Street Shootin' Zorki-4

cbass

cbass

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The Zorki-4 arrived from the Ukraine this morning. This was bought on eBay mostly for the nice Jupiter-8 lens it was sporting. I didn't have any plans to actually shoot with this unit, but now that it's here and seeing that it readily accepts the Jupiter-12 which won't fit on my FED-2, well.....I think I've got myself a nice little street shooter! ;)

This is a "b" model but has engravings on the body and shutter speed dial. Aside from some usual wear marks and a bit of mangled nylon covering next to the lens mount this camera is in decent shape and everything works, even the slow speeds (I think). I'll put in a plug for eBay seller "confdntart" who provided a good buying experience.

Unfortunately the Zorki doesn't have a takeup spool. Anyone out there in RFF land have an extra spool that they'd be willing to part with?
 
Nice looking Z4 indeed. The Jupiter 12 looks right at home on there. I also purchased a Z4 from confdntart not long ago at a fairly decent price. We exchanged serveral emails back and forth and I found him very friendly open and quick to respond. I'd definately do business with him again.

Sorry I don't have an extra take up spool for you. But I'll tell you something else I don't have... engravings and strap lugs!! :( I was instantly jealous. I've heard of guys fabricating take up spools so you might spin a search here in the Russian Made... forum and see what you can find. Or if you don't mind doing the wait-for-mail thing again, Alex-photo advertises spools for Zorki...etc.

Aki can set you up with a nice "lugless" replacement cover if you can neatly modify a couple of small holes in it for the lugs.

Any way, you did good. Think you'll enjoy the little nugget... I sure do mine!
 
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I have the 4K, no lugs, but it does have a take up spool. I tried to fit it into a FED2 carry case but no dice, tripod mount location is different. My Kiev 4AM carry case lines up, but the Russian seller installed a 3/8" to 1/4" reducer bush. Very thoughtful of him. However, I can't figure out how to get it out. Zorki, of course, is a 3/8" tripod mount.

So I took a 3/8" 3/4" long bolt and screwed it into the tripod mount. Then I noticed my 15.6 volt cordless drill came with a 15.6 volt vertical lamp. Attached to the lamp, for some strange reason, was a sturdy wrist strap. I removed it from the lamp, shoved the 3/8" bolt through the eye of the wrist strap and bingo!

Now I can carry my Zorki without fear of it slipping out of my hand.

A bit bizarre looking, but in America, so is the Zorki I suspect.

Question. Zorki has Jupiter 8 50/2. What is the filter size? I want to order a lens hood as these lenses are prone to flair.

Ted
 
Joe, you're a national treasure, thanks. Just got the camera and have been shooting away from the sun. After a few hours looking through the Bessa R's viewfinder, switching to the Zorki's is akin to switching from a current Broadway play to reading Chekhov.

TW
 
CBASS: Zorki take-up spools are $4.00 at Alex-photo on ebay.
 
You may want to check with the seller that you're getting a take-up spool for Zorki 4 specifically, and not the Zorki 1. My Z4 and Z3M seem to be fussier than the others with their take-up spools. I can mix between them but never with the others.

henry
 
If the J-12 won't fit the FED 2 there's something amiss in the FED 2 body. My guess is the rangefinder arm is a little out of alignment. Any LTM J12 should fit a FED 2
 
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