Best FSU camera

fredus

fredus

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Hi there,

I just wanted the opinion of the good people in this forum on what they think was the best FSU ever ? I guess the criteria are: Compactness, quality of lens, viewfinder, ease of use ... I'm a beginer at FSU and would like to understand which one are best to own ..

Thanks !

Fred
 
I know of 3 major brands of FSU cameras: Zorki, Fed, and Kiev. I have never owned a Zorki so I can't comment on any of those models. I do have a Fed 2E type 2 and an early (1959) Kiev 4a. They are both good cameras. I like the Kiev a bit better, but the Fed has a LTM which is compatable with more lenses from other manufacturers. In lenses, the Jupiter 8 (50mm) and Jupiter 12 (35mm) are available in both Kiev and LTM and are excellent.
 
Hi Fred,

Without commenting on whether they are the "best" (since everybody has their own opinion about such things), I do have a Kiev 4A and a Kiev 4AM with an assortment of matching lenses. Please understand that this is not a "for sale" posting as I am not looking to sell my Kiev gear. Just thought I would let you know what I have since we live close to each other and in case you wanted to actually see/feel/try them out.

Best,
Randy
 
Hi,
My preference is for the Mir. A Zorki 4 without the slow speeds so easier to maintain. The Fed 2's are slightly better for long lenses but the Zorki seem better made and more reliable. The 4K has the wind lever rather than a knob and can be quicker to use but the printed names and more importantly shutter speeds wear off. No experience with the Kiev. Fovourite lens is the J3 but they are a lot of poor ones about.

Kim
 
Best is a hard thing to define. I have two Zorkis (3M and 4K). From an ergonomic standpoint the 3M is the better of the two ... at least for me. The disadvantages of the 4K are the lack of strap lugs and the already mentioned painted on shutter speeds. I also have a Kiev 4 which I haven't really had long enough to get to know, but it's a good picture taker and seems solidly built.

Peter
 
overall best bang for the buck& qualitiy wise would be a 1960s Kiev 4a with the J-8 lens bought from a reputable seller .IMHO.
 
I'd vote for the Zorki 3M as perhaps the best.

For ease of use I'd have to say the Zorki 6.

I am not a fan of the Fed models and have never used a Kiev, so this is just my 2 cents.
 
I'll put a vote in for the Leningrad. It's loud, large, and can be a bit cantankerous, but it is an original design, has a nice bright viewfinder, and the spring wound advance makes for fast shooting. Probably not the FSU for everyone, but certainly an interesting camera.
 
I like the feel and the ergonomics of the Zorki 4. I do have a Kiev and a Fed 2, but I keep using the Zorki more than the others. I have two of the engraved versions (1957 and 1962) and a couble of the metal Jupiter 8s. I also use my CV lenses on these cameras. The Zorki just feels more comfortable to me (better ergonomics?).

Mike
 
If you are going to spend the money on Canon lenses, you will be better served by a Canon body. There are differences in the calibration of the RF between Russian LTM cameras and everyone elses. It is a problem with telephoto's and fast lenses. The nice thing about Russian cameras are the ability to use a lot of cheap lenses. Quality control is an issue. For example, you can order 4 J-3 lenses, adjust everyone of them, get one that is as good as a Zeiss lens, two "good" performers, and one parts lens.
 
zorki 1, hands down!

actually, not hands down at all, this is just my opinion...

I really like the camera because it has a nice rangefinder (magnefied), a nice viewfinder (small but bright, and you can actually see where the frame ends), and its really small (especially when used with the [wonderful] industar 22 lens). It also feels right in the hand, unlike other FSU cameras (because its a straight up leica design, no communist 'improvments', heh).

:)
 
einolu said:
zorki 1, hands down!:)
Click to expand...

Add "or FED 1" and I'd have to agree`!

No single camera can be the "best" as all the FSU rangefinders have their own personalities, strongpoints and weaknesses. The "best" is the one that fits your own quirks. But... buy an original FED or Zorki and you effectively have a pre-war Leica - THE 35mm camera, the exquisite instrument that started it all. A little bit of history, and wonderful to use.
 
I had a Zorki 6 (sold it) and currently own a FED 2. I like the FED 2 best. I'm currently thinking about getting a FED 3A. :D

Whatever you decide to buy, make sure it's in good working condition.
 
This may be a bit obscure, but I'd vote for the Droug.

Advantages:

-- Shutter is the same type used on Fed 5/Leningrad/Zorki, not the more complex and possibly less reliable Contax-derived shutter used on Kievs.

-- The viewfinder is bright, contrasty and has reflected framelines (similar to Canon P system) for 50mm and 85mm lenses. The finder has 1:1 magnification, which makes the 50mm frame a bit hard to see for eyeglasses wearers, but enhances focusing accuracy.

-- The rangefinder is short-base but precise, and all commonly-needed adjustments are externally accessible without major disassembly.

-- The shutter release is much smoother than on most FSU cameras I've tried.

-- Finish and build quality also seem unusually high for an FSU camera.

-- The lensmount is standard LTM... and unlike many FSU cameras, it has a roller tip on the RF coupling arm. This means you can use lenses with tab-shaped RF couplers (e.g. Canon teles) without the usual worry of having the lens become locked onto the camera!
 
I've got a FED 2, Zorki 4, & a Kiev 4am. I can't say much about the Kiev as I haven't had it very long, but I would have to say the FED is favorite of the remaining two. The Zorki's VF is bigger and brighter, but being a glasses wearer I find it more difficult to use. The FED is lighter, easier to load, and feels better made.
 
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