raid
Dad Photographer
I have been looking at my 4 Zorki cameras for the past few days.
I took them out, and i placed a 5cm lens on each.
I may have the not-so-spectacular models, but I got them for little money over the years.
I started out with a Zorki 4K, followed by a pair of Zorki 4, and then finally I got a Zorki 5.
Zorki 4:
When I bought the Zorki-4, the seller offered me a pair of cameras, so I took them.
The Zorki 5 appears to me to be the one with the least smooth film advance of my 4 cameras. It is smaller in size when compared to the 4K or the 4.
The Zorki-4K is working well for me, but I find that many Zorki users/collectros don't seem to like this model.
The VF in the Zorki Cameras is less bright than the VF of a Leica M3 or M6, but focusing is very easy. I will make better use of these cameras.
My 5cm lenses are not bad at all, as you can see. I have a J-8 that is black. Usually, the earlier versions are in silver and not black.There is also a Zeiss Jena Sonnar and a ZK (3K) which is most likely a Zeiss glass lens made in 1948.The I-50 is a very sharp lens.
Post photos of your Zorki here.
I took them out, and i placed a 5cm lens on each.
I may have the not-so-spectacular models, but I got them for little money over the years.
I started out with a Zorki 4K, followed by a pair of Zorki 4, and then finally I got a Zorki 5.
Zorki 4:
When I bought the Zorki-4, the seller offered me a pair of cameras, so I took them.
The Zorki 5 appears to me to be the one with the least smooth film advance of my 4 cameras. It is smaller in size when compared to the 4K or the 4.
The Zorki-4K is working well for me, but I find that many Zorki users/collectros don't seem to like this model.
The VF in the Zorki Cameras is less bright than the VF of a Leica M3 or M6, but focusing is very easy. I will make better use of these cameras.
My 5cm lenses are not bad at all, as you can see. I have a J-8 that is black. Usually, the earlier versions are in silver and not black.There is also a Zeiss Jena Sonnar and a ZK (3K) which is most likely a Zeiss glass lens made in 1948.The I-50 is a very sharp lens.
Post photos of your Zorki here.
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Mablo
Well-known
My Zorki-1d from 1954 in good working condition. I love these old FSU cameras because they are so robust and no-nonsense. I'm not sure if a Leica II with an old Elmar would give me better image quality. Maybe I'll find out one day.
gdmcclintock
Well-known
And I have been thinking of selling my Zorki 3M! Am I crazy?
stevebrot
Established
Here is my Zorki 4K with black Jupiter-8 attached. The hood is a S+W from heavystar on eBay.
So far, I like the camera. It has a decent 1:1 viewfinder and is the easiest to use of my three FSU cameras. (I also have a Kiev 4A and a FED-2.) My only real complaint is the lack of strap lugs and the somewhat slick body covering. I may yet add lugs and replace the nylon fabric covering with dark Griptac.
Steve
So far, I like the camera. It has a decent 1:1 viewfinder and is the easiest to use of my three FSU cameras. (I also have a Kiev 4A and a FED-2.) My only real complaint is the lack of strap lugs and the somewhat slick body covering. I may yet add lugs and replace the nylon fabric covering with dark Griptac.
Steve
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raid
Dad Photographer
Post a photo of your 3M.
raid
Dad Photographer
Is there a noticable difference in sharpness when using non-FSU lenses on FSU cameras? I rarely use the FSU with lenses that are wide open.
pakeha
Well-known
One of the `lucky' ones. E- bay purchase that worked fine outa the box.Though it has the painted speed numbers and the red slower numbers are wearing thin.Wolves has supplied a solution,I just gotta get around to doing it. Lens is a `new'
industar.
regards
CW
industar.regards
CW
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raid
Dad Photographer
One of my Zorki 4 looks like your Zorki.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I got this Zorki 1 (not sure which model) after I got a Leica IIIc.
I find that the Zorki to be very smooth and works just as well.
The Leica feels a bit better built, but not earth-shatteringly so.
So my M4-P is back to become my only Leica camera and the Zorki 1 stays
gdmcclintock
Well-known
Raid said, "Post a photo of your 3M."
I don't have a photo handy but will post one later.
I don't have a photo handy but will post one later.
raid
Dad Photographer
What is different about a Zorki 3M?
gdmcclintock
Well-known
The 3M has all the speeds on a single dial. According to the beginner's guide on RFF, this makes the camera "highly collectable".
raid
Dad Photographer
Many ebay sellers of FSU cameras label their items as "very rare" too.
raid
Dad Photographer
I just checked online to see which Zorki 5 model I have.
It is a Zorki 5b, and it is "rare". My copy is very clean.
Only 11500 of the Zorki-5b were produced (1959).
"This is the same camera with a few cosmetic changes. The body has reverted to the older finish. Both fixed and collapsible Industar-50 lenses can be found. The rangefinder window is now round and there is a plate held on by 2 screws for the name. The Nameplate has the camera name in silver on a black background. Made in the USSR(in Cyrillic) is engraved on the back. The last of these cameras had non-collapsible lenses. These cameras are scarce and are very rare in excellent condition. The camera has a removable bottom for film loading and requires a longer than normal film leader. The eveready case for this camera has one snap and is made of brown leather with Zorki embossed inside a large circle on the lens cover. "
It is a Zorki 5b, and it is "rare". My copy is very clean.
Only 11500 of the Zorki-5b were produced (1959).
"This is the same camera with a few cosmetic changes. The body has reverted to the older finish. Both fixed and collapsible Industar-50 lenses can be found. The rangefinder window is now round and there is a plate held on by 2 screws for the name. The Nameplate has the camera name in silver on a black background. Made in the USSR(in Cyrillic) is engraved on the back. The last of these cameras had non-collapsible lenses. These cameras are scarce and are very rare in excellent condition. The camera has a removable bottom for film loading and requires a longer than normal film leader. The eveready case for this camera has one snap and is made of brown leather with Zorki embossed inside a large circle on the lens cover. "
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stevebrot
Established
One of the `lucky' ones. E- bay purchase that worked fine outa the box.Though it has the painted speed numbers and the red slower numbers are wearing thin.Wolves has supplied a solution,I just gotta get around to doing it. Lens is a `new'
regards
CW
What is Wolve's solution?
Steve
raid
Dad Photographer
Yes, what was his solution to this problem?
Brian Legge
Veteran
Keep in mind that 'rare' as used here is relative to other FSU cameras. It looks like there were 10 times as many Zorki 1s made as Zorki 3s.
By comparison, there were about twice as many Zorki 3s made than Leica IIIgs. Similar number of M2s.
Edit: Or at least that is what a few quick google searches reports. I'm assuming these numbers are approximately correct.
By comparison, there were about twice as many Zorki 3s made than Leica IIIgs. Similar number of M2s.
Edit: Or at least that is what a few quick google searches reports. I'm assuming these numbers are approximately correct.
raid
Dad Photographer
Brian,
The Zorki 5 had about 125,000 made in Version 1 and about 12,000 in Version 2.
Still, the "rare" version sells for $50.
The Zorki 5 had about 125,000 made in Version 1 and about 12,000 in Version 2.
Still, the "rare" version sells for $50.
pakeha
Well-known
gdmcclintock
Well-known
Here is my Zorki 3M. It's a pretty cool camera!
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