Now I've done it - Zorki 4

P

pgadler

Member
Local time
1:07 AM
Joined
Jan 14, 2006
Messages
28
After working mainly SLRs, and lately a TLR, I found this site. As a handy spare camera, I've had a Rollei 35SE for some time. Not a rangefinder, but something like it.

Well, like a Elvis album said, "50 million fans can't be wrong". I have been curious of the Leicas, Bessas, Contax Gs etc out there. But finance has made a buy difficult.

Here at Rangefinderforum, I've "digested" what's been written about FSU rangefinders. Now my latest e-bay buy has arrived, a Zorki 4 70' with a Jupiter-8.

It's the mechanical side of the camera I like, combined with the DIY-tips here and elsewhere on the internet. Wich turned out to come in handy. Did I mention that classic cars is one of my main interests? It seemed to be the same kind of work...

The seller claimed "works perfect", wich couldn't be true. Probably he never taken a picture with it. Nothing was perfect when focusing.

First collimating the Jupiter-8 with help of

http://elekm.net/zeiss/repair/collimate/

It turned out to need 0,65 mm adjustment.

Then adjusting the rangefinder with help of

http://www.jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page422.htm

It turned out to need some close range adjustment.

Now I'll try my first roll of film! :)
 
"Now I've done it..."
Click to expand...
You're brighter than the average FSU junkie. You realized from your first Zorki that life as you've known it is over and will never be the same again. Most of us didn't catch on til our third or fourth shooter :cool: .

Good work, by the way. Welcome to RFF and enjoy the Zorki.4!
 
Welcome to RFF. The Z4/J8 combo is a excellent start in FSU RF's, look forward to seeing some of your pic's with :)
 
The important thing is if you've managed to get the Z4/J8 focusing properly. Hope you got it spot on. I haven't gotten one FSU that didn't need a little tweak here and there.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pic's, and welcome to RFF. :)
 
Congratulations!

There is a little fly in the ointment: if you look at the shutter speed scale of the camera, you'd notice that its printed rather than engraved. In fact, almost everything, save for the serial number, marked on that camera is printed. The printed characters can be rubbed off. The shutter dial scale sees plenty of action- plenty of rubbing- during the speed changing.

Try coating the scale with 2 coats of colourless nail polish to protect it. But before you do this, try the varnish first on something else which is printed on the camera so you can be sure that it won't eat the printing. The "made in USSR" at the bottom can be used.
:)

Jay
 
Last edited:
Ahh, Zorkis. My personal favorite, of the FSU lot. And I've had such good experience with the J8 that I think you're going to have a wonderful time once you work out the quirks your camera has. It is an addiction, but you've probably found that out by now, so I wish you the best of luck in your FSU endeavours. You should have a good time!
 
What have I done!?!? I just won a cheap auction for a Zorki 4 on the bay. I don't have any FSU cameras, and now I know I'll wind up with 12. This one was listed as a Zopkuu by the seller. It will probably need some tinkering with, but that's half the fun I get out of these mechanical wonders. So glad I found this site! Unfortunately, this zorki is equipped with an Industar lens, rather than a Jupiter. :(
 
welcome to the forum, The Zorki 4 is a nice FSU rf camera, I hope you get a good one. funny you should mention that Elvis album, as it is the LP by my stereo right now. I had a hankering to hear that last week and dug it out of my LP pile and forgot to put it back. maybe I will listen to some Gene Vincent this week.
 
I got it today!! It seems to work 100%. It didn't come with a take up spool though. :( Also, the lens is an Industar 26M 2.8. I can't find info on this lens in LTM. Just the 3.5. Any ideas?
 
Damian said:
... Also, the lens is an Industar 26M 2.8. I can't find info on this lens in LTM. Just the 3.5. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

This is a lens found on FED2 cameras.
 
My I.26M works fine, though I rarely use it. Certainly a capable lens. Sorry about the lack of take up spool... that happens. Maybe a WTB on the 35mm Classifieds Forum here will produce one from someone's stash. Good luck!
 
Yeah - I figured out the little scripty logo was the FED logo on the front ring. I just couldn't find a 50mm example of the 26m that didn't have the ribbed focusing collar. Now I realize its the older one from the Fed 2A's. :) Now to work on the take up spool. I'll either make one, or at least use tape until I locate one....
 
ZorkiKat said:
There is a little fly in the ointment: if you look at the shutter speed scale of the camera, you'd notice that its printed rather than engraved.
Jay
Click to expand...

It depends upon the particular camera. Some have printed numbers on the speed dial while others ARE engraved. They were made from 1956 ~ 1973 and the early ones were engraved. I'm not certain when the change to printed speed scales was made.

Walker
 
doubs43 said:
It depends upon the particular camera. Some have printed numbers on the speed dial while others ARE engraved. They were made from 1956 ~ 1973 and the early ones were engraved. I'm not certain when the change to printed speed scales was made.

Walker
Click to expand...

Mine are engraved. They need to be recolored, but at least they're engraved. What would I use to do that?
 
Damian said:
I got it today!! It seems to work 100%. It didn't come with a take up spool though. :( Also, the lens is an Industar 26M 2.8. I can't find info on this lens in LTM. Just the 3.5. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Hi,

Congrats on your Zorki.

As others mentioned, the I-26M lens is found on FED cameras. It's a decent lens. I uploaded a recent picture taken with the Fed/I-26M combo to my gallery so you can see it.

Not sure how to include a thumbnail, but here's the url to the picture:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=27918&cat=500&ppuser=1237

Warren
 
I have just been doing a CLA to my Zorki-4 and is working like a charm :) Got even quieter after the CLA .... :)

You made a very good choice...

Sergio
 
Warren T. said:
Hi,

Congrats on your Zorki.

As others mentioned, the I-26M lens is found on FED cameras. It's a decent lens. I uploaded a recent picture taken with the Fed/I-26M combo to my gallery so you can see it.

Not sure how to include a thumbnail, but here's the url to the picture:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=27918&cat=500&ppuser=1237

Warren
Click to expand...

Warren,
Great shot!! Was that this years festival? I was there as well. Still have some film to develop. Here's a question. Is your lens 52mm or 50mm? All the 26m's I've seen are 52mm. Mine is 5cm.
 
Damian,

Thanks!

I'm in San Francisco. This was taken on a day where the Lion Dancers walk through the neighborhood during Chinese New Year celebrations to dance in front of each store for good luck, and receive donations for their efforts.

My I-26M is a 5cm (50mm), f2.8.


Warren
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom