My first roll of film passed through the Zenit ET. Time to rewind. But… HOW? I took a while to find the rewind release button. When I found it, it was hard to push down. Guess I didn’t do it well enough, because the film snapped right of.
Ripped film
Although I didn’t get that until I opened the back and let the light in! But you learn from you mistakes, and I can enlighten others about them, so here’s how you do it.
The rewind release is around the shutter release-button. On the Zenit ET is protected of a halfcircle of plastic. I now use the casing of a pen to press it down, ALL THE WAY DOWN!
Push it down
Ok, rewind the film with the film rewind knob. Lift it up to open cameraback and take out the film. Now, I don’t know if its just my cameras rewind release thats a bit stuck but I hade to screw the button a bit to get it back up again.
Rewind release and shutter release
For forther reading look at the Zenit B, E and EM manual.
I have a Zenit ET, but my rewind button is not a plastic half circle. The arrow that says R points to both directions, clock and counter clock wise, and I do not have a button to push. What should I do?
That sounds weird. Just to make things clear, doesn’t this work?:
- The Shutter releasebutton has a thinner metal ring around it? I’ve seen Zenit version with and without the plastic protection, so don’t mind that one, it’s the metal ring around the Shutter release button you should press (look closely where I press with the pencil on the image). On my camera it took some force, it was stiff.
- When you pressed the button (or found other possible solution) it’s the wheel on the far left-side you should turn to rewind. Mine has a clockwise arrow, but if you remember how you threaded the film it should be clear which way to turn since the film is going to wind up on the left side filmspool (imagine how the film moves inside the camera).
If things look different on your camera I don’t know what to do… There must be some way of releasing the film… many cameras of other brands have button in the bottom of the camera. Don’t rip the film like I did, and good luck! :)
huy! I own one Zenith ET too! I was able to use the 30-x shutter sync with the flash, and it used to work, now its not..any guess?
I also have the version of the ET with the R button pointing in both directions, to release the film you have to press down the shutter release button halfway, then you can rotate the button clockwise. Then you press down the half circle of metal (not plastic, in this case) and continue with the process described above. Turn the shutter release anticlockwise to return it afer winding the film.
Thanks so much for this info. Came across your post in a Flickr group. This button is the same for the Zenit 11 and I just successfully unloaded the camera :)
bueno, llega un carrete tarde :-D para el siguiente intentaré acordarme
The most comprehensive and very well thought out write up I have found on this subject on the net. Keep on writing, I will keep on coming by to read your new content. This is my fourth time coming by your blog.
I riped it, and i will use no more Zenits in my life !!!
everythng yes, Sigma 8 yes, but no more Zenit !!!
Or simply press the button… ;)
Thank you so much! I just ripped a great roll of film today. This is probably the clearest tutorial type thing I’ve ever seen for this.
Thank you really much! The pretty same thing happened to me! I lost all because i just didnt know this. You’ve explained greatly! Again, thanks form Argentina!
how much cost this ZENIT ET???
I bought it for about £8.30
Thank you. I have also same problem as per below ;
MJP says: March 30, 2009 at 9:14 pm
huy! I own one Zenith ET too! I was able to use the 30-x shutter sync with the flash, and it used to work, now its not..any guess?
Thanks!!! You’ve just saved my first roll!!
I have an ET model ,just like you. So to rewind the film I have to push and HOLD rewind release button and turnt rewind knob or just press that button once and then turn knob?
Thamk you so much! I have been searching for an instructions to how to unload the Zenit ET all day and with your instruction i managed to do it!