Beginners question

[fgianni]

Hi

I'd like to know if there is a website where I can get the following information.

A list of russian rangefinder cameras with features and which lens mount they have.
A list of russian rangefinder lenses with features and which mount they are.

Essentially I'd like to have an idea of what is available before deciding what to buy.

Thanks

 

[berci]

Anyway,
you will be soon suffering from GAS and you will have all the russian lenses and cameras.

 

[fgianni]

Anyway,
you will be soon suffering from GAS and you will have all the russian lenses and cameras.

What is exactly GAS?

 

[RichardS]

This site http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/index.html
has some of the information you asked about and has links to other sites with additional information. Set aside some time for reading.

Dick

 

[fgianni]

Fed/Zorki> LTM mount
Keiv> Contax mount

Lenses> Available in either LTM or Contax mount

Do we know which lenses are available in which mount?

Also what you think is the best russion rangefinder?
And which is the best value for money?

Cheers

 

[fgianni]

G.A.S. = Gear Acquisition Syndrome

Oh that one, I have been infected long time ago.

 

[fgianni]

Are the J3 to J11 the only russion lenses available in LTM?
Are they Rangefinder coupled?

 

[ScottS]

Don't forget the Orion-15 (28mm, f6) if you want wide. Not cheap by FSU lens standards (although I expect that the LTM orion is still probably the cheapest LTM 28) Expect to spend $100-$200 for the LTM version, and $200-$400 for the Kiev version. The LTM version is RF-coupled, Kiev version is not.

Scott

 

[rbiemer]

Try THIS SITE . Lots of info and pictures. Pretty well organized.
"Best camera?" Yikes! Let the debate begin!
My choicees: Zorki 3m--big viewfinder, strap lugs, full range of shutter speeds, VERY pretty. More expensive than most FSU cameras.
FED 5C--OK it's ugly as sin, but relatively cheap and newish. No stap lugs, though.
I think the more important first choice is who you buy any FSU cameras from.
I have dealt with and can recommend:
OLEG
and Alex-photo(on ebay). Also have heard good things aboutFEDKA and Soviet Camera Store.
I'm sure other folks here will have more suggestions. Enjoy the ride!
Rob

 

[captainslack]

Best site I've found for info on the LTM Russian cams (FED's & Zorki's) is http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/ . Not to mention, he's done some of the best repaints you'll ever see.

I've got a FED 2d and a Zorki 4. Both are great cameras. I'd take the previous poster's advice and buy from Oleg or Alex-Photo on eBay. I noticed Oleg just updated his website and his prices aren't that far off from what the eBay sellers are asking. His cams will be CLA'd, so that would be the better bet.

 

[reagan]

fgianni ~

You've got some great sites listed above. Here's another. RFF sponsor Stephen Gandy @ CameraQuest.com has this article with brief descriptions of several FSUs. And here is an article on LTM lenses. There are also many, many articles on a variety RFs, including Leica and LeicaCopy. Gandy is one of my favorite sites. Spend some time and look around there. Have fun ~ Good luck.

 

[Kin Lau]

J3 through J11 are available in either mount.

Best value? Get one of each.

OOOPS! The I61 and I26 are LTM only.

All the RF Industar lenses are LTM only. That's the I-22, I-26, I-50 and I-61. There's also Industar lenses for m39, m42, medfmt, large fmt.

I'd have to lean towards the Zorki 4K w/ J8 as the best bang for the buck. It's a nice shooter with a large and bright finder, lever wind instead of knob wind and the J8 is typically a "pretty good" lense. 4K's + J8 typically go for about $30-40.