Zorki. Ayyy, good call. Which better-than-a-FED model did you go with? *hides under desk*
(a) You won't get the pleasure of discovering and replacing a dead battery. (Zorki batteries went *Officially Dead* in the mid-70s)
(b) You won't get to chime into the endless haggle over which set of multiple framelines is the most useful. (Instead of framelines, Zorki opted to go with installing a big fat thumb print on the iNsiDe of the VF window.)
(c) You can, however, peacefully lay your head on your pillow at night confident in the fact that the total cost of your film stash in the frig is double the value of your camera. :-J
But, yeah, wind first, then make your settings.
Be ready to give it a good cleaning right outta the box. Its amazing that sellers offer no attempt to make the little buggers presentable before selling/shipping. But once wiped off, load it up with a cheap drug store brand dollar roll and go take portraits of you kids, dog, lawn mower and stuff and see how she goes.
Sellers I had great experience with others didn't like at all. I bought a really sweet Zorki.4. It arrived at my house, from Russia, shipped ... in an eNveLoPe. Period. No box, padding or bubble wrap. Just an envelope. Yeesh. So ya never know.
Both film advance and focusing are often stiff when they arrive. A lot of these cameras have been idle for decades. Check out stickies here that could help improve these.
If the shutter is too faulty, take the time, spend a few bucks, and let Oleg replace it. Saves a lot of frustration.
I also agree, early 1950s Zorkis are waaay better than late 60s & 70s examples. They just are.
FSUs are quirky; its part of their *charm*. So resign yourself to having fun with it, not expecting perfection. Get one (or six) that you like, working thru the quirks & shortcomings and appreciating good things. They're enexpensive, enjoyable little carry-alongs capable of very satisfying results.
