This fake Barnack on Rugift...

[squirrel$$$bandit]

So, I came across this on rugift.com, while looking for a Pentax tilt/shift lens.

http://rugift.com/photocameras/leica-copy-cameras.htm

Based on a Zorki I, they say. Does anyone have this particular Leica copy? Is it any good as, you know, an actual camera? I've lusted after these "O" type Leicas for a while but will never actually bother to buy one. A nifty fake, though, that's more my speed.

 

[bcostin]

I have a Fed-1, which is pretty similar to the Zorki 1. It's a nice little camera, and the Soviet 50mm collapsible lenses can really be very good. If the cameras are not abused (and if they're properly reassembled after being customized like that) then they're also fairly robust. My old Fed-1 is from 1937 and still works fine.

FYI, there was a thread not long ago which discussed modifying a Fed/Zorki into a Leica O-Type camera. I remember reading it because I'm also tempted by that same kind of fake. 🙂

 

[john341]

Fed 1

Fed 1

I have a FED 1(d I think) around 1939 which is quite nice but a bit rough and the lens is awful! Can't get over those prices on Rugfit for Leica copies. I have seen cheaper on eBay...and did you see the price on the Zarya? omg

 

[Ronald_H]

I've seen wonderful kitschy fakes for little money on fairs and on eBay. This one is a bit too obvious though, yet not outrageous enough for my tastes 😀

Not much experience with FSU Leica copies. I own a FED5 from the eighties and that one is actually quite ok, save for the very dirty rangefinder (which I can't clean myself).

Look around a bit until you find something that is to your liking and does not cost more than 100 euros or so.

If it is a nice working Leica copy you're after, I would not try a 'pimped' one. They are fopr looking at, not for using. But you might get lucky. A decent repairman should have no trouble getting one to work ok, but the cost will be many times the camera is worth.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

If it is a nice working Leica copy you're after, I would not try a 'pimped' one. They are fopr looking at, not for using. But you might get lucky. A decent repairman should have no trouble getting one to work ok, but the cost will be many times the camera is worth.

Yeah, that's why I've never gone for it...What I would really like is an all-black O copy, with no rangefinder, but which operates more like a "normal" Leica. Ideally I'd like a completely finderless one, with accurate speeds up to 500, on which my 15mm Heliar and wide-angle finder could live. It's not exactly agony using it on the M2 of course, but such a camera would look and feel really neat. I can't imagine actually ever paying 250 bucks for one though.

My two attempts to own and use FSU cameras were not successful. But you never know...

 

[kyseymard]

Don't buy from Rugift - official recomendation

Don't buy from Rugift - official recomendation

Very serious Florida BBB (www.bbb.org) recommends not to buy from Rugift (zenitar or peleng or watches don't buy from them...)
Contact them to have confirmation, Rugift is F rated, the worst that exists !


My own case :
Bought an objective on rugift.com in 2007 (Zenitar)
Never received it
Have been in contact with Natali also

After one year of endless discussion trying to report the fault on others and after long investigations with French posts, I managed to corner them and proove they had not sent anything (at least parcel never reached France).

They then stopped immediatly answering my email and I never get my lens or get paid back.

Read carefully other posts on the web, there are plenty other very wrong opinion on Rugift.

On my own I had read some bad comments before buying but there were also plenty of good ones. So I though, it won't happen to me, that's isolated cases.
It was not...

-> Remember a "mean" company can also post fake good feedbacks...

Dont' buy from them. Official authorities recommand not to do so.
Don't hesitate either to let other people know !

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Don't worry, I have no intention of buying that camera! Thanks for the warning.

Oleg made me the same thing for $75, and it's on the way to me now...I intend to paint it gray and add some gray cameraleather & will post results!

 

[wlewisiii]

Oleg made me the same thing for $75,

Ruh, roh, Raggy... my wallet really didn't need to know that :bang: 😉

How close a fake to an O or Standard is it? I presume a collapsible Industar with it as well?

William

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

No, I didn't buy an Industar with it for some reason. I was buying a Zorki-1 body and told him I intended to remove the rangefinder and install 2 accessory shoes, so would he sell me an extra shoe? And he just said he'd remove the finder and install the shoes for me at no extra charge. Works out for both of us; I'm sure he will be able to use the finder.

I think it was actually $56 plus $22 shipping. It's not going to be terribly close to an O, I'm sure--I just was interested in having a camera of that style. My 25mm Snapshot Skopar is likely to be on it most of the time.

 

[newspaperguy]

I have two Zorkies, my 'everyday' 1d from Oleg and a mint 1e that I stashed away years ago. Both are capable of producing excellent images.

 

[tvagi]

I also have 2 Zorki's and 2 Zorki's C.i like them the way they are!
what kind of "Leica copy collector" would buy these cameras?
if they keep on copying Leicas then the Zorkis would be so rare that they should make copy Zorkis from original Leicas!!!!!!