Best FSU RF camera

[farlymac]

I never did that on my Z6, not even for my Z4K and Fed2.

Why do you think it's necessary to trim the leader?

For some reason the slot on the take-up spool is only 14mm, while the end of the post-Leica film leader is around 21mm, give or take a couple of tenths. The serial number is 630009490 which looks like pretty early in the production run, so maybe they changed it on later or export units.

Other than that, and the fact the previous owner mangled one of the shutter curtain adjusters, it's a great camera with smooth winding and operation. I plan to get another one someday.

PF

 

[Wulfthari]

I never felt the necessity of it, perhaps your camera needs a CLA.

Same thing for Z4s and Fed2s, they are older designs than the Z6 but they work fine without cutting the lead.

 

[farlymac]

I never felt the necessity of it, perhaps your camera needs a CLA.

Same thing for Z4s and Fed2s, they are older designs than the Z6 but they work fine without cutting the lead.

Don't see how a CLA would fix the slot in the take up spool. But to answer my own thoughts about it, I ordered another Z-6 that is two years newer, and it does have a different take-up spool which will accept the 21mm leader width.

PF

 

[pschauss]

I have bought a number of FSU range finders over the years (too many, probably). Among the FEDs and Zorkiis I, prefer the bottom loaders (FED 1/Zorkii 1/Zorkii C) because they are less likely to have light leaks and the lack of a hinged back makes them more compact. I have a Zorkii 4 but I find that the viewfinder is difficult to use with my glasses on. Also, if I am going to carry a camera that does not fit in my pocket I would rather use a Kiev 4 which has a really great viewfinder.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Just a thought: I've a Contax film trimmer and the end that goes into the reloadable cassette's spool is about 14mm wide. So I wonder if someone has been playing mix and match (as they do) and you have the wrong spool fitted.

Regards, David

 

[rfaspen]

Hmm.
I've used both Zorki-C (as the OP has) and Zorki-6. Still have both.
The Zorki-6 was kind of nice to use except the wind-on mechanism was pretty gritty. But it never failed.
The Zorki-C was dead reliable. Always. I took that thing a lot of places and took a lot of photos. Worked rather nicely in very cold weather (10-40F below zero). I actually got skilled enough to load certain brand films without trimming....but I also kept a tiny pair of folding scissors in my bag that I could use to trim film whenever/wherever I needed to load up a new roll.
I may be without my favorite digital for a while....I know I'm going to ease the pain with revisiting my film cameras. I just might pull out that little Zorki-C. I don't feel the same desire with the Zorki-6.

 

[tunalegs]

I have bought a number of FSU range finders over the years (too many, probably). Among the FEDs and Zorkiis I, prefer the bottom loaders (FED 1/Zorkii 1/Zorkii C) because they are less likely to have light leaks and the lack of a hinged back makes them more compact. I have a Zorkii 4 but I find that the viewfinder is difficult to use with my glasses on. Also, if I am going to carry a camera that does not fit in my pocket I would rather use a Kiev 4 which has a really great viewfinder.

I would not rate the Kiev's viewfinder better than the Zorki 4's. It's slightly dimmer, but also smaller. If I'm using glasses I just life them with the camera when I bring it to my eye and never have a problem.

The problem with the Zorki C, et. al. is that the viewfinder is pretty much worthless with glasses or without. At least if one actually likes to compose their photos instead of just aiming the camera at things. The Zorki 4's large, bright, combined viewfinder is its greatest attribute I think.

 

[farlymac]

Hi,

Just a thought: I've a Contax film trimmer and the end that goes into the reloadable cassette's spool is about 14mm wide. So I wonder if someone has been playing mix and match (as they do) and you have the wrong spool fitted.

Regards, David

Well, there is the possibility of that, seeing as the bottom of the spool is missing a bit of the skirting, but then that could have happened when the previous owner mangled up the rest of the camera.

I think the '65 model is going to work out just fine after I checked the shutter for pinholes, and the rangefinder is hitting the focus targets in my apartment with some accuracy. Haven't found any corrosion on it either, so it's been well taken care of. Will be putting new seals in it tomorrow.

I'll have to get some Jupiter lenses for it later on. Man, the prices have gone up in the last year.

PF