pcfranchina
Well-known
Hello All. First time in the Russian Rangefinder group. I curently have a few rangefinders, A Canonet 28, a Canonet ql17 GIII, and a Bessa R3a. I am thinking of selling or trading my Canonets for a FSU camera. Any recomendations? I would like to be able swap lenses with my Bessa too.
I really never use my canonets and would rather something a little more interesting. I hear its kinds iffy on ebay would rather get something from someone here.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
I really never use my canonets and would rather something a little more interesting. I hear its kinds iffy on ebay would rather get something from someone here.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Kim Coxon
Moderator
If you are interested in a Fed 2 there's this 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19761
Kim
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19761
Kim
dll927
Well-known
If you are talking about buying an FSU camera, I'd start with Fedka in NYC. Call up www.fedka.com. Yuri is a litle higher-priced than a lot of ebay, but you know you'll get a camera he will stand behind. Also, it takes a LOT less time to arrive than from the (former) USSR. I've bought three from him, and they are pretty decent samples.
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
personally, I'd keep the QL17... you might find it more convenient for a travel camera than your Bessa or a FSU setup
as for what FSU body.. you'll probably want to go with a LTM setup.. which means Zorki or FED.. and keep in mind that they don't use framelines, so you'll be using a 50mm setup, unless you have a viewfinder for your current lenses
but picking up a cheap FSU is a great excuse to use a Jupiter-8!
as for what FSU body.. you'll probably want to go with a LTM setup.. which means Zorki or FED.. and keep in mind that they don't use framelines, so you'll be using a 50mm setup, unless you have a viewfinder for your current lenses
but picking up a cheap FSU is a great excuse to use a Jupiter-8!
Jocko
Off With The Pixies
Hallo! In a way, this is one of those unanswerable questions, but I'd suggest that the obvious choice for a first screw-mount FSU camera would be either the Zorki 4K or FED 2. Both are widely available and cheap. A slightly more esoteric choice might be a Zorki 6 or the Leica-like Zorki/FED 1.
All these cameras have avid partisans. Personally I favour FEDs; the FED 2 is a classic design, robustly built with beautiful handling and a fine, long-base RF. The limited range of shutterspeeds (1/30th -1/500) are seldom a problem in general use, but the viewfinders are small and rather dull, although individual cameras can vary quite a lot.
Many people love the Zorki-4. A large, bright viewfinder and a wider range of shutter speeds (1 -1000th) are strong plus points, but I never took to the camera, partly on aesthetic grounds. The Zorki 6 offers a similar specification to the FED 2, with a much better finder and a conventional door to load film. But the latter can sometimes prove a weak point, prone to lightleaks and accidental openings. It's not hard to remedy these quirks - and many users have no trouble at all - but such problems sapped my confidence in an otherwise delightful camera.
If you want something really interesting, go for the Zorki or FED 1 - basically a Barnack Leica. Unique, peerless and perfect in its way.
There are many other possibilities - and you'll probably end up owning the lot!
Incidentally, a good e-bay seller - like the excellent Alex-photo - is as trustworthy as anyone.
All the best, Ian
All these cameras have avid partisans. Personally I favour FEDs; the FED 2 is a classic design, robustly built with beautiful handling and a fine, long-base RF. The limited range of shutterspeeds (1/30th -1/500) are seldom a problem in general use, but the viewfinders are small and rather dull, although individual cameras can vary quite a lot.
Many people love the Zorki-4. A large, bright viewfinder and a wider range of shutter speeds (1 -1000th) are strong plus points, but I never took to the camera, partly on aesthetic grounds. The Zorki 6 offers a similar specification to the FED 2, with a much better finder and a conventional door to load film. But the latter can sometimes prove a weak point, prone to lightleaks and accidental openings. It's not hard to remedy these quirks - and many users have no trouble at all - but such problems sapped my confidence in an otherwise delightful camera.
If you want something really interesting, go for the Zorki or FED 1 - basically a Barnack Leica. Unique, peerless and perfect in its way.
There are many other possibilities - and you'll probably end up owning the lot!
Incidentally, a good e-bay seller - like the excellent Alex-photo - is as trustworthy as anyone.
All the best, Ian
kmack
do your job, then let go
Jocko said:
An additional reason for getting a nice Zorki or Fed 1 is that it may forstall the inevitable desire to get a Barnack Leica.
My first FSU was a Zorki 4, after a CLA by Oleg (OkVintageCamera) it is a nice performer, larger viewfinder than some of the other FSU rangefinders and still one of my favorites despite it being somewhat clumsey to use.
Fedka would be a natural choice for you, but Oleg is also a great dealer and has a few Zorki and Fed 1's listed on his site.
w3rk5
Well-known
Since you want to be able to swap lenses with your Bessa you'll be getting either a FED, Zorki, or possibly a Drug.
Kim Coxon, Fedka, and Oleg are all good soruces to buy from. I've never had any issues from solid sellers on e-bay though.
I personally like FED's best. Good luck on whatever you decide to buy.
Kim Coxon, Fedka, and Oleg are all good soruces to buy from. I've never had any issues from solid sellers on e-bay though.
I personally like FED's best.
Good luck on whatever you decide to buy.
nzeeman
Well-known
if u need something compact and pretty take zorki1/fed1 but they can be more expensive than other cameras.
so its better to take fed 2 or if you use slow speeds a lot take a zorki4. they can be find very cheap. and later when u get addicted take zorki 1,2,3...6 and all others fsu.
so its better to take fed 2 or if you use slow speeds a lot take a zorki4. they can be find very cheap. and later when u get addicted take zorki 1,2,3...6 and all others fsu.
pcfranchina
Well-known
Do the Canonets (New 28 and GIII) seem like a fair trade for an already CLAed FSU camera? or am I better of selling them both seperatly? Both my canonets are in great shape and the GII was just CLAed.
ErnestoJL
Well-known
If you can invest some money, (IMHO) I´ll keep the G III, it´s an excellent travelling yet compact RF. Then a Fed3 or a Zorki 4k from any good US based supplier (specialized in FSU cameras, of course) , I guess will be your best choice.
If you can get any Jupiter 8 with your purchase, You´ll have an excellent copy of the pre-war Sonnar 2/50 from ZI. The Industar 61 is also very nice performer however a bit slower.
Ernesto
If you can get any Jupiter 8 with your purchase, You´ll have an excellent copy of the pre-war Sonnar 2/50 from ZI. The Industar 61 is also very nice performer however a bit slower.
Ernesto
pcfranchina
Well-known
the GII really doesnt get much use, and the 28 gets none. If anything I grab the Bessa and go. (or the evil minolta digital)
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