which FSU rangefinder for a first buy?

[dingadingdang]

I somehow seem to have got addicted to collecting cameras, it started with TLRs, I got an old battered Seagull 4B TLR (many available locally, I live in Shanghai), then a Seagull 4A, then a Yashica 124G.
Recently I bought a Yashica Electro 35 GSN for next to nothing (15 USD) from a junk shop on a trip to Hong Kong and that's got me interested in rangefinders. I'd really like to get hold of a Russian rangefinder now and I've been doing research into what to buy.
It's definitely a camera to use rather than put on a shelf and I started looking at Zorki's then eventually got on to Kiev's and I think I'm settled on a Kiev 4 / 4M with a Helios lens rather than the Jupiter 8.
What do you think, is this a good choice for a first FSU rangefinder? Is it worth bothering with the metered Kiev's at this age or are the meters mostly dead now?
If you could recommend one FSU rangefinder in terms of all round quality and useability, which one would it be?
Thanks
Craig

 

[jody]

Personally IMHO Zorki 2c

 

[Ash]

Zorki-4k... or Zorki-4 if you want knob-wind. when you like the format get a fed-2 or a kiev-2, depending whether you want the leica or the contax feel

 

[agfa100]

When I was looking at Russian RF cameras I went with a Kiev, and I think they are still the best one's in 35mm. Just my .02 worth of info.. They are all fun.
wbill

 

[Ash]

My Kiev is the favourite, it's the one I didn't sell, but the frame spacing etc means something like a Zorki is a better choice for someone using C-41 prints maybe

 

[Stanton]

Fed 2. Cheap, simple, generally reliable, lots of lenses available cheap. Dave

 

[vrgard]

Not having used any fsu cameras other than Kievs, I can't comment on the others. And perhaps I just got lucky with the two Kievs I bought, but I've had no problem with either of them. I have a Kiev 4A and a Kiev 4AM, each with a full complement of lenses and viewfinders. And I'm considering selling them since getting Leica gear. So if you're interested drop me a note.

-Randy

 

[w3rk5]

It's definitely a camera to use rather than put on a shelf and I started looking at Zorki's then eventually got on to Kiev's and I think I'm settled on a Kiev 4 / 4M with a Helios lens rather than the Jupiter 8.

Hi Craig. I would go for the Kiev 4 (with the meter) because of what you mentioned above. If you get a metered one, don't expect it to work. If it does.......that would be great. When I got mine, I just wanted the extra weight from the meter. It helps me take better low light shots.

FED, Kiev, and Zorki made great cameras. I think you can build and excellent kit with any of them.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I think I can tell you the exact camera to buy.
There's a good looking zorki 4 with jupiter 8 in the classifieds right now for $40. I'd far rather buy from a member here than pay $30 to ship an unknown from the Ukraine.
Buy it! Before I do!

 

[dingadingdang]

thanks everyone, I think I'm still leaning towards the Kiev 4, I'm sure it won't be my last purchase though!

Dazedgoneby, I live in China so there's no real cost saving in buying from the US.

Someone on here made a personal recommendation for Rusfoto on ebay. I checked and he has a CLA'd "perfect" Kiev 4A for $60, temptation was too much so I went ahead and bought it.

Hope it doesn't take too long to ship to China!

 

[Adam-T]

The Kievs I`ve seen have been lovely but I`d still err towards a Zorki, they take Leica mount lenses like the FEDs and that means you can fit the latest CV screw mount glass (more choice than in Contax mount with CV from what I can tell) and use the glass you`ve bought on an R-D1 or M8 should you go Digital later on (or get a Leica film camera) .. there are some really interesting CV lenses available new such as the 12mm Helios and they`re very good indeed.. Just a thought..

One which maybe worth a look and is cheap is the FED-5 - I handled one and didn`t like it but it has a meter onboard (one which worked too), no one wants them so can be had for next to nothing - but lets face it, you won`t pay much for a Zorki 4K either..

 

[lubitel]

looks like the kiev is winning, but my vote is for fed2. 🙂

 

[GeneW]

Fed 2 or Zorki 4. Their use of LTM lenses is an advantage if you decide to add an LTM Leica at some point, or a Bessa R or Bessa L. The Fed 2 has a really nice feel to it. Solid, small body, nice.

Gene

 

[pesphoto]

Id vote for the Fed2 also, but its the only one Ive owned.

 

[Ash]

I'm glad I got a Zorki. It came with the mint condition Jupiter-8 (that's now on the Leica IIIc), and I bought the Industar-50 collapsible to be able to put the zorki in my pocket (and the I-50 is now on the Leica Standard).

The Kiev also means I had an excellent condition Jupiter-8m to put on the Contax if I choose against the collapsible Sonnar that came with it.

It's good to have both varieties. All the different cameras have their own perks - I went to focus thinking the IIIc had a focus wheel the other day!!


Oh Edit! If you're lucky, the Jupiter-12 will mount comfortably on your Kiev - cheap wide-angle 😀
The J-12 is cheaper in contax mount than ltm as far as I could see, which is a bonus

 

[joey]

The crowd is split between Kiev-4A, FED-2 and Zorki-4(k). Why don't you buy all three cameras and see which one you like better. All 3 can be had for about $100. IMHO. 🙂

 

[Ash]

joey, that's what I did!!! 😀

Course I chose the Kiev to be the best of the FSU cams, simply because mine had the clearest and easiest viewfinder (the zorki-4k's was brighter but the RF patch was near-invisible) and was the nicest to use. The Zorki-4k would have won if it wasn't so loud. The Fed-2 forced me to buy the real Leica's, and as much as I liked using it, the viewfinder was too squinty!!

 

[dingadingdang]

thanks guys, Joey, I'm sure that's how it's going to end up, at the moment I have a 4a on the way from Russia!

 

[gb hill]

I was going to suggest you get one of each. These cameras are a lot of fun to use. Get a fed 2 next and good luck with the kiev.🙂

 

[dingadingdang]

damn you, you've made me start looking at fed 2's on ebay now!