Zorki 1 - Transformation of an Ugly Duckling - Lubricants

Leica repair manuals specify a comprehensive list of lubricants necessary for repairs, whereas such information is scarcely available for Zorki cameras. Due to the similarities between the two cameras, I use Leica manuals as a reference to select the appropriate lubricants.

Finding modern substitutes for the lubricants mentioned in manuals from the 1950s is a challenging task that requires expertise.

The original list of lubricants included mostly natural ingredients, but with the constant development of synthetic lubricants and their improved durability, the number of required oils and greases has decreased. Compared to more recent repair manuals, such as the one for the Leica M7, the list of required lubricants has been reduced.

Synthetic lubricants are more advantageous than natural lubricants because they are less likely to separate. Over time, grease bleeding occurs and causes the liquid components of the grease to separate from other ingredients. As a result, lubricants lose their initial effectiveness. Additionally, old grease can mix with dirt, which can slow down or even seize mechanisms. This describes exactly what had happened to my Zorki.

Finding modern substitutes for products used in the 1950s can be challenging due to the unavailability of original products. Some lubricants are only sold in large quantities at significant cost. Additionally, some identified substitutes are only available in the US and not in the EU, which requires further research.

After following various discussions on Russian and American online platforms, I found that two products are highly recommended for repairing cameras. Americans swear by Nyoil for shutter mechanisms, while Russian specialists prefer Ciatim-201 grease due to its resistance to lower temperatures.

It took me some time to identify suitable products that are budget-friendly. I researched data sheets to check the NGLI and viscosity parameters of the products, but please note that these are my personal selections.

Here are some of the most commonly used lubricants and my recommended substitutes on a budget. I refer to the areas of application mentioned by Albert Tong (midnightcamerarepair), who conducts research and updates a list of commercial substitutes. If you're looking for professional substitutes, I recommend checking his list.

• 601 Ball Bearing Oil: Medium Watch Oil for escapement bearings and rangefinder arm roller.
• 618 Light Grease: Ciatim 201 (only available in the FSU) for high-speed rotating shafts and plain bearings such as shafts, plain bearings, and springs.
• 704 Medium Grease: Moly Grease for low-speed rotating shafts and gears, such as shutter curtain main rollers and speed-setting cams.

Synco Lube may also be a good replacement for greases. It has an NLGI grade of 2 and relatively low viscosity (cSt @ 40°C: 69). I have used it as a replacement for helicord grease, and it is lighter than the medium grease I have. It can also be tried instead of 618 grease, although I haven't personally tried it.

 

Lubricants I used for the project

If you look at the shutter mechanism, Leica manual specifies almost only Lubricant 618 - light grease. I decided to use a very thin layer Ciatim-201 on roller springs.