the worst rangefinder

[jean-marc B.]

I need your advice for my website, wich russian rangefinder is the worst rangefinder ??? And naturelly wich one is the best ??

For me the worst is the Fed 4, and the best is the Zorki 6. And you ???😉

 

[Kim Coxon]

The worst is the one that doesn't work and the best is the one that does. 😀

Kim

 

[Ash]

So true. The quality 'control' is so varied I dont think its fair to choose. Besides, personal preference!

 

[darkkavenger]

I'll give you my point of view... the cameras I enjoyed the most, besides my Kiev-2A, were a Fed-3 type B (wonderful design, silk-smooth rapid winder) and a Zorki-4 (The professional, straight-to-the-point brick)

 

[lubitel]

this is going to be a long thread 😉

So far the FSU camera that I have enjoyed the most is Fed-2. The worst for me is Fed-5.

But I think what Kim said is right. May be if my fed5 functioned better, I would have also enjoyed it better 🙂

 

[rbiemer]

jean-marc,
I think there is a large difference between "my worst" and "the worst" FSU(or any) camera. And I suspect all the FSU cameras when working correctly take better photos that I can.
My worst changes; last time it was a Kiev 4a that I had just opened to change the film in and missed what could've been the best photo I took that time. Another time it was a FED Micron2 that lost the screw for the advance lever while I was using it. Only took me 45 minutes to find it in the snow. 🙄
I'm not expert enough in engineering or mechanical design to have a valid opinion about the worst.
Rob

 

[rpinchbeck]

Well, from a purely technical standpoint of what I have seen I'd say it would be most of my LTM rangefinders. I have a Fed 2, Zorki 4K, Fed 3 and a Fed 5 that will not come into adjustment to cure shutter fade or capping no matter what I do. Each Kiev I work with gives way to my will, even the real junky ones turn out to good performers in the end.

Now just before I run and hide from the barrage of posts delaring me some sort of heretic, I would like to say I do have a Zorki 1 and a Fed 2 that have adjusted to have less than 1/2 stop of shutter fade from side to side. I very much enjoy shooting with these two cameras.

Russ (running to find a nice flat rock to hide under) Pinchbeck

 

[PeterL]

My Leica iiic was far worse than my Zorki ! It needed a CLA of 5 times what I paid for the FSU camera ! So, Leicas are the worst FSU copies on the planet, then ?


Peter.

 

[RML]

I don't like the vf of my FED-2, and the vf of my FED-5 is worse. The vf of my Kiev 4am is much better but doesn't beat the vf's of my Bessas, R-D1 or Zeiss-Ikon. IMO all of those FSU vf's are crap. 🙂

 

[David Murphy]

Petri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😎

 

[lubitel]

I don't like the vf of my FED-2, and the vf of my FED-5 is worse. The vf of my Kiev 4am is much better but doesn't beat the vf's of my Bessas, R-D1 or Zeiss-Ikon. IMO all of those FSU vf's are crap. 🙂

The VF on my Zorki 3c is really nice. And for shooting with 50mm not worse than Bessa R. But I still enjoy using the Fed 2 much more.

 

[Spyderman]

Since this was posted in FSU forum, I guess You want to know which FSU RFs we like, and which we dislike.

Well, for me, I like the design of the Barnack clones, but also the functionality of later cameras - especially Zorki 3, 4.

The ones I dislike are FED 4 and 5. Only because of their look, and also because of their dim viewfinder.

PS: just a thought: recently I bought a Sokol Automat. Already in 60' it had much better vf and rf than most of the LTM FSU RFs. Why didn't they put such a beutiful vf into a Zorki or a Fed? Even just 50 framelines with paralax marks would be MUCH better...

 

[robin a]

Whatever is working at the time,all have quirks and saving graces,Fed2's are fun

 

[dll927]

I wonder which "planet" PeterL comes from. To call a Leica an FSU camera is pure sacrilege. Any IIIc that is not a Russian copy was made in GERMANY long ago.

The general rule with FSU cameras is that the quality/function depends on how much vodka the boys in the factory had the night before.

 

[Jocko]

Dear Jean-Marc,

1) Kim is right!
2) Define "best" (Mr Socrates looks forward to hearing from you!).
3) Not another plug for your website!? 😀
4) As products of Scientific Socialism all Soviet Cameras are necessarily perfect.

'a votre sante!

Ian

 

[tkluck]

None of the FSU cameras are exactly works of art. On the whole, I think my Kiev is the "coolest".
Best machine I own is a Minox C. (they're just so cute and cuddly...)
Best camera I own is is my OM-1.
Best camera I ever handled was an Alpa 10. (a Rolex with film!)

Worst camera? Made in the USA not in the FSU: Argus C-3.
We can't make motorcycles and we can"t make 35mm cameras.

 

[PeterL]

I wonder which "planet" PeterL comes from. To call a Leica an FSU camera is pure sacrilege.

I'm good, aren't I ? 😉

I would've thought from the high over-the-top-ness factor it would've been clear it was a joke.

The CLA'd Leica feels incredible, can't wait to use it. Stuck in exams for another few days, then it'll be glued to my hand. I just noticed I love the split RF/VF windows. The RF enlargement is so practical. I've never used an RF camera with a single window, but maybe I'd miss the focussing accuracy.


Peter.

 

[comp_wiz101]

Look at my sig.. there are my rangefinders. My favorite? The Zorki 3 - Nice VF/RF, smooth operation, comfortable to hold.... and the best fit and finish of all of my FSU rangefinders. However, I might just someday get a Kiev... but not yet!

Best camera overall?
The best camera I own would have to be my Rolleiflex SLX Medium Format SLR, 6x4.5 back and a Rollei HFT 80mm Planar (Under licence from Zeiss)... Even the contact prints are nice!

 

[rolleistef]

A Rollei SLX really? doubtlessly nice but aren't they a bit... ugly? Anyway all "classic" flexes are nice...
I only tested 2 FSUs : a 61 Zorki 4 (or 4K? dont remember). I think no speed dial scratches the skin on the fingers that much... arghh... and they are not quiet at all...
the other one is my Kiev. Nothing to say, this camera is near perfect : rf, setting etc. And sooo quiet!! and soo smooth! no as a nice Barnack Leica though....

 

[comp_wiz101]

Yes, it is a bit... chunky. The quality of the photos I get from it does help make up for it though. I think my best looking camera is the Zorki 3