Zorki 6 and Kiev 4 Film Sprocket Blues

[Joe Vitessa]

Greetings! I do hope someone will be able to help. I've got a wonderful Zorki 6 and a Kiev 4 that I haven't been able to use. Every time I load them, about halfway into the roll, the hardy Russian cameras rip the film sprockets. The one time I actually got to the end of the roll (or so I think), the film ripped as I was rewinding. Does anyone else have this problem? Can anything be done? Suggestions/condolences are much appreciated.

[pshinkaw]

Try a roll in one of your cameras. Every 5 shots or so, back-wind the rewind knob a couple of turns to take the tension off. If that works for the entire roll, you may a problem with binding in your rewind knob.

Dismantle it, clean the old grease and lint out and relube the shaft very lightly.

-Paul

[Joe Vitessa]

OK. Thanks, Paul. I'll give it a try.

Joe