Simple choice: FED2 or Zorki4?

[Photon-hunter]

FED2 and Zorki 4.If you had to choose between this two cameras to use with LTM lenses (very interested in Industar 22 or Leica 50 collapsible), which one would you choose and why?

Thanks.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Buy one of each.
Keep the one you like best and works best.

I like the fed-2

 

[Spyderman]

fed-2

'cos it feels much better

 

[MartinP]

FED-2

It is a better size and ergonomically much better for the design of the controls, especially film wind. Try to get a later one with the two-part shutter dial and the mushroom-shaped wind-on knob. The viewfinder, on the ones I have seen, is also much more contrasty and useable than the one on the Z4 I used.

 

[Muller]

Zorki-4.
Greater range of shutter speeds, bright viewfinder.



Funny, but I found myself asking the same thing when I started with FSU RFs.

 

[oscroft]

FED-2 - it just feels much better

 

[xayraa33]

Zorki 4 all the way, the vf is better than the one on the Fed 2.

 

[Nickfed]

The FED-2 has a dim viewfinder. This was done to increase the contrast with the RF window. It was not a good idea. I have a Zorki-6, which has more or less the same optics as the Zorki-4. The rangefinder is adequate and the viewfinder is clearly superior.

 

[wolves3012]

The FED-2 has a dim viewfinder. This was done to increase the contrast with the RF window. It was not a good idea. I have a Zorki-6, which has more or less the same optics as the Zorki-4. The rangefinder is adequate and the viewfinder is clearly superior.

Interestingly I have 2 FED2s - a 2b and a 2e. The 2b has a dim finder but the 2e is a lot brighter...

 

[wolves3012]

Buy one of each.
Keep the one you like best and works best.

I like the fed-2

I'll go with that - get one of each. The Z4 is more usable, with all the speeds and a bright finder...but the FED 2 is aesthetically nicer, more reliable and feels good to use.

 

[giovatony]

Zorki 4 is by far the better user for the reasons that Wolves has already stated above but the Fed 2 is probably much more popular because of it`s really slick looks. Personally I think it`s a work of art.
John

 

[Muller]

the Fed 2 is probably much more popular because of it`s really slick looks.

Agreed, and the same reason I started looking into buying one (or two) and doing a complete rebuild.

 

[januaryman]

Personally I think it`s a work of art.
John

I couldn't have put it better. It's a beautiful thing to behold, and when I use a softy for the shutter, it "uses" very easily.

 

[Macka]

Zorki 4

 

[tkluck]

Buy one of each.
Keep the one you like best and works best.

I like the fed-2

Prices being what they are, that's what I did. Removes any doubt or second guessing.
Me, i find that I like the Fed better. Every thing everyone's said about both of them is true. but my reasons are rather shallow:
I think the Fed is cooler...
Looks more like one of those German cameras...
The finder works fine for me because I tend to use it for outdoor gatherings, where everyone can see my cool retro camera...
And yes I have a Leica lens cap...

 

[oscroft]

Buy one of each.
Keep the one you like best and works best

I think I'd modify that suggestion slightly by adding "and keep the other one too"

 

[dazedgonebye]

Actually, I've always wanted to try a Zorki 6.

Long baseline and looks similar to a fed2, with the hinged back and wind lever of a zorki 4.

http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=71

 

[dazedgonebye]

What the heck....I just bought a Zorki 6.
I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[Macka]

What the heck....I just bought a Zorki 6.
I'll let you know how it works out.

Not to be off-topic but in that case, I asked a friend to buy me a Zorki 5 instead of Zorki 6

Major factor: The feel.

It's personal.

At any rate, it's with the shooter.. not really much on the gadget.

 

[dazedgonebye]

"Anatomy of a GAS Attack"

Read thread.
Express opinion.
Follow random thought to Fedka.
Buy camera.


I'm pathetic.