Peter55
Leica M5 & Summilux User
I have just read the thread about the most quiet FSU LTM camera shutter and now I have a question for you owners. Which FSU LTM camera has the best viewfinder and rangefiner. Please describe your viewfinder of choice and explain what makes it so good.
I'm very interested in becomuing a FSU LTM rangefinder camera user. But because of tight money restrictions I cannot afford more than one even at the priced I see at Fedka. I'm on disability and If I could I would love a $25 body and a $25 lens. I know who wouldn't? But this is about as much as I can spend. Perhaps If I keep researching and saving I may get a $100 body and an $85 lens. But for this amount of cash I would hope to get something really nice.
I have looked at the Zorki 6 with hinged back and the Jupiter 12 chrome and the newer black version. I also like the FED 5B with rewind lever.
But my opinions are only based upon reading about these cameras. If other forum members here could take a little time and describe their cameras I feel this would help me. I am the owner of a nice second hand Leica M5 and 50 Summilux the 1959-61 version. I am very happy with this setup. My reason for inquiring about these old FSU LTM cameras is I would like aother lens, a 35 wide angle. Or perhaps a 50mm Elmar collapsable type would be very nice. Except I think I need a WA more than a second normal lens. I also want to mount the lens on a second body and the LTM has always cought my attention. But as a first rangefinder camera I went with the M5 because it was the newest M with TTL I could afford. I was affraid of purchasing anything older. Those fears are gone now and I do so want a FSU LTM and a wide lens like the Jupiter 12.
You can see I am digressing away from modern SLR's and Rangefinders but I'm moving slowly. That's why first an M5 and now either the Zorki 6 or FED 5B are my favorite candidates at this time as they are without a meter but still have convienient characteristics like lever rewind or hinged back. Perhaps one day I will forgo all modern conviences and get an early Camera with bottom loading and small viewfiner/rangefiners base.
I'm very interested in becomuing a FSU LTM rangefinder camera user. But because of tight money restrictions I cannot afford more than one even at the priced I see at Fedka. I'm on disability and If I could I would love a $25 body and a $25 lens. I know who wouldn't? But this is about as much as I can spend. Perhaps If I keep researching and saving I may get a $100 body and an $85 lens. But for this amount of cash I would hope to get something really nice.
I have looked at the Zorki 6 with hinged back and the Jupiter 12 chrome and the newer black version. I also like the FED 5B with rewind lever.
But my opinions are only based upon reading about these cameras. If other forum members here could take a little time and describe their cameras I feel this would help me. I am the owner of a nice second hand Leica M5 and 50 Summilux the 1959-61 version. I am very happy with this setup. My reason for inquiring about these old FSU LTM cameras is I would like aother lens, a 35 wide angle. Or perhaps a 50mm Elmar collapsable type would be very nice. Except I think I need a WA more than a second normal lens. I also want to mount the lens on a second body and the LTM has always cought my attention. But as a first rangefinder camera I went with the M5 because it was the newest M with TTL I could afford. I was affraid of purchasing anything older. Those fears are gone now and I do so want a FSU LTM and a wide lens like the Jupiter 12.
You can see I am digressing away from modern SLR's and Rangefinders but I'm moving slowly. That's why first an M5 and now either the Zorki 6 or FED 5B are my favorite candidates at this time as they are without a meter but still have convienient characteristics like lever rewind or hinged back. Perhaps one day I will forgo all modern conviences and get an early Camera with bottom loading and small viewfiner/rangefiners base.
murrayb53
Established
I would have to go with the Zorki 3. It offers a large nearly 1:1 viewfinder and an eyepiece correction. I've compared it to my Zorki 4K's and I think the RF patch is larger and more contrasty. In my opinion the Zorki 3 was the best Russian RF made. I own 3 and have never had an issue.. KMZ discintinued the Zorki 3 for the 3M, then the 3C (predessor of the 4). Story has it that the 3 was too costly to make but cynics say it was due to shutter problems.
I own many FSU camera's and feel that the Zorki 3 4, and 4K offer the largest VF's and the Fed's are all smaller with smaller RF patches. I feel the Zorki 5 and 6 also have small VF's and are similiar to the Fed's but better made.
Steve
I own many FSU camera's and feel that the Zorki 3 4, and 4K offer the largest VF's and the Fed's are all smaller with smaller RF patches. I feel the Zorki 5 and 6 also have small VF's and are similiar to the Fed's but better made.
Steve
Peter55
Leica M5 & Summilux User
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks Steve,
The Zorki 3. Well I'll look into them. I appreciate your response.
Thanks
Thanks Steve,
The Zorki 3. Well I'll look into them. I appreciate your response.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
If you plan to use a 35 mm lens, Peter, the built-in viewfinder will not matter since you will need an accessory finder for that focal length. The accuracy of the R/F will not be so important because a 35 mm has considerable depth of field.
nzeeman
Well-known
maybe you can get drug camera for 35mm lens because its viewfinder is 35mm with 50 and 85 framelines.
btw fed 5b has too dark viewfinder in my opinion.
btw fed 5b has too dark viewfinder in my opinion.
robin a
Well-known
Hi,I use a Zorki 3m alot because of the finder.Large and very clear.But,as stated,only for 50 mm.Then it's all up to your finder.........Robin
Peter55
Leica M5 & Summilux User
35mm lens
35mm lens
Yes that's a good idea. The drug w/35/50/85. I can see that I am learning by asking my question. Thanks for your's and everyone's replies.
35mm lens
nzeeman said:
Yes that's a good idea. The drug w/35/50/85. I can see that I am learning by asking my question. Thanks for your's and everyone's replies.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
the Kiev 5 looks to have a mighty fine finder.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
The Kiev 5 finder is glorious. It was far and away the best the FSU ever made. Big bright & easy to use. The finder more than made up for the clunky styling to me. I still sometimes regret selling mine. Get a later one and the whole window is 35mm with finder lines for 50 & 85 (and the rf patch covers almost exactly 135mm too 
).
William
).William
Spider67
Well-known
Yes it's the Kiev 5 finder mine's without the 85 mm framelines but I admire that it's parallax corrected!
mjflory
Accumulator
I like the finder on my Zorki 3M better than that of the Zorki 1, FED 2, even the Kievs. But since you have the superb M5 and Summilux, might I suggest something entirely different? How about a small, fixed-lens rangefinder with a wide lens?
The shortcomings of the M5 are that it's a little bigger than other M's, Zorkis, and FEDs. Also, because of the meter arm, it can't be used with the Jupiter 12. Other 35mm LTM and M-series lenses are much more expensive. You could get an FSU body that would take a J12, but it will feel crude compared to the M5. The Olympus XA rangefinder, or, for less money, the XA2 scale-focusing version, are very convenient, have quite sharp 35 mm lenses, and are inexpensive. The principal drawback is the lack of extensive manual control. If that's an issue, the older Olympus 35RC, with its manual control option, might appeal, though the lens is a bit longer. Prices are all over the place; I found mine for $20 in a thrift shop. These are just a couple of fixed-lens cameras that come to mind off the top of my head, but there are others out there with lenses between 28 and 42 mm. It's an entirely different shooting experience, but it might be a good complement to the very versatile but less compact M5.
On the other hand, I can certainly understand the appeal of the old rangefinders themselves... In that case, I'd be tempted by the Zorki 3 / 3M / 3C -- or, for true mechanical loveliness, an early Kiev -- with a Jupiter 12.
Enjoy the hunt!
The shortcomings of the M5 are that it's a little bigger than other M's, Zorkis, and FEDs. Also, because of the meter arm, it can't be used with the Jupiter 12. Other 35mm LTM and M-series lenses are much more expensive. You could get an FSU body that would take a J12, but it will feel crude compared to the M5. The Olympus XA rangefinder, or, for less money, the XA2 scale-focusing version, are very convenient, have quite sharp 35 mm lenses, and are inexpensive. The principal drawback is the lack of extensive manual control. If that's an issue, the older Olympus 35RC, with its manual control option, might appeal, though the lens is a bit longer. Prices are all over the place; I found mine for $20 in a thrift shop. These are just a couple of fixed-lens cameras that come to mind off the top of my head, but there are others out there with lenses between 28 and 42 mm. It's an entirely different shooting experience, but it might be a good complement to the very versatile but less compact M5.
On the other hand, I can certainly understand the appeal of the old rangefinders themselves... In that case, I'd be tempted by the Zorki 3 / 3M / 3C -- or, for true mechanical loveliness, an early Kiev -- with a Jupiter 12.
Enjoy the hunt!
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mac_wt
Cameras are like bunnies
If money is that tight, I would stick with the M5 and the summilux. 185 $ will buy you a LTM 35mm lens that you can use on the M5 (I bought a Canon 35mm f1.8 for less) and no FSU camera can beat the viewfinder/rangefinder of the M5. The options mentioned above (Zorki 3, Kiev 5, Fed 5b and probably the Drug) are comparable to the M5 in size and weight.
wolves3012
Veteran
I agree with others that the Zorki 3/3M/4/4K have the biggest and brightest finders. Being about 1:1 is also very nice. Best RF would be the wider-base FED-2 or Zorki-5/6
From my collection, most Zorkis are significantly brighter but less contrasty than FEDs. FEDs score in daylight, Zorkis score indoors and in poor light. The FED 5C, however, does have a bright finder, albeit at lower magnification.
As has been pointed out in other posts, if you're intending to use a 35mm lens, the auxilliary finder is the limiting factor and DOF will work in your favour on focussing accuracy. If you can live without slower speeds I'd say your suggestion of a Zorki 6 will not disappoint.
From my collection, most Zorkis are significantly brighter but less contrasty than FEDs. FEDs score in daylight, Zorkis score indoors and in poor light. The FED 5C, however, does have a bright finder, albeit at lower magnification.
As has been pointed out in other posts, if you're intending to use a 35mm lens, the auxilliary finder is the limiting factor and DOF will work in your favour on focussing accuracy. If you can live without slower speeds I'd say your suggestion of a Zorki 6 will not disappoint.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
So is there any common, relatively inexpensive FSU LTM model
with finder coverage wider than 50mm?
Chris
with finder coverage wider than 50mm?
Chris
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mac_wt
Cameras are like bunnies
ChrisPlatt said:
In short: no. The only that comes to mind is the Drug and that is not a common camera but might still be 'relatively' inexpensive (certainly if you consider a new Leica as a point of reference; probably not if you take a a new Bessa or a vintage Leica M as a point of reference and certainly not if you take a Fed 2 or 5 as point of reference).
Wheelieman1
Member
Hi Peter,
John here from the UK I too have a disability/low budget recently bought a beaten up Drug for low price; had to lube the trigger wind and adjust the range finder Still have not sorted the slow speeds yet. The 1/1 viewfinder and framelines are great for an fsu, and the rangefinder bright and accurate once adjusted. The shutter button is on the front of the camera so you are not pressing down when you shoot. Lovely camera - great results - boy I'd like an M5 though. Blessings John W
John here from the UK I too have a disability/low budget recently bought a beaten up Drug for low price; had to lube the trigger wind and adjust the range finder
Still have not sorted the slow speeds yet. The 1/1 viewfinder and framelines are great for an fsu, and the rangefinder bright and accurate once adjusted. The shutter button is on the front of the camera so you are not pressing down when you shoot. Lovely camera - great results - boy I'd like an M5 though. Blessings John W