A bit torn over a decision...

[brians]

So I've recently gotten into collecting soviet cameras (they don't have to look cosmetically nice, just need to work) and I've acquired a Zorki 4 (with fixed Industar 50's that I accidentally demolished while trying to clean!), a green bodied FED-2 (I-50), a FED-4 with the panda I60's, a FED-5 with I60L/D, a Smena 8M, and a Zenit B.

I've still got a bit of GAS, and through reading this specific board regarding Russian cameras, I really want to get some more gear!



These are some of the few things that I want to get, the ones in question (the one's I'm feeling I should get really soon) are ticked with an asterisk.

• *Mir w/ collapsible I-50's (heard they have a 1/1000 setting even if its unmarked!)
• *Zorki 6 w/ Jupiter 8 (J8, hinge back and wind lever seem oh so good, but lacks 1/1000s speed)
• Zenit 12XP (O.T. but I really like the idea of a CdS metered Zenit)
• Kiev 19 (O.T. Cheaper alternative to old Nikon SLRs)

----> note: I would buy the J8's if I go with the Mir.

The thing is, I'm leaning towards a Zorki 6 because of its ease of use, but the Mir seems to be calling me.

Any input? Thanks a lot.

 

[Duncan Ross]

I have the Zorki 6 which is a gem of a camera. Mine has the Industar 61LD lens on it which is the only reason I have one; my main camera is a Kiev which unfortunately you can't buy an Industar for.

My only quibble is a lack of slow shutter speeds (I use flashbulbs) but I've messed around with the sync so holefully it's ok now.

Apart from that a lovely camera, almost a 'compact' with very good rangefinder.

 

[Nickfed]

I've still got a bit of GAS, and through reading this specific board regarding Russian cameras, I really want to get some more gear!



These are some of the few things that I want to get, the ones in question (the one's I'm feeling I should get really soon) are ticked with an asterisk.

• *Mir w/ collapsible I-50's (heard they have a 1/1000 setting even if its unmarked!)
• *Zorki 6 w/ Jupiter 8 (J8, hinge back and wind lever seem oh so good, but lacks 1/1000s speed)
• Zenit 12XP (O.T. but I really like the idea of a CdS metered Zenit)
• Kiev 19 (O.T. Cheaper alternative to old Nikon SLRs)

----> note: I would buy the J8's if I go with the Mir.

The thing is, I'm leaning towards a Zorki 6 because of its ease of use, but the Mir seems to be calling me.

Any input? Thanks a lot.

I have owned a Zorki-6 for forty years and never noticed that it doesn't have 1/1000. I have also owned an SLR for thirty years. It know does have 1/1000, but I have never used it. One of the things that makes the Zorki-6 a good camera, is that the same can be said for the slow speeds too. My Zorki has the I-50 rigid. It is a good lens but I don't use it much. I use a Leitz collapsible. I can close the Zorki case with a filter, a Leitz lens hood, and the cap all in place. The Leitz hood also fits the I-50 and all Russian collapsibles. They aren't hard to get but you don't hear much about them round here. Perhaps they are deemed heretical! You might consider one to relieve the GAS.

The lever wind has little advantage over knob wind. It needs about 200 degrees and I usually use two strokes. It is not comfortable to use either. I once had the back come open by accident. I used to use a bit of gaffer tape as a precaution. A bottom loader would never open by accident.

A camera you seem to ignore but I submit is worthy of consideration is a FED-1 or Zorki-1. They are so elegant and remarkably compact. You just don't realise it till you hold one. No flash but, hey, who seriously uses a sovcam for flash, now that the '70s are here?

2c

 

[kmack]

For some odd reason, the Zorki 10 has been calling to me. It has an odd industrial/retro look that is so ugly it is compelling in an atavistic way.

 

[kiev4a]

The FED and Zorki 1s are my favorites bit the tiny view and rangefinder windows aren't much fun if you wear glasses (they can scratch the hell out of plastic lenses, too).
The Zorki 6 is a awesone camera with a Jupiter 12 lens -- very compact and looks good, too. The Z6 is more compact and lighter than the MIR. One of these days I'll recover my Z6 with leather -- then is almost looks like a Leeka. Take a look at Jim Blazik's custom Z6:

http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/zorki_6.html

 

[brians]

A camera you seem to ignore but I submit is worthy of consideration is a FED-1 or Zorki-1. They are so elegant and remarkably compact. You just don't realise it till you hold one. No flash but, hey, who seriously uses a sovcam for flash, now that the '70s are here?
2c

I don't mind not having the flash. I love taking shots with available light.

Thank you for your recommendations, but the truth is...

(BLASPHEMY AHEAD)
I'm scared of the bottom loaders. I don't understand the whole cutting the leader part (of course I will learn to once I acquire an old Zork or a FED or any other Leica clone). That would mean I would need to precut some rolls of files before I go out to shoot, and then go into a corner in some shade, take out the take up spool, attach the leader, and put it back in in hopes that it would be fed in right. I really do want a Zorki 1, beautiful camera. Same with the FED-1. I'm just a bit too lazy or a bit too nervous to be dealing with the "big boys" as of now (I'm a camera newb), which is why the Zorki 6 came into consideration.

The long lever wind, I'm completely fine with it. I use a Zenit B (because I have no other worthy SLR's to take out into the field) and I think the lever wind goes a little farther than perpendicular to the face of the camera.

The FED and Zorki 1 will definitely be a consideration for my next two camera purchases though 😀

I think I'll go with the Z6, but I've got a question: What's the most you'd pay for a Z6 with J8 lenses? They seem to be in VG+ to EX- quality.. but of course, if the stuff inside doesn't work too well, I can always send it to Mr. Khalyavin.

Kiev4A, I was actually very impressed by that Zorki 6. The leather cover and the black body... whoo! Smoking.

 

[RichardS]

Don't be afraid of the bottom loaders. Just stay away from them. At their best they are a nuisance. The FED 2 is as small as the FED and much easier and faster to load. I have a Zorki 2c that I loaded with film and took pictures, and have never been able to load another roll of film in it and have absolutely no idea why.

You didn't mention the Kiev 4 a. I think it is an excellent camera. A rewind crank and you don't have to hold a button down while you're rewinding.

Dick

 

[brians]

You didn't mention the Kiev 4 a. I think it is an excellent camera. A rewind crank and you don't have to hold a button down while you're rewinding.

Dick

Dick, I would actually like to get into the cameras, but its just that I don't think I'm ready yet (financially and skillwise).

The I really want a Kiev 4A, but the problem is, most of the lenses I have are LTM's. I do not own any Contax bayonets at the time, and I know getting into the habit of collecting lenses can get a bit expensive. They are most definitely in the "wanted" list of cameras, as well as the Leningrad.

What are the biggest differences between the other Kiev's?

They all look the same cosmetically (besides the A series not having the bulky built-in lightmeter, and the M series having black controls). What are the differences in shooting?

 

[kiev4a]

You probably won't find a Zorki 6 with a Jupiter 8 unless someone like Alex-photo is willing to put one together for you. The Z6 came standard with the rigid I-50. You probably can figure somewhere between$20 and $30 for a nice Z6 with I-50 and a J8, probaly a newer black one will run another $20. You are better off if you can find someone with both the camera and lens or you'll have two seperate postage bills.

 

[Nickfed]

Thank you for your recommendations, but the truth is...

(BLASPHEMY AHEAD)
I'm scared of the bottom loaders. I don't understand the whole cutting the leader part (of course I will learn to once I acquire an old Zork or a FED or any other Leica clone).

Indeed you could. It's not a good idea but it's not hard. You just need a small pair of scissors in your camera bag.

I'm just a bit too lazy or a bit too nervous to be dealing with the "big boys" as of now (I'm a camera newb), which is why the Zorki 6 came into consideration.
.

"big boys"? I wonder who they are........

I think I'll go with the Z6, but I've got a question: What's the most you'd pay for a Z6 with J8 lenses? They seem to be in VG+ to EX- quality.

I get the impression the Z-6 is more expensive than most, and for good reason. It is a very practical camera. They are even more expensive with a J-8 and you could end up paying $50!! I have never seen one in real life with a J-8. I don't know if they came that way.

Kiev4A, I was actually very impressed by that Zorki 6. The leather cover and the black body... whoo! Smoking.

Blazik's Z-6 is an amazing exercise in industrial design. One has to wonder what would have happened if they came looking like that in 1961.

 

[RichardS]

Dick, I would actually like to get into the cameras, but its just that I don't think I'm ready yet (financially and skillwise).

The I really want a Kiev 4A, but the problem is, most of the lenses I have are LTM's. I do not own any Contax bayonets at the time, and I know getting into the habit of collecting lenses can get a bit expensive. They are most definitely in the "wanted" list of cameras, as well as the Leningrad.

What are the biggest differences between the other Kiev's?

They all look the same cosmetically (besides the A series not having the bulky built-in lightmeter, and the M series having black controls). What are the differences in shooting?

The 4A was one of the later ones made. Mine has a serial number beginning with 82 so I assume, but am not certain, that it was made in 1982. It has a crank to rewind the film, and to free the film so it can be rewound you just turn one of the back locks on the bottom of the camera so it is opposite a small mark and rewind away.

Everything operates smoothly on it. I had, still have actually, an older Kiev with a meter which looks pretty much like the one I use but has a different looking film advance and shutter speed dial and rewind knob, but its operation was not as smooth. The shutter went bad and I didn't bother to get it repaired.

Dick