Zorki C is cool !

[pesphoto]

Is it just me or is this pretty cool looking!
Im thinking about it, anyone here use one?
Not a lot of chit chat about them.
No strap lugs but I love how it looks, very industrial.
http://www.okvintagecamera.com/data/pics/27.jpg

 

[former member]

I have one. a 1957 model. Bought some parts cameras for $5 each, and the seller tossed it in with the flat-rate box! Gave it a quick cleaning, some Ronsonol on some gummed up gears, works fine. But- I like the way the 3M looks much better.

Why does it remind me of Bender the Robot in that picture?

 

[Nickfed]

Uncool in the extreme.
The original design was a masterpiece of uncompromising desgn. It was flat across the top. The Zorki S is bigger, bumpier, and butt ugly. And for what? All that compromise, just to get some flash synch? The new top is mostly air.

To make matters worse, the opportunity to lead was staring them in the face. If they had punched a bigger hole in that bigger top and installed a bigger viewfinder window, they would have left the guys back in Wetzlar gobsmacked and produced a world beater.

FED made a far better job of getting synch fitted.

 

[santino]

well, IMO it isn't butt ugly and there are Zorki 1 with subsequently added flash sync by KMZ. it's quite "industrial" and reliable 🙂 get one, you won't regret it.

 

[pesphoto]

I figured some would think it "ugly" but Im leaning towards getting one.
I like the oddballs.....so does my wife 🙂

 

[januaryman]

I like the minimalist look to it - no branding, clean. But compared to the Fed 2? Not so much.

 

[giovatony]

I figured some would think it "ugly" but Im leaning towards getting one.
I like the oddballs.....so does my wife 🙂

Very few people buy a camera based soley on function. It matters little if the uglier camera is a better user because they all will take good photos since photo quality is more lens dependant than whatever body it`s mounted on.
Real honest , serious shooters wouldn`t much care what the camera looks like .
However with most casual amateur shooters (most of which you find on these forums) the visual factor is more important. Camera designers have almost always been aware of this . One only has to look at the "show your Camera" threads posted on various on line forums to see the importance of how users regard their camera`s looks.
Bot when you combine a sleek , clean form factor with the most popular features and add excellent functionality as built into the later type Fed 2 cameras you have a real winner that IMO surpasses any Leica screw mount .
Just my 2 cents.
John

 

[nzeeman]

fed 2 is great camera - it would be perfect with 35mm fremelines - too bad they didnt do that. 🙁

 

[pesphoto]

fed 2 fed 2 fed 2.....what about the Zorki C?!

 

[Spider67]

It reminds me of the ugly duckling....and it was the only Zorki out of a shipment of 3 that worked right away. Its RF was way better than the one of my IIIc. Although the tension when I change speed is remarkable

 

[pesphoto]

Just emailed OLEG to see what's what?

 

[nzeeman]

fed 2 fed 2 fed 2.....what about the Zorki C?!

oh sorry. i have a zorki c - it was my first fsu, and i still use it when i go to some trip. i feel that it is more reliable than my other cameras, and also it is a bottom loader - which lower chances of having light leaks. 😀 i usually use it with j12 and external finder.

 

[pesphoto]

oh sorry. i have a zorki c - it was my first fsu, and i still use it when i go to some trip. i feel that it is more reliable than my other cameras, and also it is a bottom loader - which lower chances of having light leaks. 😀 i usually use it with j12 and external finder.

hmm....so Im hearing here that it seems to be a reliable piece of machinery....A forgotten gem you might say? I'm interested.

 

[januaryman]

fed 2 fed 2 fed 2.....what about the Zorki C?!

Well I did say your Zorki was interesting and a minimalist type camera - form following function. But the Zorki's head-turning quotient remains below the ... errr... well, you know.

 

[pesphoto]

Well I did say your Zorki was interesting and a minimalist type camera - form following function. But the Zorki's head-turning quotient remains below the ... errr... well, you know.

I like the fact that it wont really draw much attention.

 

[xayraa33]

Some Zorki C's had strap lugs.
I have a Zorki C and it is a very reliable camera .
The rf patch on this machine is better than on some Leicas, although it is 1x , not 1.5x mag.
you cannot go wrong with this Zorki.

 

[pesphoto]

Some Zorki C's had strap lugs.

Really, haven't seen one yet. Gotta search around.
If that's the case I want one with lugs. Thanks!

Does yours have lugs? Where did you find it?

 

[xayraa33]

no mine is lug free.
this web site shows a lugged one.
but it is a 2C.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~tomtiger/zorki2c.html

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks xayraa33, I just found this thread via google where you descibe how you added your own lugs. I think I could do this. Not having lugs wont stop me from buying one if I can find a good user body. I see the 2C is pretty much the same as the C just with self timer. Might go that route, though I like the completely stripped down look of the C.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53227

 

[xayraa33]

you can also use the bottom half of the never-ready case on the Zorki C.
you get the best of both worlds.