Which Russian RF and where can I buy it (I'm from Brazil)

[Arthur Soares]

Hello Everyone,
this is my first post on this forum

For a month or so I've acquired the Russian RangeFinder disease, since I started to know about Kiev Range Finder Cameras. I'm in love with it. LOL 🙂 ..

I'm really planning to buy a Kiev 4a with the 50mm 1.5 lens. But I can't find it down here in Brazil, and would probably be a real pain to get it shipped over from Ukrain (where pretty much every Kiev seller on eBay is).

But again, there is a question that has just Popped, which one to buy,
Kiev, Zorki or FED? From yours experiences would you help me decide and/or give-me some information of where I could get these beauties in USA or Brasil ( :bang: )


Thank you SO MUCh 🙂

art.

 

[RML]

Art, the FED-2, a Zorki 4(k) or a Kiev 4AM... they're all rather nice. You'll really have to decide for yourself. I started with a Fed-2, then a Zorki 4 and (much later) a Kiev 4AM. They all look very pretty. When it comes to shooting I prefer the Zori and Kiev, the Zorki more than the Kiev.

I think at least one of the eBay sellers sells from the USA as well (Alex-Photo?).

 

[pesphoto]

Yes, Alex-photo on ebay. I just bought a Fed 2 from him and its a great user camera.

 

[Arthur Soares]

yay!

yay!

great, thank you for the quick reply,

i'm gonna look for him at ebay! 😀

why did you say that you preffer the Zorki more than the Kiev?
are all lenses compatible? (between zorki and kiev)

 

[RML]

great, thank you for the quick reply,

i'm gonna look for him at ebay! 😀

why did you say that you preffer the Zorki more than the Kiev?
are all lenses compatible? (between zorki and kiev)

I found focussing, lens changing, film advancing and holding the camera easier on the Zorki.

The FED-2 has a dim VF.

The Kiev is sturdily built and a pretty beast, but less user-friendly than the Zorki 4 with film advance lever.

 

[kmack]

I do most of my shooting with a Zorki 4 and a J-8 or J-12 lens. I also have a Kiev 4 and a Fed 2L (I have a Kiev 2 in the mail from another RFF member, sheesh, and I claim I am not a collector). The major reason I use the Zorki is that it has been recently CLA'ed by Oleg at OK Vintage Camera the difference before and after the CLA was startling. I suggest you check Oleg's site or Fedka and pay the little extra and get one that has been cleaned and adjusted first. That being said, if you really desire to get into the world of cleaning and repairing FSU cameras you can find a lot of info here, and go the *bay route.

I had GAS for a Zorki or FED 1 bottom feeder, with separate view finder and rangefinder but I cured that with a Leica IIIF that I got real (real) cheap.

 

[Arthur Soares]

great,
but what you meant about filme advance?

about the Alex-Photo user on eBay, he ships the products from over Europe =( that may be a pain to get inside brasil.. stupid customs.

what about the J3 lens, anyone has used it?

I might be getting a Kiev 4a serial 83 with a Helios 103 for about 113U$, is that a good deal? I haven't put my hands on the camera and I don't know if its revised or not...

=(

 

[kmack]

Again... Check Fedka and Oleg.

Oleg currently has a Kiev 4 listed for $87US shipped.
Fedka has a Kiev for listed for $99US, not sure about the shipping.

 

[rbiemer]

are all lenses compatible? (between zorki and kiev)

Arthur, welcome aboard! And NO the Zorki and Kiev lenses are not compatible. The Zorki uses Leica Thread Mount--usually reffered to as LTM--and the Kiev uses Contax mount lenses--a bayonet type of fittning. I own and use FED, Zorki, and Kiev cameras and my favorite is the Zorki 3M. The Kiev(I have a 4a[no meter] from 1967) is very nice but the viewfinder on the Zorki is much larger and easier for me to see through.
$113 seems a little high but not startlingly so. The most important thing I have found about the Russian cameras is to get a good dealer. There is a thread here at RFF about the dealers we like and use. Worth a read.
Eventually you will (almost certainly) own an example of each of the main brands of FSU gear and you will know which you prefer.
Rob

 

[flashover]

Art here is one for sale right on the RFF

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14748

John

 

[Kim Coxon]

Thanks for the plug John

Art,
I will also be putting a Fed 2, a Zorki 4 and a 4K up in the next week or so. Just waiting the results of the test film. Can't help with the Kiev though.

Kim

 

[w3rk5]

I'm really planning to buy a Kiev 4a with the 50mm 1.5 lens. But I can't find it down here in Brazil, and would probably be a real pain to get it shipped over from Ukrain (where pretty much every Kiev seller on eBay is).

But again, there is a question that has just Popped, which one to buy,
Kiev, Zorki or FED?
art.

I have a FED 2 (type B I think) and had a Zorki 6. The Zorki has a hinged back, film advace lever, and a bigger and brighter rangefinder/viewfinder. I felt the Zorki had better potential to take sharper pictures. But I still prefer my FED 2 instead. I find it's much easier and enjoyable to use.

Since you favor the Kiev 4A (like how I favor my FED 2) I'd get that one. Good luck on finding a U.S. seller.

 

[FrankS]

If you choose to buy a Kiev, try to find one built in the 1950's or 60's. The earlier the better. J-8 and J-12 lenses are very good. The first 2 digits of the serial number indicates their year of manufacture.

 

[peterc]

which one to buy, Kiev, Zorki or FED?

Art, I have a Kiev, Fed and a couple of Zorkis. If you're planning to use wide aperture or telephoto lenses (you mention the 50 f/1.5) I'd suggest a Kiev or Fed since they have wider rangefinder bases than the Zorkis.
However, unless you really need the f/1.5 the Jupiter-8 lenses are very good as others have mentioned.
The Kiev (I have a Kiev 4) is a very nice camera to use once you get used to the "Contax hold" method of using the camera. I'd rate the finder as about medium brightness of the FSU rangefinders.
The Fed (I have a Fed-2e) has quite a dim rangefinder.
The Zorki 4K has the advantages of a wind crank instead of a knob and a bright rangefinder. From an ergonimic standpoint the Zorki 3M is a joy to use but has a dimmer, narrower finder than the Fed or Kiev.
As for where to buy, I've bought two (Fed and Zorki 4K) from eB*y, one privately (3M) and the other (Kiev) from a shop.

Peter

 

[reagan]

From the sounds of your post, you'd rather buy US and if you're not in a hurry I'm sure what you're looking for will turn up here in the 35mm Classifieds. I personally wouldn't hesitate to buy again from the guys and gals here.

If you choose to buy a Kiev, try to find one built in the 1950's or 60's. The earlier the better. J-8 and J-12 lenses are very good. The first 2 digits of the serial number indicates their year of manufacture.

IMHO, this same scrutiny might fit well if looking at Zorki 4s. And any Zorki, the earlier, the better.

Welcome to RFF & Good luck!