Zorki 6 pricing confusion

[ddejohn]

I've been having fun with my Oly 35RC, but I've been hankering for a Zorki 6 for a while now. I had one on fedka bookmarked, but I've also been looking around on ebay, and there seems to be a pretty large pricing disparity between the two.

There's a "excellent" condition Zorki 6 with an Industar 50 on ebay right now for $45+$30 shipping from Ukraine, and then there's the same configuration on fedka for $100+$20 shipping. What gives?

Also, where else do you guys look for FSU RFs for sale?

 

[Swift1]

I've been having fun with my Oly 35RC, but I've been hankering for a Zorki 6 for a while now. I had one on fedka bookmarked, but I've also been looking around on ebay, and there seems to be a pretty large pricing disparity between the two.

There's a "excellent" condition Zorki 6 with an Industar 50 on ebay right now for $45+$30 shipping from Ukraine, and then there's the same configuration on fedka for $100+$20 shipping. What gives?

Also, where else do you guys look for FSU RFs for sale?

From Fedka, you pay for a good working camera.

From ebay, you're gambling. You might get a good working camera, you might not.

 

[02Pilot]

From Fedka, you pay for a good working camera.

From ebay, you're gambling. You might get a good working camera, you might not.

That's my feeling. I was willing to pay Fedka's premium knowing that he would stand behind his product, as well as proximity and the availability of insured and tracked shipping.

 

[ddejohn]

That's kind of what I was figuring, but some of these ebayers are offering returns and full refunds and have thousands of sales and 90%+ feedback ratings, so I started to wonder...

Thanks for the replies.

 

[pete hogan]

Consistent quality and service from Fedka for two cameras, four lenses, and accessories. Yuri is an excellent source worth the premium IMHO.

 

[Swift1]

That's kind of what I was figuring, but some of these ebayers are offering returns and full refunds and have thousands of sales and 90%+ feedback ratings, so I started to wonder...

Thanks for the replies.

I've bought 2 FSU rangefinders off ebay and got good cameras. The first camera (FED 3) worked mostly fine, but the camera I received was definitely not the camera in the listing photos. I ended up having to repair it as the shutter dial wasn't set correctly.
It's worth realizing that returning $45 cameras to Ukraine or Russia is also risky and not really worth it. You'll end up paying $30 to ship it back, without a tracking #.
I'm not saying you shouldn't buy a camera from ebay, but understand the risks and possible headaches involved.

 

[AndersG]

After your first few FSU cameras from eBay you'll notice that the interpretation of "excellent" varies a bit (or a lot) between sellers and auctions. I have not bought from Fedka (appears to be on the wrong side of the Atlantic for me) but presumably his interpretation of camera condition is more consistent and possibly more accurate which may account for the difference in price. Additionally, he is over there rather than over here and then quite some distance east. IIRC one of my eBay buys from the far end of Ukraine (or was it Russia?) spent more than 3 weeks in the hands of the postal services... and I think it is fair to say that all of them (~5 so not that many) had flaws that were not obvious from the item description (e.g severely scratched lens, light leaks etc., but all worked to some degree).

 

[ddejohn]

Excellent replies from everybody, thanks guys. I think at the moment, I'll either have to sell the RC to fund a fedka camera, or take my chance with ebay. Such a dilemma!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Where is war in Ukraine, people are desperate for money more than ever.
Some places have nothing working, including banks. People are trying to help.

In normal circumstances it is low price for Z-6 with collapsible on it. Most likely with printed shutter speeds instead of engraved ones.
Fedka has to recover shipping cost from FSU and stay behind of his offer with exchange at least. This is why it costs more.

Where are some FSU e-bay sellers who simply laying about camera was checked by repair man.
But few of them do it for real.

Honestly, I have tried Z-6, Z, have to let go Z-4 and the only FSU I'm keeping is FED-2.
Advance lever of Z-6 is too long, it is faster and easier with FED-2.

 

[Dez]

I have bought quite a few items from Russian and Ukrainian sellers on ebay, and have very occasionally had some problems with the cameras, but nothing that I wasn't able to sort out myself. If you are at all handy with camera repair, to the extent of taking the top off and cleaning out any crud you find, you can find great bargains. If you are uncomfortable with that, and will have to pay someone for any simple service, then the risk may be a show-stopper.

I don't know that Fedka's cameras are any better than the ones that you find on ebay, but he will always provide a substitute if there is a problem, and as someone mentioned above, it is far easier to ship something back domestically.

I limit my ebay FSU shopping to vendors with large feedback numbers, and I read the feedback posts. If there is anything not well covered in the description, I will ask specific questions, and if I don't get appropriate specific answers, I don't buy.

The FSU cameras don't represent much of an investment, and if you do want to learn how to do simple servicing, they are just what you need before tearing into your beloved Barnacks.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[Fotohuis]

Fedka has an excellent reputation. My Zorki-6 was from Fedka and has been sent directly from Ukraine to the Netherlands incl. the CLA. Camera and lens in perfect condition. For people in Europe a good option because it saves on int. transport costs. Parcels from the USA are much more expensive and under strikt control of import duties. A very small parcel with filters etc. were sent from the USA for small money and just under the limit for import duties. Everything was very well packed, also the package from Ukraine. In this way it is still interesting for both parties doing some business.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

If you look at 10 cameras on ebay from 10 different sellers you'll get 10 versions of "good" and so on, meaning 10 different prices and postage rates...

The only answer is to look carefully at the feedback (100% is good, btw); feedback comments and original listing (and allow for the fact that some feedback is left by idiots), then you'll get a pretty good idea of what the camera is like.

But - this is a big "but" btw - we are talking about cameras that could be 70 or 80 or more years old and so I'd expect problems; even with a genuine sealed in the box 1950's one.

So pick them for their looks (meaning no damage or scratches) and then send them to Oleg for some of his magic. It takes longer but how long does it take to buy a dear one and then send it back and then start on another one? And there's the cost of the first film etc.

With old and second-hand cameras you have to accept reality; it even applies to Leicas... Just be grateful that Oleg doesn't charge Leica overhaul/repair prices.

Regards, David

 

[KnipsOmat]

Excellent replies from everybody, thanks guys. I think at the moment, I'll either have to sell the RC to fund a fedka camera, or take my chance with ebay. Such a dilemma!

If I were you, I'd certainly not sell off the 35RC. This is a brilliant little shooter. In terms of pocketability and reliability, you will have a hard time finding any competitive FSU rangefinder. Viewfinder and meter are way better than you will get with any FSU rangefinder camera avaialable.

Don't get me wrong. I like the FSU rangefinders. I have about 100 of them, at least one of each type, and I use some of them frequently. I've got only one 35RC. But if I'd have to boil down to one camera only, it would likely be the 35RC that I'd keep.

Don't sell it. Chances are you will regret the sale quickly.

 

[tunalegs]

I haven't had too much luck with buying from Europe or Russia. I got a Kiev 4 that was totally broken despite being advertised as working fine. I got a Fed 3 that was advertised as having a CLA, but the shutter was slow when I received it and the seller (more or less) admitted they had just put some oil in it themselves. In that case they were at least honest enough to refund me (I got to keep the camera).

I'm not saying you'll have any better luck with a U.S. seller in terms of finding a working camera, but if you live in the U.S. it's easier to resolve a problem with a U.S. seller.

If you don't want to gamble on ebay, then Fedka is one good place to go.

 

[MikeDimit]

Ebay can differ price but condition is always under question. I own Zorki 4K,5,6, FED3,2 and I wanted them to list on ebay. But shipping is not good and after all it turns out that a rarely used camera and last used some 30 years ago are in one price tag. It is not very easy to sell for some 60 USD a CLA camera with perfect working condition ... And let me discover. On ebay you will not find people selling for food under harsh circumstances.