Is there much of a point in seeking out a better camera?

[Wulfthari]

I honestly have no interest in the Bessas. I like something with brass and chrome. I've been looking at a few of the different types of Canon rangefinders, but I think for now I'm just going to keep using the Zorki. When I get bored of it, or it breaks I'll spring for a more refined camera.

For the sake of variation I would suggest a Zorki 6 or a FED2, they are both capable and robust cameras, personally I prefer them to the 4.

 

[Fotohuis]

What is "better" ?

Here a review of some lenses. I also added a I-61 L/D version on the test.

My favorite Zorki above the Z-4K is the Z-6. And for FED, maybe the FED-3 (b) version but it is in revision now.

I am working also with a Leica M7, so I know what is handy and about quality for M lenses. Working on film and if you have a good version J-8 it can compete till 24x30cm darkroom prints against that Summicron. In FSU lenses the best for 50mm I think. I have a Black version.

 

[oltimer]

I would not put up with a Barnack or Barnack derivative for any amount of actual shooting. I wear glasses and it just doesn't work for me. Could I do it if I had to? Sure, but I wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much as shooting regularly with a decent/modern viewfinder/RF combo.

A Canon 7 is nearly as good as a Leica M in a lot of ways (aside from the blurry edges of the focusing patch) and better in some ways (film door, no spool to lose), and not much worse in most ways. And you can find them for dirt cheap.

Personally my 7sz is far superior in the viewfinder than my mint M3, and I've looked into a lot of M viewfinders. Stephen Gandy even agrees with me,
www.cameraquest.com/canon7sz.htm

 

[marcr1230]

It's all about the your needs , wants and budget

There are good reasons why cameras have evolved and changed over the years and why professionals have migrated to ever better tools for their needs.

If the current kit works for you and you get the images you want, no reason to change
If you are interested in gear or your photographic needs can be better met by another tool, then you consider it, constrained by your resources.

 

[f16sunshine]

It's about the Viewfinder for me when using the FSU cameras (barnacks too).
They are not very good comparing with later Japanese ltm modles.
I want to see my subject clearly.

As for lenses... I had a J8 that was as good as any f2/50mm sonnar from the era.
Maybe it even seemed better than some with it's slightly higher contrast.
That said I prefer the look of the color Skopar f2.5/50 to any of those sonnars.
The ergonomics too!

Is it worth it to upgrade?....To each his own in the end. 🙂

 

[Fotohuis]

You can solve the problem partial with an external VF. At least for any other lens then 50mm you need in fact an external finder.

In this version a J-12 (35mm) with the VF-1 17mm u4/3 (35mm) Oly VF.
But with the Z-6 and J-8 it is a workable solution though pretty moderate compared to my M7 or C.V. Bessa III 667 RF cameras.

Believe me, you can have a lot of fun with all FSU RF systems.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Currently having fun with Z4. Have to order special spool, because those for Z and FED-2 are incompatible. RF is spot on, but uneven exposure. I google it and ... even more fun before I'll be able to get normal pictures from it or maybe not...

This Belle-Vue bottle looks so familiar...

 

[Fotohuis]

This Belle-Vue bottle looks so familiar...

I normally prefer the Ukrainian beer. Lvivske 1715 for example.

Anyhow, that J-8 I like very much too:

J-8 wide open on Fomapan 200 film. (Hopefully no German readers because the text on that T-34 is pretty bad.)

But my FED-3 is under repair now but I still have the original box:

And I have in fact a brand new FED-5B with I-61 L/D. But how younger the RF cams how worse the used materials .......

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I normally prefer the Ukrainian beer. Lvivske 1715 for example.
...

Yes 🙂

Yours J-8 seems to be very sharp!

 

[Fotohuis]

Yours J-8 seems to be very sharp!

Yes, I have no complains about the lens, neither on my J-12 or I-61.

J-8. ATP1.1 E.I. 20 in R.L.C. /Film Low Gamma 1+5, 6:30 min.

J-12. ATP1.1 E.I. 20 in R.L.C. /Film Low Gamma 1+5, 6:30 min.

 

[Fotohuis]

J-8 and Z-4K on Fomapan 200, Xtol 1+1.

C.V. Bessa III 667 on Fomapan 200, R09/Rodinal 1+50.

Ok the last one is a bit better. 😛

 

[pete hogan]

Very nice images, Fotohuis. That's been my experience as well with the Jupiter-8, sharp and nice rendering. I tend to use the Industar-22 more often for it's compactness on the Zorki 1.

 

[Monochrom]

I wouldn´t dare to give you an advise on cameras.

I can only say to you are right. you are a sober, wise person. Keep being that way.

🙂