help me make a choice

reiki_

reiki_

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Hey guys. So.. I recently lost an auction bid for a yashica rf so I'm trying to decide between some FSU RF's for my first entry into rangefinders. For a small amount of money I can get either a fed 3 , fed 5b , zorki 4k , zorki 6 or a unkown kiev (http://www.njuskalo.hr/util_scripts/get_image_variation.php?image_id=471333&quality=90&var_suff=w450 )

The latest is especially cheap , and all are (at least it is said) in good condition and/or similarly priced.

Are all of them equally good/reliable or are some models better?

Thanks.
 
Reiki,

Welcome to RFF.

Having sunk way too much money into FSU in a simular search I took a different approach. I do not have time to tinker with cameras. While I think I might have the skills, I have NO time. To me I wanted a camera I could use and be sure when I took the picture that I got it.

Some folks have great luck with them, others like me would have do better.... well there was a good point. I found that I really like the way the Kievs handled and the long rangefinder EBL. So I went Nikon. I put together a great little kit for same money I had spent on several bodies (Kiev and Fed), many CLAs and some glass. I got an S2 with a 50/1.4 and fell in love.

Take a look here for some great reading:

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

You Mileage May Varrrrrrry.

B2 (;->
 
Difficult to give an answer. It depends how "used" the cameras are and also which lens they comes with. The Kiev (probably a Kiev 4a) can be very good if the shutter is in good working order. The lens is a Jupiter-8 which can take very nice images. If the Kiev is in perfect working condition if would be my choice. But the shutter is very complicated. The Fed 3 would be my next choice and then the Zorki 4k (the Zorki 4K, Fed 5b and Zorki 6 are more "modern" FSU's. I like better the more "classic" :) ).
 
Any of them will offer you more or less the same. Whatever you buy, just make sure it´s in good working order, since most fsu cameras and lenses you find out there are untested.

Good thing with the Zorkis and Feds is that they use the Leica screw mount so you can share lenses with a lot more cameras than if you get a Kiev. Also the Kiev, although a great camera, is more complex and hard to repair.
 
thank you gents.

Bill , for me its not a mater of time , simply a matter of money. The major part of it is going into b/w lab ( as I have an olympus om-2n ) , and until I get a decent job , this is the best I can afford. After I save some money I'm thinking of going for a bessa R system , but for now I just want a cheap introduction into best camera system in my humble opinion. Rangefinders.

Kind regards.
 
I'd suggest finding a serviced FED2. You could try looking for a late model FED2 ('new' shutter speed progression and shutter-dial design, mushroom-shaped winder knob) by searching for blyatnikov on the auction site. Check it says something to the effect that "this camera was prepared before selling". I bought one of those and it is quieter than my M3 - though I could have just been lucky of course !
 
I just got a FED-2 from a Ukrainian seller. All is well, except that 1/250 sec. and 1/500 sec. are running too fast. In effect, film faster than ASA 100 is ruled out for daylight use.

[edit] Where are you located, Reiki? If in the US, www.fedka.com is a good source. More expensive than eBay, but dependable.
 
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Reiki,

Well as long as you have the time, I loved the Fed2. I had mine pimped with a Fed5 take-up spool for faster loading. You can pick up tools for tweaking from several sources for a good price. Lots of infomation around the net as to how to tweak it. While the Kiev is a fine copy, if you're heading for a Bessa R then LTM is much more logical space. It's a fun camera to hold.

B2 (;->
 
The 3 rules for buying ANY used camera are as follows - 1. research 2. research. 3. research. Google the ones you are interested in and stick all info in favourites, read everthing, consider all imfo then make a decision and go for it. Before you even look through the veiwfinder of your `win' visit bukus, donate 3 bucks and download a manual- read it.
Here is something to consider - maybe buy from UK. these cameras were often owned by eccentric fussy people[lots in UK] they tend to look after stuff and use properly.
I would go for fed 4 over 5, if you were looking at a yashica then zorki 4k/fed4 will be closest in operation to what you want [good contrast rangefinder on zorki, average on fed]- but remember it is your decision - no bagging if things go wrong! enjoy and good luck
 
I am shooting my self in the foot a little with this reply but here it goes. I just bought a beautiful Fed 2 4B form ePay and had to choose between it and my Yashica GSN. The Yashica has a much faster lens and all in all is a better camera but I love the funky charisma of the Fed 2. I have listed my GSN on a popular auction site. I have a one camera pre format rule.
 
Have a read of the sticky thread on choosing an FSU, it'll give you an idea of the features they have. The main thing with most FSUs is they'll almost certainly need some tlc, so a CLA or a bit of tinkering is likely to be wanted.

Of the cameras you mention, the Zorki 6 doesn't have slow speeds, which means there's a little less to go wrong. On the other hand, some have light-leak issues due to a badly-fitting back. The Kiev is the most complex and hardest/dearest to fix but a properly-working Kiev is a fine camera. A FED 3 is, I think, an under-rated and very capable camera. A Zorki 4 or 4K should be very cheap and they tend to be fairly robust. Take your pick!

Oh and welcome to RFF...
 
BillBingham2 said:
Having sunk way too much money into FSU in a simular search I took a different approach. I do not have time to tinker with cameras. While I think I might have the skills, I have NO time. To me I wanted a camera I could use and be sure when I took the picture that I got it.
Click to expand...
Why did you not quit before then? A little research would have shown you that FSUs are often badly made and needing work, which costs either in time or in money. Even then, they probably aren't the most reliable beasts.
BillBingham2 said:
Some folks have great luck with them, others like me would have do better.... well there was a good point. I found that I really like the way the Kievs handled and the long rangefinder EBL. So I went Nikon. I put together a great little kit for same money I had spent on several bodies (Kiev and Fed), many CLAs and some glass. I got an S2 with a 50/1.4 and fell in love.
Click to expand...
A Nikon, S2 or otherwise, wasn't on his list and he posted in the FSU forum.
BillBingham2 said:
Take a look here for some great reading:

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

You Mileage May Varrrrrrry.

B2 (;->
Click to expand...
A little Nikon-biased maybe? Hardly a helpful link to decide amonsgt FSU models. Let the guy decide for himself, there's plenty of advice here both on the pros AND the cons of FSU ownership.
 
There's good advice in the sticky threads in this forum, along with an overview of the cameras. My personal recommendation would be to start with a LTM body - any of the types you are considering will do fine.

I don't like much the Zorki 4 because I use glasses and can't see the whole frame. My favorite among those you consider is the Zorki-6: long RF base, easiest to handle, and it incorporates everything the KMZ comrades learnt in many decades. Next would be the Fed 5b, even if it is the ugliest one. Fed 3 is also a nice body to start with.
 
Of all the FSU cameras I've had, I think the Fed 2 has the best balance for me. Not the brightest finder, but seemed the best put together. And I've had good results with it and a couple of Fed lenses.
 
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