Synch Dial In Zorki 4

[efinglada]

I just got a Zorki 4 50th Anniversary edition and I see that the synch release dial on the top plate has readings 0,5,10,15,20,25. except when set to 0, the synch release works in all positions, with no apparent difference.

I will appreciate if anyone can tell me the differences in settings.

Thanks

[rxmd]

Basically it's the delay when the flash will fire after pressing the shutter button, in milliseconds. The reason is that flash bulbs need a few milliseconds to reach their maximum light output.

For electronic flash, which for all practical purposes is instantaneous, leave it at the minimum - the curtains need a few milliseconds to open, too, and you want your electronic flash to fire when they're open, or you'll get uneven exposure.

For flash bulbs, see the spec sheet for your bulb how long they need to reach maximum light output, then dial in the difference. Nowadays one is unlikely to use flash bulbs, so in practice you can just work with the electronic flash setting.

(EDIT: Clarification.)

[wolves3012]

The figures are the time, in milliseconds, for firing the flash before the curtains are fully open. It only applies to flashbulbs, for electronic flash it should be set to zero. If it doesn't fire when set on zero then the sync switch is not adjusted properly.