4 or 4K

[Shadesofgrey]

Afternoon all. If you had a choice would you go for the Zorki 4 or the 4k. I have a chance to by my first Zorki (always wanted one) both are in very good/fully working condition and apart from the winder I don't think there's much of a difference; is there?

Take care.

B.

 

[jaypolaski]

The ONLY difference between the 4, and the 4K is the winder, though they thought it was such a significant difference, that it got iss own model name...lol. So it's all in whether or not you want to have the wind knob, or lever. Personally, I like the lever.

 

[RichardS]

I don't have a Zorki 4 but I am perfectly happy with my 4 K.

Dick

 

[darkkavenger]

I'm glad with my 4 😉

 

[garythegit]

As far as I know, the 4K has printed shutter speed numbers on the shutter speed selector dial which tend to rub off with age. The 4 has engraved numbers. I think there was also a model of the 4 where the 'zorki' name was printed instead of engraved. If I had a choice I would go for the zorki with the engraved name and shutter speed 🙂

 

[KoNickon]

I have two of the 4Ks, no 4. I like the 4K because of the wind lever. You might want to compare cosmetics, if that's something that matters to you -- the 4K's name is screened on the metal rather than engraved, so it can wear off. I don't recall what the 4 looks like.

 

[Kin Lau]

My 4K has a fixed spool. My 4 has the name engraved in Cyrillic, the 4K name is in English screened on and in my opinion, ugly.

Just the fixed spool + wind lever makes the 4K a _much_ better user. Your thumb will thank you.

 

[kiev4a]

The 1956 to about 1960 Zorki 4s are the best built -- vulcanite covering, engraved numbers and letters and I believe just better overall workmanship plus the Jupiter 8. But they don't have the wind lever, which is nice, but most 4Ks have the I-50 rigid f3.5 lens.

 

[captainslack]

As far as I know, the 4K has printed shutter speed numbers on the shutter speed selector dial which tend to rub off with age. The 4 has engraved numbers.

The early models of the 4 had engraved numbers, the later one's were printed.

If you decide to get a 4, try to get one with the engraved numbers. Ebay seller alex-photo has a couple at decent prices. One of them is orange!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZORKI-4-Famous-...itemZ7542142171QQcategoryZ15234QQcmdZViewItem

If you get that one, I'd immediately go to Aki-Asahi's site and order a new skin! 😉

 

[GeneW]

I didn't see it mentioned here, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 4 has strap lugs and the 4K does not.

Gene

 

[kiev4a]

I didn't see it mentioned here, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 4 has strap lugs and the 4K does not.

Gene

You are correct. The early Z4s had lugs but I'm not sure about the later models. The 4K definately doesn't.

 

[captainslack]

The one in the Ebay link I posted does! 😀

 

[brians]

Get both. Heh heh heh.

If you'd prefer ease of use, get a 4K. The wind lever saves time and a blistered thumb (when you first get used to it or if you receive a horribly dirty LTM camera that needs servicing by Oleg.) But the drawback is, if you want to hang it around your neck, you gotta have your everready case around you at all times (unless you get that ingenius wrist strap that mounts in the tripod socket).

The 4 is a lovely piece--strap lugs, reliable--but like the folks above me here said, get one with an engraved faceplate (one from the earlier production years kind of like this one: http://www.sovietcamera.com.ua/products/1471.shtml as opposed to this one http://www.sovietcamera.com.ua/products/1391.shtml .

The reason being that the shutter speed numbers are painted on, and so is the name of the camera. It just looks a bit more classy, and well, after a lot of usage, the numbers rub off of the shutter speed dial, so it gets a bit frustrating.

 

[kiev4a]

The Zorki 4 was made longer than any other FSU camera. Don't know how many variations were made but over ther years they kept trying to find ways to make them cheaper--nylon cover, painted numbers and bane, etc. And if you snap the shutter on a 1950s and a 1960s Z4 the sound gives the impression that the 1950s model was built from heavier material.

My favorite is the Mir which is a Z4 with out the slow speeds (who uses then anyway?). The shutter speeds only are marked to 1/500 but 1/1000 is there on a notch that isn't marked. Maizenberg, the expert on Soviet cameras said the Mir is one of the best because there is less to go wrong and it is well built (engraved, too) It also has strap lugs

 

[brians]

The Zorki 4 was made longer than any other FSU camera. Don't know how many variations were made but over ther years they kept trying to find ways to make them cheaper--nylon cover, painted numbers and bane, etc. And if you snap the shutter on a 1950s and a 1960s Z4 the sound gives the impression that the 1950s model was built from heavier material.

My favorite is the Mir which is a Z4 with out the slow speeds (who uses then anyway?). The shutter speeds only are marked to 1/500 but 1/1000 is there on a notch that isn't marked. Maizenberg, the expert on Soviet cameras said the Mir is one of the best because there is less to go wrong and it is well built (engraved, too) It also has strap lugs

Ahh! You've done it again Kiev4a, now I want a MIR.

 

[kiev4a]

I like my Mir--not much to go wrong with it and as long as it doesn't have holes in the curtains, you can firgure it will work. They usually are equipped with an I-50 but the J-8 mackes it a much better unit. They only made them for two--maybe three years.

 

[reagan]

My 1956 Zorki 4 (engraved & lugs) is very smooth winding and rewinding. It sold me on the idea that the older ones are are maybe a little better built. All functions seem to work easily and accurately. I picked it up from "ostrovsky105" in the Bay for 30 bones with matching '56 J8. The high production numbers for Z4s & 4Ks make it easy to be picky until you find a good one.

I'd also have to agree, though I haven't owned one [yet], the Mir's trustworthy rep make them quite attractive as well. Despite the low production numbers, they still seem to be frequently available and I'm sure one in good shape can be found with a little patience and persistence.

 

[Hlynur]

I have a Zorki 4 with serial no. 63xxxxxx which means it's from 1963. The lens is J8 also 63xxxx or 1963 model. The camera has engraved speed numbers, but the name is printed. And it has strap lugs. It's a beautiful camera and it works perfectly well. I like the look of Zorki 4 much more then of the 4K, but the lack of wind lever slows you down a little and can cause you to loose the decisive moment ; )
Here are some pictures of my 1963 Zorki 4 and pictures taken with it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheist/tags/zorki4/

 

[captainslack]

Here's another alex-photo find! This one has strap lugs and appears to have engraved numbers. Plus a sweet paint job to boot!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZORKI-4-Vintage...itemZ7543080554QQcategoryZ30030QQcmdZViewItem

 

[kiev4a]

That's a "parts is parts" camera because if it was a true 1957 there would be a frame around the big viewfinder window. The shutter speed numbers may be engraved but the stuff on the top housing is all painted.