Best FSU for first time RF shooter?

[Warren T.]

I see, this is all very interesting. Thanks all for the replies 🙂

What meters do you guys like?

i've used different ones over the years, but my current one is a Sekonic L-208 Twinmate. It's very compact and simple.

--Warren

 

[jody36]

Early model Zorki 4,50/2 J8.1:1 viewfinder and not a budget breaker.Learn "sunny 16" and you're set.Save up for more....................Robin

ditto ditto ditto

 

[jody36]

no meter ever sunny 16 very easy 400 speed film and u can be off a couple steps and get good pics. if u want leica like size zorki or fed if u want rangefinder built like tank konica auto s2 electros I have dont use even gave two away. but i trust you will not just buy one rangefinder anyway. so get one any of them and see for yourself how easy it is to get addicted.

 

[mcgrattan]

Thanks for the welcome 🙂 and the information. It seems like a "Zorki 4 already CLA'd with J8" is the way to go.

Have you by chance tried an Yashica Electro or Leica IIIc ? I wonder how all these different cameras of similar price compare...

I had a IIIc for a while. Honest truth? They are built to a completely different standard to the FSU cameras, and they feel much nicer to use. But, for me, the end results were quite similar. The better FSU lenses really are good lenses in their own right.

I got rid of my IIIc [and am getting rid of most of my FSU gear] because I decided that if I am going small and compact [i.e. shooting 35mm film] I don't want to be carrying a light meter, and I really want aperture priority exposure. Sunny-16 is fine, but I find that shooting indoors in gloomy British winters I really need a meter. So I am down-sizing to a couple of modern 35mm cameras, and if I am going to carry a proper light-meter I might as well stick to medium format [which I really love anyway] or use the dSLR.

 

[40oz]

Kiev's have been rather good for me. As long as the body doesn't leak light, the shutter is good, and the finder is clear, you are pretty much set. Kiev lenses rarely seem to be a problem.

 

[spystyle]

And I just saw this adapter to use M42 lenses on Russian Leica copies

Do you guys think that would work well on a FSU-RF?