Kiev 4a film advance problem

[FrankS]

So, I load up a Kiev 4a for the FSU photo contest for May, and discover a film advance issue. (at least it wasn't a shutter issue.) the clutch for the camera's film take-up spool slips too much and does not properly/effectively roll up the film that is driven across the film gate by the film sprocket drive gear. Is there a way of tightening up the clutch slipping action? Thanks in advance!

[Keith]

Congratulations Frank on being the first reported failure in the FSU contest of 2012. Some of last years ones were rather entertaining and I'm hoping for some 'goodies' this year as well!

Not sure that we had any slipping clutches last year ... sorry that I can't actually offer any helpful advice mate.

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by Keith

Congratulations Frank on being the first reported failure in the FSU contest of 2012. Some of last years ones were rather entertaining and I'm hoping for some 'goodies' this year as well!

Not sure that we had any slipping clutches last year ... sorry that I can't actually offer any helpful advice mate.

Does that have anything to do with how much we use them? I have stated several times that I don't use my Kiev 4am that much. I should I suppose, since other than the sudden shutter problem, it has worked well. I just don't connect to RF over SLR the way some people do, and I have a lot of SLR to choose from, and only the Kiev in interchangable lens cameras.

[FrankS]

Such is the nature of the beast, and what makes this contest fun. Unexpected technical issues.

[Coldkennels]

If I remember right, there IS a screw to tighten. I suspect it's accessed by removing the take-up spool - I think it's in the shaft it sits on.

I may be wrong, though, and I have a 4AM so I can't even check!

[Mark Wood]

Originally Posted by Coldkennels

If I remember right, there IS a screw to tighten. I suspect it's accessed by removing the take-up spool - I think it's in the shaft it sits on.

I may be wrong, though, and I have a 4AM so I can't even check!

Yes there is, right in the middle of the fork that engages the take-up spool. It's very easy to over-tighten it though - it still has to be able to slip when the appropriate number of sprockets have passed through, hence the number of washers under the screw and fork. If it's over-tight, you can get frame spacings of about 1 cm - I've been there and done it (not good for film economy!), so a bit of trial and error is involved in getting it right. (You can check the spacing very simply by putting in a scrap film and operating the camera on "B", marking the sides of each successive frame through the film gate with a pencil.)

[Keith]

One of the things I love about this contest is that usually brings Reagan and his Zorki out of the woodwork ... I notice he has already posted some images in the gallery.

I'm torn between using my Fed 2 or my Kiev ll. The Fed seems to have an occasional capping problem with the shutter at faster speeds and the Kiev developed a mysterious light leak last year!

Like you say ... all good fun!

[oftheherd]

Keith - I suspect you looked at the Kiev Survival Site? It is amazing the different and unexpected places a Kiev can develop light leaks. Luckily, mine only needed a yak yarn installation to fix it. Unfortunately, mine has developed a shutter problem which Essex Camera says they can fix along with a CLA, so off it will go. It should be back in time to get in the FSU contest. If not, then out will come the Moskva.

[FrankS]

Holy (Mos)cow, I fixed it. Turns out the camera is a 4am since it has a fixed film take up spool. I only needed to remove 3 screws that hold on the bottom bracket, remove the spool, and tighten (but not too much) the screw in the axis of the film spool fork shaft. Hope that screw keeps its proper tension.

Now to take those award winning RFF FSU contest images! Thanks for all responses.