comparative camera sizes

[itf]

Hi, I'm new on here. I'm thinking of getting a new (probably used) rf but I've not yet decided on one. Somewhere on here I've noticed pictures comparing the sizes of various bodies but I've been looking again and can't find them. If anyone can point me in the right direction that would be much appreciated.

At the moment I'm considering a fed 2, zorki 6, bessa r or maybe a kiev. I'm just curious about how they measure up to each other as that along with ease and speed of focusing, shutter noise and lens variety will determine my choice (I'm after something small and unnoticable).

How will the ease and speed of focusing these cameras compare? And is Leica far superior in this regard?

Also, what collapsible lenses are recommended and are any ok on the bessa (I've heard some lenses won't fit)?

Oh, and I'm also curious about shutter noise. I know it varies a lot on the fsu cameras, but which one would it be most possible to make quiet?

Cheers.

 

[clarence]

LTM FSU rangefinder shutters are all noisy. I had a Zorki 5 once that had a relatively quiet shutter (compared to other FSU cameras). This might be because it was a bottom loader. I have not used a Kiev yet.

The rangefinder baselengths of the Zorki 6 and FED and Kiev series are all quite respectable, but none of them has a rangefinder patch as bright as the Bessa R's. The Bessa R would thus be the best option if you're looking for ease and speed of focusing. The only Leica I've used is the CL and its rangefinder cannot compare to a Bessa R. Other Leicas are considerably more expensive but you generally get what you pay for. Having said that, the Bessa R2A and R3A have their strong points.

You can collapse any lens on a Bessa R by simply adding O-rings or tape to the lens barrel to stop it from collapsing too far inside and hitting the shutter.

If you're looking for a small and unnoticeable shooting platform, you could get a Leica CL and mount a collapsible lens like I did.

Clarence

 

[Ash]

{At the moment I'm considering a fed 2, zorki 6, bessa r or maybe a kiev. I'm just curious about how they measure up to each other as that along with ease and speed of focusing, shutter noise and lens variety will determine my choice (I'm after something small and unnoticable).}

Fed-2 is the smallest, followed by Bessa, then Zorki, then Kiev... I think? Maybe the Zorki is smaller than the Bessa, but a Kiev is chunky, and a Fed is tiny in comparison. It's the smallest you'll get from an FSU, but the shutter speeds are limited (fewer slow speeds, max is 1/500 if I remember correctly). Fed is quiet-ish for a FSU, Zorki is LOUD, Bessa can be a bit loud, Kiev (if CLA'd) may be the quietest - I know mine is.



{How will the ease and speed of focusing these cameras compare? And is Leica far superior in this regard?)

Fed is slow because the viewfinder is tiny and usually dim, kiev is fast because the viewfinder is usually a lot brighter and the RF patch easier to see. The Bessa will be the brightest but I've never really used one. Zorki's usually have a bright viewfinder and are easy to focus. If also depends on your technique. I focus faster with a Contax/Kiev because I use the focus wheel easily. Others find a tabbed lens faster to focus with. A Leica M will have a bright RF patch and viewfinder whereas a Leica LTM may be very dim (since it's very old) and may be difficult to focus.

{Also, what collapsible lenses are recommended and are any ok on the bessa (I've heard some lenses won't fit)?}

I don't really know of any, but there are a load of threads that discuss it


{Oh, and I'm also curious about shutter noise. I know it varies a lot on the fsu cameras, but which one would it be most possible to make quiet?}

As I said before, Kiev or Fed may be the quietest of the FSU's. Leica are near-silent in comparison, and Zorki's are hedge-clipper/slamming door kinda noise.

 

[Ash]

Actually in regard to collapsible lenses - on a budget look for an Industar-22 or Industar-50... the Fed-2 usually ships with a Fed-50 (industar-10). None of these collapse on a Bessa, not sure about Leica collapsibles.

 

[manfromh]

Zorki-6 is one of the smallest FSU RF's. I dont have a Fed-2 though. The Zorki-6 shutter isnt all that loud either.

 

[wolves3012]

Zorki-6 is one of the smallest FSU RF's. I dont have a Fed-2 though. The Zorki-6 shutter isnt all that loud either.

The Zorki 5 & 6 are identical sizes and fractionally taller than the FED 2 but a few mm narrower. The FED *looks* smaller, however. It looks long & lean in comparison.

Smallest by quite a margin is the FED 1/Zorki 1. Kiev 4 is substantially the largest and similar to the Zorki 4/4K, with a FED 3a in between and not much smaller.

As far as shutter noise goes, my results differ from Ash's but I think they all vary a bit. None is loud next to an SLR and they're all reasonably quiet and not obtrusive.

Other than the FED 1/Zorki1, which are pretty much the same camera, my experience says that all Zorkis have bigger, brighter finders than FEDs, with the Kiev somewhere in between.

I don't own a Bessa or any Leicas to comment on them...

 

[itf]

Thanks very much for all your help, cleared up a few things but I'm as undecided as ever! 🙂

 

[fgianni]

No one mentioned the I-61 which IMHO is the best FSU lens!