Show Off Your FSU

Try a paper towel soaked in a household cleaner, like Fantastik. Some time sitting outdoors in the sun will work wonders too. You can clean the crud out of the knob knurlings with a toothbrush and the cleaner.
For the case, you might try wiping it down with the cleaner, then going over it with some kind of leather conditioner such as neet's foot oil or dubbin. Then time in the sun. You are trying to get rid of mold, which is pretty tenacious.

This is all part of the .....character... of FSU cameras, I guess.

Cheers,
Dez
 
I made sure to get one guaranteed in working order, apparently serviced I think it said. Anyway got here yesterday (finally) from Ukraine.

I missed out on the red and gold trim Kiev by like a day on ebay, I forgot about it :(
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KIEV-4A-R...249861714?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item3a7fa8a452

Anyway mine is nice condition, works very well. Opted to go with the Jupiter-8m, would like a 9 and 12 too.

No smell, no grinding sounds, just works.

Currently putting a roll of Adox CMS 20 through @ 12, as curious to see the performance.

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Zorki 4K bought from a friend, viewfinder is clear, clearer than some FSU RFs I've seen, but the patch is not contrasty. Is this normal for a 4K? The lack of framelines buggered me somehow but I learned to loosen up and just enjoy shooting it.


Zorki 4K by jwicaksana, on Flickr

Shutter curtain is in great shape, sounds accurate

Zorki 4K by jwicaksana, on Flickr

And the lens it came with

Jupiter 8 by jwicaksana, on Flickr

Now how do I put shutter speeds on the dial as the numbers from 60 and below are not visible. :D
 
Your rangefinder patch is consistent to mine. Large, but not very contrasty, especially compared to the FED 2.
 
jwicaksana said:
Zorki 4K bought from a friend, viewfinder is clear, clearer than some FSU RFs I've seen, but the patch is not contrasty. Is this normal for a 4K? The lack of framelines buggered me somehow but I learned to loosen up and just enjoy shooting it.

Now how do I put shutter speeds on the dial as the numbers from 60 and below are not visible. :D
Click to expand...

The only FSU camera with framelinmes is the gloriously weird Leningrad. It has automatic parallax-correcting framelines for 50, 85, and 135mm lenses. It also has a true split-image rangefinder, something I have never seen in ANY other camera with a combined VF/RF. It appears that the GOMZ factory where this camera was made did not have a design sharing arrangement with other factories. A shame- I would have loved to see that excellent system in smaller cameras.







(My apologies for the poor picture- I just wanted to quickly get the idea across)

Usually the RF spot in the Zorki 4's is reasonably large and bright- yours may be having problems due to dirt in the RF system. First make sure the outside surfaces of both windows and the eyepiece are clean, then you may want to take the top off and have a go at the internal surfaces. Removing the top is pretty easy on this camera.

Unfortunately the Russians changed from engraved shutter speeds to painted ones as a cost-cutting move a few years before the 4K came out, and the paint just doesn't last. You might want to look for an older Zorki 4 body for parts, and swap out the shutter dial surround piece. Be careful that you note the position of the sync control when you do so, to get it back in the right place on the new part.

Cheers,
Dez
 
The only FSU camera with framelinmes is the gloriously weird Leningrad. It has automatic parallax-correcting framelines for 50, 85, and 135mm lenses. It also has a true split-image rangefinder, something I have never seen in ANY other camera with a combined VF/RF. It appears that the GOMZ factory where this camera was made did not have a design sharing arrangement with other factories. A shame- I would have loved to see that excellent system in smaller cameras.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a "Werra" camera but from what I've read this tiny DDR camera had a rangefinder very similar to the one in Leningrad. Could it be that Leningrad's RF wad made in Dresden too?
The reason why other soviet cameras didn't have them was probably just manufacturing cost and not design patents - soviet companies weren't real competitors to each other.
 
Thanks for the info t6un. The only Werras I have ever seen were very basic fixed lens devices with no RF, but according to this article

http://elekm.net/zeiss-ikon/werra3/

there was at least one fairly advanced model which does seem to have the same kind of split image RF mechanism.

Cheers,
Dez
 
My new Fed 2 (C series, model PE0425, 1958) in great condition.
Lens Industar 26m is in perfect condition, rf is clean and accurate, all shutter speed tested and working properly.
It cost me about 20$.

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One of our kids with our family camera.

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This FED-2 was given as wedding present to my parents. At beginning of sixties.
Camera is couple of years older than me. It was first camera I used to take visible pictures with ORWO chrome slide film. I was clueless about exposure, used simple version of S16 provided with each film. But it was OK.
My school friend took this picture of me in back at eighties.
Our FED2, Industar 26m and ORWO Chrome slide film.

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In nineties, for our wedding, I decided to use this FED-2. I was still clueless about exposure.
Decided to keep camera in one hand and flash at another. But ... without sync cable.
It was total fiasco. Only half-frame came from two rolls.

I switched to film cameras with auto exposure. Then to DLSR, and at 2010, I finally learned about exposure.
After taking of 70K+ pictures digitally, two years later, I looked at film pictures and decided to try film again.
Last year I learned about DIY b/w film.
I'm still using this FED-2 camera with original I26M lens. Camera has new curtains now.
This picture of me was taken by same daughter on first picture one year ago.

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Yesterday she asked me about strange episode in the movie. The guy was using red light to get pictures.
I told her it is how film pictures were printed in the past. We decided, we are going to try it for first time. I have enlarger and red light given to me for free.
 
Very nice and rare D series of Fed 2, model PE0470 i think if serial number is between 1248500-2320000.
I have similar model PE0475 with the same lens (I-26m) and dual cyrillic/latin marking name.
Both are probably from about 1961-62 which corresponds with data in your post.
btw, whats happen with self timer? Is it broken or your daughter accidentally pressed his button. :)
 
Thank you, Pegaz.

First picture was taken just at very first day of camera arrival to Canada.
It wasn't in use for 10+ years and it appears the self-timer was engaged. And couple of months later I realized it was macro ring on the lens. Which I never have...

Camera was sold in 1963. And lens is made in 1962.

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This was another FED-2, which I was using, while our family camera was under repair.

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I sold it to one of our company customers, here in Toronto.
It is perfect FED-2 with incredible I26M.

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