If you had to keep only one FSU rangefinder

1956 Kiev with KNEB lettering. Just lovely. I had an younger 70's Kiev but find the older Kiev more nicely finished with smoother functions and a nicer level of detailing (engraving and flourishes). Irregular frame spacing. Not so great when I'm scanning :)
 
FED 1 & Industar 10 or 22 to make a pair with the Leica II and demonstrate that there's little to chose between them.

Or a FED 2 with J-8 or Industar 61 to show how they developed the idea.

With the latter choice I'd use the lens on the M2 as well, from time to time. And, of course, could have an outfit with other Jupiter lenses. And play mix and match with the M2...

Regards, David
 
The short answer: Keep the one that works the best for you. And by that I mean the one that combines the level of reliability you can live with, the specs you want, and the appearance you like.
The longer answer:
I have pretty much done this; from a large-ish collection of FSU cameras to one user.
I have owned and used: FED 2, 3, 4, and 5; Kievs 2, 4, 4a (and 60); Zorkis 3m, 4, and 10; Agat 18k. And possibly one or two others. And am now down to the FED 4.
I didn't own these all at the same time or I would have made a different choice. I like a well adjusted Zorki 3m the best of all the FSU cameras I've used and may get another. If I do then the FED 4 will find another owner.
I enjoyed shooting the Kievs but the lens choice was/is a bit limited for my budget. By going with the LTM mount cameras, I have lots of good, cheap-ish lens choices available.
To be honest, I probably wouldn't have kept any of my FSU cameras if I didn't like the J-12 lens so well.
Rob
(hope this post wasn't too far off topic:rolleyes::D)
 
....only keep one?....

For me, the Zorki 5a is that camera. It has a slimmer body than my other Zorkis and FEDs, probably because it's a bottom loader. It seems to have a little rarity value, although the 5b is apparently rarer.
Great fun to use, and like others on this forum, I have tinkered with enough FSU cams to become quite attached to a few.
 
This one:

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Zorki 6 is not the smoothest (Zorki 1f is smoother) but I like the viewfinder and RF patch the best of all FSU. It has excellent contrast.

Also loading from the back and lever film advance are a plus. It makes it almost "modern." :)
 
I agree with some earlier comments--attraction of FSU cameras is that they are not rare and are relatively cheap so you can by several and try them out without breaking the bank.
I have not shot Contax/Kiev much. Have more experience with Feds and Zorki's. To pick one as a shooter, would probably go with Zorki 4k, although I like my Zorfki 6 better (if it only had more speeds) I also like my Fed 2 and 3, and would not want to give up my 5b olympic model.
 
The Fed 1g I cannot part from. I managed to make a working camera from a box of parts when I was waiting for the results of my exams. Plus its coated lens is superb. It loves slides :)
It's not the smoothest working camera, but my favorite!
 
I'm not sure I could whittle it down to one - I have one OF EACH (well, at least one of most anyway), doesn't that count? :D

If forced it'd be a toss-up between a Zorki 1, 3M or 5b or the FED NKVD or Kiev 4a...that could take a while to agonise over!
 
Probably a Fed 2,but a close runner-up would be anyone of the Kiev 4 or 4a's which I've sold on over the past few years.:)

As for why---not that it's part of the original question---I just like 'em!!and at my age that's more important than being analytical or rational;)
 
A Zorki 1 with an I-22 is the one that I use the most. From a pure usability standpoint, my Kiev 4's are better cameras because they have a better view finder, wider range of speeds, and can be hand-held down to 1/25. Nevertheless, the Zorki gets more use because it fits in my pocket.
 
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