Accessory finders

[dll927]

So far my minor collection of Zorki, FED and Kievs all have just their 50mm lenses. If I should get lenses of other focal lengths, how good are the FSU accessory finders compared to their German counterparts? In particular, what about the "turret" ones with several focal lengths? I realize they are slightly different for Zorkis and for Kievs, but that isn't my point. For those who have tried them, are they accurate and 'on task' for their respective lenses?

 

[Jocko]

I've found my turret finder to be absolutely fine - literally spot on at 50 and 35mm - with a nice bright image and helpful crosshairs. I've never used it at the longer focal lengths (85/135) and in a previous thread on this subject, some people were unhappy when using such lenses, although others seem to do perfectly well. It is - of course - originally a Contax design, but there are probably manufacturing variations between individual finders, as is generally the case with Soviet gear.. The Soviet finders for individual focal lengths are excellent, but do not offer any parallax compensation.

 

[Ronald M]

Manual parallax compensation is a pain and I forget all the time.

It is ok in a studio with a 90. Set lens and finder to 5 feet, move in until the catchlights in the eyes merge, and shoot.

Outside when you go from one distance to another, I screw up 1/2 the time. Somehow i don`t do it with a BL single focal length.

 

[Nickfed]

The KMZ 35mm is nice to use. I also use a German Kodak 28mm made for the Retina S. The latter turn up on eBay at Russian prices. They cover the shutter wheel and could even foul that on the Zorki-4.

 

[darkkavenger]

The helios finder with lines is OK and less bulky than the turret finder...however, I keep thinking that my dad seldom uses my former kmz turret finder. hmm hmm... would do nice with my whole set of lenses 🙂

 

[wyk_penguin]

I've heard that the turnet finder needs some shiming and adjusting before it works spot on. I use my 85mm f/2 by guestimation in the VF/RF and it turns out nice enough. I don't do a lot of close up though, mainly midrange distances. For something more than 10m away, I just take what I see as what I get and don't worry about parallax.

 

[doubs43]

So far my minor collection of Zorki, FED and Kievs all have just their 50mm lenses. If I should get lenses of other focal lengths, how good are the FSU accessory finders compared to their German counterparts? In particular, what about the "turret" ones with several focal lengths? I realize they are slightly different for Zorkis and for Kievs, but that isn't my point. For those who have tried them, are they accurate and 'on task' for their respective lenses?

If you have lenses from 35mm ~ 135mm and do not plan on getting a 28mm lens then I suggest that you look for a decent Leitz Imarect finder that includes the 85mm setting. Prices are reasonable and their parallax correction is so far superior to the FSU turret finder that there's no comparison. The Imarect is more likely to fit your accessory shoe properly and not require shims etc. in order to fit well.

Cost will be approximately the same if you shop a little on ebay.

Walker