degrees.

Any way to solve it? It is not a major issue, but since the camera works, I would like it to look good, too.

 

[Alan Johnson]

I have a Cyrillic engraved Zorki 4 like yours with an Industar 61 LD that lines up perfectly, but the same lens does not line up on my English engraved Zorki 4.
Also I have an Industar 61 that does not line up on either Zorki 4 so it appears this misalignment is not unusual.

 

[Lamar]

That happens on mine to. The lenses I have "land" in different places. I read it's common but does not mean the focus is off. Mine all focus fine.

 

[Don Promillo]

So far I have not seen any focus problems either. And at least it does not mount upside down.

But if there would be a simple way to rotate the mount a bit, any hint into the right direction would be welcomed.

In case there isn't, one can still say it is part of the personality of the camera.

 

[Nodda Duma]

This alignement is totally dependent on the orientation that the machinist started cutting threads.

 

[Don Promillo]

Conclusion:

This is my Zorki. There are many like it, but this one is mine, since it has a tilted lens mount.

Screw it (pun intended), I'm outside, shooting it.

 

[Xmas]

Conclusion:

This is my Zorki. There are many like it, but this one is mine, since it has a tilted lens mount.

Screw it (pun intended), I'm outside, shooting it.

Nodda is correct the FSU was not fussy about cosmetic tolerances.

But if you had a Leica or Canon (LTM) they are interchangeable & consistent but all sit at 14:00 hours where yours is at 11:30!

Some of the Cosina Voightlander (LTM) lenses have adjustments for petal hoods or lens bodies!

I'd not worry.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Lenses usually have an outer barrel with the engravings, etc. Then there is an inner barrel which has the mounting threads. The two are joined by 3 tiny screws set at 120 degrees from each other on the outer barrel usually near the back. The heads may be covered with a dab of black paint to keep them from turning. Loosening these screws slightly will allow you to rotate the outer barrel so that it aligns properly. Afterwards tighten the screws GENTLY they are tiny and easy to strip. You will need a set of jewel's screwdrivers and a loupe. Only loosen the screws do not remove them entirely as they are hard to manage due to their sixe. However unless the misalignment really bugs you just leave things alone.

BTW, the problem is not with the lens but with the different base plates. These plates are held on the camera body by three screws. For badly misaligned lenses you can rotate this plate first. However then other lenses may be off.

 

[Don Promillo]

There are worse things than a few degrees off. I would see it differently if there would be a focus issue, but there isn't, and as long as it's just cosmetic, it's OK.

Changing the barrel alignment would make the lenses misaligned on the fed.

 

[mgb74]

I tried 2 90mm Leica Elmars on my Canon P. One ended up correct and the other was off. My theory is that someone may have, at one time, reassembled the lens slightly rotated. Would not effect distance to film plane.