Zorki 10, does that count as a former Soviet Union range finder ?

[spystyle]

Hello from Maine 🙂

I just ordered a Zorki 10 - it's funky looking 🙂

Does that actually count as a FSU RF ? Am I in the club or do I need a FED ? LOL

Also, do you have any tips for this camera? I'm going to try it out with Kodak 200 color film 🙂

Thanks,
Craig

 

[fanshaw]

One tip would be to check that the meter is working. It has a selenium meter which may no longer be working properly. Since the camera is auto only it is not much use if the meter fails. For this reason and because it is bulky, heavy and has a fixed lens it is not very popular among Soviet camera enthusiasts.

 

[spystyle]

I wonder if a selenium meter could be upgraded to the modern silicon photocell ?

Also, I found instructions to revive a dead selenium cell, but hopefully I wont need them 🙂

http://elekm.net/zeiss-ikon/repair/meter-repair/

http://www.thermojetstove.com/Autoeye/meter.htm

And here is the user manual translated into English if anyone needs it 🙂

http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/zorki-10/zorki-10-eng.html

 

[Valkir1987]

Yes it counts as one! The Zorki 11 doesn't, thats a none rangefinder. 😀
When the meter works, be lucky and store the camera in a dry place outside of its case. The meter can be replaced, but its not an easy job. The speed and aperture is controlled by two thin needles which are stopped down at a certain point. Quite clever. Still have to repair mine and put it back into action! 🙄

 

[spystyle]

Well the seller described it as "working" but we'll see what that means LOL

Below is the ad 🙂

The seller offers a 7 day return so maybe it really does work 🙂

 

[ZorkiKat]

I wonder if a selenium meter could be upgraded to the modern silicon photocell ?

eng.html[/url]

Cutting or finding a silicon cell in the shape of the selenium grid found in the Zorki 10 may be difficult.

In the examples seen the links given, the silicon cells replaced selenium cells which were similar in shape and size. The original selenium cells in these cameras or devices were small and rectangular. The silicon cells used are similar to, and can be salvaged from inexpensive solar powered calculators.

The Zorki 10 used a 'circle eye' (as Petri called it) arrangement- the silicon cell is mounted around the lens. Similar in what the Olympus Pen and many other Japanese cameras with cells mounted around their lenses.

 

[spystyle]

Thanks for the information 🙂

 

[konicaman]

You don't need a FED to be on this part of the forum, but having bought your first FSU, you'll be wanting one soon - be warned this is how GAS really starts, you'll be needing counseling soon. Just for the record: I know what I am talking about 😀

 

[spystyle]

LOL

My overcrowded camera shelf need thinning now 🙂

 

[JonP]

Nope - you need another shelf

 

[wolves3012]

It's made in the FSU and it's a rangefinder - of course it counts!

 

[spystyle]

Groovy 🙂

I also think if getting a FED 2 and a Jupiter 3 (50mm f/1.5)

Is FED 2 a good one ?

(click to enlarge)


I wanted a "former soviet union range finder" with removable lens also without the self destructing shutter. Apparently my list of options are =

FED 2 produced from 1955 to 1970
Zorki C produced from 1955 to 1958
Zorki 2 produced from 1954 to 1956
Zorki 2C produced from 1955 to 1960
Zorki 5 produced from 1958 to 1959
Zorki 6 produced from 1959 to 1966
(all Kievs)
Kiev 2 produced from 1947 to 1955
Kiev 3 produced from 1952 to 1955
Kiev 4 produced from 1957 to 1979
Kiev 4A produced from 1958 to 1980
Kiev 4M produced from 1977 up to 1985
Kiev 4AM produced from 1980 to 1985
Kiev 5 produced from 1968 to 1973

🙂

 

[elmer3.5]

Z10 a Beaut!

Z10 a Beaut!

Hi, purchased a Z10 last year, used a few times, nice lens, but the shutter release lever makes you move the camera as actuated, very hard to get used to it, it´s completely different than any other camera.

The other thing about it is the "AE" it will select the smallest aperture no matter how low the speed turns to be.
Check this photo!!!!!
Winter mornig with sun and 400 asa.

Anyway i love the design and i promise to tame de release lever!!!

 

[spystyle]

Hopefully mine will always choose the largest aperture LOL

Does it give any indication of the aperture and shutter speed it's chosen ? Or is it just like a point and shoot ("point and pray" I call them)

My last point and shoot was a Canon AutoBoy 2 I reviewed here :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41681212@N02/4637083171/

It did not give any clue as to the aperture or shutter speed it was choosing so I could only hope for the best 🙂

Have fun!
Craig

 

[konicaman]

The FED 2 is a very good choice. Shutter doesn't go below 1/30, hence the mechanism is more simple and not so prone to break as on some of the models with long shutter time. Get a CLA'ed specimen and it should run for many years without trouble.

The Jupiter 3 is a nice, sharp lens, but I would suggest an Industar 61-L which in my experience is a bit sharper and with better color rendition. They can be had really cheap on Fleabay.

I have bought CLA'ed cameras from hero4g and holms_ua on Fleabay with good results and since your are in the U.S. Fedka.com is also a very good choice.

 

[NathanJD]

The FED-2 has been described as the 'sweetheart' of the FSU rangefinders and it certainly won me over! it was my first rangefinder although my specimen had light leaks. i then bought a Zorki-4k which is a lovely camera, especially if you get one with what is my favourite soviet lens the Jupiter-8.

it may be advisable to invest in a pocketable light meter so that you can get whatever camera with a manual mode you like, then the fact that those old built in selenium meters are becoming extinct won't be too much of a factor

 

[spystyle]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

I actually have two working and accurate light meters :



Gossen Pilot II (selenium photocell) and Shepherd DM-170 (modern silicon photocell). The former is quite small 🙂

Have fun!
Craig

 

[nzeeman]

btw i think that if meter is dead you can put it of auto mode and it will always use 1/30 and you choose aperture...

 

[spystyle]

1/30 is kinda slow for hand holding, I'd prefer 1/60 🙂