FSU Question

pcfranchina

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I have had my Zorki 4k for a while now and never use it. I tend to grab my Bessa or go digital. Lately I have been loving the look of the Barnack Leicas. I can not afford to purchase a Leica any time soon. Which FSU is the closest copy? Are they worth a lot more then my Zorki 4k? I am debating on selling it and getting something else. I’m sure the 4k is more user friendly but it won’t be an everyday camera anyways.
 
The Fed 1 and Zorki 1 are copies of the Leica II. After that, the Soviets started modifying the designs. It's not an exact Leica copy, but I'm a big fan of the Fed2. They got almost everything right with that one. Prices for an early Fed or Zorki will probably be higher than a 4k, but certainly not out of reach. I think fedka.com has some of these available.
 
The earlier you get in Zorki-1's and prewar FEDs the closer you get to the Barnack Leicas. For all practical purposes all Zorki-1's are equivalent to a Barnack Leica, the question is how close you want them to be in the cosmetic details (non-threaded shutter release, no flat ring around lens mount, ...). There are some more expensive models based on rarity, but from the added price you get little to no added user value IMHO.
 
I don't really know which fsu is the closes. The Zorki 1 is a nice copy of the Leica 2. I have a Zorki 2c that I really like. I was wanting a Leica 3c but the more I use the Zorki the more content I am with what I have. I took my Fed 2 into my camera shop a couple of months ago and the repair guy was standing behind the counter, when I showed him the camera, (I wanted a strap to fit it) I said don't laugh. We get in our minds I believe that fsu's are so inferior to Leicas. He said "Thats a darn good camera" It's not so much the body that makes a Leica great it's the glass. So I bought a leitz 50/3.5 collapisable for my Zorki and I'm satisified.
 
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I don't really know how to pick among the Barnack copies, but you might look at one factor. I believe all of the Fed 1's have bodies formed from sheet metal, like the Leica II. The early Zorkis do also, but the later ones have cast metal bodies that should be more durable and dent-resistant. Look for the Zorkis that have that black "trim" stripe around the top and bottom or( later) a black stripe around the lens mount. Leicas were cast starting with the IIIc, and I would want it for durability.
 
I know its a bad reason to get a camera but I want something that looks really nice. I had a practical reason to acquire all of my other gear. That’s probably why my SLR gear is Pentax instead of Nikon or Canon. My Zorki 4 just looks boring.
 
rxmd said:
The earlier you get in Zorki-1's and prewar FEDs the closer you get to the Barnack Leicas. For all practical purposes all Zorki-1's are equivalent to a Barnack Leica, .


And not only are physical appearances almost identical- the way either camera handles and shoots are virtually the same.

pcfranchina, if you plan to shoot with early Zorki-1 and FED, you should consider a few things:
1) make sure that the cameras are adjusted right - calibrated focusing is one serious issue.
2) stick with the original lens (5cm/3,5), since the thread mounts and focus registers varied in the early examples.
3)on some early Zorki -ones with 5-digit nummers, the film chamber is quite tight and modern factory 35mm spool may jam in them. 4) rubberised shutter blinds deteriorate in time, and 50-70 years are long enough for serious deterioration to take place.
4)though the mounts may match, not all lenses from Leitz or Canon will fit in FED or Zorki due to several issues.

For more details on FED-1 and Zorki-1, click on the FED-Zorki Survival Site tab below my signature. :)

Jay
 
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I have Zorki.1c & d, both Export model "Zorki-Zorki" and use them alongside my Leica.IIIs without reservation. (links to both in my sig) And I agree, the collapsible Industars are great on these cameras.
 
The Zorki 1 rangefinders and viewfinders are comparable with Leica IIs, the coated Indust can also be as good an uncoated Elmar, if you get a good one.

Noel
 
pcfranchina said:
I know its a bad reason to get a camera but I want something that looks really nice. I had a practical reason to acquire all of my other gear. That’s probably why my SLR gear is Pentax instead of Nikon or Canon. My Zorki 4 just looks boring.
I own a couple of Zorki 3M cameras--if you're wanting a pretty FSU, these would be my suggestion. A little more $ than the 4K, though, but in good condition they are absolutely usable.
Rob
 
pcfranchina said:
Any other cool FSU cameras are of similar value as Zorki 4k?
The 4K has to be about the lowest-value FSU really, although IMO it's one of the most usable. Big, bright finder, handy lever-wind, fast-ish standard lens J8, full set of speeds and a nice simple construction. You'll pay more for just about any other FSU RF. Maybe a FED 4 or 5 can be had for similar money, but they aren't usually considered "nice" aesthetically!
 
It also matters which Leica!! In the U. S. they are designated by Roman numerals I, II and III, at least from the 1930's on. The III (usually followed by a small-case letter) is the one with the slow-speed dial on the front. The closest Zorki to that is the Zorki-3. I have two of them (Zorkis, that is!!)

The Leica II had no slow speeds, therefore no front dial, and the Leica I had no rangefinder - it was used primarily for scientific applications.

As noted above, the Zorki-1 is a facsimile of the Leica II. I also have two Zorki-1s, and it's really surprising, at least to an SLR user, how compact that camera was.

If you want to order through e-bay or whoever, be double sure to check the responses from previous buyers - that gives you an idea of the reputation of the seller. Since the orders usually take around two weeks to arrive at your doorstep, you don't want to waste time.

Another tip: Totally ignore the word "rare" applied to a Zorki, except maybe the Zorki-2, which wasn't in production very long.

My own take is that, as time has gone on, there seem to be fewer Zorkis, Kievs, FEDs, etc. advertised. So you want to get in line.

Here in the U. S. one of the best to deal with is Fedka in NYC, run by a fellow named Yuri ( I won't even attempt his last name - he's from Ukraine.) He is very dependable, and I've bought a couple of cameras from him. He goes over them before selling and knows how to make sure they are in working order. His e-mail is www.fedka.com.

Keep in mind that Zorkis are NOT Leicas, and Kievs are NOT Contaxes. There are many discussions about workmanship, which seemed to vary by how much vodka the comrades comsumed the night before. But the Soviet lenses do have a good reputation.

Good luck in your hunting.
 
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The nearest to a Leica IIIc is perhaps a Zorki 3m - it is a prettier version of the Zorki 4 , so it should be familiar . I had a Zorki 4 , in the 70s and did not like it very much , but would buy a Zorki 3 or 3m .
They actually are one of the most rare Zorkis , so around the $120 mark.
i f you want a useable , but attractive camera , then the Fed 2 is a great buy - lots about , so inexpensive - no slow speeds though .
If you wish to have a taste or what all the fuss was about in the 30's , then it has to be a Zorki 1 or Fed 1 .
I initially cheated , so I have two black Leica engraved Fed 1's , but they were not too smooth , maybe because they are made from those that won't sell too well !
I like them so much however , that I have sent them to Oleg of okphotocameras for a complete overhaul ... [ he confirmed that they are Feds , not Zorkis ! ]
In a way , perhaps , I am getting the best of two worlds - black Leica II style , and neat little cameras which are not too precious to leave in a car , or take to the beach !

Which is strange , perhaps , because I now have a 1933 black/nickel Leica II and a Leica IIIc !
i can't see my USSR treasures as inferior Leicas - just delightfull little cameras in their own right .
Get a good one, and you will be delighted .
 
A Fed 1(f) or (g) is the last of the series and comes with a coated Industar lens. It also has the cast body. Fedka.com is a good dealer. If you are a good mechanic, you can get an as -is camera for less and tune it up yourself. These are fine cameras and contain good materials, they just got a bad rep from the FSU Creative Quality Control. Properly adjusted, they are great.

Roger B
 
Honestly, what is your budget? If you can afford $100 - $200 and like the barnack style, look for one of the early Canon rangefinders - a Canon III or IV model can be found in decent shape for a relatively low price. They are very nice and well made cameras.

Otherwise, the Fed 2 is probably the nicest of the FSU types.

William
 
The zorki 3m is a nice and pretty camera (I like mine), and the Kiev 4am is a nice and cool camera too. If you are looking for a different camera, I have seen 2 nice Kiev 4am in RFF classifieds (1 crome and 1 black)
 
pcfranchina said:
For some off reason I am loving this camera.
http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=141

Probably pricey for what it is. Like I said I want something colorful and nice looking.
If only it had bright yellow "leather"! To really play up to the "agrarian tech"!
I find it somewhat captivating as well, to be honest. And you'd probably never have to worry about using it in places where no pros are allowed to shoot.:D
If the 4k isn't thrilling you, you could offer it for trade here I suppose and see what folks offer to you for it?
Good luck sorting this out!
Rob
 
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