Is there a "best" FSU?

[bobby_novatron]

+1 for Fed-2, Zorki-4, and Kiev 2. I own all three (plus a few more FSU cameras) and these are the most reliable Soviet cameras I own.

I own a couple Kiev 4's, they're not as well-made as the Kiev 2.

Also, in my experience, the Zorki-4 has has one of the best viewfinders of the FSU cameras. Very bright and easy to see.

My Zorki-4 (1971 model):

My Kiev 2a (1957 model):

 

[SteveM(PA)]

Fed 2 for that long rangefinder base, plus PP seemed to like it. 🙂
Just make sure to tape over the name though. Pablo used to get so sick of talking with strangers about his Fed gear. 😛

 

[David Hughes]

Cassettes where? Take in spool is kind a special and might be different for different Zorki.
But none of the FSU RF I had required special cassettes. FED-2 is no exclusion.

Hi,

Looking at a pre-war FED (NKVD version) I would say that - like 30's Leicas - they will take a slightly taller cassette. Taller by about a mm. or so. So spacers needed with modern ones.

Alas, thinking through all the variations (cassettes and bodies) and so on I don't want to tackle that question and I don't have access to some of the measuring stuff I need.

Anyway, I did my check with a 30's FILCA type B and a simple Vernier calliper and I guess that's good enough, fttb.

Regards, David

 

[Jacques M.]

Hi!

Certainly, the Fed 2 is a very good shooter, with the large base of its rangefinder. And the early Kievs obviously have the Zeiss quality, as they were made on German assembly lines.
But for the history (and to shoot, too), I prefer a prewar Fed S, with a 2/50cm lens and shutters with the 1/1000th. I have several ones and one of them is really fantastic, with the shutters too slow on the 1/20th: schlaaaak! It's my daily...

Amitiés. Jacques.

 

[steveyork]

I've owned a bunch of old cameras from the 50's and 60's -- literally dozens -- from Leica, Zeiss, Nikon, Canon, Topcon, and probably a few others I've forgotten about, and w/o exception they all needed repairs or a CLA to be at their best. The same is true for my wife's MF -- Rollei, Ikoflex -- they all needed service

I shot rangefinders exclusively for 15 years, mostly using Leica, from an M4 and M5, but most film went through an MP and M7. A few years back I got rid of the M equipment in favor of the Leicaflex SL model (a near perfect camera for me). Anyway, when I wanted to shoot a rangefinder again, I tried a Fed 2 and Kiev 2 this summer. Very impressed. From my limited experience they are well made, good cameras. Not only great 'bang for the buck,' but they appear solid and well made.

 

[steveyork]

Hi!

Certainly, the Fed 2 is a very good shooter, with the large base of its rangefinder. And the early Kievs obviously have the Zeiss quality, as they were made on German assembly lines.
But for the history (and to shoot, too), I prefer a prewar Fed S, with a 2/50cm lens and shutters with the 1/1000th. I have several ones and one of them is really fantastic, with the shutters too slow on the 1/20th: schlaaaak! It's my daily...

Amitiés. Jacques.

Yes, as a practical matter, I find a Fed 2 a good shooter. I'm in sunny Florida and I don't find the 1/500 limiting, because I just use color and ND filters. Likewise, I don't shoot much below 1/30 either, although it would be nice to have 1/15.

People complain about a "dim" and "squinty" viewfinder with the Fed 2. Yes, the earlier models do have a dimmer viewfinder then later (e.g., 60's) models, and in this way reminiscent of the Contax IIa and IIIa (the black dials have a dimmer viewfinder then the color dials), but a proper cleaning brightens everything up. I don't find them "squinty," however, because they have good magnification (at least 70%), and it is one of the few rangefinders where I can see all 4 corners w/ glasses.

The high contrast of the Fed 2 makes it easy to shoot, especially in low light. For me, I would opt for high contrast over brightness any day of the week. This is the reason I never got along with the Nikon S2 even after a proper cleaning -- the rangefinder patch was vague to the point of useless (sort of like a Zorki (had one of those in the house too)).

 

[steveyork]

Hi,

If people fussed over them and spent as much time/money on them as they do on other maker's cameras, all of them would be great. Luckily they are nowhere near as expensive to repair and get into fine working order as other cameras. That's based on my experience as the owner and user of several Leicas and a Contax of roughly the same age as the ex-USSR ones.

The trouble is a lot of people judge them after buying a secondhand one and expecting it to work perfectly. Old cameras are not like that and often need a little TLC before giving their best again. Once put back into full working order there's little to distinguish my Leica II from my FED 1. And I could tell some horror stories about Leicas bought for serious money from serious dealers.

Personally I like all the old USSR ones from the 30's ones with the Summar clone to the late Kievs, Leningrads and so on. For newcomers the FED 2 with the Jupiter-8 takes a lot of beating.

Regards, David

Agreed. A whole lot of 'double standard' when talking about rangefinders. Nobody would say a M2 is an unreliable camera just because it has sat around for 40 years and currently needs service. And yes, I've owned Leica, many of them, and the Leica rangefinders are overpriced.

 

[shadowfox]

The Zorki 1 and its SLR brother Zenit-S. I had a Leica IIIc and compared to the Zorki 1, I can't tell the difference in their operation, so I sold the Leica and kept the Zorki.

Also Zorki 6:

Which can produce nice pics:

** Notice the wonky frame? I think this is why I like FSU cameras 🙂

 

[Fotohuis]

I shot rangefinders exclusively for 15 years, mostly using Leica, from an M4 and M5, but most film went through an MP and M7.

I still have a Leica M7 and for me it is one of the best rangefinder cameras.

But comparing the camera with a Zorki-6 and Jupiter lenses you will come to the conclusion the (M7) Leica camera and Leica glass are in average 50-100x more expensive and when I do the enlargements with my Rodenstock enlarger lenses for 30x40cm or even 40x50cm you have to look already pretty carefully to see the real differences.

If you can handle an external exposure meter quickly and you can estimate the changing light I am never far away what the M7 is doing.

Even just a test with micro film, so called high resolution, the Jupiter lenses are doing very well. But you need a good assembled one, same for the camea: Refurbished and technically OK. So you will end with a price for this the same (or more) you have paid for the camera or lens. But even then any FSU camera and lens is still a bargain. With a bit luck again another 40-50 years ....... 🙂

I even do not have to talk about any digital RF's which is already oldfashioned after 5 years in use. And the amazing thing of analogue photography: You can "change" the sensor for each different roll of film.

J-12 with micro film E.I. 15 in Film Low Gamma / R.L.C. 1+4.

It is a pity a lot of digital mirrorless cameras are using those Jupiter lenses too (with adapter) because in the last years the price is going up quickly.

 

[Fotohuis]

Another few minor things (but important) about that Z-6:

Engraved letters and big enough to read without my glasses. Easy quick transport. Simple re-wind. Shutter times: 1/30s sync - 1/500s +B, no slow shutter times so they can not break if you forgot to cock the shutter first before dialing ....
It is a very small camera body so nice to have two bodies with different films.
Easy in focus and build in dioptry correction. Strap lugs. No seperate pick up spool which can dropped out when changing the film.

When you want to flash a seperate connection for X and M (bulbs). Almost no mistake possible.
That Z-6 shutter is pretty quiet. Working with Yellow and N.D.0,6 mostly 40,5mm filters 1/500s is enough.

I won't recall the Leica M7 features: Z-6 Euro 40,- and I have paid Eur. 35,- for the refurbishment camera + lens.
Together with a J-12 (Eur. 60) and recently a J-9 (Eur. 100, oef... my most expensive FSU lens) you can have a great set with about almost the same results you can get with any Leica RF camera.

 

[Fotohuis]

So you will read soon my experience with Z-6 and J-9 (F/2,0-85mm) against M7 + Summarit (F/2,5-75mm).

 

[SteveM(PA)]

Z6 & J9 would be a luscious combination 🙂

 

[bobby_novatron]

Fotohuis -- I look forward to reading your comparison!

 

[ForestCap]

It is a pity a lot of digital mirrorless cameras are using those Jupiter lenses too (with adapter) because in the last years the price is going up quickly.

Believe me or not, it's the digital mirrorless with adapted rangefinder lenses that brought me back to film rangefinder cameras 😀.
I'm looking forward to reading your comparison of Z6 and M7!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Another few minor things (but important) about that Z-6:

Engraved letters and big enough to read without my glasses. Easy quick transport. Simple re-wind. Shutter times: 1/30s sync - 1/500s +B, no slow shutter times so they can not break if you forgot to cock the shutter first before dialing ....
It is a very small camera body so nice to have two bodies with different films.
Easy in focus and build in dioptry correction. Strap lugs. No seperate pick up spool which can dropped out when changing the film. ...

😱

Which year is yours Z-6?
I had one from 1965 and it was loud with heavy shutter release with sharp release button at top of it. Painful even at next day after single roll with it. Advance lever was something like 270 degree, taking it longer to advance comparing to FED-2. And it required very special and rare take in spool.

 

[Pioneer]

My Kiev 4 and 4M are pretty good cameras. They are currently functioning well with the exception of the meter. Considering how much I have spent on my Contax II they are excellent for the price. Even if it isn't working there are people who are able to get them working in Ukraine.

 

[Spanik]

I have a working Zorki 4 and it is an agreable rangefinder. Would like to get the Fed Stereo working.

But the one I like best is the Kiev60. Got it from Hartblei and it has been dependable from the start (unless user error). Lenses are also great for the price they go, like the Arsat 30mm or 55PSC. It might not be for everyone but it is a great entry into MF that delivers honest results.

 

[Wulfthari]

Yes, as a practical matter, I find a Fed 2 a good shooter. I'm in sunny Florida and I don't find the 1/500 limiting, because I just use color and ND filters. Likewise, I don't shoot much below 1/30 either, although it would be nice to have 1/15.

People complain about a "dim" and "squinty" viewfinder with the Fed 2. Yes, the earlier models do have a dimmer viewfinder then later (e.g., 60's) models, and in this way reminiscent of the Contax IIa and IIIa (the black dials have a dimmer viewfinder then the color dials), but a proper cleaning brightens everything up. I don't find them "squinty," however, because they have good magnification (at least 70%), and it is one of the few rangefinders where I can see all 4 corners w/ glasses.

The high contrast of the Fed 2 makes it easy to shoot, especially in low light. For me, I would opt for high contrast over brightness any day of the week. This is the reason I never got along with the Nikon S2 even after a proper cleaning -- the rangefinder patch was vague to the point of useless (sort of like a Zorki (had one of those in the house too)).

Please notice that for Leica screw mounts there's a little and expensive accessory that make the rangefinder window become orange like a FED,and costs $50 on ebay.

The customers are the same that complaint about the Fed "dim" rangefinder.

😱

Which year is yours Z-6?
I had one from 1965 and it was loud with heavy shutter release with sharp release button at top of it. Painful even at next day after single roll with it. Advance lever was something like 270 degree, taking it longer to advance comparing to FED-2. And it required very special and rare take in spool.

I have two Z6, both from 1964, one is slightly louder than a Leica the other quiter but for the latter I don't like the shutter release, I assume there's a problem with that.

In both cases they are relatively quiet, I think yours needs a good lube.

 

[wolves3012]

Is there a best FSU? I think the answer depends what you want and need from a camera. If small size is your thing, a FED or Zorki 1. Wide-base RF? FED 2/Zorki 5 & 6. Slower speeds? Zorki 3 or FED 3 onwards. However, if you can hack it with the "Contax grip" and "backwards" lens-focussing, a Kiev takes some beating. It has probably the best feature set plus bayonet mount and a metal, vertical shutter as added bonuses. Of course, the one that works reliably and that you have with you will always be the winner!

 

[ForestCap]

😱

Which year is yours Z-6?
I had one from 1965 and it was loud with heavy shutter release with sharp release button at top of it. Painful even at next day after single roll with it. Advance lever was something like 270 degree, taking it longer to advance comparing to FED-2. And it required very special and rare take in spool.

I have two 1963 Z-6. One of them has a heavier shutter release but the other one is fine. I always use a cheap soft release cap on them to avoid rubbing my finger tip on the jagged shutter button.
The advance stroke is indeed long, I find double pump is the best way, definitely quicker than FED-2's knob turning, for me.