Which Zorki?

[MarkoKovacevic]

My zorkis shutter is totally busted, which leaves me looking for another one.

I'm thinking either the 1 or the 4.

The 1 looks better [like a Leica] but I have to look through separate screens to compose/focus, which i dont have to do with the 4, but it just looks better.

I'll be buying from Fedka, does anyone know if they test/CLA the cameras?

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Well, do you want to look good, or shoot photos? 😉

Seriously, you'll probably be happier with the Zorki 4.

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

I was very happy with my zorki 4, apart from the slow speeds not working at times. I preferred it over my Nikon F5 for simple street and people shooting actually.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I have botht the Zorki 3C and 4. They both have good finders when you get a clean one.

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

Its a bit confusing as they dont have framelines and you have to look all around the frame to find out whats in your shot lol but it makes it fun

 

[Rhodes]

I got from the classifieds a Zorky 4k and I love using it. The viewfinder is incredible bright. Easy to focus with it!

 

[pschauss]

Since the Zorkii 1 is a bottom loader you will have less trouble with light leaks. Also, since the rangefinder window is magnified more than the viewfinder your focusing will be more accurate with a Zorkii 1 than with a 4. I found that it is quite easy to get used to switching your eye between the rangefinder window and the viewfinder. You would have to do that anyway if you used anything other than a 50 mm lens.

 

[BigOwl]

I have had both Z-1 and Z-4 and agree that the Z-1 looks cooler, but the Z-4 has features that make it a better choice in my opinion. It has flash synch. and a self-timer and a removable back that makes film loading easier. I bought my Z-4 from Fedka and it has worked flawlessly for the two years I have had it.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Zorki 6.

I know it wasn't one of the options. Good viewfinder, wide baseline. Swing open back and a crank advance.
Undervalued.

 

[hks3sgte]

Another vote for the Zorki 6. Really great camera. The viewfinder is not as big as the Zorki 4 but it is still a nice finder. It would be the perfect camera if it had the Zorki 4 viewfinder with the slow speeds.

 

[cysasam]

Zorki 4 is my recommendation

 

[kievman]

The 4 or the 6, both have their good points and bad points The 6 has stiff shutter release unlike the 4 , but I see daysgoneby has a soft release adapter for his 6 . Hey does that adapter really soften the shutter release on the Zorki 6? -Michael

 

[Tarzak]

Zorki 3 or 3m.
Best of both choices in one camera.

 

[fanshaw]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is size. The Z1 is considerably smaller than the Z4, particularly with the standard collapsible Industar-22 lens.

 

[Tim Tomic]

Ive got the Zorki 1. Absolutely love the pseudo-leica! Cant be happier and I honestly do not see the seperate Viewfinder/Rangefinder and issue at all. Again, Fedka.com rocks!

Cheers, Tim.

 

[wolves3012]

A nice Zorki 1 is a joy to use, small and pocketable and the Leica charm (well, almost!). The 4, on the other hand, offers self-timer, flash-sync (works properly at all speeds from 1/30 downwards) and a big, bright, combined 1:1 (approx) finder and a full set of shutter speeds. If it comes with the usual Jupter 8 you also get a nice fast lens. Take your pick!

Have a look at the Selecting-an-FSU sticky thread too, you may find you like something else more. The Zorki 6 has been suggested and I also think that's a good choice. You could also do what a few of us have: get several models! GAS GAS GAS

 

[dazedgonebye]

The 4 or the 6, both have their good points and bad points The 6 has stiff shutter release unlike the 4 , but I see daysgoneby has a soft release adapter for his 6 . Hey does that adapter really soften the shutter release on the Zorki 6? -Michael

It improves things a bit. The release is stiff, but I find it usable and overcome by the camera's better features.

 

[julio1fer]

It depends on what you are looking for.

For looks and size - Zorki 1. The separate RF is actually an improvement lost in later models. Much easier to focus accurately, and you have to change your eye position to a finder in any case, unless you are using a 50. Bottom loading is something you'll have to get used to. No flash.

For slow speeds, heft, and overall capability - Zorki 4 (or 4k, which has a crank, thereby solving one of the -4 problems, stiff wind).

For overall ease of use - Zorki 6 (Note: release is not stiff, at least in my example).

If you can get by without the slow speeds, go for a Zorki 6. It incorporates all the issues the Russians learned from previous models.

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

For the Zorki 1, will I have to cut the film in order to load it?

 

[Whateverist]

For the Zorki 1, will I have to cut the film in order to load it?

Yep. Once you get the cut right it's pretty easy to load though.