Brainwashing a friend

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lushd

Donald
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A friend of mine is going to the American mid-west for 2 weeks on Monday. I have succeeded in convincing him that what he needs to make his trip complete is the loan of a Russian rangefinder camera. He is technically competent and an imaginative photographer and none of them will present difficulties to him in operation, although he's never used this type of camera before. But which one should I let him take? His choices are:

Zorki 4k
Fed 3
Fed 2
Kiev 4a

Obviously my aim is to ensure he comes back hungry to own one of his own!
 
we are to assume that he knows how to use a handheld meter.. any of those cameras would work well.. I might not recommend the Kiev as it requires the funky Contax/Kiev grip

where in the midwest will he be travelling?
 
Well - I just looked at his message again. It's Tucson, Arizona so its the west really , isn't it? My US geog is a bit shaky so apologies if I have just outraged American readers. I will hand him a Leningrad meter as well.
 
yes, Arizona is considered the Southwest.. but that answers my question.. he has the opportunity to do street photography in Tucson, and desert landscapes if he so desires.. he won't be far from the infamous town of Tombstone, as well

I doubt he'll even need a meter.. just shoot Sunny 16 all the time.. I'd recommend a slow film
 
I have this theory that everywhere in the USA that's mentioned in a song is a good place for photography, so I think he's in for a good time. I was pondering the sunny 16 thing too, especially with colour print film. I think the Z4k is the best bet - easy to use and great results. I'll have to point out how to rewind though or he will curse me when the first film is finsihed!
 
"But which one should I let him take?"
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The moment my wife showed the least bit of interest in a camera, I ordered her a Zorki of her very own. Pffff... ya don't think she's gettin' one of mine, do ya? :rolleyes:

I have no experience with any of these cameras (except the 4K close cousin, Zorki.4) so I'm clueless. But the Grip might make the Kiev a little frustrating at first. Are the FEDs bottom loaders? That could be a LOT of frustration. But it they're not, one of them might be a good choice. The FEDs are smaller, than the Kiev and Zorki, right? Especially with something collapsible for glass. That might be a plus for traveling. Again, I'm clueless... except I know one thing. I wish I was going with him!

And be sure and tie a piece of Yak hair string to whichever camera you give him. A man who is not an FSU junkie, and spends much time alone with an FSU, could be in grave danger of light leaks, jammed shutters and the like ... without the Blessing of the Yak.
 
what a nice guesture, a choice of shooters! Wouldn't your friend feel just so cool with a knob winder? Besides, correct me if I'm mis-informed, couldn't he be arrested for being in possession of the Zorki 4k, some vague statute about cheezy winders and the associated "Ker-plunk!!!" as he tries in vain to effect a quiet frame advance, with all the grace of a block and tackle lift :) . Could be an attention grabber, though.
 
fidget said:
what a nice guesture, a choice of shooters! Wouldn't your friend feel just so cool with a knob winder? Besides, correct me if I'm mis-informed, couldn't he be arrested for being in possession of the Zorki 4k, some vague statute about cheezy winders and the associated "Ker-plunk!!!" as he tries in vain to effect a quiet frame advance, with all the grace of a block and tackle lift :) . Could be an attention grabber, though.
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Well - he's an architect specialising in restoring old buildings, so he's used to noisy old stuff. That point about the law - is it against the law to point a Zorki at a US Citizen?
 
What, even one that's not loaded?

Hey, here I am being mildly unkind to the Zorki, when of the FSU RFers that i have, my 4 is one which has had most use and yet has never shown any sign of a problem (my 4k never got a film loaded) . I bet he'll fine with any. Which would he choose, function over charm?
 
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I am going to go against the grain and recommend the Kiev. It is quirky enough to grab the imagination and the sound of the shutter is almost musical. The long rangefinder base will make focusing a little easier and the viewfinder is fairly bright.
 
lushd said:
Well - he's an architect specialising in restoring old buildings, so he's used to noisy old stuff. That point about the law - is it against the law to point a Zorki at a US Citizen?
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Not unless they laugh themselves to death :D
I have noticed when communicating with friends in the UK and europe that I tend to forget that they do not understand a country so big you can drive for a week to get from coast to coast and still be in the same country.
Why it takes 12 hours just to cross Texas. I once drove from San Diego, Ca. to my home here in NE La. and it took 34 hours of driving time. :eek: Here, we think nothing of a 50 mile a day work commute. This is a vast country and a diversified one that us "Colonists" live in. Come over and let me show you around but you will have to stay for awhile to see it all
 
Definitely not the Kiev. The Contax Grip might drive him nuts. I'd say let him choose between the FED 2 & the 4k. Whichever feels better to him is the one I'd let him take.
 
captainslack said:
I'd say let him choose between the FED 2 & the 4k. Whichever feels better to him is the one I'd let him take.
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That's a good point captainslack. I'd go one step further. Show your friend the cameras you're will to lend. Explain the pro's and con's and a bit of history of each and let your friend decide. :D
 
He's coming around tomorrow to make the selection and he just called to say he didn't know what film to buy? He wants colour - any suggestions? I love Kodak colour film myself, though I want to press a roll of b+w on him.

In the UK if you are never more than 60 miles from the coast + most of us are a lot closer. The longest drive you can do is 600 miles. Where I come from (Ireland) you can cross the entire nation in four hours at 50 mph.
 
Tell him to buy his film here and get it developed before he leaves and save the hassle of un exposed or developed film in the Xray. I would go with the Fuji Superia also unledd he wants realistic skin tones then The fuji 160S or the NPH 400 would do.
 
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