Thinking of buying a Zorki; which sellers are reputable on Ebay?

[CPDST]

Hi All,

I am really new to this forum, though I love RF cameras, just haven't discovered this resource before. I was looking at some cameras for Christmas, and with my limited budget, have decided on a Zorki 4/4-K. First of all, I was wondering what users think of the reliability of such cameras?, and second of all, are the following sellers "Good sellers", ie camera as described, no horror stories? I live in NZ, so any issue with a camera, will be expensive postage to the Ukraine. The sellers are: "artemstore" , "confdntart" and, "petersburg_deals". All are offering what appear to be reasonably good condition Zorki's (Low wear and tear on chrome and "leatherette") at reasonable prices, around $50 USD. I would really appreciate any advice here, as this will be my first Ebay purchase, and my first big camera purchase 🙂

Happy Snapping,
Craig Tatley 🙂

 

[adninzainandiputra]

Try to check out Alex-photo. And somebody will most likely recommends fedka.com and http://www.okvintagecamera.com/ for hassle free camera.

 

[Bill58]

Buy ONLY from fedka.com. No connection except as a very satisfied customer. Get him to hand-pick and CLA (overhaul, clean, adjust) your camera/ lens.

 

[Steve M.]

My CLA'd Fed 2 from Fedka didn't work right and I had to send it back. They're a good company to buy from because they'll take a return, but any FSU camera, unless you buy it from a photographer that has used it, is a crap shot.

The words reliable and FSU cameras ordinarily aren't used together. I know, others here have had stellar experiences w/ them, I'm just talking about what I've owned. FSU lenses I'd buy in a second, not so the cameras.

 

[bucs]

alex

alex

alex-photo

consider also the fed-2

 

[rbiemer]

I have looked at auctions from the sellers you mention but have not done business with them.
For your first FSU camera I would agree with this:

Try to check out Alex-photo. And somebody will most likely recommends fedka.com and http://www.okvintagecamera.com/ for hassle free camera.

The other thing you might consider is if you decide to buy from some other EU based sellers, you could have them ship to Oleg (he is OKVintage Camera), have him CLA the camera and lens and then ship to you.

As to the camera it self, I think the Z4 or 4K are pretty capable--though I believe the same thing can be said of any of the FSU cameras as long as they are well sorted.

Good luck!
Rob

 

[wolves3012]

The Zorki 4/4K are capable cameras which were made in large numbers and so are relatively cheap. Try to pick one that has been serviced or where the seller will refund/replace if faulty. The Jupiter 8 lens is loved by many and unlikely to disappoint.

Of the Ebay sellers you list, I have seen other people on here recommend "confdntart" but I don't speak from personal experience. As for other sellers, it may help to know where in the world you're located. OKVintage Camera is highly regarded by many FSU users on here.

 

[David Hughes]

My CLA'd Fed 2 from Fedka didn't work right and I had to send it back. They're a good company to buy from because they'll take a return, but any FSU camera, unless you buy it from a photographer that has used it, is a crap shot.

The words reliable and FSU cameras ordinarily aren't used together. I know, others here have had stellar experiences w/ them, I'm just talking about what I've owned. FSU lenses I'd buy in a second, not so the cameras.

Hi,

I'd say that applies to any camera over 50 years old bought from someone you don't know. Plus there's always the damage that can happen when it's in the post.

Buy a dud on ebay and you can get your money back if it's not as advertised. I did with a dud "mint" Leica. But I blame the sellers, not the makers. And I'm very proud of my ten dollar FED 1 and lens.

Regards, David

 

[bulevardi]

Just received a Zorki last week from ebay seller Grizzly Bear or something.
It came from Kiev, Ukraine... 70 miles from Chernobyl.
The only thing I hope is that it's not radioactive somehow, if it would be kept for years somewhere there..

 

[CPDST]

Hi all,

Just so you know, I live in New Zealand.

Craig. 🙂

 

[roboflick]

fedka.com

I got a Jupiter 8m and a kiev 4a, that produce beautiful accurate images with slide fiilm.

Worth the extra postage, more expensive but will likely save you aggravation and postage even to NZ


Nik

 

[konicaman]

hero4g - slightly expensive but with very good CLA and most cameras near mint if not stated otherwise.

holms_ua - cameras often look like sh*t but are running butter smooth

 

[fanshaw]

I have bought fsu cameras from more than few Ebay sellers in Russia/Ukraine and I have got to know one of them personally. The fact is that most sell cameras in the condition in which they find them. They try to describe their condition fairly, but since they don't test them with film you cannot be sure that you are buying something in fully working condition, unless of course they claim that the camera has been 'fully serviced'.

I remember when I first became interested in these cameras about 10 years ago I bought a Zorki-S from Alex-Photo. I was not at all pleased to find that the shutter didn't close properly. I have since become more realistic in my expectations and learned to clean and lubricate these shutters myself. I think that anyone who chooses old cameras to use should be prepared to do the same or pay someone else to do it.
I should add that I have a high opinion of Alex-Photo who has been in business for years and has supplied me with some excellent stuff.

 

[bgb]

Hi,
Our options down here are limited so what's a boy to do? You can pick up some good deals on TradeMe at times just remember to ask when the camera was used last and does it have any faults.
Outside of NZ I can recommend
http://www.okvintagecamera.com/index.html
http://www.fedka.com/catalog/
if your camera doesn't perform as expected give this guy a call
http://www.philjacobscamerarepairs.co.nz/index.html

 

[jcrutcher]

Fedka.com is an excellent seller.

 

[mnmleung]

I have bought a Fed 2, a Zorki 1 and a Kiev 4 from Oleg at okvintagecamera.com in the last five years and I am happy with what I got from him. However I don't use my FSU very often: so far they have worked well. I live in Australia.

 

[jm51]

Do you like a gamble?

communism = never care about the quality of your work

If you can't inspect before buying, buy from someone worthy of trust.

If you do manage to get GOOD Russian gear, it will be one tenth the price of anything better.

 

[newspaperguy]

I've dealt with Oleg for more than 10 years and have always been happy with his offerings.

 

[pakeha]

Do you like a gamble?

communism = never care about the quality of your work

If you can't inspect before buying, buy from someone worthy of trust.

If you do manage to get GOOD Russian gear, it will be one tenth the price of anything better.

Really? 1st hand experience at the correct time or you just aping. You know these comments over and over and over and over in the FSU section get rather tedious.

 

[camperbc]

Purchasing an FSU camera does not have be a gamble at all. I will only buy from Andrey, of Synoptics Camera Shop in Ukraine. (sells on Ebay under the name "hero4g") He's got the best quality, cleanest Russian cameras available anywhere; most are freshly CLA'd and even come with a three month warranty. (unheard of for cameras built half a century ago)

I recently purchased both a FED 2(D6) and Zorki-4 from Andrey; both are in absolutely mint condition, and came freshly CLA'd, with a warranty. They truly look and perform like they are brand new! I highly recommend Andrey for anyone looking to purchase only the very best quality vintage Russian cameras and accessories.

Here are a couple of photos of my FED 2 and Zorki-4. As you can see, they are in pristine condition.

Glen