Here is what I bought

[Tom hicks]

I get the feeling I'm fix'n to get a ass whoop'n, not from the seller ( anything is possible though ) but from you guy's. I really would like your thoughts good or bad . Why did I buy from him ? good question , I was able to see the condition of the camera at least externally. and he does have 100% feedback . I kinda got caught up in the moment.

I know I paid more for most of these specially the Zorki 4 but it just looked so good .

OK let me have it , and when they come in I'll be sure and keep you updated as to how many don't work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZORKI-4-USSR-35mm-LEICA-COPY-RF-CAMERA-UNIQUE-RARE-TYPE_W0QQitemZ160125551590QQihZ006QQcategoryZ15234QQcmdZViewItem


http://cgi.ebay.com/CHAIKA-2-USSR-35-mm-HALF-FRAME-CAMERA-WITH-INDUSTAR-69_W0QQitemZ160146973927QQihZ006QQcategoryZ67380QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.com/FED-3-USSR-35-mm-RUSSIAN-LEICA-COPY-RF-CAMERA-M39-EXCEL_W0QQitemZ160146964900QQihZ006QQcategoryZ15234QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160147712468&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=006

 

[dll927]

On that "Chaika" it looks like they were even kind enough to recognize other forms of ISO settings besides their own.

The Zorki 4s were one of the largest-production models, and there is a version called 4K. Some cameras seem to have been made in an "export" version, and I've at least read that FEDs tended to be the 'local comsumption' or every-man's version of the Zorkis.

I don't see any Kievs in your list. You might try one of those, too. I'd recommend the 4a without the meter, since the meters in those models with them would probably by now be pretty useless. Personally, I think the 'meterless' models are better-looking, too.

 

[cmedin]

Surprisingly my Kiev 4m still has a very accurate meter ('84 vintage). I compared it to my Bessa-L and it seems dead on except for really dim lighting.

I do agree that the meterless ones look a little prettier and more streamlined though!

 

[mike goldberg]

Hi Tom,
Congrats on your purchase! There's no reason to feel bad...

You get a J12, 35mm viewer, filters, caps, etc. NOTE: I paid $35- for a Rostow 35mm viewer, alone. I have my favorite FSU Sellers and have bought several camera bodies & lenses from Russia or the Ukraine. Many of us know from prior experience, that the camera bodies... tho' they may look good and appear to work fine, will require CLA. Thus, we try to keep the initial investment moderate.

And, when your Zorki-4 arrives, you just may put in a roll of film, and all will be well! BTW: My Zorki-4 just arrived, CLA'd by Oleg. Hope to have test pix up by next week.

Cheers & enjoy,
Mike

 

[HuubL]

The Z4 is the nicest version. It has etched lettering and a frame around the viewfinder. The 35 mm lens and separate finder look nice, although I would've liked a chrome one better. The cosmetics look great, but that doesn't say much about the mechanics and optics. The Fed 3 is nice too. The 5 and the small one I don't know. The Z4 is pricey, but when everything works, it would be not too much. Have much fun shooting them.

 

[Tom hicks]

Thanks for the replies, I guess my next question may be where I get them fixed and cleaned , but we will wait till I receive them . I have never scanned film and don't have a scanner . I guess that will be the next purchase as well , now to figure out which films scan good and what scanner to get.




Tom

 

[payasam]

If the Zorki works well, you're not so badly off. You have a 35 mm lens and finder too.

 

[napchop]

meters

meters

Surprisingly my Kiev 4m still has a very accurate meter ('84 vintage). I compared it to my Bessa-L and it seems dead on except for really dim lighting.

I do agree that the meterless ones look a little prettier and more streamlined though!

I have Kievs from the 1950's whos meters still work perfectly. If they were kept in their cases and treated nice there's no reason why a 1980's kiev shouldnt be perfect too
cheers
Mike

 

[Tom hicks]

these cameras are like older cars and aircraft, they just have more style and personality.

 

[shadowfox]

Wow, you don't pull punches, do you? 😉

btw, you're missing a Kiev there.

scanners? I suggest a Nikon Coolscan V ED.

 

[reagan]

The Zorki.4, '57 is second year of production, right? In my mind, "older is better" though I don't try to prove it. My reading over the last couple of years has lead me to think that maybe the slower production schedules of the early years generated better craftsmanship. But that's just a tourst's hunch. 🙄 + Jupiter.12 + finder + filter + caps + case. IMHO, you did alright there. The Chaika will feel like a tin can compared to the Zorki, but they're still kind of cute and fun. Light and quiet. (Takes foooor-e-veeeer to get through a roll!!) 😉

Quite a group! Enjoy... and let us know your impressions. 😎


edit: P.S. ~ "...fix'n to get a ass whoop'n..." Ahhh, I miss the South. Here in Illinois, when I'm "fixin'" to do anything, nobody knows what the heck I'm talkin' about!!

 

[Tom hicks]

Wow, you don't pull punches, do you? 😉

btw, you're missing a Kiev there.

scanners? I suggest a Nikon Coolscan V ED.

Not pulling punches is a good thing right? I have had a somewhat self taught crash course on the FSU's the past 3 days .

I just purchased 2 Canon G111 QL17, 1 Yashica GSN , and 1 Fujica 35-EE have yet to receive them so haven't been able to play .

Thanks for the scanner info.

Tom

 

[Tom hicks]

The Zorki.4, '57 is second year of production, right? In my mind, "older is better" though I don't try to prove it. My reading over the last couple of years has lead me to think that maybe the slower production schedules of the early years generated better craftsmanship. But that's just a tourst's hunch. 🙄 + Jupiter.12 + finder + filter + caps + case. IMHO, you did alright there. The Chaika will feel like a tin can compared to the Zorki, but they're still kind of cute and fun. Light and quiet. (Takes foooor-e-veeeer to get through a roll!!) 😉

Quite a group! Enjoy... and let us know your impressions. 😎


edit: P.S. ~ "...fix'n to get a ass whoop'n..." Ahhh, I miss the South. Here in Illinois, when I'm "fixin'" to do anything, nobody knows what the heck I'm talkin' about!!

If what I just read is true about the first two digits in the ser. # being the year it was made the Zorki 4 was made the year I was born , so that's pretty cool.

 

[Tom hicks]

Can someone tell me what it say's on the top of this camera.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHAIKA-2-USSR-3...categoryZ67380QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

[Tom hicks]

Are there any companies that make other finder you can buy for other lens sizes or do you just have to find old ones that will work made from who ever.

 

[brachal]

Are there any companies that make other finder you can buy for other lens sizes or do you just have to find old ones that will work made from who ever.

There are lots of finders available, including new ones from Voigtlander. Personally I like the FSU turret finder. Maybe not the brightest, but it's very accurate (IMHO), has parallax compensation, covers 5 focal lengths, and it's very cool too. fedka.com has a good repair service in the US.

 

[TVphotog]

I will chime in as well and tell you the Z4 was a decent buy. I bought a jupiter 12 and a finder for 75.00$ combined and thought I got a bargin. The Z4 was bought on a lark and added to a Kiev 4/contax J-12. It was not gonna cost me any more to get it shipped and the price was decent as well. Don't feel bad about your purchase. If you use it and like it then it was a good buy. A cheap camera that never gets used is worse than an expensive one you use all the time.

 

[mike goldberg]

Is that true about the s/n? The first two digits of my Zorki-4 are 62xxxx.

Re: Dedicated Scanner: Yes, I've also heard good things about the Nikon V ED, tho' a nearby Lab scans for me.

Good luck, Mike

 

[reagan]

Is that true about the s/n?

True on Zorkis starting with late Zorki.1, a hint being the # starts with 5, 6 or 7 😉 .. (& Jupiters)

 

[gb hill]

Boy you jumped in with both feet didn't you.😀 You got some nice cameras comming your way. Until you decide on a film scanner you can shoot c-41 process film and get a cd when you get your film developed. The Kodak BW400cn as well as Ilford XP-2 are good black & white films that you can get processed anywhere. Then you can put your work online here for us to look at and enjoy. Good luck with the cameras.