Interested in FSU cameras where to begin?

[rl1856]

I was recently in your position. I purchased a Fed 3d/e I-22 and a Zorki 3M J-8 via Ebay. I have taken a few rolls with the Fed but I have not had a chance to put film through the Zorki.

So far, the Fed is slightly larger and more massive in hand. The viewfinder is acceptable with a reasonably prominent rangefinder in the center. The dioptic adjustment is easy to use, but will move out of focus easily.

The I-22 lens has nice contrast and color, but overall has a "soft" feel to it. I used both direct and hyoperfocal/ zone focusing, with the same overall results.

As a knockaround, easy to use camera, the Fed is usefull.

While I have not shot film with the Zorki, it does have an entirely different feel to it. First, it is slightly smaller, with a more "retro" look. Mass feels about the same.

The viewfinder, rangefinder and dioptor are an order of magnituded better than the FED. I can not stress this difference enough ! The J-8 seems easy to focus and based upon other's experience, should prove to be sharp, with nice color and contrast.

Both of these cameras use 39mm Leica screw mount lenses.

You will need a handheld lightmeter.....

Best,

Ross

 

[atelier7]

Thanks Ross, for sharing your experience. Can't wait for the cameras to come.
Please please mr postman!
I've got the I26 lens with my Fed, though I really liked the look of the collapsible lens.
I bought the Zorki mainly for the J8, which seems to get a good review.
They were both bought on eb*y (why does everyone not spell it out? is there a reason for this?) Hopefully, the sellers did describe it accurately.
meanwhile, my kiev 4AM is from Oleg at OKvintage...
I think i've gotto stop buying more gear for now. haven't even tried my petri yet... or my pinhole camera!

 

[reagan]

Uh oh. That sounds like the Famous last words of a hopeless FSU junkie.

I bought the Zorki mainly for the J8.

I did the same thing. I thought to myself, "I could buy the lens even though it has this 'Zorki-something' attached to it. Then sell said 'Zorki-something' body to cover the ouch-ukranian shipping cost."

Second step toward addiction: "What the heck - I might as well shoot a roll through the old Zorki-something before I sell it. .... ... Well, gee-whilickers pa, that was fun. Let's shoot just one more roll. What's the rush in selling? Besides, I can quit any time I want."

That was then. This is now. Both Zorki 4 and Jupiter 8 have found a permanent home.

I like the sturdy feel of the Zorki and the dioptic adjustment is just what the doctor odered for my bi-focal eyes. (I can remember my dad fiddling between glasses and rangefinder trying to actually see and focus what he was shooting.) Though the knob wind and rewind are not exactly hi-tech, mine work smoothly and film loading/unloading has become quite "automatic."

No, the J8 maybe isn't the best money can buy. But on a bang-for-buck rating system, it seems to me to have made a whole lot of folks happy for a long time. So far, I'm one. Both focus and aperture work smoothly on mine. And an I-22 is at the top of my shopping list. Which brings me to another reason I really like this FSU stuff. Just a fistful of smackers will buy you a bunch of it!! So the choice I have to make is not which to buy, but which to buy next!... yikes!

I think i've gotto stop buying more gear for now.

Yes, yes. We're all going to stop.......... Well, gotta go. It's almost time for the postman. Maybe my Z3M from Oleg will come today! 😎