Which Russian RF would fit my needs?

Hi all,
I'm the one who started this thread, but only managed to register a couple of days ago.
Anyway, thanks a ton for all the suggestions, this has been very useful indeed.
Am keeping my eyes peeled for a clean Zorki 6.
BUT. How does a Zorki 4k compare to the Zorki 6?
In terms of finish, overall quality, ease of use, shutter speeds etc.

TIA

Alvin
 
Hi,
My vote would be for the 4K. I haven't used a 6 but do have a Fed4. I find it too "top heavy" and don't like the meter in it. I far prefer a separate one. 4K has most things apart from the meter. Full range of speeds, timer, lever wind etc. Besides which, they look better!

Kim

Zorki fan said:
Hi all,
I'm the one who started this thread, but only managed to register a couple of days ago.
Anyway, thanks a ton for all the suggestions, this has been very useful indeed.
Am keeping my eyes peeled for a clean Zorki 6.
BUT. How does a Zorki 4k compare to the Zorki 6?
In terms of finish, overall quality, ease of use, shutter speeds etc.

TIA

Alvin
Click to expand...
 
Well, I personally like the ergonomics of the Z6 better than the Z4 (I don't have a Z4), and the hinged back is also more practical. The Z4 has more shutter speeds, though (the Z6 only goes from 1/30 to 1/500).

Roman
 
Hi Guys,

I am happy to found this wonderful forum, after running away from photo.net before I would have ever posted there, I feel much better here (BTW APUG is good too!). I had for 3 years a Leica R8 but now I run out of money, and I think this is when Leica really worth a lot: you could sell it (sorry my fragment sentences I am just after Star Wars...)

So my question is, what RF 35mm would you suggest, if I have to be really cheap on money. Luckily I live in Hungary where you can easily find used former soviet gear.

What would you suggest, which camera to choose, as my first RF ever. Here the prices are a bit different, I am sure some of them are deal, some of them are fake, so I copy the prices here too (from local auction site).

Kiev, from 1955: 32 euro (I don't know which, http://img.vatera.hu/photos/langs/hu/155671/big/2425068.jpg )
Zorki 6: 20 euro
Zorki 4: 26 euro
Zorki 11: 20 euro
FED 3: 16 euro
FED 4: 18 euro
FED 4: 15 euro

I can usually try them before buy, and there is no shipping cost (as I can go there myself). How wonderful could be some FSU stuff 🙂
 
zsero,
First, welcome to the forum. The members are fanatics about rangefinders. I have had experience with the Zorki 4, Zorki 4k, Zorki 6, and a Mir. Depending on what you photograph, each of them will serve you well. I like the Zorki 4K and 6 because of the film advance lever, but the most important issue is condition. If they have been cleaned and lubricated, any of them will do fine. I leave comments on the Fed to others. Based on price the Zorki 6 looks like a winner.
 
Welcome to Zorki Fan and zsero!!

IMHO, Richard is dead on. ".... the most important issue is condition..." In my mind, I like for things to work the way they're supposed to, the way they were designed to work. They don't have to be fancy or do everything or work better than something else; just work the way they were built to work. When I got my Zorki 4 the wind knob was a little stiff and I thought, "Geez, I've got to get something with a lever. This knob thing isn't for me."

Then I got my Zorki 3M from OKVintageCameras. Everything on this camera worked the way it's supposed to [thank you Oleg!!] and the wind knob turns soooooo easy. The fact that the Z3M is in such great condition makes it hands down my favorite camera... ever.

I like my Z4 (and actually have another one coming w/J8 & I50 collapsible along with a Kiev 4AM.) My Zorki 4 has a self-timer, my AE-1 has a meter, and they both have flash capabilities. But when I head out the door to just enjoy shooting whatever strikes me, I'll always grab the 3M... because everything on it works the way it should... no fumbling and coaxing. I can enjoy the day, focus on subject, not equipment.

Need a lever? Get one with a lever and CLA it till it works right. Need a meter? Get a good one that will work right every time. Get something that works the way it was intended to and you won't be disappointed. ..... Plus 😉 ......... it'll make you want to buy a bunch more of this stuff!! 😛
 
I have on my list to get a Zorki 3M, does it strike you that it looks alot like a Bessa 3R or is it just me. Amen to your comments, send whatever you buy to Oleg and let him do his majic and the camera will be a thing of beauty.
 
Stephen Gandy once wrote:
"If you really know your way around cameras, it's proof of a mis-spent youth.....eh I mean you start to develop a sense of photographic style not only in images, but in cameras. ... Art is beauty, and cameras like the [Leica] IIIf RD ST are an Art Form. While Art is in the eye of the beholder, it can also be on the arm of the holder."
Click to expand...
There's a few of these FSUs that fall into that "camera as an Art Form" catagory. One of them is the Zorki 3M.

And you're right, when it comes to Oleg, I'm a Believer! If a guy can part with his camera long enough to send it across the Big Water and let Oleg give it a once over, in my mind, it's worth the money and it sure increases your shooting pleasure to have an FSU that works like it should!
 
Gee folks, a Zorki 3 and 3M love fest. Can I join in?

I have them both. I just sent the 3M to Oleg. I believe the shutter curtain broke one of its straps. I hope to get it back with new curtains. It broke after four rolls of film.

The Zorki 3 has been a solid performer. It is from sovietcamera.com.ua After about 10 rolls of film, I must say that I'm quite satisfied with the camera.

A FED 2 in black with white lettering a collapsible I-50 is a tad prettier.
 
See Frank, that's the very reason you're my hero. You can't hardly beat the FED2 [and cousins] for clean lines. gotta have one. Nice looking rig Frank!

edit... p.s. And oh yeah, Solinar, a Z3 has got to be in my future.
 
Last edited:
(Grin.)

I agree about the clean lines of the FED2. I'm planning on using mainly my C/V25mm lens on it with an external viewfinder to by-pass the FED's only weakness, it's somewhat dim and squinty viewfinder.
 
Yep, and the man has a proper FED 3.5 lens on there, too. The collapsible Industar 22 and 50 fit, but don't tighten down as well.

CVBLZ4 the only finder I use with the FED 2 is a Kumuno 35 with parallax adjustment. I guess I could use my CV 75 if I wanted to.
 
The C/V 25mm lens came with its finder, and I use a Komura 35mm finder for the J-12. This FSU stuff is really good if you have a good sample. I'm also enjoying a Kiev 4am with J-12 and Helios 50mm lens. I love the sound of that shutter.
 
I'm waiting on a Kiev 4AM as well. The guys here at RFF love 'em, so I had to try one. And I've heard the shutter sound really is addictive. 😎

Solinar, I've almost bought one of the FED 3.5 collapsibles several times. Other than the "don't tighten down as well," how do they compare with the I22 and I50? Are they pretty identical or is the FED a totally different lens? Off-thread but, Just curious.
 
simonankor, Sorry to read of the plunge of the FED. Here's an interesting FED2 set on the Bay... seller in the US. (I'm in no way connected to this sale.) With self-timer, cassette and manual... kind of unique offering.

If I wasn't waiting on the Postman already, I might keep an eye on it myself.
 
hi Zsero. You are in Hungary i guess?
Those are quite low prices for the cameras. On the pic, a lens is shown as well. Do all of them come with a lens? If you can try them out, and they work, you can get nice deals. I onlt heave experience w the Kiev, quite like it.
 
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