My FED/Zorki "half-case"

[ZorkiKat]

This is the device which I made about a couple of years ago to address the lack of strap lugs in FED and Zorki cameras. The original cases were fine for carrying the camera, but the cover often got in the way. Cutting off the front part of the original leather cases of these cameras was out of the question for two things: I didn't want to destroy them, and second durability was also an issue. The old leather could break and the rivetted straps were often brittle.
A better one would be a case which was robust, and one which would not make the cased camera significantly larger.

So I made one, using readily available materials here. The body of the device has a galvanised sheet skeleton. Then this was lined with cardboard, which was then covered with leather. The outside has a black cowhide skin and the interiors, with suede-like pigskin. The lugs on the sides were made from soda-can tabs, flattened and smoothened. These were rivetted to the metal frame.
The strap is made from cloth strapping material, then sewn in a loop. It has an adjusting buckle was also fashioned from a soda can tab.

This device fits both FED and Zorki cameras. The cameras attach by a screw at the base. This screw was a loose one which came off from one of the original cases. The next case I will make will have some form of stop in the front to prevent the camera from swinging out. This hasn't happened so far anyway, even when a somewhat hefty lens is mounted on the camera.

Jay

 

[wamjam]

been actually thinking how i can have a strap on my strap-lugless fed. was also thinking of padded bag like material. 😀

 

[dazedgonebye]

I've never been in one of these cameras...so excuse me if this is just an ignorant question...but, isn't there somewhere, approximately in the right place, where you can just install a couple of lugs from some other old camera?

 

[ZorkiKat]

I've never been in one of these cameras...so excuse me if this is just an ignorant question...but, isn't there somewhere, approximately in the right place, where you can just install a couple of lugs from some other old camera?

Tried to that one time, but the transplants failed. It seems that replacing shutters is far easier and more doable than adding lugs to the sides of these cameras. Perhaps with more precise tools, drilling into the sides (these have to be positioned correctly), and the ability to rivet the lugs properly would
have made a difference. Many of the FED also have soft bodies, and thin shells which would not take in added lugs. Later Zorki with cast bodies may
be more suitable.

Lugs which can be put on cameras are sold at Fargo tools. A pair of these would cost more than a FED. 🙂

Jay

 

[dazedgonebye]

Hard to justify a lot of expense on a $40 camera I guess.

 

[Adam-T]

Looks great Jay - I`d like one for my Z4 even though it has lugs as the original doesn`t split like the Zenit cases did and the case won`t close with my CV 28mm Ultron mounted (only the J8 and my CV35 F2.5) .. I don`t know if my Z4 has any light seal issues as I`m still on the first Roll but a half case like that would help if it does 🙂

 

[Xmas]

Jay

You are just too practical, you have perturbed my plans, I'd been planning on replacing the fixed rivets by snap caps for the front of the Zorki case. As well as a replacement neck (shoulder strap).

The alternate is fixing my Zorki 2, the Zorki 2s seem to be rare.

Noel

 

[Screwy]

Jay

The alternate is fixing my Zorki 2, the Zorki 2s seem to be rare.

Noel

Just a tad , Think Ive only seen two or three on E*bay and they've all been Buy It Now at $180 (£95) to $240 (£125) though the $240 one is spotless and in its original box , Sorely tempted but need the disposable cash as the kids insist on having presents for Christmas for some reason 😕 and as the wife says "why do you need so many cameras ? , you can only use one at a time "

Oh and nice half case Jay , I may just have to have a go at making one 😎



Paul

 

[reagan]

Sorely tempted but need the disposable cash as the kids insist on having presents for Christmas for some reason...

My granddaughters are the same way. So greedy; I tell ya, this younger generation... it's all about them. 🙄