A russian Bessa

[meandihagee]

I need to put together a cheapo setup with a CV 28 or 35mm LTM.

I have a Zorki 4, but I'm still looking for a reliable FSU RF with a good VF and film advance lever. Also, is there any FSU that doesn't require cutting the tip of the film? Maybe one with 35mm framelines?

Which model would you recommend?

It seems to me that the next generation Zorkis are rather big versus the Z4...

Please share any model that comes into your mind, I can find a lot of good used FSU locally, as we are an ex-communist country.

Thank you

 

[pschauss]

The Zorki 4 has a removable back so you do not have to trim the film.

If you can get along without the 35mm frame lines and do not need slower speeds, a Zorki 6 would be a good choice.

 

[edftwin]

I dont think theres any fsu rf that has 35mm frame line. I own a zorki 3c which is basically identical to your zorki 4 but without time. The vf is the best among other fsu rf IMO, it has the diopter adjustment which allows me to see the focus patch clearly without specs.

Im a bit confused, why do you need to cut the film tip?

If you want a compact rf with 35 finder, you should consider a fed 2 with an external 35 finder. It should give you a very nice setup.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Isn't the Leningrad the only one with framelines other than 50? Not huge but bigger than the Z-4, I think. I haven't used one but the extra complication from the spring drive can't be good for reliability...

Do you need slow speeds at all? Personally, I would go by that, rather than film loading. If you often change rolls out in the field, you could get extra take-up spools (they're cheap) and prepare some rolls in advance.

 

[Kent]

Zorki-4K = Zorki-4 plus film advance lever 😉

 

[stratcat]

Only the very first Zorki and FED models are bottom loaders and require cutting the film leader. Starting with the FED 2 and Zorki 3 that is not necessary.

None of the Kiev 35 mm rangefinder models require cutting the film leader.

 

[batterytypehah!]

^ Plus Zorki-5

 

[batterytypehah!]

Even though you won't be buying from him, Yuri at fedka.com has some great info on the various models.

Just checked: Leningrad has frames for 50, 85 and 135, while the outer edge of the finder works well enough for 35.

I've been toying with the idea of turning a Zarya into a dedicated wide-angle shooter. Rip out the 50 finder and graft one from a cheapo point-and-shoot in there, or use some form of "goggles" set-up. Would be scale focus, though. Zaryas are a little rare and dear over here, though.

 

[meandihagee]

yep, no need to cut the film. i forgot how the Z4 worked and confused it with my other old cameras... i did not use it a long time, but now it's time to give it another spin.

the Z4K looks like a good option.

actually how big is the difference between the Z4 and the following models?

 

[wolves3012]

yep, no need to cut the film. i forgot how the Z4 worked and confused it with my other old cameras... i did not use it a long time, but now it's time to give it another spin.

the Z4K looks like a good option.

actually how big is the difference between the Z4 and the following models?

Read the sticky on selecting an FSU, at the top of this subforum, it'll give you a guide as to which cameras have what features (or lack them). The later Zorki 5 and 6 are a little bit smaller than the 4/4K but the only FSUs that are significantly smaller are the Fed/Zorki and Zorki C/2/2C. Those models don't have the large, bright, combined VF/RF. The FED 2 is a bit wider but not quite as tall. All the other "usual" FSUs are much of a much-ness, size-wise. Bear in mind the Zorki 5 is a bottom-load camera. The Leningrad is the only one with framelines (I think) - or did the Kiev 5 have them too?

There is no real "Bessa equivalent" I'm afraid - and some will tell you that a Bessa has no equal either, should you believe it. On the other hand, we have no 70-year-old Bessas around to testify if they last as long as FSUs are known to!

 

[meandihagee]

fast and great info. thanks everyone.

I toyed around with the Zorki and it seems that the 1/30 is lazy, which makes me think about a reliability issues with this cameras.

I have a lot of Russian stuff around. Kiev 6C (random flaring, maybe from inside the body), Kiev 60 (overlapping), Zenit (shutter doesn't fire) and now the Zorki...

All cool cameras when they used to work.

I guess I could use any FSU RF with a decent viewfinder as I want to shoot some prefocussed stuff with a 28mm (vf on top).

What is the most reliable in your experience?

 

[wolves3012]

fast and great info. thanks everyone.

I toyed around with the Zorki and it seems that the 1/30 is lazy, which makes me think about a reliability issues with this cameras.

I have a lot of Russian stuff around. Kiev 6C (random flaring, maybe from inside the body), Kiev 60 (overlapping), Zenit (shutter doesn't fire) and now the Zorki...

All cool cameras when they used to work.

I guess I could use any FSU RF with a decent viewfinder as I want to shoot some prefocussed stuff with a 28mm (vf on top).

What is the most reliable in your experience?

Many will say the FED 2 is the most reliable but most would agree the most reliable is the one that's been serviced recently. None of the FED/Zorkis is especially complicated, mechanically, so there's no reason for any of them to be unreliable - provided they've been looked after properly. The FED 2 is probably one of the more reliable ones because it's less complicated (no lever wind or slow-speed escapement).

 

[Roger Hicks]

Leningrads also suffer from wildly uneven frame spacing (personal experience) and reputedly from cracking of the zinc alloy chassis.

Put one on the table; set the self timer; watch it jump when the shutter goes off and the film winds... It's quite entertaining.

Cheers,

R.

 

[john341]

Leningrad

Leningrad

I have used one for a few years..viewfinder is great but the camera does jump about a lot...and its HEAVY. Had it serviced by Oleg last year and the timer now works. Uneven frames as you progress through the film but what the? It is indeed a remarkable piece of work from the FSU Cheers from Oz

 

[shadowfox]

Uh... Zorki 6? Duh! (or is that 'Da!' 😛 ).