Should I get a FED/Zorki -1?

[webOSUser]

I have a FED2 that I have been very happy with, but getting an itch to get a FED-1 or Zorki-1. I have two 50mm FSU lenses so glass is not a problem.

Are there any advantages to the FED-1 or Zorki-1 over the FED-2?

And is there any advantage of one over the other?

Thank you one and all.

Steve

 

[Robert Lai]

I had a FED-1. You have to be careful because some of the earliest ones don't have the standard lens mount to film plane register distance. I found this out the hard way. The camera was sharp with ONLY it's own lens. They are nice and tiny, the way the early Leica rangefinders were.

Compared to your FED 2:
no removable back: i.e. bottom loading of film
no flash synch
no self timer
Separate rangefinder / viewfinder windows instead of a combined one.
Older, and more likely to be gummed up.

 

[B-9]

I cant see why one would be better than the other...

BUT the FED-1 looks alot more like a Leica II...

So yes! grab one! Fedka is your best bet spend the 90$ on a serviced camera!

 

[farlymac]

Actually, your FED-2 is an improvement on the FED-1/Zorki-1. It has a wider rangefinder base, combined range and viewfinder, eyepiece diopter control, plus easier loading with a removable back. And if you have the C model, built in flash sync.

The FED-1/Zorki-1 takes you back to the Leica II, so they are a true Barnack design copy with minor differences, mostly in construction, so you kind of get that early Leica experience if it has been serviced correctly. The bodies are also smaller than the FED-2, so they're easier to pocket with a collapsible lens.

I would get a Zorki-1D, as it has the improved cast body that is not prone to flexing like the earlier models. You can tell a D and E (the E is rarer) from the others as they have a trim surrounding the lens mount which also runs the perimeter of the body top and bottom.

PF

 

[mgrinnan]

I have a zorki-1c (?) b/c I didn’t want to pay $700 for a leica II. That said, it jams a lot and is my least reliable camera. I bought mine from Fedka - it came with a collapsible Industar-22, which is a great lens. If I were you I’d shell out on a Leica TM body (they can be found pretty cheap) and maybe put some FSU glass on it.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

FED-2 has normal VF with RF patch in it. Zorki has separate RF and VF. RF is "zoomed", easy to focus, but so is easy to focus with FED-2 long RF base, not the fake one.
FED-2 is Jupiter-3 camera, Zorki is Industar collapsible and wide lenses with EVF camera.
Zorki is the easiest to repair, FED-2 is next to it.
Zorki is small camera, FED-2 isn't.

I have FED-2, but paid and waiting for Zorki as well, because of all above 🙂

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

In my opinion the Zorki-1, zorki-zorki, the one with 2 languages engraved, has the highest build spec. of all the FSU, they were intended for export, they must have had better QA.
I think everything FSU went downhill after Zorki 1. They feel tinny in comparison.

 

[tunalegs]

The Fed 1 is less of a camera because it is more like a Leica. A lot of people won't admit it, but the Soviet rangefinders are in most major respects, better than any of the Leica thread mount cameras. I've got a IIIf and a Fed 3. The IIIf mostly sits on the shelf. The Fed 3 is just more user friendly and results are fine too.

 

[Valkir1987]

The Fed 1f models have the best finish and construction of the common post war Fed 1 models. Only the Fed model 1G is capable of changing M39 optics. Close focus needs to be adjusted when you plan to use a Jupiter 8 for instance.

For the Zorki the 1c and 1d have the best construction, but they have more backlash on the winding gears.

 

[ForestCap]

Get a zorki-1c/d from a reliable seller. fed-1 is usually more expensive and has more fuss.

 

[Sid836]

By all means get one. Although I love my Leicas and my Canon New F-1, it is a Zorki-1 that gives me the best time out. And that Industar-22, it might not be on par with a Summicron, but you will be surprised with what you will get.
There are a few "there" ridiculously low priced with a stuck lens aperture. Get one, it is an easy fix.
Something to mind with the early Zorki-1 and Fed-1 is the soft body that can easily be deformed when holding it too tight. Not big deal and it can be remedied easily, but if you care get a later stronger one.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The only way to cure the itch to buy one is to buy one, nothing else works.
As you've a FED a Zorki might be a sensible pairing...

Regards, David

 

[wolves3012]

The FED or Zorki 1 only has one advantage over a FED 2: it's a little bit smaller. There's no photographic reason to get one since it has some minor disadvantages, such as narrower rangefinder base and separate RF/VF windows so you can't focus and frame at once.

However, there's no photographic reason not to get one either. If it's in goood working order they are close to the experience of an actual Barnack Leica and lovely cameras to use. With a collapsible lens they are pocketable and unobtrusive.

Based on the ones I have, I would suggest the Zorkis are maybe slightly nicer build but condition would be more important. Avoid the earlier FEDs if you want to change lenses and avoid the early Zorkis since some have soft bodyshells. The late FED 1s have one feature that no subsequent FED had: a locking (open) shutter release, very useful for long exposures without needing a locking cable-release. Later models of Zorki have this too but not until several models later.

If you buy one of them, make sure you learn to trim the film leader properly. Some people will say you don't need to and you can fiddle the film through an open shutter or use a business card. I don't care what anyone says, the longer leader was how it was designed to be loaded and it is actually quicker, simpler and far less risky to do the job properly.

 

[reagan]

Should you buy one? Sure. Go for it. And good luck with that. I bought one, a Zorki.1c. My wife actually laid out the rubles for it as a Father's Day gift. Decided I really liked it ... so I bought another, a 1d. Liked it too, so I bought a Leica.3. Then another Leica.3, then a Zorki.1b. After that I took my pocket knife and cut the BIN button right out of my laptop screen. 😎

All of my Zorki.1 are the Export models, aka, "Zorki-Zorki". As mentioned above, "closer tolerances", and I've read that too.
The 1c has more shutter speeds than the 1d, so it sees a little more use since my method of metering is "f8 and Go!"

Some good info here -> http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?-737528618

IMHO, the Zorki-Zorki #withanylens is the perfect size rf, film, old school, no batts, tough-as-a-tank, easy/fun to use for EDC. So yeah, get one ... and good luck buyin' just one.

 

[webOSUser]

Thank you everybody for your comments and encouragement.

I have bought one of Dave Newton's Zorki-Zorki's. He offered to sell me one. I took him up on the offer and I am looking forward to using it. And learning how to load film into it. ;-)

It should be interesting.

Steve

 

[ProSimex]

Of all my cameras the Zorki is the one that goes out with me absolutely everywhere. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine

 

[webOSUser]

ProSimex,
Thank you for your comments. In general, I am enjoying shooting with the Zorki. It feels good in my hands and I think that I've got how to put film in it down. It is a smoother camera than my FED2.

The only issue that I am having with it is focusing. Without eyeglasses, I cannot see the rangefinderf well enough to focus the camera. And with eyeglasses, I can barely see the rangefinder I a m sure that I'll figure something out.

Steve

 

[reagan]

Glad you've got it in hand, locked and loaded. Hope you enjoy it. Long ago I've read of ways to darken the RF by attaching a filter of sorts. Dark orange and maybe red have been used.