Which FSU camera has the best viewfinder?

Chuck A

Chuck A

Chuck A
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I have an Industar 61LD lens here and currently have no body to put it on. I was thinking about getting into the FSU contest but need to find a decent FSU body. Apart from finding one that works correctly I guess that I want to find the model that has the nicest viewfinder and brightest rangefinder patch.

I went to http://home.att.net/~wayne.cornell/camera/cameralist.html to look at them all. It seems to be the best page.

As far as looks I like the FED 2, FED 3A, Zorki 6 and the Zorki 4K. The FED 2 is my favorite as far as looks. But I have never seen these cameras in person so I am just going by photos on the web. Also, where can I find one that I can be sure will work without too much fuss and bother?
 
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I like the VF of my Zorki 4, which is big in comparison to the Zorki 6 (which is said to be similar to FED VFs). The RF baselength of the 4 is shorter, but I find I like its finder better and it seems to focus my J8 just fine.

http://www.fedka.com is said to provide good cameras, but I've never used them so can't recommend from experience.

...Mike
 
The Fed2 has a pretty small VF. I think the Zorki 4K is the best one from what Ive heard. Alex-photo on ebay is a great seller.
 
Chuck,
Of the FSU cameras that I have used(FED2, FED3, FED5, Kiev 4a, Agat18k,, Kiev 60, Zorki 3M), I like the Zorki 3M viewfinder the best. It is big(1:1), bright and if you get a decent one the RF patch is fairly contrasty.
I haven't used the Zorki 4 but that camera apparently has a very similar viewfinder.
For purchase, I recommend(if you don't want Austintatious' Z4) either FEDKA or Oleg Kahlyavan .
LINKS:
Oleg:
http://www.okvintagecamera.com/index.html
FEDKA:
http://www.fedka.com/catalog/
Good hunting!
Rob
 
Based on my FSU collection, FED and Zorki took different approaches. Not counting the FED 1 and Zorki 1 which are the same camera in a practical sense, all my FEDs have dimmer finders with a high-contrast RF spot whereas all my Zorkis have a bright finder but less contrasty RF spot.

If you want a camera for low-light situations, I'd go for a Zorki any day. Zorki 4s have the added advantage of a BIG finder with life-size image. The Zorki 3 is much the same but commands much higher prices. The Zorki 6 is also nice, with a long-base RF but it has no slow speeds.

In terms of RF accuracy, I'm not convinced that longer based finders are better in reality, the short ones do just fine. Theoretically a longer finder is better, of course, for accuracy.
 
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Another vote from me for Zorki 3M/4/4K, which all have pretty much the same 1:1 viewfinder. But the Zorki 6 doesn't, it has a smaller and dimmer one with lower magnification - ie a smaller image (I have a 3M, a 4K and a 6, and have just compared them to be sure).
 
oscroft said:
Another vote from me for Zorki 3M/4/4K, which all have pretty much the same 1:1 viewfinder. But the Zorki 6 doesn't, it has a smaller and dimmer one with lower magnification - ie a smaller image (I have a 3M, a 4K and a 6, and have just compared them to be sure).
Click to expand...
I don't have a Z3 but I have one each of all the other FED/Zorki models. Interestingly, my Z6 is just as bright as my 4K although it is, as you point out, lower magnification.

There is some variation in them for sure - batch-to-batch variation in the glass no doubt. FED seem to have used a green/orange tint combination for high contrast where zorki used clear/yellow for the prism halves.

My FED 2 is one of the worst (and yes, it's been cleaned!), yet others say theirs is bright...
 
Hello Chuck..
Zorki-4, Zorki-6 or Fed 2..
Brightest I've found...
Z6 has the best contrasting rangefinder patch in the viewfinder. (from my collection of FSU's)
only Zorki4 has slow speeds though.
also Z-6 and F2 have longer rangerfinder base.
all have diaopter adjustment if your eyes need it.
Lee.
 
I don't have a Z3 but I have one each of all the other FED/Zorki models. Interestingly, my Z6 is just as bright as my 4K although it is, as you point out, lower magnification
Click to expand...
Intreresting - my Z6 is not a lot dimmer, but it is noticeable (Mind you, outdoors in good light it's fine - I was out shooting with it last weekend). You're probably right about individual variation.

My FED 2 is one of the worst (and yes, it's been cleaned!), yet others say theirs is bright
Click to expand...
I've got 2 of them (an early one and a late one) and the viewfinders are dimmer than the Zorki 3/4 - again, not hugely so, but noticeable.
 
Much good advice already given, but.... The most important initial question is "do you wear glasses"? The dioptre correction on FSU LTM cameras will possibly help if you are mildly shortsighted and happy with removing glasses when photographing. Otherwise the Zorki 3/3m/4 viewfinder is notoriously difficult to use, as it has very little eye relief. Spectacle wearers will probably not be able to see more than 60% of the frame. That is a very serious issue.

The Zorki 5 and 6 have bright, contrasty finders based on that used in the Iskra , but I would generally speak up for the FED 2. It may be dimmer, but it remains entirely practical within the usual limits of the camera's usage - say at a meter reading of 2.8 at 1/30th at 400 ISO. In my experience the high contrast between finder and rangefinder actually makes it easier to focus in low light than supposedly brighter Zorki finders.

All the best, Ian
 
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I noticed that some of the cameras don't have strap lugs. What's up with that and how do you deal with it?

I am not too worried about the RF accuracy. I will be shooting with a 50mm mostly and any of these cameras should do fine with a 50mm f/2.8 or f/1.8. I really just wanted a reasonably bright vf and a decent rf patch. Too bad the FED 2 has one of the smallest viewfinders, it is the nicest looking, IMHO.

I will add that I don't wear glasses. So there is no problem there.

I am assuming that these cameras don't have framelines. Are they similar to the Leica screwmounts where you just have a finder for a 50mm lens and need a finder for anything else?
 
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Jocko said:
It may be dimmer, but it remains entirely practical within the usual limits of the camera's usage - say at a meter reading of 2.8 at 1/30th at 400 ISO. In my experience the high contrast between finder and rangefinder actually makes it easier to focus in low light than supposedly brighter Zorki finders.

All the best, Ian
Click to expand...
Not to disagree since you're right. However, I did recently take my FED 2 into a pub (not brightly lit) and found it very hard to frame shots due to the dim finder. I was using flash. I took few shots and really wished I'd taken a Zorki instead...just another consideration to add to the spectacles one!
 
I found this FED 2 on Fedka. Now that is sweeeet looking. Too bad it is $179.00.

I don't know why I am so partial to black rangefinders. It really doesn't matter if it is black or silver though. I just want to get one that is a decent user. Just thought I would share.
 

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wolves3012 said:
Not to disagree since you're right. However, I did recently take my FED 2 into a pub (not brightly lit) and found it very hard to frame shots due to the dim finder. I was using flash. I took few shots and really wished I'd taken a Zorki instead...just another consideration to add to the spectacles one!
Click to expand...

Oh yes! I totally agree! To be honest, Wolves, I think the truth is that none of the usual FSU LTM cameras have a better than adequate finder: each involves some sort of compromise. It may be an eccentric choice, but the FED/Zorki 1 has much to commend it - the finder is small but bright, the RF (all being well) is contrasty (especially on the FEDs, IMHO). They may be an inch apart, but nobody's perfect 🙂

All the best, Ian
 
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