Which is a better buy?

[hyunkseo]

Hey guys, as soon as I told my friend I've gotten a Fed-1, he told me he wanted one as well. He wants the FED-1 / Zorki-1 because it resembles the Leica II...

I've found 7 of FED 1s and Zorki 1s
(If you know any better buys please let me know!)

For him, external condition is very important so I've found ones that are a bit higher priced but cleaner looking... but the internal robustness is important as well. collector and history value doesn't really matter to him and he said he wanted one that could utilize other m39 lenses (so post war)

If you could help me choose from this pile (3 feds and 4 zorkis from ebay) that'd be great. i am using ebay because i can use a $40 ebay certificate there..

thanks

FEDs

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16070891905...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_544wt_1397
http://www.ebay.com/itm/16070023365...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_3812wt_1341
http://www.ebay.com/itm/20069236092...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_7444wt_1397

ZORKIs

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZORKI-1-Rar...lm_Cameras&hash=item484377cb82#ht_3025wt_1397
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZORKI-1-M39...ilm_Cameras&hash=item256aff8b89#ht_544wt_1397
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZORKI-1-Rus...lm_Cameras&hash=item4ab26c48c4#ht_2836wt_1164
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZORKI-1-Rus...lm_Cameras&hash=item4ab20cca99#ht_3040wt_1164

 

[farlymac]

Two things are important when buying FSU cameras. One, is the film spool included? If it's not in the picture, I wouldn't buy the camera. Like the one seller says, what you see is what you get. You don't see the film spool, do you?

And do the parts look look they are all original? I've got a Zorki 1 that has two serial numbers, thanks to the grafting of a B rangefinder onto a D body. A good ERC is nice to have also, since these cameras have no strap lugs on them. Certain FEDs are to be avoided because the bodies are made from such thin metal, you can actually collapse the camera by squeazing too hard. I'd stick with the Zorki's.

PF

 

[hyunkseo]

OK Thank you. I've researched and found out that the Zorki 1Ds are the best of the bunch along with the Zorki 1s that are exported (Zorki cyrillic and Zorki roman) would it be safe to say that I've done my research correctly?

thanks again!

 

[Thomas78]

... and he said he wanted one that could utilize other m39 lenses (so post war)

Please keep in mind that the RF-coupling of FSU RFs is not 100% compatible with the "western" (german an japanese) RFs.

This can be an issue if you want to use non-FSU lenses at close distance - wide open:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/compat.html

(see "3. Ivan the Incompatible")

 

[Frontman]

Please keep in mind that the RF-coupling of FSU RFs is not 100% compatible with the "western" (german an japanese) RFs.

This can be an issue if you want to use non-FSU lenses at close distance - wide open:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/compat.html

(see "3. Ivan the Incompatible")

The post-war cameras will generally focus M39 lenses acceptably, provided the camera hasn't been altered or tinkered with too much. The distance from the lens mounting flange to the film pressure plate should be 28.8mm. Adjustments are made by adding or removing paper shims between the mounting flange and camera body.

One of the reasons I like the old FSU cameras is that they are tinkerer-friendly. If you aren't mechanically inclined, Oleg sells quality FED and Zorki cameras which have been properly refurbished and tested, his store is called OK Photocamera, you can find it on google.

 

[hyunkseo]

Thanks so much for the information guys!
For the lenses though I think he meant to use other Jupiter and Industar lenses. because I thought pre-war FED-1s are basically stuck with what they got on?

Hm.. then will the 50mm FED that comes with a FED-1 fit in, work properly in a ZORKI-1??

thanks again!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

My 2d worth is to say add the full price with shipping etc and tax and duty. Then pick the cheapest you like (with lens cap and spool) and add a repair cost to it. Reason, they are all second-hand and, even if tested with film, may need work on them. They're just like any other elderly camera, meaning Leicas, Contax etc, etc.

Even if tested with film, they could fail tomorrow.

BTW, no one's mentioned coated and uncoated lenses. These are usually coated but one doesn't look it. Early ones may not be coated and finding out can be difficult.

Using FED lenses with FED or Zorkis is usually OK. Problems happen with putting them on Leicas. Talking of them, for matching a model II Leica, you need the ones with the old style shutter release, which many prefer. Those shown have the second version with the "lavatory" button surround.

I'll wish you luck as it's a bit of a lottery but many of us (including me) have been very pleased with these (ebay) cameras and delighted with them once sorted out completely.

Regards, David

 

[wolves3012]

Any or all of those cameras could be good. Or bad. Just because they say it works, that doesn't mean it isn't in need of some service. I'll echo David Hughes' sentiments above. One thing that puts me off all the Zorkis you've found; they're all earlier models and without doing more work you won't know if they have the softer bodyshells.

If I had to pick from those, I'd pick the last FED. My reasons: it's a 1g and not one of the very late one with thin film rails. It looks ok and the seller has 100% positive feedback. I also think I can recall the sellers name being mentioned on here in the past. I'm hoping that wasn't in a bad way!

 

[David Hughes]

Hyunkseo...

Hyunkseo...

Hi,

Could we have a bit of feedback once the decision has been made and the camera's arrived and had a film through it, please?

Regards, David

 

[hyunkseo]

FED-1... um will be a display case model or a project (for a digital leica ii style conversion)... lets just put it at that. or sold for parts (my brother got his hands on it)

Zorki-1 D yes, i will put up a reel (ILFORD ISO 400) with Industar 26M lens. (Both from SOVPEDIA)