Which Russian RF to buy?

F

Filmnut

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Hello, I have a few Janpanese RF's, a few Yashica's,a Canonet, and a few Ricoh's, (as well as many SLRs, and other cameras) but I'm interested in buying one of the Russian ones, but I am not sure which to buy.
There seem to be many different models of Fed's and Zorki's, and I would be interested in some opinions, and what might be their trouble spots, or perhaps ones that should be avoided altogether. If bought (more likely when!) I would want this to be a "user", so proper operation is important to me.
Keith
 
I have owned a fed, a couple of Zorki 4's and have a couple of Kiev's. I also had a Contax of witch the Kiev is a copy. I liked the Kiev. Although both the fed and Kiev worked well. I didn't like the Zorki for some reason.
 
I have a couple of Fed 2 and can suggest those. I also hear good things about a Zorki 4K and the Zorki 6 and...... everyone of the myriad of FSU camera users have their special favorite. Enjoy the ride.
 
FED2, Zorki 3M, or any of the Kiev 4 series are good choices.
The FEDs and Zorkis can use any Leica screw lenses. The Russian lenses for the Kiev are generally very good.

Peter
 
I like both my Zorki 4 and my Zorki 6, for different reasons. But, overall, I prefer the Zorki 4 for taking photos as (a) I like the larger, clearer, viewfinder; (b) I like the 1/1000 shutter speed for bright days; and (c) I like that my VCII meter fits in the accessory shoe (which it won't quite do on my Zorki 6 without changing it so it won't fit my other cameras).

I like the Zorki 6 for its more compact size, its longer RF base and its film handling (the Zorki 6 is my "glove box camera"). I have a Kiev as well, but its not in nearly as good condition as my Zorkis, and the RF coupling is way out of adjustment. I'll have to fix that, well, some time, before I can get a feel for using it. I suspect, though, that I won't like it as much as either Zorki (but that's really a personal taste thing, and may also be overly influenced by the beaten up copy I happen to have).

...Mike
 
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I've got a couple of Zorkis (2 and 3M), a FED 2, and a Kiev 2. The Zorkis and FED are Leica clones; the Kiev is sometimes considered not a clone, but a prewar Contax made in the USSR, as it was made with Zeiss' seized machinery (and, in the early postwar years, with remaining Zeiss parts). My Kiev, from the 1950's, is a well-made machine, with smooth operation. With the possible exception of the Zorki 3M, the others feel crude by comparison and can be tiring to shoot with. (The winding knob can make your fingers hurt.)

Other considerations: the rangefinder base on the Kiev is greater, though the viewfinder is adequate at best. The shutter on a Kiev is a complex mechanism, somewhat difficult to repair, while the Zorkis and FEDs use clones of the Leica cloth shutter. Lenses are more common in Leica thread mount than in Kiev/Contax mount, though the most common lenses are available in both mounts.

You'd probably enjoy reading about the whole history and variety of Soviet cameras. The "Commie Cameras" site, Fedka's site, the "Kiev survival site" -- all of these will come up in a Google search -- are great resources.

Thing is, the cameras aren't that expensive anyway, and they really are kind of addictive. Like the cereal box says, "Collect 'em all!"

Have fun!

-- Michael
 
Another vote here for the Kiev... I'm a little biased as it was my first interchangeable rf camera. I have a few fed's & a zorki, but I've never warmed to them in the same way. In my experience each & every fsu camera has it's own set of features that may or may not suit you. I think that's why there are so many of us who have one of each!

Peter
 
The most user friendly seems to be the Zorki-6. The prettiest are the Zorki-3/3m and Kiev (older are better). Fed-3 and Zorki-4k are good too, though they dont have straplugs.
 
Before you decide on a particular camera, I suggest you decide on a particular seller. There are lots of FSU(Former Soviet Union) cameras out there and they are mostly pretty darn wonderful. Except that none of 'em are new and some have been "serviced" by some vodka marinated repairman on the kitchen table with the flatware.
That said, I can highly recommend either Oleg, Fedka, or Alex as dealers.
Their respective web address' are:
Oleg--http://www.okvintagecamera.com/index.html
Fedka--http://www.fedka.com/catalog/
Alex--http://stores.ebay.com/alex-photo-goods
With that out of the way, I can relate what I have and why:
I have two Zorki 3m cameras and a FED5 that I use regularly. I ended up with those for several reasons--The things I look for and want are:
Big viewfinder
Full range of shutter speeds(slow and fast)
Strap lugs
The Zorki answers all of my needs and the FED comes very close--it doesn't have strap lugs and the top speed is 1/500 but it has served me well.
The FED2 is an excellent camera but I found the VF to be too difficult for me to use. If you can deal with the small VF, it would make a very nice addition to your camera line up.
Enjoy the ride!
Rob
 
For "users", I would suggest

1) Moskva 5
2) Kiev - referably a 2, but a good 3 or 4 is nice.
3) Zorki 4K
4) Fed 2 or 5 or both :)

An early Fed or Zorki would give a fairly good clone of a Leica Barnack, but not the best _user_ - the separate VF & RF are a bit on the squinty side and harder to use.
 
A Kalachnikov (either original AK-47 or a modern one) is probably the best bet - at least as reliable as a shooting machine can be...

LOL
 
FED3 (I prefer the viewfinder to the FED2), a good condition Zorki 4k or a Kiev 4 are all good and cheap. Moskva 5 or an Iskra if you prefer medium format.

Matt
 
I recommend you decide on the mount first. LTM or Kiev/Contax.

FSU LTM cameras use cloth shutter curtains and are usually louder than Kiev shutters. The shutters can also have pinholes burnt by sun shining through the lens. Kievs have metal shutters, but they also have ribbons which tend to break. I read somewhere that the failure of Kiev shutter is inevitable (meaning that sooner or later it will break).

Another factor is size. Smallest are Barnack clones FED 1 and Zorki 1 and 2. Then FED 2, then all the others. Also Kievs are thicker.

Regarding viewfinders: zorki 5 and 6 have smaller than lifesize, but very bright VF. Zorki 3 and 4 have lifesize and very bright VF, but you probably won't see the edges of the VF. All FEDs have dimmer finders, but very contrasty RF spot. Kiev VF is somewhere between Zorki and FED in brghtness and magnification is about the same as FED 3 - 5.

If precise focusing is your aim, then Kievs have the longest baselength. Then Zorki 5 and 6, FED 2, then Zorki 3, 4, then FED 3 - 5.

If you're becoming confused, try to read more. There are many threads about this same question. Everyone has his own favorite and in the end it's up to you to choose... My favorite is Zorki 4. Not 4k, but the older plain 4. Knob wind has something to it...
 
I have several Zorki 4 cameras and a FED 2. I also have a Kiev 4, which is just too strange for me - not knocking the camera, just not for me. I like the feel of the FED 2, but the Zorki 4 seems to be the best ergonomically for me. Two of the thre zorki 4s are the ones I use the most - a 1957 and a 1962, both with Jupiter 8s. The third Zorki is a late 1960s vintage and does not have the engraved shutter speeds - they are completely worn away. The 1962 Zorki came from Ohio off the 'bay for $16. It has performed well for the las 2 years. I use these cameras for a change of pace from my more modern gear.
 
Jason Sprenger said:
If you want to use a flash, Russian cameras with a PC socket sync at 1/25th of a second, which is feasible on an RF hand held. Automatic flashes normally presume sync at 1/60th, so if the flash says use f8, use f11 instead.
Click to expand...

Gee, I think that's a bit loose. An auto flash presumes nothing and neither knows nor cares what the shutter speed is. It just does the exposure for the subject within its own purview. Its over in about 1/500 and if it wants f8, that's what you should give it. The shutter speed at 1/25 or 1/60 merely does the exposing for ambient light.

Because of the slow sync speed, FEDZorks are none too hot in the flash department but Filmnut should be aware that FED-1s, Zorki-1s and the stylish Zorki-3s don't have synch at all and thus may not be such a good choice as a first FSU.
 
i have enjoyed the thoughts of more experienced users than i , but it's so dfficult to choose - my Fed 2s , having just arrived , seem easier to practise with than my Zorki 1 and Zorki S , yet heavier and less portable than a Leica II copy with a collapsible lense .... so i turn to my favourite , much less user friendly Zorki S ....
Goddess knows how you are gonna decide !
One thought - I just don't like my Zorki 6 and did not like my zorki 4 - yet both are practical cameras ...
 
Nickfed said:
Gee, I think that's a bit loose. An auto flash presumes nothing and neither knows nor cares what the shutter speed is. It just does the exposure for the subject within its own purview. Its over in about 1/500 and if it wants f8, that's what you should give it. The shutter speed at 1/25 or 1/60 merely does the exposing for ambient light.

Because of the slow sync speed, FEDZorks are none too hot in the flash department but Filmnut should be aware that FED-1s, Zorki-1s and the stylish Zorki-3s don't have synch at all and thus may not be such a good choice as a first FSU.
Click to expand...
You're right to point out that the flash-sync speed has nothing to do with the flash-setting. Use the aperture demanded by the gun and set the shutter to flash-sync speed (1/25 or 1/30). I'd also agree that a non-synched FED/Zorki 1 or 3 may not the best first FSU for that reason.

One other thing relating to flash - FEDs can ONLY sync electronic flash at 1/25 (or 1/30) and NOT at other speeds. The FEDs I have do not even fire the flash on "B" and at speeds up to 1/15 it's not synched properly. The Zorki 4 (and probably 3S), however, DO sync properly at all slow speeds. This doesn't apply to cameras without slow speeds of course, since there is only one sync speed anyway.
 
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