a few zorki-4 questions...

[Pherdinand]

Hi.
I've found an offer: zorki-4 with jupiter-8, for eur37,50 (can go lower i guess). I got very excited 😀
I checked the specs of this camera here on the rff forum and some links that i've found here in "zorki" threads; however, still have a few questions to the experts/owners of this gadget:

1. First and most important: this model uses latin, not cyrillic letters (and different lettertype) for the inscription zorki-4. Why is that? does that come with more (important) differences?

2. What does "removable back" mean? You have to take the back off to load it? (it's still better than the load-through-bottom type...)

3. Do you have to trim the film leader when loading? (highly undesirable)

4. The owner says "jupiter-8 2/50 with standard 42mm screwmount". Shouldn't that read 39mm? (he could have made a mistake) Or are there more versions? (future plans of having other LTM lenses on it...)

5. What about size/weight (like, e.g., compared to a yashica GSN 😀)? I couldn't find any info about this.

6. Is the price okay? ("shutter works good, rangefinder as well, camera looks very good, except some of the leatherette on the back is missing" , says the description. It's a physical person, not a shop - no warranty etc. See attached photo too.)

You guys are the reason I am even considering this camera, so i hope you can help me out with the above questions 😉 Thanks
-and have a good light today.

 

[Laika]

Re: a few zorki-4 questions...

1. First and most important: this model uses latin, not cyrillic letters (and different lettertype) for the inscription zorki-4. Why is that? does that come with more (important) differences?

There are many marking styles, no differences to function. The engraved version is most desirable for aesthetics reasons (and the shutter speed numbers don’t rub off)

2. What does "removable back" mean? You have to take the back off to load it? (it's still better than the load-through-bottom type...)

Yup, undo the two locks on the bottom and the back slides down and off. Better than bottom loading.

3. Do you have to trim the film leader when loading? (highly undesirable)

No only bottom loaders need the leader trimmed.

4. The owner says "jupiter-8 2/50 with standard 42mm screwmount". Shouldn't that read 39mm? (he could have made a mistake) Or are there more versions? (future plans of having other LTM lenses on it...)

They only came in 39mm LTM fit. Its a typo.

5. What about size/weight (like, e.g., compared to a yashica GSN 😀)? I couldn't find any info about this.

I just did a quick web search .. 25.6oz (725.8g) with Jupiter-8. I find the Z4 one of the more bulky Soviet RFs but I still wouldn’t call it a big camera.

6. Is the price okay? ("shutter works good, rangefinder as well, camera looks very good, except some of the leatherette on the back is missing" , says the description. It's a physical person, not a shop - no warranty etc. See attached photo too.)

Seems a little high to me next to ebay prices, I'd want something really nice in a Z4 for the same money, or something with a least a short repair warranty. If you like the Z4 I’d look out for a nice Z4K (thumb lever wind) with a late model black J8 on ebay or from one of the better web site sellers (ie. fedka)

 

[GeneW]

Pherdinand, here's a link to the online Zorki user manual (in English). It
should answer a few of your questions:

http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/zorki4.html

1. My understanding is that models designated for export had latin letters.
Other than that, no difference that I've heard of.

2. You can see this in the online manual. You remove the combined back/bottom plate to
load/unload film.

3. No. It loads fairly easily (see manual)

4. Should be 39mm

5. I don't have a Yashica GSN but it's at least as heavy if not heavier than
my Canonet GIII. It's hefty and solid.

6. Can't help you on this question ... others here on RFF have more experience on pricing

Gene

[Edit. Just missed seeing Laika's post. Sorry for the duplicate info]

 

[Pherdinand]

Thanks for the info, guys.
Actually, the only advantage of this offer against e-bay is ease of affair. It's in the same country where I am (and the Netherlands is fairly small...) so instead of spending cash on postage, i can go and check it on location + pay cash.

I have to think about the deal, though. Yesterday in 2 short hours i shot 37 frames with my Yashica GSN; started to really like it. So why would I need another rf?
Of course, it's manual - no batteries, no guessing on shutter speed... And that LTM idea is sooo tempting... But then, i'll have to buy the jupiter-3 and jupiter-12 package i've just spotted for eur100 ! Heh what should i do what should i do. 🙁

By the way, looking on the photo above, I wonder why the guy is selling the zorki - and keeping that shameful gadget that is (auto?)focusing on the wall, behind the subject! 😀

 

[RML]

The price seems quite alright for Europe. though perhaps you could shave off a few bob because of the cosmetic state. But don't forget that a good clean J-8 alone already costs $25 on eBay, more in Europe, especially in Holland, though in Eastern Europe they could be cheaper.

However, if I were you I'd get the 4K. I really don't like winding the film advance knob. It gets very tedious after a few shots, and especially in warm whether my sweaty fingers don't have enough grip. The 4K has an advance lever, which makes a world of difference.

 

[back alley]

"So why would I need another rf?"

blasphemy!!!!!!!

joe

 

[Socke]

Just below 40 Euro sounds reasonable to me, I got a 1964 Zorki 4 with Jupiter-8 from ua-projekt via Ebay for 29 Euro + 11 Euro shipping from Ukraine.
The rangefinder was way off, but thanks to the internet easy to adjust.
As I was at it, I cleaned and lubricated everything but the lens and will shoot my first roll of very cheap ISO200 color film tomorrow 🙂

The Zorki is a bit wider than my Yashica Electro and much heavier. It feels heavier than my Contax G2, too.

Does one need another rangefinder, or another camera? You can allways excuse yourself with the need for different bodies to accomodate different film. I just bid for an older Zorki with seperated range- and viewfinder and a colapseable lens 🙂

 

[guinness]

"So why would I need another rf?"

blasphemy!!!!!!!

joe

Exactly, I just bought a Kiev 4 w/a Jupiter 8 and then a Jupiter 3 off of Ebay. The Kiev w/J8 should be here next week and the Jupiter 3 a week or two after.

I thought about getting the Jupiters for my FED2, but I wanted to try the Contax copies. And I already have 2 50's for the FED.

I think my RF addiction has officially started. Now at least, I have a few lenses and cameras to play around with. 😀

 

[Doug]

Someone trying to sell something (especially a camera!) with a blurry photo raises my level of concern. Are they simply inept or are they trying to conceal something? It would be a strong plus to examine the camera in person.

Yet another RF? Of course! Especially if it's either the same or different from what you already have! :-D

Guinness, it should be interesting to see how your coming J-3 and J-8 compare...

 

[Kin Lau]

5. What about size/weight (like, e.g., compared to a yashica GSN )? I couldn't find any info about this.

Side by side, my Yashica GS & Zorki 4 are about the same size, hight & width. The Yashica is a little thicker and taller. The Zorki looks and feels smaller. Weight is about the same.

 

[pshinkaw]

Take a look at this thread

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162&highlight=zorki4

Specs for KMZ Zorki-4

-Paul

 

[Pherdinand]

yes, thanks Paul, i already checked that before asking anything.🙂