Zorki 4k or Fed 2

[markrich]

This is probably one of those which is better than the other questions that has come up before so apologies to some.

However...

I have an existing Zorki 4 with Jupiter lens. Nice camera. Hardly abused by me at all. Wandering around this and other sites and starting looking at the Fed 2. It seems smaller and a little less agressive in design. So the question is, should I go looking for a cheap Fed 2 or stick with the Zorki?

Supliemental question for anyone in SW of England; anyone know of any one who can do a health check on the Zorki and ensure it's up for abusing this summer?

Marky

 

[lubitel]

go for both and then decide if you let one go or if you keep them both. Fed 2 is fun to use, one of my favorite fsu cameras. small, light, pretty and the longer baselength. the VF is tiny compared to Zorki 4. I have the zorki 3, and although the VF is great, somehow I have more fun using the fed2. there is something about it.

 

[dee]

I bought a Fed 2b before the Zorki 4 . I had a Zorki 4 way back in the 70s - I did not like it much then , and was only tempted by a restored one with a snake covering - I have not altered my opinion - it' s just Ok , not special ...

My best Fed 2 b comes from Oleg - Okphotocamera - and is fully cla and as smooth as a Leica ... the Zorki 4 is big and clunky in comparison . I have a couple of cheaper Fed 2c from blyantikov - which are fine - but it's only when I had a camera from the master fixer - probably better than the factory issue - did I realise it's potential .
I am in south UK - so anyone who could cla USSR cameras around here would save trips to the Ukraine for many a camera !

dee

 

[zhang xk]

Fed-2 only looks smaller for its elegant design. A Zorki 4K is about the same size if it has a flat bottom. Some Z-4K also has a hidden feature of multiple exposure if necessary, but the next frame is probably wasted. I don't like Z-4 for its hard to grip nob winding, neither many Z-4k for its printed speed numbers, and lacking of strap lugs. These are all solid cameras that can be used as a hammer to drive nails. My Z-4k has engraved numbers, and strap lugs. Don't forget that Z-4k has a fixed take-up spool, a big progress from other Laika copies.😀

Zhang

 

[GeneW]

They're both nice cams, but after owning both I culled the Zorki 4's and kept the Fed 2. There definitely IS something about it. More fun somehow...

Gene

 

[ZorkiKat]

Go for the FED-2. The only features which the Zorki-4K has which the FED-2 doesn't are extended "slow shutter" speeds and a winding lever. Otherwise, the FED-2 is a finer machine.

Slow shutter speeds aren't much missed in general photography- after all, 1/30-1/500 sec represents the range of the most commonly used exposure times.

The FED-2 may have a smaller finder, but it would show a fair representation of what the 50mm lens takes in, down to the edges. A Zorki-4K finder may show it bigger, but the edges don't appear well delineated.

The lever isn't a guarantee for faster winding too. The long throw it requires (or multiple shorter strokes) would probably take as long as turning the big winding knob found in (many) FED-2 cameras.

Over all, the FED-2 appear to be better made. And having less of the 'features' means that there are less in it that will likely go wrong. For instance, changing speeds before winding the shutter will less likely ruin a FED-2 than a Zorki-4K. There is no slow speed escapement in the FED-2 speed mechanism to get damaged, and besides, many of the later FED-2 do allow this action.

Jay

 

[dll927]

Except for Zorki 2, I have at least one sample of every Zorki from 1 to 6. After I bought those, I decided I'd like some variety of body color, so I bought three FED 2s. They are black, red, and gray.

This is only one person's reaction, but I feel the FEDs seem less well-made. Two of the bodies have a real problem getting the back off and on for loading. I don't know if this is gospel, but I've read in some websites that the FEDs were an 'everyman's camera' made to sell at a lower price than the Zorkis.

The Zorki 4 (and 4k) were the longest-living model, meaning they were produced the longest of any of the Zorki models. Something around 1 3/4 million of them were produced, so even considering the famous variable quality, they would seem to have more going for them.

But it's true I've seen a good deal of priaise for FED 2s also.

 

[zhang xk]

Me too, except that I also have a Z-2 and a rare Zorki-Fed with strap lugs. I don't believe I am still the lonely owner of this nice Zorki-Fed?😀 Please note the strap lugs,the die-cast body case, and the Zorki shutter release button with cable release thread that are not found on any Fed 1. An extremely rare 29 jewels Chinese Dongfeng(east wind) automatic watch made around 1970 is on its side.

 

[oscroft]

Hi Marky,

Want to borrow a FED-2 to find out? I have one that I'll probably let go, so if you want you can have it on loan for a bit and then either make me an offer or send it back.

Cheers,

 

[rbiemer]

I tried to like the FED2 but I couldn't get along with the VF. That said, I think they are great looking and certainly capable machines. If that's you in your avatar, you may find that your glasses make the VF fairly annoying to use. Or maybe not. I wouldn't get rid of the Z4 until after you try a FED2--OK, I would keep both😀 --and if you and Alan can work something out that would seem to be a good way to try one out. I haven't used a Zorki 4/4K yet but after seeing Zhang's example, I will be looking for a similar one.
And, somewhere in this FSU part of RFF there is a useful thread where one of our members has posted a printable shutter speed scale; should any one's printed scale on their Z4/4K need redoing it should be fairly straight forward to print and put on the camera.
One other nice thing about the FED2: if you get a compatible Industar or FEd 50mm/f3.5 collapsable lens it will be a very pocketable package!
Rob
Edit: here is the thread about the speed dial:http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21150&highlight=Shutter+speed+dial

 

[robin a]

Fed2 = Great !!!!!

 

[fanshaw]

UK FSU camera repairs

UK FSU camera repairs

I don't know whether he is still in business, but Roger Lean in London specialises in FSU camera repairs. I believe that he used to worK for T&OE. He did a thorough job on my Zorki-4 and gave a detailed account of the work carried out. It works perfectly.
This was a few years ago, but I have heard references to his work since.
The phone numbers I have are 0208 3400963 and 0208 8815208

 

[clarence]

The Fed 2's price, simplicity, weight, size, and long baselength are what made me choose it over other FSU LTM cameras. Focusing a J9 with a Zorki 4 can sometimes be difficult, but I have had no trouble using it on my Fed 2's. Fed 2 shutters also tend to be softer than Zorki 4 shutters, from my limited experience

Clarence

 

[markrich]

Hi Oscroft!

Sounds like a plan! Thanks for the kind offer. I have been looking on eBay to see what's around and the average price. Some nice near-mint equipment at good prices. I have lived in Russia and have seen these in the second hand shops for a while. My Zorki was a Russian purchase. Tell me what type of Fed-2 do you have? What's the serial number to learn what functions it has? Do you have any photos of the camera/shots from it? Etc.

Get back!

Marky

Hi Marky,

Want to borrow a FED-2 to find out? I have one that I'll probably let go, so if you want you can have it on loan for a bit and then either make me an offer or send it back.

Cheers,

 

[oscroft]

Tell me what type of Fed-2 do you have? What's the serial number to learn what functions it has? Do you have any photos of the camera/shots from it?

As far as I know it's a type 2D it has serial number 639292. I don't have any shots from it scanned (there are some FED2 shots in my gallery, but they're from another one - a 2A). It's got an I-26m on it with knurled focusing ring. One thing I did notice is that the back has a differently patterned vulcanite from the front, so it looks like it has had a replacement back at some stage. The guy I got it from told me it had had a clean and lube, and the mechanics are very smooth.

Pics attached - if you want a loan please send me a PM with your address and I'll send it (and no obligations whatsoever - I'm just happy for other people to enjoy using these fine old cameras).

Cheers,