Seriously...Where do I start?

[dmccardle]

I want a Russian rangefinder. I've got it narrowed down to either a FED 2, Zorki 6, or a Kiev 4. What's the advice here for the best starte? Knowing myself...I will probably end up buying one of each at some point, but I'm going to start with just one....but which one? Gotta say....I'm leaning toward a Kiev with Jupiter lens (more study/reliable shutter?). What do the experts say?

 

[xayraa33]

Welcome, A Fed 2 in theory and practice should be more trouble free than the others, but your mileage may vary.

 

[pakeha]

experts still to come, one of each sounds the go, should set you back about the price of a small p&s digital😱

i`ve not used fed 2 but the concensus round here is postive

Kiev - limited lens choice, but my favourite, you will need to hold this camera differently to keep fingers out of rangefinder window, it has a few other tricky bits like remembering to wind the rewind knob back after loading so as to tension film, and blocking the lens lock, there is a post here somewhere on this.- good rangefinder patch.

Not used a Zorki 6 , i have a 4 and find the controls a bit small, speeds set really close together, however the 6 is lever wind on and has a hinged back.

Just pick one to start with🙂 and good luck [ had no problems with any of mine - all from e-bay]

regards

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

My favorite FSU has always been the Fed2. The later models have a wider film advance knob which is easier to use then the skinny earlier ones.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Dmccardle,

you can check the top 10 commie cameras as voted by the Holga crowd:

http://www.holgablog.com/2009/05/01/the-top-10-commie-cameras-as-voted-by-you/

Finding a reputable seller is more important than the cameras itself. As you are probably aware, the quality varies quite a bit so having a good working relationship with a seller is key, especially after the initial purchase, you may want to start a collection of these FSU cameras.

raytoei

 

[fidget]

From the point of view of ease of repair/CLA and general user adjustments, my opinion is that the FED2 would win hands down. They are all likely to need some work/adjustment unless you are quite lucky or/and are willing to spend on a guaranteed example.

Those you list are of different systems too, (I'm sure that you know this) so whilst lenses could be swapped between the FED and Zorki, the Kiev will have it's own lenses.

But, this is probably of academic value anyway. If your first FSU experiences are positive, you will no doubt have all these and more fairly soon.

Dave

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I'll vote for the FED 2 as a serious usable camera, with a lot going for it (lenses, design, wide RF base etc) and dirt cheap, imo.

Regards, David

 

[wolves3012]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43469

There's not much to choose between a Zorki 6 and FED 2 in size. The Zorki has a brighter VF and a hinged back but is slightly more complex and some folks find the shutter release to be awkward. The FED is usually very reliable and late ones have brighter VFs. A Kiev is an excellent camera if it's working properly but they are complex and do require some practice to hold properly (so as not to block the RF window!). Fewer lenses to choose from on a Kiev too. Whatever you get, the seller is important and it's still largely pot-luck. Factoring in a CLA (or a DIY one, if you fancy that) is also important, since they are all old now.

In short: take your pick!

 

[rbiemer]

For me, the FED 2 was not a camera I got along with; I had a well working example but found the VF to be difficult to use--I wear glasses. Otherwise, I really did like the camera. Decent size, a huge assortment of lenses to use on it--The Industar 26 that it came with was pretty good, though, and good looking as well.

I much preferred the Kiev 4a over the FED2, though. I suspect, but never measured, that the VF of the Kiev is smaller than the FED's but for me it was much easier to use. The Kiev has a limited choice of lenses compared to all the LTM lenses available but there is a plus side to that as well; you can put together a basic wide, normal, tele kit relatively inexpensively.

I've not used a Zorki 6 yet so I can't compare that one to the others.

Good luck!
Rob

 

[payasam]

The widely held view is that the Contax lost out to the Leica because its shutter was not so bullet-proof and was difficult to repair.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I found shooting the zorki 6 to be a bit better than the Fed 2. The shutter release is a little strange, but decent.
Seems to me to be the most underrated of the FSU cameras.

 

[konicaman]

Well, I have all 3 and they are all good cameras. The FED 2 has more "vintage" feel to it than the Zorki 6 (which handles pretty much like a 60'ies Japanese rangefinder (except for the fact, that you have to wind the film before changing the shutter speed in order not to screw up the shutter, but this goes for practically all FSUs). Many Zorkis and FEDs that have come through my hands have had quirks of some sort, but they are very charming. I own 2 Kiev 4s - no quirks at all, but they are a bit more heavy to handle.

If your wallet wont start screaming, get all 3 😉

Regards
Henrik

 

[biomed]

I have a Fed 2 and consider it a nice handling camera. The VF is a little dim. My all time favorite FSU is the Zorki 4 with the J-8 lens. I traded away my Kiev because of the ergonomics.

Mike

 

[wolves3012]

Well, I have all 3 and they are all good cameras. The FED 2 has more "vintage" feel to it than the Zorki 6 (which handles pretty much like a 60'ies Japanese rangefinder (except for the fact, that you have to wind the film before changing the shutter speed in order not to screw up the shutter, but this goes for practically all FSUs). Many Zorkis and FEDs that have come through my hands have had quirks of some sort, but they are very charming. I own 2 Kiev 4s - no quirks at all, but they are a bit more heavy to handle.

If your wallet wont start screaming, get all 3 😉

Regards
Henrik

You won't screw up the shutter by changing the speeds on a Zorki 6 when it's not cocked, nor on a FED 2. All the 2-piece (where the inner part stays fixed and the outer part moves) speed dial models can cope with this (with the possible exception of some early FED 3a models that had 2-piece dials, I'm not sure on those). 2-piece ones normally were the Zorki 2/2C/5/6 and FED 2.

In truth, it's only the 1-piece models with slow speeds that can get messed up. It's just pointless and not wise on 1-piece models because you can't tell what speed you have selected and you just might force it between the slowest and fastest speeds accidentally, which will break a limit-pin or the slow-speed mechanism (or both!).

The main reason for the advice never to do this is because SOME models can be broken by doing so, it's safer to get into the habit of assuming ANY can be (especially if you own several).

 

[shadowfox]

Read this thread if you haven't:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85526

 

[FrankS]

A different perspective here: So, you want a Russian RFF and you are concerned about reliability? Seriously, give your head a shake. Spend your money more wisely.

(Posted half in jest.)

 

[dmccardle]

So...I've been hounding ebay looking for the right deal. Today, hoever, I hapForum. There is someone selling 2 Zorkis (a 4 and a 4K). He also had three lenses: a Jupiter 8 (already sold), an Industar 61 and an Industar 22. For all 4 pieces he wants $85. The best part? He lives within 5 miles of me! Going to meet him tonight to to get it all.

 

[Ducky]

I did not like the Kiev. A FED 2 is a great user but the vf, as has been pointed out, is a bit dim. I always liked the the Zorky 4kwith the lever wind. The J-8 and I-22 are good for a lens choice.

 

[dmccardle]

I did not like the Kiev. A FED 2 is a great user but the vf, as has been pointed out, is a bit dim. I always liked the the Zorky 4kwith the lever wind. The J-8 and I-22 are good for a lens choice.

Unfortunately I will not be getting the J8...someone got to it before me (for $20!!!), but I will get the two Industars.

 

[Dez]

A difficult choice.

A difficult choice.

It would take forever and be highly subjective if all the various FSU cameras were contenders, as you can see by the avalanche of replies you got. , but I'll assume there is a reason why you limit to those specific ones.

The Fed 2 has the benefit of having the longest rangefinder base of all the Russian cameras, and also looks really cool. I think it's the prettiest one of the lot. The wide base rangefinder is a lot more precise than almost any FSU lens you will buy, so it's only really valuable if you take the trouble to adjust the lens's focusing mount. It's fairly easy, and there are instructions on this forum.

A Kiev 4 will take a line of lenses that were typically more accurately adjusted. In the case of the 50mm lens, the focusing mount is in the camera body. Typically the older the Kiev camera, the better the quality, so presuming you chose the Kiev 4 because you want the light meter, if at all possible you might look for an early Kiev 3A or better still a Kiev 3 if you can find one with a light meter still working..., and can live without flash sync.

The Zorki 6 is the latest model in the line, and has some modern features, but I'm sorry, it's just butt ugly, and I tend to think that the quality of FSU cameras generally got worse as the years passed.

I see you found a good deal on a Zorki 4. That's a good choice, with a good VF, flash sync and decent handling. If it's one of the newer ones with that horrible cloth covering, you can peel that off and get all artistic with leather from Tandy's. Watch out though, the later self-timer screws were LH thread and they break easily.

Jupiter 8's are really easy to find. I probably have a few more than I have any use for, so let me know if you can't find one.

Cheers,

Dez