FED vs. ZORKI

[parks5920]

OK, I really want either a FED-2 or FED-4 or FED-5V, but I also really like the Zorki-4 and Zorki-6. Just wondering what anyone's experiences are with any of these FSU camera's. Are any of them easier to use/more forgiving? I'm still a newbie with the RF's. Thank you in advance for any ideas or suggestions.

 

[DaveP]

Doesnt matter, pick one and the others follow anyway!

 

[wierdcollector]

If you go with the Zorki 4 make sure you get the Zorki 4K as the wind lever is much nicer than a knob. I have Fed 2,3,4,5b, 5c. Fed 3 is the one I prefer, then 2 then 4, then 5. Have you also looked at the Mir? Also get the Jupiter if you can. Industar is ok, but I prefer the Jupiter.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Go for a Zorkii 4K -- my favouritez (YMMV) in FSU RFs.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

 

[Duncan Ross]

OK, I really want either a FED-2 or FED-4 or FED-5V, but I also really like the Zorki-4 and Zorki-6. Just wondering what anyone's experiences are with any of these FSU camera's. Are any of them easier to use/more forgiving? I'm still a newbie with the RF's. Thank you in advance for any ideas or suggestions.

I've only had the Fed 3b and the Zorki 6 and far preferred the Zorki. Although nearly identical in size the Zorki somehow felt more compact and solid and the viewfinder seemed better. Doesn't have the really slow shutter speeds but I still haven't missed them. I've heard that the models with slow shutter speeds may be easier to sod-up by setting the shutter before winding; apparently the slow speeds were dropped on the Zorki 6 as they were unreliable anyway. And expensive.

I genuinely feel the exact choice between Fed and Zorki will have no affect on your enjoyment, they are both fun and a joy to use and a great inexpensive way to get into rangefinders. As said earlier you will end up with more.

In fact go for what's cheapest. Bingo. 😀

 

[kiev4a]

Not a lot of difference in FED and Zorki, although some believe the standard Zorki is better finished than the FED.

If you want a camera that is likely to be a shooter, without repairs I would go for the later models of both brands. The Zorki 4 and 4K are decent as is the Zorki 6, which has a hinged back and a longer base rangefinder. FED 2 is a decent camera although some are old enough that you may run into mechanical problems. I like my FED 3A which is a lot like the FED 2 and has know wind. The later FED 3s have lever wind.

I'm a big fan of the MIR (peace in Russian). It is a Zorki 4 without slow shutter speeds and allegedly a top speed of only 1/500. Actually the 1/1000 is there, it just isn't marked.
Russian Isaak S. Maizenberg, an authority of Soviet camera repair, said the the Mir was one of the most dependable cameras because it doesn't have the slow speeds (which most people dont use anyway. A real plus on the Mir is it has strap lugs which later Zorki 4s and 4Ks don't have. I have had two Mirs and both worked perfectly even though both looked pretty beat up. Mirs were only made from 1959 to 1961.

Despite being bad-mouthed by some, the FED 5 is a good user camera with lever film advance and an adjustable viewfinder diopter. They are the newest of the Soviet LTM rangerfinders and many of them are in like new condition. Plus they are really cheap.

 

[Solinar]

A FED 2 or Zorki 6 to start with, then branch out. Both have the wide range finder base.