Best FSU rangefinder for the money.

E

eleskin

Well-known
Local time
4:35 PM
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
1,080
I seem to be drawn to the Zorki 4, but maybe others may be worth considering. Generally, I shoot with Leica M, but I would love to give the FSU cameras a spin, as I understand they are fun and interesting cameras. I do have 3 lenses, a Industar 61LD, Jupiter 8, and Jupiter 9. Which model will give the best reliability, viewfinder, and least ammount of shutter noise.
 
I find myself drawn to the FED 2. Its longer base R/F should be specially good with 90/85 lenses and with a 50 at f/2 or wider. I had a Zorki 1C whose V/F left something to be desired, but it was reliable and quiet -- qualities which depend on how well a camera was last overhauled.
 
I second the FED 2 suggestion and would like to add that shutter noise with FSU cameras largely seems to depend more on the individual camera than on the model.
 
I had a FED2 and could not stand its squinty viewfinder, and the damn diopter adjustment lever constantly moving. I have a Zorki 4 now and even though it needs a CLA and has been used very little, its viewfinder is large and bright, definitely a pleasure to use. On the other hand, the person who bought my FED2 seems to like it a lot, so you might want to try both. :)
 
Too bad you have the LTM lenses already, but I would have to say the Kiev's are the best FSU cameras. As far as LTM, I love my FED-2 as well, but the lack of slow speeds and the 1/1000 shutter speed makes me pick up the Zorki 3-C most of the times. Oh! And the viewfinder is 100% better on the Zorki than on the FED.
 
I had a kiev I couldn't fix but that felt like a solid camera my zorki 1c however is the best fsu I've ever used Though it is for sale in the classifieds right now
 
Another Fed 2 vote here!....mine came from Fedka three years back, been no trouble, and one of the best r/f patches in my collection.
Dave.
P.S. don't heed this Kiev nonsense!...if you read back through the threads - most here have three or four - but only one that works sporadically!:D
 
FED-2. BTW: there are more versions, some that have better / different diopter lever that doesn't move by itself and the brightness of the VF can also vary. A cleaning also helps.

FED-2's are
- reliable - there is no slow speed mech
- accurate - the wide VF baselength helps to nail focus precisely
- quiet - again, lack of slow speeds enables the shutter to run at lower spring tension (but tuning needs to be done)
- small - the smallest volume except for Zorki/Fed-1 bottom loaders
- usually come with strap lugs !

Honestly - how often do you use speeds slower than 1/25 or 1/30 ?
 
Spyderman said:
FED-2. BTW: there are more versions, some that have better / different diopter lever that doesn't move by itself and the brightness of the VF can also vary. A cleaning also helps.
Click to expand...

Not to disagree, but my FED-2 just had a CLA and the viewfinder was horribly squinty. As for them being quiet, the shutter on mine sounded like a rifle shot.
 
The Zorki 3M (at least mine) has the brightest vf of all fsu cameras, the fed2 is a lot lot darker.

I think the Zorki it´s a better camera but the Fed is so ridiculous cheap that everybody should have one.
 
Good early Zorki 4 properly serviced - inexpensive , but with all that you need , having said that it's bigger and less delicate than a Fed 2 ... controversially a new Fed 5 body is cheap - and works much better that they have a reputation for !
 
Just to drop in, the best one for the money is one with a good and proper CLA (cleaning lubricating and adjustment) This is worth the money, and what you pay is what you get most times.

I recommend the Zorki 6 the rangefinder is clear and has a longer base. And it is silent as well. :) It has no slow speeds... but I hope you can live with that. The Fed 2 has a better look, but a darker viewfinder.

Good luck on your search for one! :)
 
I'll add a vote for the Zorki 6 or FED 2 unless you need the slower speeds. The Z-6 has a much brighter finder than the FED 2. My two FED 2s have been quite different, the early one (2b) had a very dim finder and was very smooth but with a loud shutter, the later has a much brighter VF (though still not up to Z-6 standards) and is quieter.

If you need slow speeds there's the sought-after Zorki 3 or 3M or the just-as-capable but cheaper Zorki 4.

As others have said, try to buy from a reputable seller, that's probably at least as important as what model you buy!
 
Zorki 3M or possibly the Zorki 4K, the advance lever model. Bright finder and easy to be seen patch on both.

The 3M has the classic look, you could almost think its an expensive camera from the look alone.

The 4K is built like a tank and you can have it and still enjoy the benefit of having two kidneys.
 
Roger Hicks said:
No: less than twice as much. One Nikon that works constantly = 3 Kievs that work intermittently. That's being generous to some Kievs, thoigh equally, you might get a good one first time.

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

Well, I would say that is not the point of buying FSU.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom