zorki-1 and how I love ebay

[jonasv]

ok, I don't always love ebay. But today I do!

My Zorki-1 (Zorki-Zorki) just arrived today. It was in better condition than I exspected it to be. For $50 I got the Zorki-Zorki, Industar-22, cap, spool, the original box, manual and papers - all in a very nice and carefully packaged box. I swapped the i-22 with the i-50 I had, and I added another recent ebay acquisition: an SBOOI that cost me $40 because it has some scratches and a minor ding on the back - neither takes away from the pleasure of using it!

The body was pretty dirty (the green goey stuff) but a quick clean revealed that it was actually in very good condition. The seller claimed he had oiled, checked and adjusted the body and lens, which I thought would be just sales talk, but everything works so smoothly I just have to believe him! This was it: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7599756767
Mechanically the body is really perfect - smooth winding, accurate focus, perfect shutter curtains, working framecounter, etc. Two thumbs up for the seller "tuhach"!

Is there anything special about the Zorki-Zorki, or is it just a Zorki-1c meant for export? I think I read somewhere that quality control (if there was such a thing in those factories) was a bit higher for export models. This one seems a really fine sample with a very nice finish so perhaps that may just be true (of course, it might also be coincidence).

Excluding shipping costs, I think I got a pretty nice little kit for less than $100 - I'm really looking forward to using it!

 

[Jocko]

ok, I don't always love ebay. But today I do!

Is there anything special about the Zorki-Zorki, or is it just a Zorki-1c meant for export? I think I read somewhere that quality control (if there was such a thing in those factories) was a bit higher for export models. This one seems a really fine sample with a very nice finish so perhaps that may just be true (of course, it might also be coincidence).

Excluding shipping costs, I think I got a pretty nice little kit for less than $100 - I'm really looking forward to using it!

Indeed you did, and I know just how you feel! I've also read the "export-quality" stuff, but to be honest I doubt if the cameras are any different (at least at this period).

Zorki's were always pretty well made and as KMZ primarily produced military optical equipment, I should think that quality control was consistant and significantly better than the Soviet average. Oleg told me that their mechanical tolerances were always superior to FED. These Leica copies are just lovely cameras and yours was well looked after! Thumbs up all round! Have fun 😀

All the best, Ian

 

[reagan]

Very nice looking Z.Z and great shots, BTW. I've got a couple of Zorki.Zorkis (and another in the mail). They're a wonderful little package, heh? Mine work very smoothly indeed and coupled with an I.22 or I.50 they're hard to beat for a carry-round. I shoot my Leica.III probably most of the time and one of the Zorki.Zorkis is usually right there with it. (I don't carry extra film, just extra cameras. 😉 )

You're going to love the One. Get out there and shoot something ~ Enjoy!!

edit: Oh yeah, I have a 1c like yours. My other Z.Z in hand appears to be a 1d; has the trim around the lens flange. ~ cheers.

 

[Michael I.]

the rule of thumb on soviet equipment - if the inscription is cyrilyc internal market,latin export. I heard that in some models zorki's were better made for the domestic market allthough most export stuff is better made and finished

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

the rule of thumb on soviet equipment - if the inscription is cyrilyc internal market,latin export. I heard that in some models zorki's were better made for the domestic market allthough most export stuff is better made and finished

I've noticed this too. Just a little clarification: "Roman" alphabet for outside Former CCCP, "Cyrillic" alphabet for internal Former CCCP.

The finish on the J-8 and J-12 that I have, that baffingly say, in English, "Made in USSR" have a nicer lacquer finish, and the build seems to be solid enough. The J-9 I have has a rather flimsy aperture ring, and doesn't feel as solid; it is all in Cyrillic (even the "Jupiter-3" says "ЮПИТЕР-3"). The glass on the J-9, however, seems to be flawless. It could also have been the luck of the draw.

 

[Michael I.]

The best soviet cameras are from late fifties to middle sixties.
Since the middle seventies it's all downhill.

It's always a game of chance of course,and age shoudnt be neglected,I think the best way is contacting Oleg and asking him to find you a specific model,he also has factory parts and replacement rangefinders for zorki 4(never used ones)which he can install for a better vf\rf in some of the zorki models. I asked for a fully engraved zorki 4 with a jpupiter 8 with lever and he found one for me in 2 or 3 months - he even bought it of MOLOTOK.RU (russian version of ebay)and now inspects and CLA's it for me before i transferred money for the deal(but I am a returning costumer and have a friend who's family live in the same city as Oleg so shipping is not an issue for me)

 

[Jocko]

I shoot my Leica.III probably most of the time and one of the Zorki.Zorkis is usually right there with it. (I don't carry extra film, just extra cameras. 😉

Reagan, how do you find the Zorki compares with the Leica? Is there much of a noticable difference?

All the best, Ian

 

[outfitter]

The early Zork 1, like yours, are just somewhat better in fit and finish. The collapsible I-50 on my Zorki 1 (240xxx) just blew me away; before that I never understood the following the I-50 had in the FSU.

I had a number of screw mount Leicas of various vintages when I collected years ago. The Zorki 1 (and Fed 1) does a great job of reproducing the experience. Indeed, until Cosina came out with modern LTM lenses most Zeiss based Soviet LTM lenses were more than equal to the Leitz lenses. Of course the Leica IIIG and the very late LTM lenses are another story but also another price level.

Of course strap lugs would be nice but a wrist strap screwed into the tripod socket helps. I even installed an Accurapid winder made for the Leica II/III

 

[ZorkiKat]

ok, I

Is there anything special about the Zorki-Zorki, or is it just a Zorki-1c meant for export? I think I read somewhere that quality control (if there was such a thing in those factories) was a bit higher for export models. This one seems a really fine sample with a very nice finish so perhaps that may just be true (of course, it might also be coincidence).
QUOTE]

Hi

I've also a few of the 'bilingual' Zorki, and there seems to be no difference between them and the cyrillic "domestic" Zorki. Like the latter, the 'export' Zorki also can have quality differences. Any Zorki-1 would tend to be as good as any other Zorki-1 regardless of engraving.

However, amongst the bilingual Zorki (and even the ordinary ones), the early versions do have significant differences from the latter ones. First, they had FED type parts (like a round pressure plate instead of a band-aid shaped one like those found in Leica and later Zorki, and tiny RF sensor tips). Some had soft body shells which bent easily. And most significant was the 'tighter' film chamber which does not accomodate or release modern factory film cassettes easily. This last feature is not easy to fix- I had to file some parts to thin them down and make the cassettes fit easily.

From its serial number, your Zorki seems to be from a latter batch which no longer have the bugs I mentioned above. Watch for Zorki whose serial number is lower than 117xxx- these will likely have soft bodies and tight film chambers.

For more tips on using Zorki-1, see FED ZORKI Survival

Jay

 

[reagan]

"Reagan, how do you find the Zorki compares with the Leica? Is there much of a noticable difference?"

To me yeah, noticable, but not overwhelming. IMHO, overall build quality is just a little better in the Leica; slightly better finish, definately better engraving and just a little smoother in operation. However, my Z.Zc is just very close to the III in the "smooth" department as far as winding and shutter goes. The Leica.III also has the slightly larger VF and diopter adjustment that the Ones don't have and for me, that's a plus. As far as "feel" goes, I sometimes double-take when getting ready to shoot, "now is this the Zorki or Leica?" But I shoot my Zorki.Zorkis right alongside the Leica and enjoy the operation and images of all equally. Enough so, I just recieved my third Zorki.1 from RFFer lushd and I'm excited as heck!! (That's a good thing where I grew up ~ Arkansas. 🙂 )

 

[lushd]

Love to see those Zorkis loved!

Ian, your question made me think a bit. If I am in the mood for tiny 35mm photography, I will go for the Zorki 1 almost every time even though I do enjoy my Leica IIIa too.

 

[kiev4a]

The "Zorki-Zorki" came in a late "B" model but mostly as "C" models (two scews on the back of the top rather than three as in the "B" model. There may have been a few "D" Zorki Zorkis, too. Saw one once on Ebay but it may have been a "parts is parts" camera.

The Zorki Zorki model does have a brighter finish than standard (clean the plating on both using Ronsonal and the difference is evident).

The "B" model Zorki 1 tends to have a smoother advance, I think because the shutter crate is stamped metal with plated film guides and the round pressure plate. From the "C" model on, they used a cast crate that is a lot easier to work with but doesn't have the plated film guides.

The bad news on the "B", as someone else pointed out, is it has a soft body that is fairly easy to dent. Just the pressure of the snaps on the cover of the leather case over the years sometimes deforms the back of the body. The "B" is easy to recognize because of the three screws in the back of the top rather than two.

The best of both worlds is to get a "B" and throw away the body shell. Then get a Zorki 2C (they usually are cheap) throw away the guts and drop the 1B mechanism into the 2C shell. Then you have a strong body AND strap lugs. You will have to recalibrate the lens, to film distance, however, if you change bodies and you'll have to block the hole used by the middle screw on the back of the top (the 2c only uses two screws)

 

[reagan]

So the 1b has three screws in back, no trim plated guides, round pressure plate. How 'bout two screws in bottom cover plate, "pointy" RF cam, 5 digit serial #, a stepped bottom spring? Still a b?

 

[kiev4a]

So the 1b has three screws in back, no trim plated guides, round pressure plate. How 'bout two screws in bottom cover plate, "pointy" RF cam, 5 digit serial #, a stepped bottom spring? Still a b?

The B is the last model with the film guide attached to the bottom plate. Some of the early FED/Zorkis may have a pointed cam but the two Bs I have now have the more moden cam and 5 digit SNs. At one time I had a B that must have been made right at the end of the model run that had a much more rigid body. It was a great shooter. Wish I hadn't sold it.

 

[reagan]

Here's a couple of phone-cam shots (sorry 😎 ) of the RF cam and short spindle of my recent ZZorki.1b? acquisition from RFFer lushd. I purchased it for possible parts camera, but it is rather unusual, to me anyway, and not in bad shape at all, so I'm more interested in getting it in shooting shape. I need to figure out a way to make a couple of pressure plate springs and I'll be ready for a test roll. --Curtains needed in the not-too-distant future... if not sooner. 😉

My apologies jvx. I give you full permission to hijack the next thread I start. 😱

 

[jonasv]

Hey, no problems, thanks for the info!

Good luck with identifying your Zorki!

 

[je2a3]

Here's a couple of phone-cam shots (sorry 😎 ) of the RF cam and short spindle of my recent ZZorki.1b? acquisition from RFFer lushd. I purchased it for possible parts camera, but it is rather unusual, to me anyway, and not in bad shape at all, so I'm more interested in getting it in shooting shape. I need to figure out a way to make a couple of pressure plate springs and I'll be ready for a test roll. --Curtains needed in the not-too-distant future... if not sooner. 😉
My apologies jvx. I give you full permission to hijack the next thread I start. 😱

Hi Reagan,

As far as I know the "pointy" RF cam and short spindle only came in Feds. They used long spindles until the Fed 1f, from the Fed 1g on it was the short spindle. Some of the earlier Fed 2s still had the "pointy" RF cam but later on became wedge shape. It really doesn't matter in terms of functionality. For example, my user Leica II didn't have a spindle when I got it so I initially attached a short Fed spindle/spool and later a long Zorki spindle/spool. No difference in performance, the film still wandered at the gate which is considered as normal for cameras of this era as discussed in a recent thread in the LTM forum.

Hope this helps!

Joseph

 

[kiev4a]

Hi Reagan,

As far as I know the "pointy" RF cam and short spindle only came in Feds. They used long spindles until the Fed 1f, from the Fed 1g on it was the short spindle. Some of the earlier Fed 2s still had the "pointy" RF cam but later on became wedge shape. It really doesn't matter in terms of functionality. For example, my user Leica II didn't have a spindle when I got it so I initially attached a short Fed spindle/spool and later a long Zorki spindle/spool. No difference in performance, the film still wandered at the gate which is considered as normal for cameras of this era as discussed in a recent thread in the LTM forum.

Hope this helps!

Joseph

It may be a ZorkFEDstein. When I first started with Soviet cameras I thought I ha found a real collector's item--no serial number. Turned out to be a FED body and top plate with a late Zorki 1 viewfinder housing.

I have another that had an early Zorki 1 B body (smooth shutter release button), a four digit SN and the shutter from a Zorki 1E (short bottom spring and fewer shutter speeds). Threw away the soft body shell and replaced it with Zorki 1D shell, replaced the vulcanite with pigskin and added strap lugs from a junk Z5. One of a kind, I'm sure.

You seldom fin "parts" Zorki and FED 1 cameras on Ebay, suggesting sellers do everything in their power to wake something workable out of all examples of those models.

 

[reagan]

Thanks guys for the input. Yeah, I enjoy all the little differences and nuances of the FSUs... and tracking down their origins and "reasons why?" I've got an email sent to ZorkiKat Jay after seeing http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page391.htm]this page[/URL] at his sight which notes many similarities of the early FEDs n Zorkis. He states that some "early" Zorkis had the short spindle, sharp FED-style RF coupler, bent bottom spring, etc. Out of curiosity, I had just asked him to guesstimate "how early?" but no re: yet.

"100% original" is certainly not a huge deal to me. I'm likely to switch parts from something if it improves the performance. For instance, I really like the early FED smooth shutter release buttons. I think one might look cute on one of my Z.Zorkis. 😎 Thanks again guys. Cheers!