Russiean viewfinders...

JonR

JonR

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Friends;

Bought this at an auction last weekend... Anyone who can give me more information on what the name is, for what camera it was developed and/or any other facts about this one !??



Thanks !?
Jon
 
Well, it's one of the Soviet viewfinders for their rangefinder cameras. Based on the fact the turret is offset to the left (as you look through it), I believe it's properly for the FED and Zorkii cameras, since the other model that was made (offset to the right) would interfere with setting the shutter speed dial on those cameras. That other model is for the Kievs, but what you have could work equally well with a Kiev.

These are very nice pieces of equipment. They are based on the Zeiss Ikon prewar turret finder, but I think the Soviets improved on the ZI some -- the viewfinder view is really exemplary, I think.

I'm not sure which factory made these -- KMZ?
 
As noted, this is a Soviet multifinder, a copy of a prewar Zeiss design and made by KMZ (Zorki's, Zenits etc). This is rather a late example as it bears the Soviet quality mark, so presumably dates from tail end of the 70s or later.

Some people feel they work best on the taller RFs ( metered Kievs, FED 3,4,5s Zorki 4s etc.) but the original manual shows it on an unmetered Kiev and Zorki 1.

Cheers, Ian
 
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Bought it with a Kiev 4 (where the shutter did not work) and the set also included a Jupiter 8M, 9 & 12 -- paid slightly less than 100 USD for the lot...

I was really after the Jupiter 12 to test with my Nikon RF´s but this viewfinder will be really interesting to test....

/Jon
 
Russian turrel 5 position viewfinder.

Can uses for 5 types of lenses: 35 mm, 28 mm, 50 mm, 135mm, 85mm.

Can used with any RF camera. Fitted to flash socket on cameras.
Turrel\universal finders manufactured on KMZ factory in Krasnogorsk (KMZ also made Zorki, Zenit and other cameras).
Finders manufactured from 1959 year.
Firstly made special for Kiev\Zorki cameras.

Thx.
Nickolay.

Link to manual (on Russian) on site KMZ.
http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/vu/vu.html
 
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NickolasB said:
Can used with any RF camera.
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... provided there's enough clearance for it. True this is normally the case, but I have to use a hotshoe adapter on my Leica Standard, so it can sit clear of the cameras own viewfinder.
 
Many thanks all for the info!!!
RFF is really great with the friendly attitude!

I am looking forward to give it a try!

Jon
 
JonR said:
Many thanks all for the info!!!
RFF is really great with the friendly attitude!

I am looking forward to give it a try!

Jon
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The great thing about that viewfinder, is that the "Out of frame" area is clearly marked, but you can still see what's going on in that area. It also has a simple paralax correction function too, for each of the lenses.
 
Ther's one thing I had to learn:
You can use a Zorki/Fed turret VF on a Kiev. The only problem will be cranking the full film back. But if you use a Kiev VF for example with a Zorki C then it could happen tha it will get in the way of the rotating speed wheel and....luckily the only thing that happened was a straight scratch mark in the VF's paint...
 
The Soviet Universal Turret Finder is an improved version of the original German one. Next time I will use my SLRs, with prime lenses, I will take it too for quickest appreciation of the best prime lens at each situation.

Since I have filled RFF storage with Shakespearean poems about the SUTF, I pass this time.

But dear folks, that 35mm finder - what a piece too ! And it can be converted into a 50mm finder for cleaner framing and night shooting. Real glass inside.
Not to speak about those needing it for 35mm lenses....

Cheers,
Ruben
 
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I had the same problem a few years ago when I cleaned mine. I couldn't figure out where it went - luckily I have another, so I opened up the case and saw how the pieces fit.
Maybe someone else has cleaned one more recently. I think I also saw a diagram that someone posted on re-assembling the viewfinder

Good luck
 
Dmitri Zorkau said:
Have you ever tried to clean up the inner glass elements of Zorki Multifinder? http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/vu/vu.html
I can not find where the hell is little metal cylinder goes to, which must sit together with 2 glass elements.
Kind regards
Dmitri
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The trick is to take it apart facing downwards, then make a careful note! The cylinder goes sideways on, towards the top and between the two prisms IIRC. One of the days I'll do a HOW-TO on this finder, since the question of how to put it back together comes up all too often!
 
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