Just curious. What's the very worst RF you've ever had?

FallisPhoto

FallisPhoto

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I'm talking a really serious POS. What's the very worst you have ever had or tried to use?

For me, it would be an Argus Autronic, hands down.
 
My first film camera was a Fed-5v. Not a total POS, but it started out OK and just went downhill from there ... ended up scratching negatives and it was virtually impossible to rewind film. On the other hand, I can't be too upset with it as it did last long enough to get me seriously interested in photography. And I still use the Industar lens that came with it!
 
One of the later Kievs .... I have a very early Kiev II (Kneb) and love it but this one was rubbish.

I'm waiting for some brave soul to say an M8! :p
 
My Kiev 4s. They made very nice images, great lenses, this was the tantalising part, the bit that gets you to keep trying (& spending). The unreliable frame spacing (read overlapping frames, not just close frames) did it for me eventually.....

Dave
 
It's a toss up between my Fed 5 or the Yashica GSN. Both are great phototakers it's the way they feel in my hands. The fed is too heavy & the GSN has a bulky feel to it that I can't seem to get used to.
 
Pitxu said:
I'd be interested to know what it was that you didn't like about this camera.


I was thinking of trying one.
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I guess you can be unlucky ... my personal experiences with Electros has been good ... I think the lens far outshines the actual camera it's attached to though. I've always found the feel of the camera a little agricultural to be honest but when you see some of the pics Avotious used to post with his you have to wonder why we spend our hard earned money on the big budget lenses and bodys. :p

I don't remember anyone giving one away on your thread Pitxu which says a lot about how liked and valued they are!
 
In the late 1970s, I owned a used Rollei XF 35 for about 10 minutes. It broke before I got 20 feet from the camera shop. I returned it for a refund.

I own a different one today, and I still don't understand the appeal of this camera. The quality of construction is average at best. There is too much plastic.

And I generally like Rollei products. But not this one.
 
It was the best of cameras the worst of cameras--the Kiev 4a (and a 2.) Great lenses. viewfinder is good, fun to shoot with but not a good camera for those without repair skills.
 
Pitxu said:
I think I did see one offered? (maybe in need of a small repair).

My concern is with the position of the lens, it seems to be off center, over toward your right hand.
I held one briefly many years ago and found that the fingers of my right hand got in the way of my left fingers when focussing. A strange position of the focussing tabs maybe?
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The focusing tabs are one of the things I don't like ... their positioning is all wrong and the camera would be better without them!
 
Leica MP ... seriously. Most ruined films I ever had using a film camera (shutter and meter problems) and went a couple of times to Leica for being serviced (under warranty) ...
 
maddoc said:
Leica MP ... seriously. Most ruined films I ever had using a film camera (shutter and meter problems) and went a couple of times to Leica for being serviced (under warranty) ...
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Hmm ... what was that sound?

Ahh ... it was the sound of MP owners all round the world grinding their teeth! :angel:
 
Keith said:
Hmm ... what was that sound?

Ahh ... it was the sound of MP owners all round the world grinding their teeth! :angel:
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So many dentists will be very busy soon, earn lots of $$$ and can buy new Leica gear ... :D;)




:angel:
 
So the dentists are going to save Leica just as we supected ... all courtesy of your dodgy MP! :p
 
Yashica Electro - Basically never had one that's worked properly out of about 5 different cameras. They're clunky and temperamental and ergonomically poor. Yes the lens is good but if the camera barely works there's not much point.

Olympus XA - Out of 3 1 has worked for about 2 rolls, and then the shutter jammed. I love everything else about the camera. Just wish I could find one that doesn't crap itself. The last one I bought was mint and I mean absolutely mint. Even the finder is in good condition, so I'm going to send it to John from www.zuiko.com to get an overhaul.
 
Zorki 4K. Worse than crap, because at least crap is recyclable. The camera that brought down the iron curtain.
 
Kiev 4am, Kiev 4, FED-5, Zorki-4K. All broke, more or less, after running no more than 2 rolls through them. And when they worked, they worked really bad. Bad enough to turn off anyone if these were to be their first RF or foray into film photography for that matter.
 
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