Kiev 4 vs Zorki 4 VF

I'm reluctant to disagree with two supremely well-informed contributors - but I really have to! The above comments are the exact opposite of my own experience. As a very short-sighted spectacle wearer I find the Zorki 4K viewfinder absolutely useless, whilst the Kiev is just fine.

I actually bought my first Kiev after complete - if very reluctant - disillusionment with the Zorki. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.
 
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I think the question refers to framing issues on the large viewfinder Zorkis.

Yesterday, I had forgot my accessory viewfinder for an indoor shoot with a Zorki 3 and the 85/2 J9 lens. I moved back a couple of rows from where I usually sit in the auditorium and the shoot went fine with the normal Zorki viewfinder using the 85mm lens. Is this a side benefit of wearing glasses? I don't know, but I got the negs I wanted.
 
Framing issues are more what I'm referring to. I can focus fine with the Zorki (although it is SO much better when I remove my glasses and use the diopter), but framing is a pain. As I'm definitely not well invested in this, I thought I might consider a switch to the Kiev if framing was better with my glasses. My normal view through the Zorki with glasses is pretty close to an 85mm. I prefer to shoot with a 50.
 
Gotta learn that new grip with a Kiev. I really like both my Kiev 4A and Zorki 4 though.... but I wouldn't trade the Zorki for nothing. Except for a nice car or a Leica.
 
jtzordon said:
Framing issues are more what I'm referring to. I can focus fine with the Zorki (although it is SO much better when I remove my glasses and use the diopter), but framing is a pain. As I'm definitely not well invested in this, I thought I might consider a switch to the Kiev if framing was better with my glasses. My normal view through the Zorki with glasses is pretty close to an 85mm. I prefer to shoot with a 50.
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Exactly my problem. I find I'm able to see the full frame with the Kiev, but obviously others have a quite different experience. A tough one, unless you can try the camera first....
 
Have you considered a FED? They have smaller, but dimmer, viewfinders. I wear glasses as well and have the same problems with framing on my Zorki 4 that you do. My FED 2 is much easier to use, if somewhat dimmer to see through.

Plus, the FED uses the same lenses as the Zorki. The Kiev won't.
 
I wear glasses too. No, I don't see the full frame on either the Kiev or the Zorki, but the Zorki VF is still miles ahead.

Considering the fact that neither VF is parallax correcting, I simply learn to use what is there. My FOV thru a Z4 is pretty close to 50 tho, not 85.
 
I had a MIR (zorki 4 withour slow speeds) and a Kiev 4. I found the kiev to have a much better viewfinder. I wear glasses, and on the kiev I could see what I was framing, with the MIR I had no idea where the frame ended. Also my rangefinder patch on the kiev was much much better than the one on the MIR. Keep in mind that the base length of the kiev is as good as it gets in the land of rangefinders.
 
IF the Z4 shares the vf/rf with the 3 or 3M, and you get a good example, it will win hands down. The Kiev finders are not that bad, and indeed have a way better rf base, are bright enough and have a nice rf patch, but the whole VF area gives the impression of being a dimmer and smaller, mainly if you wear glasses.

But according to what others say, you'll probably have to try both :)

Ah, to add even more controversy, for me the Fed-2 vf is still worse than any of the other two, so I think we don't have an easy discussion here :D
 
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Have you considered a Zorki 5 or 6? I think they have the same VF and the VF of my Zorki 6 is as bright as my Zorki 4 but unlike the 4 the VF size is similar to the FED 2 or 3, i.e. it is possible to see the edges even with glasses.

/Anders
 
Between my Zorki 3M, Kiev 4am and Fed 2, the Fed is the only one with enough diopter correction for me to use without my eyeglasses. The Zorki has the brightest field of view. The Kiev has the most precise focus. I wound up cutting a little leatherette ring for each of them so I wouldn't scratch my glasses.

Overall, I use the Kiev more than the other two.
 
I just went through viewfinder comparisons with my Kiev 4AM, Zorki 4K, and Fed 2. Not scientific by any means. These are mere impressions:

1. Zorki is clearly superior. Brighter, and objects seem closer and larger.

2. Kiev is second.

3. Fed is a distant third.

I did the three with glasses on and off and the ratings didn't change.

However, the image in the Kiev viewfinder was the most crisp. Image in the Zorki was a bit soft. Probably vf needs a cleaning. FED was crisp - I'll give it that - but not quite as bright as the Kiev.

But, rf patch on Zorki was quite dim. Rf patch on the Kiev was the most visible.
Rf patch on the Fed was also hard to see. So the RF patch winner by a long shot is the Kiev. Then, again, although mechanically these cameras are in good shape and work fine, and their lenses are very good, none of their VF/RF systems are probably quite as good as when new. Which is no doubt what one would expect.

Lens on Zorki is a Jupiter 8 2/50.
Lens on Kiev is a J8M 2/53.
Lens on Fed is Fed 3.5/50 collapsible (wonderfully completes the old-time look).



OT: In terms of shutter release noise.

1. Kiev is the quietest.

2. FED is next.

3. Zorki is so loud birds in the tree across the street took flight in panic (probably sounded like a gunshot to them.

Ted
 
taffer said:
Ah, to add even more controversy, for me the Fed-2 vf is still worse than any of the other two, so I think we don't have an easy discussion here :D
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You won't find me disagreeing! But I still very much enjoy using Fed-2s (usually with an accessory finder :)).

I think that part of the trouble might be that individual cameras differ so widely. I have a Zorki 6 with a vastly brighter finder than any 4K I've encountered, yet apparently the finders are the same. Equally one of my 2 Fed-2s must be 30-40% brighter than the other, yet both have been properly cleaned. The glass itself is a quite different colour.

Ah, the joy of Soviet quality control!... and as for the infinitely variable accessory shoes... :bang: !
 
I defnitely hear dissension in the ranks! I think the main conclusion is, it depends! I'd love to try out a Kiev! I'll probably end up with several more russians in the long run, as seems to be the norm. For now I think I might start looking for a finder.
 
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