Favorite FSU RF (?)

[Xmas]

The Kiev ribbons will snap but it is easy to see the wear and preemt this happening in the middle of a shoot, the Leica ribbons (e.g. Fed, Zorki,...) will snap less frequently but you dont get any warning...

Noel

 

[wolves3012]

It would be much easier to pick which one you could pass without regret. I don't care much for a Fed 4, and any of the Fed 5s.😀

I like a nice 60's Kiev 4, a Fed 2, Zorki 3,3M, early Zorki 4, Zorki 5,...


zhang

I'll second your views - only the FED 4 and 5 don't appeal to me (they are aeshetically challenged, I think no-one could deny!)

 

[Valkir1987]

http://www.russianplaza.com/cameras1.htm

Move your mouse arrow over the Leningrad in the left bottom corner, what kind of camera should this be?

 

[zuikologist]

I recently picked up a FED 2. Very compact and very smooth. It seems better the Zorki 4 that I had. The viewfinder is on the small side, but a nice camera overall.

I just bought a Bessa L w/ a 24mm for Xmas. Now I need darkroom equipment. It really is a beautiful little thing, but it is the present interest in the FSU rangerfinders that is inspiring me.

I am leaning towards a Fed 2. I picked one up in one of the original NY camera stores, Olden. I thought it had a pretty solid feel and smooth operation.

I think the most impressive of the FSUs is the Kiev 4, looks like a truck drives. But the funny shutter is scaring me away.

Sad that all the classic stores have gone from NYC, and this one looks like it may not last long either. They wanted like.. 500$ for theirs, lol.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

I wanted to love my Kiev 4a, but it rips the film's sprockets. I wanted to love my Zorki 6, but that, too, rips the film sprockets. Damn sprockets. Now they both sit on my shelf taunting me....

 

[Ash]

Joe, maybe you just got bad cameras? I've only had sprockets ripped once and that was my own fault (rewinding without setting it to rewind... can't remember which camera now)



Hey, if anyone wanted a Kiev then my beloved's for sale 😀 😀

 

[Keith]

Joe, maybe you just got bad cameras? I've only had sprockets ripped once and that was my own fault (rewinding without setting it to rewind... can't remember which camera now)



Hey, if anyone wanted a Kiev then my beloved's for sale 😀 😀

What .... you're throwing in the camera with your girlfriend ... what a guy! 😀

 

[Ash]

Woah woah woah I said my beloved, not my better half! 😀

 

[ruben]

All USSR rangefinders available, viewed from today, are rather cameras for fun. This doesn't mean of course that you cann't positively achieve technically remarkable images with them. And fun is one of the most important things for loving picture takers

So let your nose guide you.

 

[clintock]

I can't believe nobody shows any love for the Zorki 2-c... I know it's ugly, but in hand, it's not so ugly any more.. wish it came with a better lens, but there's your excuse to buy more lenses!

 

[zhang xk]

All USSR rangefinders available, viewed from today, are rather cameras for fun. This doesn't mean of course that you cann't positively achieve technically remarkable images with them. And fun is one of the most important things for loving picture takers

So let your nose guide you.

Hello Ruben,

I agree, and I think they are already antiques. I always think those camera bodys are lens caps for their prices. The lenses can be used on M8 and RD1S with excellent results. The whole set of lens and body is still much cheaper than a modern lens.😀

BTW, what are those in yellow color?😕

Cheers,

Zhang

 

[Brad Bireley]

I love my Iskra!

 

[ruben]

Hello Ruben,

....

BTW, what are those in yellow color?😕

Cheers,

Zhang

Hi Comrade Zhang !
Always a pleasure to be in contact with you.

PS:
In yellow: some of the singers I love (no more than 500 characters allowed at signature)

 

[KameraKev]

Favorite FSU shooter

Favorite FSU shooter

Fed 2 for size and reliability.
Kiev 4 for looks and rangefinder patch as my eyes are deteriorate with age.

 

[reagan]

Favorite FSU... Zorki.1. I have 3, two working. 🙄

 

[ruben]

All USSR rangefinders available, viewed from today, are rather cameras for fun. This doesn't mean of course that you cann't positively achieve technically remarkable images with them. And fun is one of the most important things for loving picture takers

So let your nose guide you.

I would correct myself and say instead:

All USSR rangefinders available, viewed from today, are rather cameras for fun and challenge. Much of their appeal lies also in the implicated message that they carry in their very look: images aren't the result of high tech, nor big money, but the soul of the photographer.

 

[fidget]

I would correct myself and say instead:

All USSR rangefinders available, viewed from today, are rather cameras for fun and challenge. Much of their appeal lies also in the implicated message that they carry in their very look: images aren't the result of high tech, nor big money, but the soul of the photographer.

A nicely crafted statement Ruben, and just so. (The challenge element is not to be underestimated IMHO).
On a recent outing, (way back when it wasn't raining, and it wasn't dark all the time) I was taking some pics of a group of canal long boats when a chap who had a camera outfit which looked like a small TV with a star ship Enterprise control panel and a short drain pipe sized lens, looked at my set up and froze, gawping at my Fed3A. The "look" was recognised by many others in the party. Personally, I'm not sure if he was impressed or sorry for me, but the moment was golden. Ha!

Dave....

 

[ruben]

See below.................

 

[ruben]

.... I'm not sure if he was impressed or sorry for me, but the moment was golden. Ha!

Dave....

My abovementioned "implicated message" is also a challenge for photography minded people around you. Every sort of reaction is to be expected, according to the character involved, who may uncover his/her personality, or part of it, by his/her very reaction.

 

[dazedgonebye]

My experience to date has been limited to a Moskva 5, an Iskra and 2 FED-2s.
I fought problems with the Moskva until I couldn't stand the sight of it any more. Its current owner tells me he's getting good results and enjoying it.
The Iskra is excellent, but I'm in a long term battle over an elusive light leak.
After a trip to Fedka, my FED-2s are purring and I like them very much. I'd like to try a Zorki-6 and I'd like to own a Zorki-3/3M, just because they look so nice.