Zorki 1 vs Leica iii

[pdx138]

Now I know a Zorki is not a Leica, but how does the Zorki 1 stack up against the real deal? I'm looking for a retro shooter to use my voigtlander 28 and 35 lenses (and a collapsible 50 - hopefully included with whatever camera I get) on with the mini-finder for a nice small package. I'd love a iiig, but I don't want to spend the money (yet). Will I have any lens compatibility issues with the Zorki and VC lenses? Will a Zorki hold me over for a while at least?

I used a Zorki 4 and Fed 5 for a while before getting my R2 and liked the Zorki better (which is why I'm thinking Zorki 1 rather than Fed 1), but neither gets used since I got the R2. Basically, I've decided I like not having to worry about QC with the VC stuff, but I still like the price and character of old FSU stuff.

What do you all think?

Thanks for the help.

 

[einolu]

Get one from Oleg (http://www.okvintagecamera.com/cameras.html), his stuff is pretty nice. I got a Zorki 1 from there and its still working fine. Here is what you will have to 'deal' with:

*painted on 'leather', but you can get something from the (http://www.aki-asahi.com/store/) website.
*viewfinder is smaller than on a leica 3. since you will probably be using the minifinder most of the time, its really no big deal.
*rangefinder might be dim and is a bit/not as contrasty. I increased contrast by putting a small blue dot on the rangefinder with a permanent marker.
*no slow speeds. I personally dont see this as a problem because I hate to shoot at anything under 1/15 (just get some iso 1600 film and you are all set).

the lenses should be fine, especially since they are wide and not too fast. I really like mine, and keep it in my backpack all the time. I use a Bessa R the rest of the time.

 

[atelier7]

i'd second that recommendation about buying from oleg. I purchased a near perfect looking one off ebay... but it didn't work properly. the film advance was really stiff and shutter was capping. was very disappointed. ended up getting a leica IIIc instead... but even that needed a CLA.

 

[ray_g]

You may also want to look at Canon leica-clones (bottom loaders). Pricewise, they generally are between the Zorki and the IIIf.

 

[pdx138]

Thanks all.

einolu - Oleg's cameras don't look that pretty, but if they are all CLA'd, it sounds like a good deal.

atelier7 - So how do you like your iiic after the CLA?

ray_g - What model Canons were the early Leica clones?

Also, did Zorkis ever come in black, or are some just painted up to sell for more on ebay?

Thanks again.

 

[hugivza]

I have a Zorki 1 (US$ 75 inc postage) and a Fed 1 ($78 inc postage) both are in good cosmetic shape, save for a little corrosion on the front fascia of the lens of the FED 1. Since my FED 1 is circa 1940, and the Zorki is circa 1955, both have been CLA'd, but between the two, despite the 15 year difference there is not much difference in performance, particularly as host for my favorite lens: J-11. With either you buy a particular piece of history: check out www.fedka.com/Useful_info/Commune_by_Fricke/commune_A.htm. For the IIIa I can make no comment, but whatever your choice, enjoy!!

 

[pshinkaw]

My Soviet cameras out-number my Leicas about 40:2. They are a lot of fun, but they are only superficially comparable. If you like to play with camera toys, the Soviets are great. The Leica is a precision instrument, the craftsmanship of which far exceeds what is actually necessary for good photography.

The Zorki-1 is fine with the 35mm and 50mm lenses, but if you go longer, say with the Jupiter-9, you will have a lot of tweaking and adjusting to do on the camera and/or lens, or you may to accept some limitations on the use of the lens, such as not shooting at f2. apertures.

I bought my first Soviet 35mm camera as a substitute for my Leica IIIF while it was being repaired. Turned out that it was not a satisfactory substitute at all.

My own advice on the Zorki-1 is to go buy one, or better yet two. That way you can tune one up and have a guide as to how to put it back together. But don't pay too much, perhaps $50 plus shipping as a max unless the camera has been CLA'd first. If you really want a Leica. Go buy one instead, you may be happier that way. The $100 to $200 you spend on a couple of Zorki's can cover 10-20% of the cost of a Leica and lens.

 

[einolu]

Leica IIIs, especially the A and C versions, dont cost all that much. There are some at 'popflashphoto' for $250 that have been CLAed...

 

[giellaleafapmu]

Leica IIIs, especially the A and C versions, dont cost all that much. There are some at 'popflashphoto' for $250 that have been CLAed...

Yes, IIs and IIIs unless they are "mint" esemplars or a IIIg are not that expensive.
Furthermore qualitywise are completely different from Zorkis (in my opinion at least). I have looked at many Zorkis before having the chance of handling my IIIg and then I had no doubts... I spent about three times what I had planned when I first looked for ascrew mount camera but I never regretted!

Giella lea Fapmu

 

[pdx138]

Thanks all. A CLA'd Leica iii for $250 will probably be the ticket. I think it will give me a better idea than a Zorki of if I want to shell out for the iiig someday . I have a feeling that if I bought a Zorki, I'd still have to buy a Leica iii.

 

[harry01562]

comparisons

comparisons

I own both a Zorki 1 and a Leica IIIa. The Zorki amazed me with the smoothness of operation, considering the difference in price. If money is an issue, then buy a GOOD Zorki... Oleg is a good source, a probably priceier one is Fedka. Fedka generally checks over all he sells, and I've read many comments that were flattering. Same for Oleg, of course.
If money isn't as big a consideration, the Leica SM models are fairly cheap, except for the IIIg. Those are scarcer, and the "ultimate" SM, and the price is high. A possible better choice is the IIIf. A good user, and much cheaper to buy.
Canon models, the various II through IV, are the Leica-like SM models. These incorporate a single viewfinder/RF, which is very handy. Read more at the Canon Museum webpage, or many places on the web. Just google and enjoy.
One of the forum sponsers, Cameraquest, has an excellent website with much historical information. By all means check it out. His links will lead to others, as well.
And last, have fun...

Harry

 

[Solinar]

Basically, I've decided I like not having to worry about QC with the VC stuff, but I still like the price and character of old FSU stuff.

What do you all think?.

Pesonaly, I recommend the Zorki 3 or 3M over the Zorki 1.

It is better to leave the Ernst Lietz equipment alone. Since I bought my first Leica IIIf, my V/C Bessa R rarely gets used. The build quality on the old Wetzlar Leicas are that good. Leitz lenses have a unique signature that isn't easily replicated with modern V/C glass. The V/C glass is good, but I prefer the look of the older Leitz glass.

All of the above has lead to a major GAS attack over the past year.

For grab shots I still shoot with a FED 2 with a collapsible 50mm for street photography. There are times that I like the grittier constrast of the Industar over the smoothness of Jupiter, which I use mainly with my Zorki 3M.

 

[Solinar]

A grab shot from the Leica IIIf with a 50mm Elmar. It ain't a whole lot different than what you'll get using an Industar 22 on the Zorki or Industar 10 on the FED.

 

[Richard Black]

This is an interesting posting. I have a Industar-50 that I love. It has the same charm as that posted by Andrew. I have heard there is little difference between the two. I just wish I could use it on the Bessa R. I haven't spent the time to master bottom-feeding so the Oleg-CLA'd IIIc rests on my shelf.

 

[Nickfed]

This is an interesting posting. I have a Industar-50 that I love. It has the same charm as that posted by Andrew. I have heard there is little difference between the two. I just wish I could use it on the Bessa R. .

I recall a thread recently where somebody was using a collapsible on a Bessa. He had a large O-ring which rtpevented the barrel going too far back. You should be able to trawl it up.

 

[ta152c]

I've got a Zorki-1E and it seems a well-built and very reliable camera. It has a 35mm Jupiter-12 on it plus a wee Helios finder. Gets pretty good results as long as you put a lens hood on it, which I got for £2 on "the bay".

One camera I was looking at was a Nicca-3S, it gets good reviews and isn't too dear. Worth a look. If anyone here has a Nicca-3 they want to sell please get in touch 🙂

 

[Steve M.]

The 9 year old thread that will not die!

Just for a point, counter point, I bought a Zorki 1 from Oleg many years ago. It had pinholes in the shutter curtains. I sent it back to him (not cheap) and he replaced the shutter curtains....and the new curtains leaked light. They seemed to have been made of material that was too thin. OK, I thought, I have a Fed 2 w/ a bad shutter, I'll send it to FEDKA because people love them. It came back w/ the new shutter capping badly on most speeds. Sent it back, it and came back w/ the same problem. For a long time I swore off FSU cameras and used Bessa Rs (never an issue, great cameras) until a few months ago I bought a Zenit 11, mainly for the Helios lens. The lens is outstanding, just like all the FSU lenses I ever owned. The Zenit shutter caps on 1/500.

These are problems I never had with Leica or Bessa cameras. Or, more accurately, the Leicas were easily fixed if necessary (buy one from KEH w/ a warranty and a return privilege), the Bessas never needed fixing.

 

[Dralowid]

All great cameras. In the end it boils down to one single thing...when CLA'd the Zorki will be worth less than the cost of the CLA and the Leica more...

 

[ta152c]

9 years eh

Still, testament to the longevity of the thread. I can see where the 'worth' argument is coming from, but I've got an M4-2 as the main r/f. I would like a Leica IIIf, or one of those Nicca-3S cameras though, just put my L39 lenses on it 🙂

 

[tunalegs]

I think the Zorkis are a good deal in LTM cameras. TBH there is little attractive about any of the screw mount leicas beside build quality and aesthetics. A Zorki 4 or Canon P are better user cameras with a larger viewfinder, all shutter speeds on one dial, and easier film loading.

I recently examined a Leica IIIg for a very long time at a local shop deciding if it was worth the price on offer (which was lower than typical ebay prices). But I put it down - because despite the fact that it is a Leica, looks wonderful, and is perfectly smooth - I already have two RFs which have better viewfinders/rangefinders. If you want the best for taking pictures you can do better than the Leica III series.

I really thought at first I would be walking away with the IIIg since my biggest problem with the Leica III cameras is the tiny finder - and though the IIIg has a better finder, it's still not as good as others out there.