Your best russian Rangefinder ??

[Wayne R. Scott]

Well right now I only have a choice between a Zorki 4 and a Zorki 4; so my answer is UMMMM, let's see, oh yeah, Zorki 4.

One has a Canon chrome 50mm f1.8 lens and the other one has a J-8. I have had a couple of Keiv 4AM's. If I had not already owned a Contax IIIa and a Contax IIa I might have liked the Keiv's better, but in all honesty there is no real comparison between the Keiv 4AM and the Contax.

Wayne

 

[PetarDima]

Kiev Rangefinder

 

[P C Headland]

Iskra I or II.

Big negatives, not too big a camera. Good lens, good viewfinder and really nice to use. How I wish they made an updated version, maybe with a coupled meter....

 

[Buze]

I second the Iskra. I always feel like I've been slapped in the face when I see a 6x6 from it. It's just amazing really. I'm scanning a Tri-X I developed last night at the moment, it's "wow" at every frames!

Otherwise in 35mm for smaller size, the Zorki 1 with I22&50 for the pocket, Z1 with Jupiter 3 or Summitar for low light, or the Zorki 3/3M with the J8 or J3 for the beautiful viewfinder.

 

[jean-marc B.]

And what about the Leningrad ? I have never use it, but alot talk about it.

 

[biomed]

My favorite is the Zorki 4. The ergonomics feel right to me anyway.

 

[Solinar]

A well sorted Iskra is definitely a best buy amongst Soviet cameras with range finders.

Granted it is a medium format range finder camera and its old-school ergonomics will throw off most modern photographers, but the final image is what really matters.

 

[jean-marc B.]

Iskra are 6X6 medium format, isnt'it ??

 

[Solinar]

A 6x6 medium format it is. It is fitted with a superb 4 element in three groups Tessar optic. The lens is mounted in a unit focusing as opposed to a front cell focusing helical of the Moskva. It also has automat film winding, which may or may not still be in working order.

 

[jean-marc B.]

There is a medium format 6X9 made in USSR, but I don't remember his name.

 

[andy_v]

There is a medium format 6X9 made in USSR, but I don't remember his name.

Moskva series. But I think that Iskra 6x6 is much better.
And what about 35mm - my opinion that Zorki 3 is unbeatable in 39 mount 😀
In Contax mount - Kiev 2.

 

[iñaki]

There is a medium format 6X9 made in USSR, but I don't remember his name.

Moskva 5 I think. It´s a folder like the ISKRA.

My favourites are the ISKRA for medium format and the zorki 3m for 35mm. Now I have both, the zorki 3m arrived yesterday from UK (evilbay) and it´s workin nice and pretty, but it will go to Oleg´s balneary tomorrow. It will come perfect and smooth for use 😎

 

[Kapa]

My Zorki 6 with Industar 50 does the trick.

Ergonomics are right, smooth winder, hinged back-
shrap pics..... occasionally use a ugly Fed 4 aswell....

Going to have to get my hands on a Kiev though....

 

[raid]

I only have two rangefinder cameras from the FSU;
1. FED 5C
2. Zorki 4

 

[wlewisiii]

I currently don't own any FSU cameras (still have several lenses though 🙂 ) but I'd say the best ones I had were the Iskra & my Kiev 5.

William

 

[jean-marc B.]

I buy today a Fed 3, first model, with a very nice Industar. Have you ever use this rangefinder ?

 

[vanyagor]

An interesting thread that died. I wanted to create a new one but after searching, I just decided to bump this one.

Let me try to boost some new life into it (or do you think it is better to start a new thread?

Questions:

1. What is your favourite FSU rangefinder (the one you use and enjoy using the most)?
2. Which FSU rangefinder that you do not have yet, you'd like to have the most? Most wanted rangefinder, that you do not have yet.

Obviously preferences can change with time, so we can come back here and edit the answers accordinigly 🙂

Please also list FSU rangefinders you owned so that others know from what you are choosing.

 

[vanyagor]

1. My favourite one is Zorki 3M with Jupiter-3 lens.
2. My most wanted one is TSVVS - out of my price range though for now.

Here are the ones I am/was using:
fed 1,2,3,5
Zorki 3M,4K
Leningrad
More are waiting to be tested/ to arrive

 

[Screwy]

My favourite at the moment is the FED 2 pre-series

My most wanted ? I'm not to sure , A pre war FED would be nice I suppose or a Kiev 2 though come to think of it a Voschod maybe ?

Cameras owned
Zorki 1
Zorki|Zorki
Zorki 3M
Zorki 4 (1958)
FED1
FED2 pre-series
FED2 pre-series bridge version
FED2 A x 2
FED2 B
Kiev 4a
Kiev 4m
Moskva 2

Moskva 4 in the mail along with a rigid I-22 and a J3


Paul

 

[mfunnell]

I have 2 FSU cameras: a '57 Zorki 4 and a '61 Zorki 6. I like: the larger, brighter finder, the 1/1000 shutter speed and (IMO) better film rewind on the '4'; the more accurate focus, better film loading, better film wind and compact size (esp. with collapsible I-50) of the '6'. I really dislike the way shutter speed is set on the '4'.

I use both, though.

Some time I'd like a FED-1 and a Kiev 4a to emulate the early Leica and Contax ergonomics - without Leica and Contax $$$.

...Mike