Let's create a FSU Frankenstein...

[lushd]

Oh, and while we're at it, a full frame digital FED1/Zorki1 would indeed be absolutely fab! But.. without the Bayer filter, i.e. black & white only. And none of that flip up LCD nonsens. Just a FED1/Zorki1 on the outside.. Merely a card and battery slot -bottom loaded of course to keep with the theme-..

Oh that would be heaven, also cheap as you wouldn't have to pay for all those redundant bits of pointless software that you will never use or spend your life cursing as you try to defeat them.

I vote for a digital Zorki 5 on this basis as this is my favourite handling camera. It would remove the bottom loading/heavy wind on issue. Otherwise a digital Zorki 4k would be cool.

 

[Macpod]

this might be a stupid question. and its probably to do with patent rights. But why hasnt anyone made a leica M copy? i know theres a chinese red flag.

how do you think it would sell? i suppose it makes more sense for companies to make SLRs in todays market.

id buy a FSU MP 😀

 

[Ash]

I think patents are more strict now than they were back in the Soviet-copy-everything days. I doubt its financially viable to rip off the M. Especially the QC

 

[Valkir1987]

A smaller and more compact Zorki 4-K with...

-a smaller top plate and strap lugs.
-X sync only
-a leica like slow speed dial on the front plate (like the Zorki 3)
-a smaller viewfinder with parralax correction
-a speed setter like the Zenit E has, you can set the speed wound and unwound
-a better rewind lever (instead of a knob)
-a built in light meter (non TTL)
-and... a Jupiter 8 with click diafragm


Greetings 🙂

 

[Macpod]

well. i figued just about what everyone wants is on the leica Ms. i cant imagine what leica actually has patented. surely anyone can make a lever wind or brightline viewfinder.

surely an even cheaper alternative to the current voigtlander bessas would be attractive. although im just speaking out of my backend. the market for rangefinder is probably scarily small.

I dont know about zorki and fed. but im pretty sure Lomo is still in business. i heard some swiss comany bought it and will be coming out with new models. Maybe if they actually knew this segment of the market existed. they can then make up their mind if its worth while bringing out another FSU rangefinder.

wouldnt that be something. another whole generation of competitive FSU rangefinder for less than 300USD 🙂 Maybe we can even have a LHSA equivalent limited edition!

 

[varjag]

LOMO, the optical conglomerate located in St. Perersburg, Russia has ceased to produce cameras around 2001. The lomography.com website has not much to do with LOMO except selling their "new old stock" LC-A among others overpriced cameras-

 

[Macpod]

LOMO, the optical conglomerate located in St. Perersburg, Russia has ceased to produce cameras around 2001. The lomography.com website has not much to do with LOMO except selling their "new old stock" LC-A among others overpriced cameras-

Looks like things have changed in the last 5 years...

http://www.lomoplc.com/newsFrames.htm

that site is current and the latest news artical is dated december 2005.

 

[Jocko]

Looks like things have changed in the last 5 years...

http://www.lomoplc.com/newsFrames.htm

that site is current and the latest news artical is dated december 2005.

Macpod, Varjag is totally correct. Those people import telescope lenses.

Cheers, Ian

 

[varjag]

I see no mention of cameras produced there.

LOMO is still in optical business, but has quit making cameras. Just like KMZ did last year.

 

[darkkavenger]

My ideal FSU RF would be the Kiev-TTL prototype.

 

[Jocko]

My ideal FSU RF would be the Kiev-TTL prototype.

Max - do you know where there's a picture of that? I'm sure I saw one once, and it looked absolutely fabulous.....

Cheers, Ian



Edit - actually I don't think it can have been the Kiev-TTL... I'm sure I saw a picture of a streamlined Kiev rangefinder intended to succeed the 4A... Oh I need the new Princelle....🙁

 

[varjag]

I heard that Kiev TTL prototype of the 1960s used two CdS sensors on swinging arms arrangement, quite similar to what was done on FED TTL. Not sure how would it work with a lens like J-12..

 

[Macpod]

I misread your reply. i thought you meant the company no longer exists.

who knows. they might decide to make cameras again.

 

[Spyderman]

My younger brother had an idea to buy the machines from KMZ and start making cameras 😀 😀 😀 And he's 18 y.o. 😀

 

[Macpod]

are they selling it on the bay? ahaha. heck if they can train it over to china ill buy it and churn out my own 'improved' zorki 3m! with lever wind and 3 viewfinder lines. mmmm

 

[darkkavenger]

Jocko: I have the pictures on an Outlook inbox backup file. I need to fetch outlook from work and then i'll be able to extract them. A fellow RFF member had sent me these.

Varjag: I think you're correct, there were 2 Cds sensors on a swinging arm... maybe that's why they made the Sputnik-4 lens prototype who knows 😉