hammerman
amateur at large
http://www.sovietcamera.com.ua/
anyons seen this site? i imagine you have. my brother in Florida has a few Kiev 120 cameras but he isn't familiar with 35s and can't advise me.... if i wanted to buy an FSU 35mm camera, which one would i start with? Kiev? Zorki? Fed?
the cameras at this site seem way too cheap to be real but i really don't know. anyway, if i have a good look around what would be a good FSU 35 to have a good play with? i have a Bessa R4M and three CV lenses so far... any ideas out there?
thanks, dj
anyons seen this site? i imagine you have. my brother in Florida has a few Kiev 120 cameras but he isn't familiar with 35s and can't advise me.... if i wanted to buy an FSU 35mm camera, which one would i start with? Kiev? Zorki? Fed?
the cameras at this site seem way too cheap to be real but i really don't know. anyway, if i have a good look around what would be a good FSU 35 to have a good play with? i have a Bessa R4M and three CV lenses so far... any ideas out there?
thanks, dj
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Popular first choices for an entry, budget FSU camera are any Kiev, the FED-2, the Zorki-6 or the Zorki-4K. For "classic Leica" feeling a Zorki-1 is nice. It really doesn't make a difference, because after one's first FSU camera practically everybody buys more of them anyway. 
Do you have screw mount lenses for your Bessa or are they all in M mount? If you have screw mount lenses, that might swing your choice against the Kiev (which are an excellent choice otherwise) and towards the screw mount models. In that case I would recommend a FED-2, but that's a matter of taste. My first was a Zorki-6.
We had a recent thread here which gives an overview of the features of the more common models and could serve as an aid in choosing.
Philipp
Do you have screw mount lenses for your Bessa or are they all in M mount? If you have screw mount lenses, that might swing your choice against the Kiev (which are an excellent choice otherwise) and towards the screw mount models. In that case I would recommend a FED-2, but that's a matter of taste. My first was a Zorki-6.
We had a recent thread here which gives an overview of the features of the more common models and could serve as an aid in choosing.
Philipp
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Anupam
Well-known
The Kievs are fantastic - unless you want LTM.
-A
-A
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
If you want LTM conpatibility you have to go either fed or zorki
If youwant a contax mount then the kievs are your only option (not a bad option at all)
If youwant a contax mount then the kievs are your only option (not a bad option at all)
hammerman
amateur at large
thanks everyone. and i have printed out the Thread mentioned by rxmd. will read that when i hit the sack in a few (other side of the world here, nearly time for a hot chocky and a snooze).
but pardon my ignorance, what is the Contax Mount?
and what does CLA mean on the http://www.sovietcamera.com.ua/ site? the prices vary a lot but i have read the blurb on many of the cameras in the sort of $300 area (get what yo pay for? dunno...!) when it says the cameras works, i assume that means lens is iclean and shutter reasonably reliable? but it isn't going to be the lead camera...or will it...?
thanks, in advance.
dj
but pardon my ignorance, what is the Contax Mount?
and what does CLA mean on the http://www.sovietcamera.com.ua/ site? the prices vary a lot but i have read the blurb on many of the cameras in the sort of $300 area (get what yo pay for? dunno...!) when it says the cameras works, i assume that means lens is iclean and shutter reasonably reliable? but it isn't going to be the lead camera...or will it...?
thanks, in advance.
dj
wolves3012
Veteran
Contax mount is a bayonet mount used on Contax and Kiev cameras. It's totally incompatible with the LTM screw-mount lenses on FED and Zorki cameras.hammerman said:
CLA stands for clean/lubricate/adjust - essentially it means a full service, so the camera ought to be working perfectly afterwards.
Prices on that site do look a little low, I'd treat them with some suspicion. However, I have no knowledge of how prices "down under" compare with elsewhere, so they may be genuine.
mike goldberg
The Peaceful Pacific
I don't know about the reputation of the sovietcamera store... and let me tell you this: He is NOT exceptionally cheap.
I like the Fed-2c and Zorki 4. There are many FSU sellers on eB@y, and a lot of them describe their items as "Rare," which is a lot of B.S. Buy from a seller with 98.5% feedback or higher. How quickly does he answer questions, does he seem honest, and how is the camera and/or lens presented in words and pictures?
The rest is a matter of intuition and luck. Many, even most of the FSU camera bodies, are over 40 years old. Expect the need for CLA, yet sometimes, you just unwrap the package, go out for a shoot, and all is well.
Good luck!
I like the Fed-2c and Zorki 4. There are many FSU sellers on eB@y, and a lot of them describe their items as "Rare," which is a lot of B.S. Buy from a seller with 98.5% feedback or higher. How quickly does he answer questions, does he seem honest, and how is the camera and/or lens presented in words and pictures?
The rest is a matter of intuition and luck. Many, even most of the FSU camera bodies, are over 40 years old. Expect the need for CLA, yet sometimes, you just unwrap the package, go out for a shoot, and all is well.
Good luck!
Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
Hello,
Once I've been a beginner too (well I'm only an advanced beginner now), and my first RF camera was an FSU camera. If you've never shot with RF cameras, and it seems you haven't, I strongly recommend you to buy a Zorki 4K, and to avoid Kiev camera. Kiev cameras are absolutely fantastic, but not for beginners ... if I had bought a Kiev instead of a Zorki, I think I wouldn't have gone any further in the RF world and I would have stuck with my SLR.
Zorki 4K, the easiest FSU RF to begin with, then Zorki 4, and Fed 2. If the camera is sold with an Industar50 50/3.5, keep it but buy a Jupiter8 50/2 too.
Try to purchase one eBay. There are some reliable Ukrainian/Russian sellers.
Best,
Marc-A.
Once I've been a beginner too (well I'm only an advanced beginner now), and my first RF camera was an FSU camera. If you've never shot with RF cameras, and it seems you haven't, I strongly recommend you to buy a Zorki 4K, and to avoid Kiev camera. Kiev cameras are absolutely fantastic, but not for beginners ... if I had bought a Kiev instead of a Zorki, I think I wouldn't have gone any further in the RF world and I would have stuck with my SLR.
Zorki 4K, the easiest FSU RF to begin with, then Zorki 4, and Fed 2. If the camera is sold with an Industar50 50/3.5, keep it but buy a Jupiter8 50/2 too.
Try to purchase one eBay. There are some reliable Ukrainian/Russian sellers.
Best,
Marc-A.
Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
USSRPhoto
Vladislav Kern
I've had great experience with Sovietcameras.com.ua.. bought a Narciss, Yunkor and Shkolnik from Vikentiy..
But if you're in United States you can't go wrong with Fedka.com
Vlad.
But if you're in United States you can't go wrong with Fedka.com
Vlad.
tyrone.s
Well-known
Also consider if you wear glasses or not - a Zorki 4 is going to be a lot brighter through the viewfinder than the earlier FED and Zorki 1's which I find 'dark and squinty' (but I still like using my FED 1). The Kiev is pretty good to look through the viewfinder - but I'd echo earlier posts regarding better to start with an LTM camera for their wide lens availability, for their range of available models, and for the sheer number of available cameras. The Zorki 4 variations were 2 million units alone.
All the Soviet cameras are a lot of fun and a real learning experience. I've found buying on eBay a real crap shoot in terms of what you see and what you get; I think is eBay is full of pretty looking cameras that photograph well on an eBay listing, but ... really just don't work all that nice out of the postal bag - but that's all part of the hobby aspect to this. The fun and the frustration So a non eBay option such as are discussed above might be better - I guess you'd need to be clear about what they mean by CLA, and whether or not the curtains in a FED or Zorki have been replaced.
Overall a FED 2 or a Zorki 4 might be your best choices in terms of cheap, plenty listed at any given time, not too expensive, and they have combined viewfinder/rangefinders. A Zorki 6 would be good from a bang for your bucks perspective - but even these seem to be going up in price but forget about all that guff about 'RARE'.
Good luck, dip in and let us know how you go!
All the Soviet cameras are a lot of fun and a real learning experience. I've found buying on eBay a real crap shoot in terms of what you see and what you get; I think is eBay is full of pretty looking cameras that photograph well on an eBay listing, but ... really just don't work all that nice out of the postal bag - but that's all part of the hobby aspect to this. The fun and the frustration
So a non eBay option such as are discussed above might be better - I guess you'd need to be clear about what they mean by CLA, and whether or not the curtains in a FED or Zorki have been replaced. Overall a FED 2 or a Zorki 4 might be your best choices in terms of cheap, plenty listed at any given time, not too expensive, and they have combined viewfinder/rangefinders. A Zorki 6 would be good from a bang for your bucks perspective - but even these seem to be going up in price but forget about all that guff about 'RARE'.
Good luck, dip in and let us know how you go!
hammerman
amateur at large
hey. great advice all around. i went with the Ukraine reseller, selected the Fed-S. there were two on his list and he has already removed my purchase from his stock listing, which is a good sign, i think. he has sent me a personal email and i am happy with what he has offered. when it is here i will run a roll of film through it and return to this thread with a full report. as a precaution for a first-time purchase from a new reseller for me i advised my bank of this purchase and they have put a limit on the purchase for security reasons. when i am more comfortablewith a reseller i will have that limit removed. simply a safety precaution.
i am an experienced photographer and am familiar with rangefinders. what i am learning here about FSUs is good, especially the very candid advice about the Zorki and Kiev cameras. i can see me getting hooked on this. i am a bit of a collector, or accumulator, really. i just like cameras and i love to shoot. off to Melbourne this weekend to have a wander around the city streets with my Bessa R4M/40-Nokton. living in a remote part of the state i don't see much other than country folk and kangaroos (yes, i have kangaroos in my back paddock).
i'll get back to you all when i have the Fed-S. i chose it because of the 1/1000 shutter speed.
ta.
dj
i am an experienced photographer and am familiar with rangefinders. what i am learning here about FSUs is good, especially the very candid advice about the Zorki and Kiev cameras. i can see me getting hooked on this. i am a bit of a collector, or accumulator, really. i just like cameras and i love to shoot. off to Melbourne this weekend to have a wander around the city streets with my Bessa R4M/40-Nokton. living in a remote part of the state i don't see much other than country folk and kangaroos (yes, i have kangaroos in my back paddock).
i'll get back to you all when i have the Fed-S. i chose it because of the 1/1000 shutter speed.
ta.
dj
gb hill
Veteran
I see you use to be a spy. You will certainly have to purchase a FED 2 in the future. The FED is the initials of the man that orginized the soviet police. KGB. Here is a link to some history. Congrats on the FED S.
http://www.novacon.com.br/history5.htm
Here is a link to some history. Congrats on the FED S.http://www.novacon.com.br/history5.htm
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hammerman
amateur at large
chuckle. spy, ummm, yes, well, this'll get me in the soup again, won't it! imagine the stories i'll be able to yet further embellish for the grandchildren and the abuse i'll get, again, from their mother. life is really meant for old people, you know. the things we can get a way with that young people just laugh at us for, leaving us to our devices. in my case, my cameras...
would you hire the boy in the picture to spy for your country?
yes, i'm hooked, i think. FED-2 next, a Zorki and a Kiev. i'll be set for when the time clock goes back 60 years. oops, nearly time to go back to the home.
cheers,
dj..... NOT old in Oz!
would you hire the boy in the picture to spy for your country?
yes, i'm hooked, i think. FED-2 next, a Zorki and a Kiev. i'll be set for when the time clock goes back 60 years. oops, nearly time to go back to the home.
cheers,
dj..... NOT old in Oz!