Kiev 4 vs. Zorki 4

[mooge]

Perhaps you should consider a Canon? A working Canon body in ugly condition isn't worth much more than a couple tries at Russian roulette.

you, sir are a troublemaker. I took another look at Krosya's Canon 7... really tempting, but $85 is like $100CAD... but I don't wanna sell the Kiev...

It has a dismally dim viewfinder, you must have excellent vision to enjoy the camera. No glasses here.

The Zorki is constructed ok, but it has an excellent 1:1 bright finder, if you wear glasses, this is the one for you, otherwise go with the Kiev.

THAT'S what I needed to know! thanks!

 

[wolves3012]

A comparison of my samples says:
The Zorki is a couple of mm wider and a few mm taller overall. The Kiev looks lower because the top-plate is lower.

Weight is about the same and the Kiev feels a bit more solid, although it isn't really.

VF on the Zorki is a lot brighter but not quite as contrasty on the RF (they have both been cleaned.

Build quality is about the same - adequate rather than good. They both work!

Shutter noise is about the same but the sound is different, especially on slower speeds where the Kiev "wheezes" and the Zorki buzzes. The Kiev is probably a bit less of a noticable sound in that respect.

The Zorki doesn't have spacing issues (none of my FEDs or Zorkis has) but the Kiev has a slight issue (as is common).

They both have smooth film advances but then again, they have both been CLAd.

 

[wdeskiew]

ok. how does the Zorki 4 compare to the Kiev 4 in terms of...
size?
noise?
weight?
build quality?
VF/RF brightness/eye relief (is it squinty)?
frame spacing issues/grinding noises on film advance? (no, I don't know how to load the Kiev... I cheated and used a bit of wire...)

why? well, I might look for a (probably busted) Zorki 3m/4, and it would be pointless if it had all the things I hate about the Kiev. will have to sell some junk first though...

size: about the same, kiev looks more bulky;
noise: about the same for my ear, kiev's shutter gives a 'grinding' sound while zorki's produce a clear 'snap';
weight: not a significant difference;
built quality: kiev is built better, but zorki's construction is simplier, so less elements to break or to cause trouble;
vf/rf: zorki's is bigger, brighter and has a diopter adjustment. Kiev's rf is more precise, but I have never had a problem focussing my zorki.
Kiev has a hot shoe and you can set the time before or after winding and has a unique lens mount. Zorki' shutter has to be set only afer winding, has a cold accessory shoe but lens mount is inherited from leica.
I prefer the look and feel of my zorki-4 with a silver jupiter-8 but prefer pictures taken with kiev with helios-103...

 

[breathstealer]

you, sir are a troublemaker. I took another look at Krosya's Canon 7... really tempting, but $85 is like $100CAD... but I don't wanna sell the Kiev...

Glad to be of service

I suppose I'm somewhat spoiled because I did my rangefinder learning on a beat up Canon 7 - the RF patch was near invisible but the finder was otherwise great. I'd sell it to you if it weren't my grandfather's.

Once again though, it's not like FSU cameras are that much cheaper, and you do get a lot more when you pay extra. Is there any way you could save up over a little longer?

 

[mooge]

Glad to be of service

I suppose I'm somewhat spoiled because I did my rangefinder learning on a beat up Canon 7 - the RF patch was near invisible but the finder was otherwise great. I'd sell it to you if it weren't my grandfather's.

well, on that, I was lent a whole Canon F-1 kit. it's alot of stuff. so I was pretty lucky.

I'll get a Canon 7 if the one in the classifieds is still there... or Zorki it is.

thanks all!

 

[MIkhail]

Glad to be of service

I suppose I'm somewhat spoiled because I did my rangefinder learning on a beat up Canon 7 - the RF patch was near invisible but the finder was otherwise great. I'd sell it to you if it weren't my grandfather's.

Once again though, it's not like FSU cameras are that much cheaper, and you do get a lot more when you pay extra. Is there any way you could save up over a little longer?

I got my Zorki 4K with Jupiter 8 for 60 dollars, and it works fine. One problem (probably in my head more than real thing) is that I like to see edges of the frame while composing and it's difficult on Zorki.. Otherwise- no issues.
Canon 7 will cost at least 3 times that. Without lens.