Beginner's luck?

[arowe]

Hello,

I just got a Zorki4 from ebay - my first rangefinder. - The second curtain was stuck, but thanks to the information on this list and a bottle of 'watch oil', that seems to be working OK now. - I just need to buy or make a spool now.

Didn't really want a Zorki4, was looking for a Zorki1, but this one had a Jupiter8, Jupiter-11, and a 28mm which turned out to be an Orion-15, together with a turret / multi finder. - Not bad for £30 I didn't think?

The Orion focus was very stiff, but again thanks to this list that's now like new! - I didn't know that's what the lens was, but the package was probably worth the money on that alone. Looking forward to trying it but I guess it will be after Christmas before I can get / make a spool.

Thanks to all for the information available.

Picture attached (I hope).

 

[kbg32]

Nice find.

 

[misok]

beginners luck, good karma and xmas spirit all together.

 

[oscroft]

Wow, excellent - the Orion is indeed the star of that package.

 

[40oz]

lucky!

maybe email Yuri at Fedka at mail@fedka.com for a Zorki spool. I don't know if he has any extras, or what he'd need to charge, but it's worth a try.

Otherwise, ebay is a god source for pieces like this. Three are numerous store and auctions for zorki spools currently. alex-photo-goods has a decent rep I think, and has a few spools selling right now. It's not a hard item to find, really. I only have Kiev's from the FSU, so I can't help with direct experience, sorry.

You've got too good a kit to sit on the shelf for lack of a simple $7 spool, IMHO.

 

[payasam]

The proof of the luck is in the pictures. Hurry up and get a take-up spool.

 

[wolves3012]

arowe,

I watched that auction and I was amazed no-one bid much, there must have been others that realised the value of the Orion. I was very tempted myself, but I have everything except the Orion. Congratulations, you were very lucky! The Orion alone is worth what you paid in total. I'd have expected about £15 for the J-11, £25 for the turret finder, £20 for the Zorki 4 and who knows what for the Orion - probably £80-100 or more in total!

Welcome to RFF, by the way.

 

[arowe]

OK Wolves / 40oz - you convinced me. - I was being daft really - reluctant so spend money on a camera which wasn't worth anything - I just ordered a spool from ebay as this seems quickest and easiest.

Funny about the bidding on ebay. - There weren't many bids, and though I left it late to bid, I didn't bid at the last second as it were. - 3mins to go I think.

I've also got a zorki1, but that's been confiscated and wrapped for Christmas! - I guess the spool might fit from that, but I'd never seriously considered that the z4 camera might actually be a user after I'd spannered it 🙂 - I really just wanted a decent 50mm (if I didn't like the collapsible one with z1) and the 28mm. If I need a longer lens, I'll use a different camera!

Must say that never having had a Russian rangefinder before I was a little nervous that it would all just be a duplicate of my M42 Zenith kit which was always much too heavy to use for anything, but it's not it's all quite a bit smaller and lighter than the Zenith and most seem to think quite pocketable with the smaller / collapsible lenses.

Anyway. - I'll post some scans when I get to run a test film.

 

[oscroft]

I watched that auction and I was amazed no-one bid much, there must have been others that realised the value of the Orion. I was very tempted myself, but I have everything except the Orion.

If I'd seen it I'd have bid just for the Orion (and sold on the other bits). But I'm pleased it went to an RFF member 😀

 

[wolves3012]

I've also got a zorki1, but that's been confiscated and wrapped for Christmas! - I guess the spool might fit from that, but I'd never seriously considered that the z4 camera might actually be a user after I'd spannered it 🙂 - I really just wanted a decent 50mm (if I didn't like the collapsible one with z1) and the 28mm. If I need a longer lens, I'll use a different camera!

Must say that never having had a Russian rangefinder before I was a little nervous that it would all just be a duplicate of my M42 Zenith kit which was always much too heavy to use for anything, but it's not it's all quite a bit smaller and lighter than the Zenith and most seem to think quite pocketable with the smaller / collapsible lenses.

I have a nice Zorki 3M that's been confiscated and wrapped!

As for "spannering", that's half the fun of an FSU (for me anyway!). Getting them back into proper order is quite satisfying, just be warned that they can be very addicitive - I started with a Zorki 1 and loved it, now I've got at least one of every major Zorki and FED model!

You'll love the Zorki 1, it is a very pocketable and take-anywhere camera and the Industar 22 is a cracking lens. I bought mine since it just looked cute and I had to have one. When it arrived I was surprised just how small it is. Then I got the first roll back (transparency) and was amazed how good the shots were...and so the collection grew!

 

[brachal]

The cheapest Orion-15 I've ever seen was $150 ...

 

[Wompa]

Only the viewfinder is 30£, a great barging! Are you ready to take some awsome pics with it?