Siren song of a Zorki-5

[CZeni]

OK, I've been perusing the forums, and a couple of websites, and am getting smitten with Zorki-5s. A couple of questions:
- Is there a noticable difference in the viewfinders between the two versions (round vs square windows)?
- Reputable seller?
- On-line repair/disassembly info? I'd love to refinish one black with that sexy red lettering 🙂

Thanks!

CZ
NC

 

[captainslack]

If Oleg has one, buy from him (click "Russian Cameras" in the Cool Links" section). He's THE guy in Russian camera repair, so you'll get the best working model from him. If he doesn't and you're forced to go to Ebay, try alex-photo. I got my FED 2d from him and would recommend him to anyone. He's in Ukraine and shipment to the US usually takes 9-14 days.

 

[kiev4a]

No appreciable difference between the viewfinders on the RED and black Z5s. I've had really bad luck with the film advance on the RED model--got three different cameras and the all were rough or didn't work. Finally sent two of them to Oleg and asked him to make one good one. It's on its way home to me now. I have one black Z5 and it is very smooth.
In Maizenberg's bok on repairing Russian cameras he suggests the Z5s were more cheaply built. But others, like Jim Blazik who knows FSU gear inside out, says they are a good camera.

I would buy from Oleg or Alex-photo