which FSU ltm body w/ built-in 35 rf ?

[ampguy]

any FSU bodies that will take a 35mm lens and not need an external viewfinder?

 

[reagan]

kiev 35a 😉

 

[reagan]

Okay, I assume you're talking LTM or Contax mount. Serious answer. . . none that I know of, but someone else might have better info. I use cheapy ext. VFs without hesitation, so I haven't really looked. Good luck.

 

[lushd]

Can't think of one either. FSU Leica copies tend to be pretty generous, not to mention vague. With my Zorki 4 and 4k I've found composing 35mm using the viewfinder quite OK. Mind you I'd prefer built in framelines.

 

[AlexC]

The GOMZ Leningrad has built-in framelines for 35, 50, 85, and 135mm lenses. It has a spring-motor drive, is big and a bit clunky, and cannot mount all LTM lenses due to the way the top cover overhangs the lens mount, but it can be used with a 35 without an external viewfinder.

 

[lushd]

The GOMZ Leningrad has built-in framelines for 35, 50, 85, and 135mm lenses. It has a spring-motor drive, is big and a bit clunky, and cannot mount all LTM lenses due to the way the top cover overhangs the lens mount, but it can be used with a 35 without an external viewfinder.

Nice one Alex - I'd forgotten that. 😀

 

[wlewisiii]

The whole VF of the Kiev 5 covers the same FOV as a 35mm lens as well. I used one that way with a CV SC 35/2.5 for quite awhile.

William

 

[ampguy]

nah

nah

these leak light.

kiev 35a 😉

 

[ampguy]

this is just too ...

this is just too ...

funky, sorry.

The GOMZ Leningrad has built-in framelines for 35, 50, 85, and 135mm lenses. It has a spring-motor drive, is big and a bit clunky, and cannot mount all LTM lenses due to the way the top cover overhangs the lens mount, but it can be used with a 35 without an external viewfinder.

 

[ampguy]

this is interesting

this is interesting

so would I get like 80% of the horiz and vertical? and it would focus ok? this might work.

Can't think of one either. FSU Leica copies tend to be pretty generous, not to mention vague. With my Zorki 4 and 4k I've found composing 35mm using the viewfinder quite OK. Mind you I'd prefer built in framelines.

 

[ampguy]

are these cheaper than zorki 4s?

are these cheaper than zorki 4s?

I looked up Kiev 5 on ebay and found vodka glasses:

http://cgi.ebay.com/KIEV-5-PIECE-VO...1QQihZ001QQcategoryZ38248QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The whole VF of the Kiev 5 covers the same FOV as a 35mm lens as well. I used one that way with a CV SC 35/2.5 for quite awhile.

William

 

[John Robertson]

There is one other FSU Leica copy which has frame lines. the Droog. The whole field is 35mm with frame lines (non parallax corrected) for 50 and 85mm lenses. it also has a built in Leicavit type trigger wind. They are now very rare in decent condition. Incidentally it also has a Leica type roller cam follower for the RF instead of the usual triangular device found on Feds and Zorkis. Made by KMZ from 1960-62.
I very stupidly sold mine in 1996.

 

[reagan]

these leak light.

From what I've read, that's not the half of it... 😱

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Gman

Thanks Gman

That price is too close to a used Bessa R for me to justify.

I'm hoping to get a FSU/LTM body, play around with a few rolls, and sell it and be done with the whole FSU stuff and be happy with wide angle forever except with slr and digital. If I didn't already order an LTM lens, I might have steered clear of here.

Plus it has that funky bathroom shower glass like the FED 5. What's up with that??

Here's one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VERY-RARE-Colle...2QQihZ017QQcategoryZ30028QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[clarence]

I'm hoping to get a FSU/LTM body, play around with a few rolls, and sell it and be done with the whole FSU stuff and be happy with wide angle forever except with slr and digital. If I didn't already order an LTM lens, I might have steered clear of here.

You can loan my Zorki 4 for the cost of shipping, if you like.

Clarence

 

[wlewisiii]

That price is too close to a used Bessa R for me to justify.

It's sad but true - that's a low to average price for that camera. I got one for $99 because I bet on a guy with really bad feedback on ebay, but that was a) pure luck but b) I have never seen one that cheap before or since. Unlike most of the idiot ads, a Kiev 5 really is rather rare. If you ever do look for one, get one made in 72 or later - they added an 85 finder line to the later cameras - given the massivly high quality of a good example of the Jupiter 9, that is a real reason to get that body.

If you have made an investment in Contax/Kiev glass it's a great body to own. If you haven't, then it's not for you. At the time I bought it, I had a lot of that glass - and selling it got me into my Canon 7 w Canon 50/1.8. So I can't complain much about it 😀 I got a lot of learning about photography from it and some very good images as well. Get a good one and it will be as worth the money as any camera at that price point ever is.

Plus it has that funky bathroom shower glass like the FED 5. What's up with that??

That is over the selenium meter. I believe that is to give a scattering effect to the light to ensure even light coverage on the selenium cell, but I'm probably wrong... 🙂 The FSU selenium meters are reasonable - certainly as accurate as any selenium meter ever is. But then, I'm wierd and prefer selenium to the point that even my handheld is selenium based - a Sekonic L28C. In low light you learn quickly to teach your Mark 1 Eyeball meter instead... 😛

Edit: One more bit of advice. If you get a FSU camera, do not get a mint example unless you want to put it on a shelf. In my experiance, a mint camera is one that never worked in the first place and got put into a desk drawer in frustration. OTOH, a camera showing use but not abuse - real brassing but not dents - from the FSU is the way to go. Someone has already proven that the camera works.

Hope this helps,

William

 

[ZorkiKat]

The Soviets announced an RF camera with built in metering and framelines for lenses from 28 to 135mm(?) in the 1950s. It was a very advanced camera from its specs, which had features like shutter speed setting in intermediate increments. It was the KOMETA. Never was produced. Its lenses included a 20mm "Merkuri" lens which the reviewer said was shorter than any lens produced in the west for 35mm rangefinders. Read this in from an old October 1958 Popular Photography magazine- now missing. The 20mm apparently got produced as the Russar.
Jay

 

[phototone]

In regards the Kiev 35A leaking light:

From what I've read, that's not the half of it... 😱

Well, I guess I am the exception. I have two of 'em. Neither one leaks light, and they take very sharp pictures. Some of the images in my gallery here were made with them. I have the dark green colored ones. Before first use, I took a black magic marker (Sanford Sharpie) and coated the inside of the removable back with a layer of black just to be sure, though.

 

[reagan]

Well, I guess I am the exception.

Now see, guys like you have all the luck. Me? naaa... I've been soooo tempted by the Kiev.35 from time to time, but I know I would order one, get all excited and then... kerschlapp!! I'd inherit a slew of troubles. Their compact size and "basic shooter" configuration is just very inviting to me. Maybe one of these days. . . Glad you got a good one! Enjoy!

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Clarence

Thanks Clarence

That is most generous. I might take you up on that.

You can loan my Zorki 4 for the cost of shipping, if you like.

Clarence