FSU rangefinder wanted (to match specs)

[hoot]

Can anyone match a Former Soviet Union rangefinder to the following specifications?

* Screw-mount (LTM) body
* film advance knob, not lever
* I don't care whether the VF/RF are combined, or in two different windows. However, the window containing the focusing patch should be nice and bright, easy on the eyes, and have relatively large magnification. For the record, in case it matters, I don't wear glasses. The FED-2 is too squinty for my taste.


This body will be used to mount a 50mm screwmount lens (probably a Summitar) for slow, composed stuff such as portraits (not street photography). I don't mind using an external VF for framing, if necessary.

Oh, and since it's FSU and all, it should be relatively cheap ($60 or less). None of those super-rare collector's editions. 🙂

Thanks!

 

[AndersG]

A Zorki-4 perhaps? It (mine at least) has a bright and fairly large viewfinder (with my glasses on I can't see the edges) and I think I paid about $25 for it together with a Jupiter-8. The drawbacks are that it is a bit large and ugly (compared to a FED-2) and mine doesn't have strap lugs and the shutter times are printed on (i.e. not engraved).

Here is a page with some pictures of a Zorki-4 (though IMHO the ones with Cyrillic text looks nicer):
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zorki4/
And the user's manual:
http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/zorki4.html

/Anders

 

[je2a3]

Zorki 6 or Zorki 5 [bottom loader]. The combined VF/RF isn't quite 1:1 but definitely brighter and maybe slightly larger than a Fed 2 with same RF baselength and no slow shutter speeds.

 

[Jocko]

Or possibly a Zorki 3/ 3M? I believe it has the same viewfinder as the 4 and a knob-wind (unlike the lever-wind 5 and 6) but is styled a little more like the Leica.

 

[Solinar]

I'd say the Zorki 4K meets those specs with its large viewfinder and lever wind, but the Zorki 6 has a better executed lever wind and the longish RF base makes for more accurate focusing.

 

[Kin Lau]

I'll have to check when I get home, but I think the Zorki 2's & 1's have a magnified RF window, just like the Leica. The VF is squinty, but you can use a aux VF.

 

[hoot]

Hmm, the Zorki-3 and 3m are quite alluring!

I once tried to mount a collapsible Summicron on a FED-2. The lens mounted (and collapsed) OK, but it took much more physical force to operate the focusing ring than when the lens was mounted on a Leica body. Has anyone had similar problems? As I said, I'd like to use a Summitar with this camera.

Oh, and I'm aware that FSU LTM bodies have a slightly different RF calibration. This is not a problem, as I can easily adjust the camera to fit western lenses.

 

[reagan]

Zorki 3M or 4 ~ The 4 will be cheaper, but I would suggest you get the earliest model you can find, pre-sixties if possible. Just better quality IMHO.

The brightness of the focusing patch will depend on the individual camera... in the same model, some are better than others. You might post a WTB in the 35mm Classifieds here and see what response you get.

Good luck / happy hunting!

edit ~ P.S. Enjoyed your gallery!

 

[jtzordon]

Zorki 4 again. I would like to get an external finder for mine, as I wear glasses and would prefer not to have to search around the finder to see the edges. Mine has engraved speeds; it's a '58.

And who said the Zorki 4 is unsightly?! I think it's perhaps the most attractive I've seen of the FSU cams. Definitely better than a Fed 2.

 

[captainslack]

Another vote for the Zorki 4. My advice is the get an early model with engraved shutter speeds and strap lugs. Preferably from Oleg, if he has one.

 

[je2a3]

I'll have to check when I get home, but I think the Zorki 2's & 1's have a magnified RF window, just like the Leica. The VF is squinty, but you can use a aux VF.

The diopter isn't available in the early Zorkis and Feds and I think the RF window is about 1:1, not magnified. Nonetheless, these are viable options if you can find them with bright and contrasty RFs, a gamble at eB*y. Your best bet in finding a ready to shoot camera is either Oleg [cheaper but longer shipping] or Yuri at Fedka.com [quicker shipping but slightly more $$s]

BTW, no strap lugs on these models....

 

[hoot]

Thanks again... What is Oleg's username?

 

[kiev4a]

Thanks again... What is Oleg's username?

http://www.okvintagecamera.com/

 

[taffer]

the 3 and 3M are indeed one of the most beautiful FSU RFs out there. I have the 3M and it is a great user as well.

 

[kiev4a]

the 3 and 3M are indeed one of the most beautiful FSU RFs out there. I have the 3M and it is a great user as well.

3M is a better bet than the Z3 because the Z3 is prone to problems with the slow speeds. I'm not sure that the Zorki 6 isn't more bang for the buck with the long based rangefinder and hinged back. Viewfinder probably isn't quite as bright but the example I have is pretty decent.

 

[hoot]

I used to own a Zorki-6, but the film advance lever didn't feel right on this camera. It also happened to tear up my film after the last frame, making it impossible to rewind. 🙁 After that I had a FED-2, whose old-fashioned film advance knob felt much better, sturdier, less prone to error. However, that viewfinder was simply horrible... (and it had just gotten a CLA, too, so apparently they don't get much brighter than that!)

 

[captainslack]

The FED 2's biggest drawback is it's viewfinder. It it were as bright as the Zorki 4's, it would be the perfect FSU cam, IMHO.

 

[je2a3]

Hi hoot,

I didn't realize you are in Vienna. If you want to see the Fed 1g I bought from Oleg, check this thread - http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11700

Good luck!

 

[Nickfed]

Fed-1 with Kontur finder. Say no more.

 

[darkkavenger]

I say Zorki-6. I purchased one in excellent shape, that is now property of my beloved daddy, who added a j-12 to it. Smooth camera, solid and easy.