Heath
Classic Camera Collector
Hi. I have always drooled over the Leicas but cannot afford one at this point in time. I have seen many of you guys (and gals) use Russian made Leica copies. So I went looking on that evil auction site (evil because I spend too much mony when I visit there) and found a couple of Zorki's and a Fed. The Zorki's are 2 Zorki-4'a and a Zorki-2C and the Fed is a Fed-3.
Are these models any good and are there any aspects a potential buyer should be prepaired fo? I know some of these types of cameras use special spools for the film but I am unsure if these particular models need them. So far th above mantioned cameras are very low in price so what is a reasonable price to pay for one of these rangefinders?
Thanks in advance.
Heath
Are these models any good and are there any aspects a potential buyer should be prepaired fo? I know some of these types of cameras use special spools for the film but I am unsure if these particular models need them. So far th above mantioned cameras are very low in price so what is a reasonable price to pay for one of these rangefinders?
Thanks in advance.
Heath
captainslack
Five Goats Hunter
Sounds like you might be better off trekking over to the Russian Rangerfinder Forum, my friend. All your questions will be answered there. 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34
K
Krasnaya_Zvezda
Guest
The Zorki 2C is a bottom loader, which can be less than convienient---- mine sits on the display shelf as "art" rather than being employed as "shooter" for that very reason. Can't go wrong with Zorki 4, I have two of them that get significant use. I don't have a FED 3 so I can't comment, but my FED 2 with its solid feel, long-based RF and smooth, quiet shutter is one of my favorites.
kiev4a
Well-known
The Zorkis and FEDs can be good cameras. I think the Zorki 1s and FED 1s are the neatest looking but they are old enough they also have the most problems -- primarily light leaks in the shutter curtains. The curtains can be replaced. The cheapest way is to send them back to Oleg, a Russian repairman. You can do it yourself but unless you are REALLY into the cameras you spend a week or more doing it the first time. If you had to replace another set of curtains you could do it in an evening.
You are better off with a Zorki 4 or 4K or a FED 2 or later model. Most of them work right out of the box -- at least if you get one from someone like alex-photo or Oleg.
You are better off with a Zorki 4 or 4K or a FED 2 or later model. Most of them work right out of the box -- at least if you get one from someone like alex-photo or Oleg.
Heath
Classic Camera Collector
thanks for the info. I think i iwll keep watching the Zorki-4's this guy is selling. Only a few days left so heres hoping.
Heath
Heath