Zorki 6: a commie camera on the primo capitalist holiday

[zumbido]

I've loved my FED-2 for years, but haven't shot it much for a while now. The E-PL1 that I picked up to replace my DSLR is just too much fun to use with the Industars and Jupiters that I've pretty much left 35mm film behind for digital, and concentrate on 6x6 with my Diacord on the film side.

But! I've thought for a while it would be fun to try the Zorki 6 with its lever and allegedly nicer viewfinder than the FED-2, etc. I put it on my Christmas list as a lark and lo and behold! my wife got one from Fedka, which arrived yesterday. Looking forward to shooting it in the daylight tomorrow, but so far so good with the J-8 on it. It's not a "big" thing, but it's something I wanted and didn't expect, so today has been a good day. That is all.

 

[julio1fer]

Good for you. The Z-6 is much easier to use than the more popular FED-2 and incorporates all that the Soviets learned in making cameras. Post results when you have them.

 

[stevebrot]

I will be curious to hear your impressions comparing the Zorki 6 to the FED-2. I have a Zorki 4K but like the handling of the FED-2 better.


Steve

 

[Keith]

I've thought about a Zorki occasionally but I find it hard to imagine a better FSU than the Fed-2.

How much better is the Zorki viewfinder?

 

[ZorkiKat]

The Viewfinders in the FED-2 and Zorki-5/-6 are just about the same. They may be smaller than what the Zorki-4 has, but at least the Zorki 6 vf show the entire field at one glance.

The Zorki-6 is also the only Zorki or FED which has a hinged back. No extra part to go off when loading.

Also, when using flash, make sure you plug your flash PC cable on the one marked 'X'. There are two in this camera, like in the Zorki-5. Unlike the other synchronised Zorki, the Zorki-5/-6 used separate M/X synchro terminals, without the need for a timing dial.
The FED-2 and all the other synchro-FEDs were synch'ed only for X.

The Zorki-6 IMO handles better than a FED-2.

 

[Elmar Lang]

I've thought about a Zorki occasionally but I find it hard to imagine a better FSU than the Fed-2.

...well... let's not forget the quality of a Kiev rangefinder camera!

But I'm quite partial, since the RF-Kiev is my favourite...

Best wishes,

Elmar Lang

 

[Keith]

...well... let's not forget the quality of a Kiev rangefinder camera!

But I'm quite partial, since the RF-Kiev is my favourite...

Best wishes,

Elmar Lang

I have a fine Kiev ll but I can't come to terms with the viewfinder ... I definitely find the Fed superior in this department. I do like the low speeds and top shutter speed of the Kiev though.

I think we all have our favourite FSU's.

 

[shadowfox]

The Viewfinders in the FED-2 and Zorki-5/-6 are just about the same. They may be smaller than what the Zorki-4 has, but at least the Zorki 6 vf show the entire field at one glance.

Maybe they are the same in terms of size or magnification, but having used Fed 2, the RF patch on the Zorki 6 took me by surprise.

It's very high contrast with a blueish tint. Way easier to focus with compared to the Fed 2.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Maybe they are the same in terms of size or magnification, but having used Fed 2, the RF patch on the Zorki 6 took me by surprise.

It's very high contrast with a blueish tint. Way easier to focus with compared to the Fed 2.

This varies per sample. I have three FED-2 and none of them are alike in terms of VF or RF brightness or colour. I also have two Zorki-6. One has a VF which looks blue, and the other looks quite colourless.

 

[zumbido]

Agreed with Zorkikat on the finder variation. I've had two FED-2s, the original (stolen on a camping trip) was bright, beautiful yellow. Its successor is a muddier bluish color and much less usable. This Zorki-6 is yellow on the patch and an odd reddish amber in the rest of the viewfinder. I find that it's very nice in general so far, but less so if the bit I'm focusing on is in shadow.

I tried a Kiev for six months in 2008, around town and took it to Yellowstone. I didn't get on with it. Not because of the "Contax grip", but the shape and heft just never got to feeling natural. The viewfinder also seemed harder to see through with glasses than some others. Oh, and the frame spacing was annoying.

I'll say more about the Zorki 6 vs. the FED 2 after a bit more use (and developing/printing some pictures), but my impression so far is that the Zorki feels a little less balanced yet a bit more comfortable in the hand for some reason. And the collapsible Industar is a better fit on it than the FED 2 (where there is not enough clearance for the infinity lock unless the body is recovered in a thinner skin).

 

[wolves3012]

+1 on the finders being a bit variable. I have only one Z-6 but I've had 2 FED 2s, one early and one late. The early one had a very dim finder but the contrast was very high - great in outdoor use and hopeless in poor light. The Late one has a much brighter finder but it's not as bright as my Z-6.

As for the handling, IMO there's little to choose except the Z-6 does have a hinged back and lever-wind - very much personal preference there. Somehow, the FED just wins on aesthetics for me but I'd happily use either.