dmccardle
Dmccardle
Thinking about an FSU with a Meter. I guess I'd prefer LTM mount (since I already have Zorki's and lenses), but I could handle a Kiev as well. Given a choice I'd like lever wind, but don't really care about that either. What do y'all recommend?
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
To my knowledge, all meters on FSU RF bodies are of the selenium type and are unlikely to function correctly.
newspaperguy
Well-known
Agree with Mukul... none of them are likely to work well.
Get a good hand-held and save yourself a lot of grief.
If you insist, and since you have ltm lenses, try a Fed 5,
cheap, lever wind and the most recent vintage.
Get a good hand-held and save yourself a lot of grief.
If you insist, and since you have ltm lenses, try a Fed 5,
cheap, lever wind and the most recent vintage.
wolves3012
Veteran
I'll go against the flow and say a FED 4. I have 2 of them and a 5. The build-quality is better on the 4 and I think the match-needle meter is better than the match-number system on the 5, although the 5 has a slightly better range (still not useful in low light). Slight downside to a 4 is the rewind thumbwheel. If it's working (check it because many have died) the meter is surprisingly accurate and useful.
The only other model to consider is the Kiev 4/4M but these tend to be found with dead meters, from what I can see. Personally I never found the Kiev meter to be much more than an indication and would not trust it.
I do agree with the others that a separate hand-held meter is a better option though. Sooner or later the internal one is likely to die.
The only other model to consider is the Kiev 4/4M but these tend to be found with dead meters, from what I can see. Personally I never found the Kiev meter to be much more than an indication and would not trust it.
I do agree with the others that a separate hand-held meter is a better option though. Sooner or later the internal one is likely to die.
julio1fer
Well-known
In FSU 35mm RF bodies, if you want LTM and light meter, then it is either FED-4 or -5 (except the 5B model). The selenium meter in my Kiev 4M works reasonably well, FWIW.
All RF FSU meters that I know of are selenium types, as said above. These meter types may be unreliable, especially if they were kept exposed to light for long periods. That said, I have several old cameras from the 1950s or early 1960s with selenium meters that are working perfectly, as well as a few light meters.
The problem with selenium meters is not only reliability, but poor low-light performance. They just don't reach the low light levels that are handled easily by battery-operated meters with CdS cells.
You can pick a good Russian meter with a CdS cell for cheap - my everyday meter is a Sverdlovsk-2, but the -4 is more popular and might be a better choice. There are other types as well.
All RF FSU meters that I know of are selenium types, as said above. These meter types may be unreliable, especially if they were kept exposed to light for long periods. That said, I have several old cameras from the 1950s or early 1960s with selenium meters that are working perfectly, as well as a few light meters.
The problem with selenium meters is not only reliability, but poor low-light performance. They just don't reach the low light levels that are handled easily by battery-operated meters with CdS cells.
You can pick a good Russian meter with a CdS cell for cheap - my everyday meter is a Sverdlovsk-2, but the -4 is more popular and might be a better choice. There are other types as well.
fanshaw
Well-known
I second Wolve's comments. I have a couple of Fed-4s and the meters work perfectly. They seem to be available in excellent condition in the UK for very little. As with most Soviet cameras the only downside is their bulk and weight.
dee
Well-known
One idea would be a Kiev 4 from Oleg who has spare meter cells and supplies cameras cla with a working meter .
I love the metered Kievs , but am aware that I am dealing with mid 1930s selenium technology . It's a good check under normal conditions .
I love the metered Kievs , but am aware that I am dealing with mid 1930s selenium technology . It's a good check under normal conditions .
Valkir1987
Well-known
You Could try find a nice Working Zorki 10 or Zorki 11 for the difference! 
40oz
...
My Kiev 3 meter works fine and is as accurate as my Calcuflash meter in daylight.
I don't think it's that selenium meters don't last decades, it's that they don't last decades if they are left open to light all the time and probably don't last decades if they get wet, maybe from an excessively humid environment. I've seen a lot of electronics from that era work just fine, and others that are full of corrosion. It's not the era or the electronics, it's what's happened since then.
So basically before you buy a metered anything from 40 years ago, have the seller verify the meter works. It's not worth buying if they can't assure you of that.
And for what it's worth, *no meter* is anything more than an indication. Only a fool would think the meter knows what you want a picture of.
I don't think it's that selenium meters don't last decades, it's that they don't last decades if they are left open to light all the time and probably don't last decades if they get wet, maybe from an excessively humid environment. I've seen a lot of electronics from that era work just fine, and others that are full of corrosion. It's not the era or the electronics, it's what's happened since then.
So basically before you buy a metered anything from 40 years ago, have the seller verify the meter works. It's not worth buying if they can't assure you of that.
And for what it's worth, *no meter* is anything more than an indication. Only a fool would think the meter knows what you want a picture of.
Wahoo
Washing on Siegfried Line
I have maybe 5 Fed 4's and a real mixed bag they are, 2 kaplunker's (non-working) and 2 work just fine but the fifth, a 1965 model is a 'Real Beaut' and super smooth.
It's not M2/M3 smoooth but it's definitely not far off and almost unbeleivably slick, I know it sounds like porkies but this is the truth and nothing but . . .
Incidentaly the lens coating on this particular 1965 N-61 is blue and very similiar to this J3 (pictured).
moretto
EFKE Lover
I had a kiev 4 with meter, we didn't get along and we separated, and I have a Fed 4 which is solid built and performs good, but in my opinion big, ugly and awkward to handle (compared to Z4). And I don't like hand held meters, I'd rather keep guessing...
so I would recommend a Sekonic Twinmate. Attaches in the flash shoe, it is small and light, and, You can get a NEW one. And couple it to whatever camera you like, as long as it has a shoe. I use it on Z4, in difficult-to-guess situations.
Enjoy.
so I would recommend a Sekonic Twinmate. Attaches in the flash shoe, it is small and light, and, You can get a NEW one. And couple it to whatever camera you like, as long as it has a shoe. I use it on Z4, in difficult-to-guess situations.
Enjoy.