Kiev? Zorki?

[manfromh]

So im buying a rangefinder. First i was thinking of Zorki-3, but then i discovered that there arent much of them in my country. Some guy offered me a Kiev 4a for 11$. I was also thinking about Zorki-4 for about the same price.
So the question is, which is better? Or maybe some other rf?

 

[Socke]

I prefer the Kiev 4 over my Zorki 4.
Setting shutterspeed and winding is much easyer, especialy with the J-12 where it is not so easy to change aperture I can adapt exposure faster to changing conditions then on the Zorki.

 

[rbiemer]

I don't own a Zorki 4 but I do like my Kiev 4a very much.
Either are capable cameras so it will probably depend on which fits you better.
Personally,I'd choose on the condition of the cameras offered; if both are working, is one better than the other?
$11 for either of them? If that price isn't a burden for you, I'd say the thing to do would be to get both of them and see which suits you better. You likely would be able to recoup your investment in which ever of the two you decide to pass along.
There might be one or two folks around here to "help" out in that regard.
And glad to have you around here!
Rob

 

[peterc]

Both are good systems. The Zorki gives you a wider choice of lenses, but I've found they can be prone to shutter and focus problems. Kievs I've found to suffer from light leaks, but the wide RF base makes focusing a breeze and the lenses are great.

Peter

 

[manfromh]

I think im going for the Kiev, or both. Zorkis seem to more easily found, so if i should decide to get a Zorki too sometime, then ill probably find one in an antique store or at the market. I dont know what condition they are in yet, but ill find out soon 🙂

 

[Ash]

I've got both now. The Zorki 4k that I have feels really nice in the hands, and the 1:1 viewfinder is easy to use. loading film is very easy. The kiev 4a is a bit weird to hold (see: contax grip) but the shutter is deathly quiet in comparison to the zorki. If you can handle both I'd say make the choice on the day.

 

[Solinar]

The Zorki 3 fits the hand beautifully, but the 1:1 viewfinder shows a 60mm or 65mm frame - if you wear glasses. Also, the rangefinder base is a little too narrow to use an 85/2, Jupiter 9 reliably at wide open aperture and close in to the subject.

The Kiev does have that unique hand-hold and it really should be used with a bulky KMZ turret finder. That said, it is dead-on accurate RF when using an 85/2 J9 wide open, at close range. This is something to consider. The quiet shutter is plus.

 

[Jocko]

Given a simple choice between a Zorki 4 and a Kiev I would certainly choose the later. Properly adjusted they are in an entirely different class and - if you're new to RFs - the unusual aspects - wheel focussing and the "Contax hold" - will not prove any problem. Actually, I'd argue that the Contax/Kiev was one of the most ergonomically useable cameras ever designed. I'd say that the Zorki 4 was sturdy but mediocre, whilst the Kiev is a genuine classic. IMHO!

Cheers, Ian

 

[Ash]

the kiev IS a contax, so it should be good, yes. But I still can't get on with the grip!

 

[kmack]

At those prices get both😀
If you don't like the Kiev or it has too many problems just put it up for sale here.
I am always looking for cheap Kiev's for parts.

 

[Jocko]

the kiev IS a contax, so it should be good, yes. But I still can't get on with the grip!

Ah, Grasshopper. do as the great ones of the olden time did and you cannot err. Such elegant gesturings will also attract the village maidens as a fallen fruit attracts the wanton plum hound.

You too could look like this!

Cheers unto you,

Ian

 

[kmack]

Ah, Grasshopper. do as the great ones of the olden time did and you cannot err. Such elegant gesturings will also attract the village maidens as a fallen fruit attracts the wanton plum hound.

You too could look like this!

Cheers unto you,

Ian

Wanton Plum Hound? I know that the ladies love a guy with a good contax grip but... Wanton Plum Hounds?

 

[Jocko]

Wanton Plum Hound? I know that the ladies love a guy with a good contax grip but... Wanton Plum Hounds?

It is so, Brother. The books of eld have spoken!

 

[Solinar]

Alright, which one of those two cameras is a babe magnet?

I noticed that the proper hand-hold is diplayed for keeping the front of the never-ready case away from the lens.

 

[Jocko]

Betwixt you and I, dear Andrew, I think a Barnack Leica or Contax/Kiev are both quite effective!

Particularly if you add a "hallo kitty" sticker.

Cheers, Ian

 

[tkluck]

Alright, which one of those two cameras is a babe magnet?

Kiev! Romantic visions of Doctor Zhivago, etc.

Zorki, unfortunatly rhymes with dorky. Although you may get lucky if the babe is eather a middle agged MIT grad, or a wine connessour. Long odds at best.

 

[manfromh]

Ill have a look at the Kiev tomorrow. The seller said that its in excellent condition, and the case and the lens cap arent missing either. I was also a bit suprised, that the seller is a well known photographer, here in Estonia.

And as ive understood, 11$ for it is cheap, right? Because it seems like a regular price here. A guy here bought a nicely working Fed-3 for 5 bucks

 

[lushd]

Babe magnet? When did you ever hear Nicole Kidman say "I love a man with a nice big Zorki"

 

[RJBender]

Ill have a look at the Kiev tomorrow. The seller said that its in excellent condition, and the case and the lens cap arent missing either. I was also a bit suprised, that the seller is a well known photographer, here in Estonia.

And as ive understood, 11$ for it is cheap, right? Because it seems like a regular price here. A guy here bought a nicely working Fed-3 for 5 bucks

If the camera works it's dirt cheap at $11. See if you can find a camera repair shop nearby and ask how much it would cost to clean, lubricate and adjust the Kiev. Please let us know what the shop in Estonia would charge for this service.

R.J.

 

[Socke]

Babe magnet? When did you ever hear Nicole Kidman say "I love a man with a nice big Zorki"

You never know, since she's given up on thetans everything is possible 🙂