Zorki-1: is the RF/VF mechanism removable?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I've been hankering to make myself a Leica-1c-type FSU camera, to use primarily with the 15mm Heliar, just for kicks. My original thinking was to get two Fed-1's, remove the top plate from one of them, and replace it with an altered bottom plate from the other (I have a dremel and some unibits, so it wouldn't be so hard to put the holes in the right places). Only the shutter speed shaft would seem to need to be shortened.

But looking at this picture of the Zorki-1 on eBay, I wonder if the whole RF/VF section can just lift off, leaving a section of top plate underneath on which I could mount two shoes. Is this in fact the case? I had been assuming it was all just one piece of metal, but apparently not.

Chances are I'll just end up getting a Zorki-1 eventually and using it stock...even though my FSU experiences have been uniformly awful, I just keep coming back...

 

[acheyj]

Yup sure can. Somewhere on the net its been done with pics to show how.
Only thing is to make a cover for the stuff under the speed change knob, which can be as crude or good as you want. Cant find quickly the url for the article but sure somebody here will post it, I havent got time at the moment as I'm off in the morning to get a new hip !

ron

 

[payasam]

V/F and R/F housing is separate. You'll need some sort of cover in its place, and at least one shoe must be mounted very accurately. I'd recommend an unaltered Zorki 1. You could cover all but the accessory shoe with black tape. Or green or orange if that's your fancy.

[edit] As you're in the US, for a good experience you could try buying from www.fedka.com.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

😀 payasam, you've been trying to steer me away from this project for weeks! It's not that I find the VF/RF distracting, it's just that I like the look of a Ic but am not interested in speding $400-1000 on one. I have an M2 and that's plenty of Leica for me...this would just be a fun project. Maybe I'll get a nice Zorki 1 and if I like it stock, just find a clunker to modify.

And as you know, I have nothing but good things to say about Yuri at Fedka.

Ron, good luck with your operation...I'll start googling!

John

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Found the "Zorki Standard" thread!

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32552