Zorki 1 - Transformation of an Ugly Duckling - Prologue

The Zorki 1 is an iconic camera, but often overshadowed by its predecessor, the famous Leica. As a result, the Zorki is frequently dismissed as a cheap imitation of a star. Many contemporary reviews of the camera are based on this comparison. However, despite being a Leica copy, the Zorki has its own unique qualities and charm that make it a worthwhile camera in its own right. During the second pandemic lockdown of 2020/2021, I decided to restore a Zorki 1 as a winter project. With prior experience in minor camera repairs, I delved deeply into the topic.

Why did I decide to go for the ugly duckling? I was always curious about Zorki 1. It’s small, has an intriguing design and at the price of 20 EUR back then there is nothing to risk.

My Zorki - how I saw it on an action portal

The Zorki 1 is essentially a copy of the Leica II Model D from the early 1930s. While Leica introduced several improvements to their cameras over the next two decades, the Soviets only made small changes with the aim of simplifying the production process. As long as the camera hasn't suffered physical damage or looks abused, there's not much that can go wrong with it. Typical problems can usually be narrowed down to a lack of service and hardening of old grease, the aging process, and lower quality materials used in Soviet cameras compared to Leicas. For example, the aluminum shell can be quite soft and easily deformed, leading to light leaks, but this issue was addressed in later models such as the 1c, which had reinforcements added. Over the years, there have been further modifications, and brass elements can also show signs of wear. However, there is a good chance that your Zorki has spent most of its time in a drawer and has not been abused.

My camera didn't show much wear; it was just extremely dirty. There weren't any dents or scratches on the cover, nor did it show any signs of failed attempts at repair using improper tools. However, a word of advice - if you see scratches around the right rangefinder rings, it is almost certain that someone tried to clean it and destroyed the coating of the beam splitter, rendering the rangefinder useless. Fortunately, this can still be repaired at a low cost.

My Zorki has double writing on the top - in Russian and English - which indicates that it's an export model. According to some opinions, export models were produced with more care, but I cannot see any difference compared to other copies. This particular Zorki is a model 1c from 1952.

To prepare myself for the repair process, I obtained an additional Zorki 1 in worse condition for training purposes. I studied all available online resources, sought support from social media communities, and read repair books by Yakovlev, Maizenberg, and Vishnevsky, as well as Leica repair manuals. Lubricants were a particular concern, as different types were required for servicing a Leica. There are also differing approaches to repairs in the East and West, with differing preferences for products such as Nyoil vs Ciatim-201.

I will describe each step of the repair process in separate posts, including cleaning, replacing shutter curtains, adjusting and testing the rangefinder, and lubrication.

One of the last things I addressed was the vulcanite, which had deteriorated over the decades and turned gray. I replaced it with leatherette from Aki Asahi.

The whole repair process took a month, but it was worth it! After removing a thick layer of dirt and restoring all functions of the camera, there's no reason for it to stay in the shadow of its more famous distant cousin.

I often put the cmera on my desk while I'm working - hard work pays off and it keeps me motivated.