Best Russian RF; Kiev or Zorki?

[ERV]

What I like about a Kiev is the ability to use real Zeiss Sonnar lenses. I guess you could also put a Leica lens on a Zorki or other copy as well.
My Kiev 4am, while not the most elegant camera has held up very well as a daily user in my bag. What I really want is a nice Kiev 2 or early 2a.
BTW, has anyone bought a camera from Fedka? Are they is good shape overall?
thanks.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Fedka has a good track record. The extra cost is worth it- the cameras or lenses have at least been checked competently by people who really know about cameras. And if there's a defect which was able to escape scrutiny, the camera or lens in question could be returned. I've bought one camera from him- it was described to be a 'fixer' or 'parts' camera. It was just missing a little part in the baseplate- and what I got was much better than many of others I got which were described as 'L@@K! clean and perfect"... 🙂

Jay

 

[santino]

I prefer the Zorkis (especially the 1D and 3). The Kiev isn't worse (it has more shutter speeds and is quiter - at faster shutter speeds) but I like how the Zorki feels in my hands, I love it's shutter sound and all about it. both are great (after CLA off course 😀)

 

[rolleistef]

having got a kiev lately, and having used a Zorki a couple of years ago, I'd say :
the Zorki has the LTM advantage, huge lens panel; a dioptric viewfinder, you can paint it the way you want.
Cons : loud shutter, speeds are really painful to set, shutter may be broken if speeds are set before cocking

Kiev : Big, Heavy, shiny, looks really tough,, very quiet metal shutter that may not be sun harmed by (unlike the cloth leica-style ones on the Zorki). People come and have a chat with you when you shoot with this camera, nice rf.
Cons : really heavy (750g), not a simple camera to use, slow speeds rarely acute, odd speed scale (1250, 500, 250,125, 50, 25, 10 5 2 B), no dioptric finder which is a bit small and dark