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This is not an easy thing to do. But this upgrade deals with the viewfinders faults. The viewfinder of an E type (and B, BM, EM and ET) shows around 70 to 80 percent of the picture, no aiming point and some are very dark. This upgrade gives you, split screen focussing, an aiming point and a much brighter viewfinder. A friend of mine in Poland mentioned it to me and was kind enough to send me a piece of groundglass of a Zenit 122 to test it out. He upgraded his Zenit EM with it and was very pleased with it. Reasons enough to try this out. The size of the groundglass is the same in the following models, E, B, BM, EM, ET, ES, 10 11, 12, TTL and 122. The 3M and Kristall may differ in mirrorboxconstruction but the groundglass is the same. The 3 is different, it has a bigger groundglass so only replacement is possible the Zenit-3 and Zenit-C can not be upgraded. 
 First remove the topcover of the Zenit-E or B, as I described, then remove the Prism. Only two screws hold it in place. 
 Clean the prism if nessecary. You now have a clear look at the focussing screen. There are three screws to remove. One at the back and two at the front. (mountside is front) 
 Two closeupshots of the instant returnmirror. It's hooked with a pin at the bottom of the mount. Remove these two screws, don't let them fall into the camera and remove the plate. 
 This is the plate. You can now remove the focussingscreen / instant return mirror assembly. 
 Note the old foam on the sides, time to replace it. 
 The screen is held in place by two of these springs on each side of the glass. The other shot shows the replacement groundglass. This one is from a Zenit 122. 
 Comparison shots between the E and 122 glass. Note the seal, there are two seals in the E type. Put them back exactly like you found them. These seals are actually shims that determine the focus distance. Remove one or all and your shots will no longer be in focus. So be sure that you put the seals back. I've set the springs back facing down so they now push the groundglass down in it's mount. In case you lose one of the shims or if they are just not there read the Quick Fix page with instructions how to calibrate the mirrorcrate, which is possible. And you don't have to disassemble the Zenit. 
 Though not very clear, the springs are on both sides of the mirrorbox. In the left shot a 3rd seal was placed so the focusglass would not be damaged. Though it is not really nessecary. Neither the seal (made from paper) or the springs will show up in the viewfinder. Be carefull with the springs, they are very easy to get out but very hard to get back in. 
 The installed groundglass, from here on it's easy. Just reinstall the assembly and replace the foam. Be carefull putting back the plate, don't damage the mirror. Now then... Does it work? Yes, it does. And it's great, this viewfinder is brighter, shows more and has great focussing. A difficult upgrade but well worth it. Esspecially if you want to use your Zenit again and again. Just remember to check the calibration of your Zenit (using the standard lens) after replacement. Groundglasses vary in size and shape and this can affect the distance measured through the lens during focussing. Even 1 mm can put it seriously out of place. |