16mm cam help!

Chamber005

Chamber005

Carbonite Member
So I grabbed a K-3. Looks beautiful, lens is flawless, etc.

But for the life of me I cannot understand why I can't see anything through the viewfinder (and yes the lens cap is off). There is an indication of light (like when I wave my hand in from of the camera it darkens), but I can't SEE anything.

I've never used a film camera before so I've got no idea what I'm doing. Am I missing something?
 
Chamber005 said:
So I grabbed a K-3. Looks beautiful, lens is flawless, etc.

But for the life of me I cannot understand why I can't see anything through the viewfinder (and yes the lens cap is off). There is an indication of light (like when I wave my hand in from of the camera it darkens), but I can't SEE anything.

I've never used a film camera before so I've got no idea what I'm doing. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Check and make sure that the diopter (the eye piece) is fully open and focused to your eyes. Open the lens to the widest aperture then try focusing the diopter, or better yet, pull the lens and point the camera at something bright. You should be able to see the ground glass. Adjust the diopter so that the grain on the ground glass is in focus.

Here is a link to the K-3 manual, adjusting the diopter instructions are on page 4.

http://www.k3camera.com/k3/k3pdfs/2008-krasnogorsk-3-manual.pdf

If that don't work call the reseller.
 
I am not sure about that camera exactly, but..... Most film cameras have a "light trap" in the view finder to keep light from returning from the viewfinder and flashing the film. These are usually released by pressing your eye firmly to the eye piece. On some cameras these can be locked open manually.
 
K-3 doesn't have anything like that... it's about Filmo level in terms of sophistication (well, except it does have a light meter in it).
 
Barry_Green said:
The rotating mirror shutter is probably blocking the vf. Have you tried it with the camera running?
Click to expand...

LOL I was just about to post a follow-up.

Yep, had to wind her up first.

Gotta say, for 150 bucks this camera is friggin BEAUTIFUL. Pistol grip, shoulder brace, incredibly sturdy and clean, lens is perfect. Interior parts seem to be running awesome.

The weird thing is that I can't find one exactly like mine. It actually has the english word spelled out (Krasnogorsk-3) and has the Zenit logo at the top.

Anyway -- just need to figure out how to clean the mirrors and such and I'll be good to go.

Can't wait!!
 
Or Barry is right. You can try it with the cam running or most cameras have a way to "inch" the shutter forward to the open position. The more advanced cameras like the Arri SR usually automatically roll to the open position, but the older Arri S and M had to be "inched". I suspect the Russian Camera is like this. There should be a knurled knob located on the body to facilitate this function. Remove the lens and look into the body if you can see the mirror your shutter is closed and will need to be opened, if you see an open aperture or your film the shutter is open.
 
The reason you will want to learn to manually open your shutter is for framing with the camera not running. After buying a few rolls of films you will really understand the economy of this.

As to cleaning your mirror. Use the method I mentioned earlier for manually moving the shutter (mirror). Get it to a position where it is easily visible then use dust off (careful to keep can upright). Then use a good grade lens cloth if needed.
 
phudsontx said:
The reason you will want to learn to manually open your shutter is for framing with the camera not running. After buying a few rolls of films you will really understand the economy of this.

As to cleaning your mirror. Use the method I mentioned earlier for manually moving the shutter (mirror). Get it to a position where it is easily visible then use dust off (careful to keep can upright). Then use a good grade lens cloth if needed.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the manual and did not see an inching knob or wheel. I would hate to think that you would have to advance the shutter by feathering the trigger.
 
Yeah and ever since I wound her up and pulled the trigger I'm able to see everything fine, regardless of whether it's wound up. I'm so stoked to go outside in the Chicago winter and start getting some footage!!
 
So you got a clock work film camera and did not wind it and let it rip, just to hear it go, "WHRRRRRRRRR..."? I mean, not to set the shutter, but just for that, "Wow, that's cool!!" feeling..... We need to work on your geek street cred!! :cheesy:

You still will want to make sure that the diopter is focused to your eye. Phudsontx is right about moving your eye from the view finder during a take, this can lead to flash frames from light coming in through the view finder.

Have fun.
 
I remember shooting shooting Eclair NPR's years ago. They would often have trouble finding the position where the shutter would reflect the image to eye piece. While it did have an inching knob I would get lazy and bump the trigger until it hit the right position like Barry said. There is a precedent for this and it uses very little film.
 
Yeah, I have mostly shot with reflex Bolex's, which don't use a mirrored shutter and the Arri SR II. The Arris's have mirrored shutters, but I don't remember having any issues with the shutter not stopping closed. I was just wondering about advancing the shutter to check the gate. Feathering the trigger would not be that big of a deal, but an inching knob is real handy.
 
David G. Smith said:
So you got a clock work film camera and did not wind it and let it rip,
Click to expand...
For future reference for everyone, you never want to run a clockwork camera and "let it rip" at fast frame rates. Doing so can damage it. Fast frame rates (usually faster than 24) combined with an empty camera, is warned against in every camera manual I've read. You should only use the higher speed frame rates with film actually loaded.
 
David G. Smith said:
I was looking at the manual and did not see an inching knob or wheel. I would hate to think that you would have to advance the shutter by feathering the trigger.
Click to expand...

With my K3 all I have to do is wind the clock spring a touch and the mirror clicks into position every time.

Overall I like the camera's ruggedness, it's built like a Russian WWII submarine (and smells like one too). Tricky to thread when you're shooting run & gun compared to my Scoopic but man I love it's uncoated front element that makes sun flare look amazing :)

Man you gotta love Russian ingenuity :)
 
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