question about buying from Fedka

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mravigna

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I would like to purchase a zorki 3 from Fedka. Has anyone ever purchased a camera from Fedka and do they look better in real life than the pictures on line? The zorki 3 pictured by Fedka looks a bit worn down and not in Excellent shape as mentioned on his website. Any advice on this?
 
Fedka is a very honest and straightforward shop. I wouldn't be surprised if the Zorki 3 pictured on their web site, however, is different from the one they may have for sale now. You should inquire specifically about what is on the shelf today. You will get a straight answer.
 
I've not purchased a camera from Yuri at Fedka, but did purchase a Jupiter 12 lens on Yuri's recommendation. The advice was exactly what I needed, and the lens is a great performer.

Jim N.
 
Yuri is totally helpful and honest... Piles of integrity. He accepted a return on a jammed fed MONTHS after purchase. I had bought the camera and it just sat about 6 months before I put a roll thru it (see GAS attack). I called, he took it back. Of course informed me about his normal return policy, but cut me some slack.

Good vendor.
 
I just purchased a Zorki 5 from Yuri a week ago. Excellent service. It didn't ship the same day I ordered it. The email I received from Yuri was:

"The camera will be shipped in 2 days. I gave it to my repairman to be inspected and adjusted if needed. It has been sitting on the shelf for over 8 months and I want to make sure everything is on order."

The camera that arrived is beautiful. Now that's service!

 
I 100% recommend Yuri. Known him for years and see him often at camera shows.

He's an authority on rare Russian cameras.
 
Thanks a million for all of your comments

Thanks a million for all of your comments

I have purchased once from Fedka (Jupiter 9 - M39 lens for my Zenit S) and I agree that the service is excellent and the lens I got is in very good shape. I was just wondering about the Zorki 3 mainly because the picture on his web site shows a camera which in my opinion doesn't look excellent. Thanks everyone!
 
Yuri is top notch. When I ordered my Iskra from him, he ran a roll of film through it to see if the notoriously dodgy film advance mechanism was working properly. When he found a frame spacing problem, he offered to either cancel my order (he didn't have another Iskra at the time) or that camera at a deep discount. He's number one on my list for FSU stuff.
 
mravigna said:
I would like to purchase a zorki 3 from Fedka. Has anyone ever purchased a camera from Fedka and do they look better in real life than the pictures on line? The zorki 3 pictured by Fedka looks a bit worn down and not in Excellent shape as mentioned on his website. Any advice on this?
Click to expand...

According to my direct experience, Fedka rates his gear by the hard side. I mean he belongs to those few that prefer to under-rate instead of shouting "Great" "Superb", etc.

In my opinion, he is nothing less than the Top worldwide FSU seller. Prices not easy, and unfortunately not everything is available at every time.

But when there is something I want to buy absolutely foolproof, I go Fedka. His main concern is more on the functioality of the item than the aesthetics.

And on top of all these, he is also number one in human relations.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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I also know Yuri from the shows and can second everything said here. Perhaps more importantly he stands behind his merchandise - given the age, unknown history and notorious QC of Soviet cameras not every defect is apparent at the time of sale.

I have stood with Yuri at his table looking for the best example of a particular camera and as we snapped away and tested the variations were enormous. To his credit Yuri never hesitated to give an honest opinion even if it killed the sale. Dealing with Yuri is like dealing with a fellow hobbyist (well he is).
 
I have a Z6 that is intended as a parts camera coming from Yuri right now. With all this talk, it may become a shooter. Yuri said that it was too ugly to sell... maybe it will get repainted... Just adding to the chorus
 
An update on my earlier post. (sarcasm on) Yuri is a dangerous man. He actually switched cameras on me... He said he was sending a parts camera and dangnabbit!!! he sent me one so good I can not possibly use it for parts. A few minutes with a screwdriver and it was functioning better than the one it was intended to fix!!! (sarcasm off) It now has a roll of film in it to check for light leaks. Other than that I plan to make this one a user. Yuri is top-notch. If he says it is, it is. Have no fear!😀
 
triplefinger said:
He accepted a return on a jammed fed MONTHS after purchase. I had bought the camera and it just sat about 6 months before I put a roll thru it (see GAS attack). I called, he took it back. Of course informed me about his normal return policy, but cut me some slack.

Good vendor.
Click to expand...

I am glad to see you had a positive outcome, triplefinger, but I am afraid that my outcome in very similar circumstances was rather different. Last year I had been pining for a good late model Kiev 4a (a bit of a contradiction?). Based on the unceasingly positive comments about fedka.com on this and other forums (fora?) I ordered a 1977 model, body only, from Yuri for US$79, which is a fair bit above most prices on the 'bay. There was also a US$20.55 shipping cost on top, which is quite reasonable. When I received the Kiev, which was in July, I had time only to do a basic check of functions because of other commitments I had at the time. I put it away in my GAS cupboard and didn't get a chance to touch it again until late November. To my great disappointment I found that it had a serious shutter problem at 1/50 and slower. The shutter was partially opening while advancing the film, and the second curtain never quite made it to the top of the frame. I informed Yuri about the problem, and all he was able to offer me was a discount on a CLA, which would have ended up costing almost as much as the original purchase, plus postage both ways. So I decided to cut my losses, and the 4a now sits in my cabinet waiting for the day I have the time and knowledge to CLA it myself, or make it a parts donor. I have just checked it again while writing this message, but sadly the problem has not magically evaporated. :bang:

Cheers, Peter.
 
Well, in fairness to Yuri, he doesn't make much profit on a $79 camera sale, plus there's shipping both ways to Australia. He's not some huge multi-national corporation, just an individual small seller.

Personally, I can't see the "putting it on a shelf" argument, even though you feel it's valid. It's your obligation to test a camera when you receive it.

When I buy something, especially a used item, I inspect it right away and give it a test. If it's film camera I put a roll of film through it and if it's digital, I take some pix. If it's a lens I put it on a body and take some photos.

I'm sure if you had found a problem as soon as it was delivered or even in the first month, Yuri would have replaced it, but a seller of inexpensive cameras on small margins can't honor repairs on something months later unless he specifically guarantees it for an extended period.

PS: This is what he states on his site:

Return Policy
Items sold at the Fedka.com store are eligible for 10 day inspection period from the date the item is received. If you are not satisfied with the product, ship it back and we will send you a replacement or refund. No returns on "as is" items.
 
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