Why I dont like FSU cameras.

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JayGannon

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Why I don't like FSU Cameras: A.K.A How I stopped worrying and learned to love my camera repairman.

I have a terrible habit of shooting rolls then not developing them for a few years. I had a Zorki 4k back about 5 years ago, shot about 15 rolls with it. Went to start developing them today and their all a waste, massive light leak along the top of the film door every photo ruined. I had checked it with a flashlight but didint see it, I keep cameras on my shoulder and I assue it was a slow leak as the days went on.

So 15 rolls of memories down the drain.

Moral of the story: CLA your FSU cameras, and shoot a test roll!
 
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Not to burst your bubble... the first moral of the story would have to be: develop your film sooner than later.

Now... I cannot say anything about this. I have rolls to develop in a drawer, gathering 1 or 2-years dust. And I did have once a Kiev... but for some reason I never loaded. In fact, I sold it shortly after buying it. Never quite grow to like it either, so I understand you well.

Sorry about your 15 rolls... That's a serious bummer.
 
And there i was thinking I was being a good socialist-leaning-lefty individual and all... Dam Commies are never happy.
 
I picked up a Canon EOS Elan off KEH a while back and shot two rolls before developing. The best part was developing them as part of a demonstration in front of the class I was teaching, so I got to show them two blank rolls before realizing the shutter was no good.

Moral of the story: check any camera you get!
 
JayGannon said:
I have a terrible habit of shooting rolls then not developing them for a few years.
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Sorry for your loss, but this sounds like you already identified the problem, concisely and in the first sentence.

Moral: Don't shoot 15 rolls of memories on an untested camera, FSU or otherwise.
 
I used to test any camera of mine with a roll of E-6 film, and then examine each slide with a loupe. But then, our lab was closed by the pencil pushers... and I had to resort to print film. So, I go to Walgreen's, drop the film, ask for negatives and a CD, no prints (á la Bill Mattocks), and then, after examining the files in the computer, I order prints if I find them worth it.

My experience with the Kiev was mostly motivated by a Leica M3 withdrawal. My M3 was in the shop, with Don G, and he takes his time... so I bought the Kiev with two lenses. Shortly after getting the camera, I received my M3 back, with a new lease on life, so the Kiev was NEVER tested.

I sold it, but cannot remember to whom. I think it went to Paris, France. Wonder now if the camera really worked...
 
I always shoot a test roll with any camera, make sure it is nothing irreplaceable. Carry two cameras for anything important.

Shooting 15 roll sof film with an untested camera, and developing the rolls 5 years later- moral of the story, NEVER do that with ANY camera. It could be a Leica, Nikon, Canon, or any other camera bought new and out of the box and do the same thing.
 
I do this with every camera I get. Funny thing is the test roll usually produces the best pictures (for composition and subject at least) I ever get from any particular camera.

Brian Sweeney said:
I always shoot a test roll with any camera, make sure it is nothing irreplaceable. Carry two cameras for anything important.

Shooting 15 roll sof film with an untested camera, and developing the rolls 5 years later- moral of the story, NEVER do that with ANY camera. It could be a Leica, Nikon, Canon, or any other camera bought new and out of the box and do the same thing.
Click to expand...
 
breathstealer said:
I picked up a Canon EOS Elan off KEH a while back and shot two rolls before developing. The best part was developing them as part of a demonstration in front of the class I was teaching, so I got to show them two blank rolls before realizing the shutter was no good.

Moral of the story: check any camera you get!
Click to expand...

I would never take such a chance in front of a class. I guess you won't now either. :p

To the OP, I sometimes don't develop film right away either, but if it is important, I never wait 4 or 5 years.
 
tomalophicon said:
Yuck, Holdens are worse again than Ladas.
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Hey, I loved my '06 Monaro... the American Corvette driveline is nothing to laugh at, the car got up and went. I wish I could have kept it, but in Japan the annual road tax on a car with a 6 liter engine is 110,000 yen, or more than $1200, in addition to the other expenses.

As for FSU cameras and light leaks, I've found plenty of other cameras to have the same problem. I check the shutters with an LED light, and I always replace the seals in any camera which seems questionable, and even then I'll shoot a test roll just to make sure.
 
Hmmm...you shot roll after roll without checking the first one? On a camera that you didn't know to be good? I don't quite follow the logic behind the fact that it was a russian camera and you made a mistake. That's a bit like saying "I hate my brand-x digital because I just wiped the images off the memory card by accident".

I think there's a lesson to be learned here!
 
Well the issue was I didin't make a mistake the camera did.
I guess I'm just used to equipment that works. New or used.

Silly me.
 
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