Carburo
Rangefinding Architect
Just a little poll: wich of the numerous russian rangefinder and lenses you own (yeah: I now that there's only insane people reading here 
) is the one you mostly USE for taking pics?
I mean: if you have to order them by comfort and by the way they *fit* in your hand, what's the order?
Mine
1. Kiev 4A + CZJ Sonnar f/1,5 (IMHO the best russian rangefinder, often in my bag when I'm around working)
2. Zorki 4K + black Jupiter 8 (the nearest to a modern compact reflex)
3. Kiev 4A + Jupiter 12
4. FED 5c + Industar 61L/D
) is the one you mostly USE for taking pics?I mean: if you have to order them by comfort and by the way they *fit* in your hand, what's the order?
Mine
1. Kiev 4A + CZJ Sonnar f/1,5 (IMHO the best russian rangefinder, often in my bag when I'm around working)
2. Zorki 4K + black Jupiter 8 (the nearest to a modern compact reflex)
3. Kiev 4A + Jupiter 12
4. FED 5c + Industar 61L/D
denishr
アナログ侘・&#
Kiev 4A - the only one I regulary use for shooting. Then Zorki 4, then Fed 2. I also have Fed 3, but I shot only 1 roll of film through it...
Kiev 4A beats them all, hands down. It's a wonderful camera - isn't it?
joe?
Denis
Kiev 4A beats them all, hands down. It's a wonderful camera - isn't it?
joe?
Denis
FrankS
Registered User
Fed 2e with collapsible FED (I-22) lens. Solid, capable, compact package.
sockeyed
Well-known
Kiev-4a w/ any of my 4 lenses (J-12, J-9, J-8 or H-103)
Fed 3a w/ J-8 or J-12
Fed 3a w/ J-8 or J-12
jdos2
Well-known
I'll take YOUR number one, except I like the look with the meter.
Number two for me is the Kiev 4 with a CV21mm ("CS mount") on it.
Number two for me is the Kiev 4 with a CV21mm ("CS mount") on it.
GeneW
Veteran
For me it was:
1. Zorki 3M - Jupiter 8
2. Fed-2 - Jupiter 8
3. Zorki 4K - Jupiter 8
The Zorki 3M is the one I kept (it's currently enjoying a vacation at Oleg's Health Spa)
Gene
1. Zorki 3M - Jupiter 8
2. Fed-2 - Jupiter 8
3. Zorki 4K - Jupiter 8
The Zorki 3M is the one I kept (it's currently enjoying a vacation at Oleg's Health Spa)
Gene
phototone
Well-known
Zorki 1 (one) export.
Of course I have Fed2, Fed5, Zorki4, etc.
The Zorki 1 feels most like my belov'd Leica III, IIIc cameras.
Of course I have Fed2, Fed5, Zorki4, etc.
The Zorki 1 feels most like my belov'd Leica III, IIIc cameras.
Gordon Coale
Well-known
FED 2 with Jupiter 8. Then Industar-50, Jupiter 12, and Jupiter 9, in that order.
M
matu
Guest
Zorki 4 with 3,5 and 9 cm Elmar
Personally I like it better my I-61 than the J-8
My Kiev 4a stays home
Pablo
Personally I like it better my I-61 than the J-8
My Kiev 4a stays home
Pablo
mac_wt
Cameras are like bunnies
Kiev 4a with jupiter-12, -8, -3, -9 or -11
Fed 4 with orion-15, jupiter-12, industar-61, jupiter-3, -9 or -11, with Fed 5, 3 or Zorki-6 as backup.
Choice of lens really depends on subject, light or my mood. They all get about the same use. The Fed 4 has a working meter that is handy in 'normal' light conditions.
Wim
Fed 4 with orion-15, jupiter-12, industar-61, jupiter-3, -9 or -11, with Fed 5, 3 or Zorki-6 as backup.
Choice of lens really depends on subject, light or my mood. They all get about the same use. The Fed 4 has a working meter that is handy in 'normal' light conditions.
Wim
M
matu
Guest
This is a Contax-Kiev gathering.
So it seems, Matu! I'm not sure that I'm qualified to say in this context because I have only two Kiev 4a with J8, though one is faked up to look like a Contax with Sonnar. I've used the other 4a for several rolls of film, and rather like it with the J12, but I think it will never be a regular user. I just received an Elikon (Oly XA copy) but I've yet to run a roll through.
S
supermarcel23
Guest
My beloved user : Kiev IIIa 1956 with relatively accrurate ightmeter (miracle !) and 1952 J-3, 1955 J9, 1958 J-12, 1962 J-11, 1956 J-8 and 1982 Helios 103 (Ever wonder to know what is a Contax III that have not made WWII ?)
A nice Kiev IIIa 1957 converted in IIa (removed meter and replace with top cover of a broken IIa)
A wonderful Zork 1b export wth a Ind-22
A cool Zorki 1d with its indy 22 too
A fed 5C for the day I will have to hit someone who will try to rob my FSU gear...with untested yet indy 61L/D
The last I hate : A mint Zorki 3M with a lot of factory troubles... Awful film flatness, etc...But have an extraordinary 1955 J-8 that can go on the other Zorkis...
Oh I forgot my only and preferate Reflex, A terrible Zenit S with indy 50 and macro rings and bellow...and MIR 1 B
And don't tell me I like FSU cameras !
A nice Kiev IIIa 1957 converted in IIa (removed meter and replace with top cover of a broken IIa)
A wonderful Zork 1b export wth a Ind-22
A cool Zorki 1d with its indy 22 too
A fed 5C for the day I will have to hit someone who will try to rob my FSU gear...with untested yet indy 61L/D
The last I hate : A mint Zorki 3M with a lot of factory troubles... Awful film flatness, etc...But have an extraordinary 1955 J-8 that can go on the other Zorkis...
Oh I forgot my only and preferate Reflex, A terrible Zenit S with indy 50 and macro rings and bellow...and MIR 1 B
And don't tell me I like FSU cameras !
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Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Are the Iskra owners/users all asleep?
taffer
void
1) GOI-Leningrad
2) Kiev TTL
3) Kiev 5 with 50/0.9
4) General's FED
...
You know I'm kidding, no ?
Now for real
1) Zorki 3M - Black Kiev 4a (they are on par)
2) Kiev II - Kiev 4am
2) Fed-2 (pity of the small finder...)
2) Kiev TTL
3) Kiev 5 with 50/0.9
4) General's FED
...
You know I'm kidding, no ?
Now for real
1) Zorki 3M - Black Kiev 4a (they are on par)
2) Kiev II - Kiev 4am
2) Fed-2 (pity of the small finder...
)
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I go through times when I use one camera exclusively and then I feel that this other one is being neglected, then that other one is...
Right now I actually have film in TWO at once-- not the way I generally shoot.
For now, I'm using the wonderful FED2 I just got and the Zorki3m. The Zorki has BW film in it and the FED has a roll of Fuji color film.
My Kiev 4a is looking reproachfuly at me from the shelf...might have to take it out this weekend. My Agat18 is most often loaded and in my pocket or backpack but not today.
About lenses:
I have only the 50mm lenses that came with each of the LTM cameras so I don't have alot of choice yet.
Of these, the J8 that was on the Zorki when I got it has been badly treated and doesn't focus well at all(I think it was taken apart and put back together poorly--two screws are missing and some of the others are banged up ) so I don't use that one. The Industar 26 that came with the FED2 is in very good condition but I haven't got any results back yet. I am hopeful about this lens,though(genew used it pretty well).
The J8m lens that's on the Kiev4a is very good indeed.
I have an Industar 50 collapsible on the way that I intend using as my walking around lens.
I ultimeately will get other lenses for these cameras--probably wide angles first then longer ones--but I have not felt short changed with my limited setup so far.
When I take my Arax60 out, generally use the 80mm std lens or the insanely wide 30mm arsat. The other three lenses I have in P-6 mount don't get much use(Telear 250mm, 45mm [mir?], and the 500mm Arax). I hope to find one of the "tourist" eye piece adaptors for the P6 mount--or a 42mm one and a P6 to 42mm adaptor--and use the 500mm lens as a spotting scope.
Rob
Right now I actually have film in TWO at once-- not the way I generally shoot.
For now, I'm using the wonderful FED2 I just got and the Zorki3m. The Zorki has BW film in it and the FED has a roll of Fuji color film.
My Kiev 4a is looking reproachfuly at me from the shelf...might have to take it out this weekend. My Agat18 is most often loaded and in my pocket or backpack but not today.
About lenses:
I have only the 50mm lenses that came with each of the LTM cameras so I don't have alot of choice yet.
Of these, the J8 that was on the Zorki when I got it has been badly treated and doesn't focus well at all(I think it was taken apart and put back together poorly--two screws are missing and some of the others are banged up ) so I don't use that one. The Industar 26 that came with the FED2 is in very good condition but I haven't got any results back yet. I am hopeful about this lens,though(genew used it pretty well).
The J8m lens that's on the Kiev4a is very good indeed.
I have an Industar 50 collapsible on the way that I intend using as my walking around lens.
I ultimeately will get other lenses for these cameras--probably wide angles first then longer ones--but I have not felt short changed with my limited setup so far.
When I take my Arax60 out, generally use the 80mm std lens or the insanely wide 30mm arsat. The other three lenses I have in P-6 mount don't get much use(Telear 250mm, 45mm [mir?], and the 500mm Arax). I hope to find one of the "tourist" eye piece adaptors for the P6 mount--or a 42mm one and a P6 to 42mm adaptor--and use the 500mm lens as a spotting scope.
Rob
R
Roman
Guest
1. Zorki 6 w/ J-8
2. Kiev 4a w/ J-8m
3. FED 2 w/ J-12 or J-8
4. Iskra
5. FED 5V w/ I-61 L/D
Roman
2. Kiev 4a w/ J-8m
3. FED 2 w/ J-12 or J-8
4. Iskra
5. FED 5V w/ I-61 L/D
Roman
ikophot
Member
Kiev 4a J8
Zorki 4 J8
Zorki 4 J8
back alley
IMAGES
i only have 2 so i'm not an expert.
i like the kiev 4am that i have, the jupiter is good but i shot only one roll through it so far.
i have not used the zorki 4k yet.
my plan was to zorki it today but the 'p' was calling out to me.
joe
i like the kiev 4am that i have, the jupiter is good but i shot only one roll through it so far.
i have not used the zorki 4k yet.
my plan was to zorki it today but the 'p' was calling out to me.
joe
3opkuu
Zorkii
Fed-2e (Version 10) / Jupiter 12. My favourite shooter - usually loaded with fuji Neopan 400 PR, which goes just about everywhere with me. The Industar 26 that came with it is sharp. I must have been lucky...
Zorkii 6 / Jupiter 3 / Jupiter 8 ( I wasn't so lucky with the Jupiter 3...) Creates crazy effects with x-pro slide film...my expensive Holga?
Yashica Electro 35 GX - a truly beautiful compact shooter. The only camera I've managed to 'brass' in any meaningful way. Not Soviet, but we've done more miles together than any of the others. Razor sharp.
Yashica Electro 35 CC
Canonet GIII QL17
Yashica Electro 35 GSN - probably the 'best' lens of the whole mob.
Lomo Lubitel 166U - not a rangefinder, but it is Soviet (does that redeem me from including the Japanese RF's?)
Zorkii 6 / Jupiter 3 / Jupiter 8 ( I wasn't so lucky with the Jupiter 3...) Creates crazy effects with x-pro slide film...my expensive Holga?
Yashica Electro 35 GX - a truly beautiful compact shooter. The only camera I've managed to 'brass' in any meaningful way. Not Soviet, but we've done more miles together than any of the others. Razor sharp.
Yashica Electro 35 CC
Canonet GIII QL17
Yashica Electro 35 GSN - probably the 'best' lens of the whole mob.
Lomo Lubitel 166U - not a rangefinder, but it is Soviet (does that redeem me from including the Japanese RF's?)