zorki 6

[Michael I.]

I want to get into soviet rf.Zorki 6 looks like the most comfortable one.the simple shutter makes it reliable,the rf base is wide,it seems compact,has a lever and a comfy swing back what do you say?

 

[Jocko]

A very nice camera, with a good viewfinder too. The only problem - as I discovered here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13444 - is that the door catch can be very loose, with unfortunate results. However, it's easy to mend and mine is now rock solid.

But... perhaps because of my experience, I don't see the swing back as much of an advantage and have come to prefer the FED 1 and 2. Others love the Zorki 3/4/4k which have even better finders and a wider range of speeds. Chances are you'll end up owning most of them!

 

[Michael I.]

I've tried a fed 2 and it was very squinty. a zorki 4 is bulky and has knob wind which hurts your fingers. I've handled a separate vf\rf zorki 2 or 3 and found it nice,allthough slow.
how does a zorki 4's and zorki 6's viewfinder\rf compare?how contrasty are they?

 

[fidget]

In comparison with my FEDs and Zorki 4's, I find this viewfinder brightness is between the small and fairly dim finders of the FEDs and the large finder of the Zorki 4. However, I believe that it has the best coincident image of all of them, bright and large. As for reliability, well...thay are all old and use similar shutter mechanisms. Mine is currently in (very many) pieces whilst I try to figure how to reassemble it. It had a shutter problem which allowed me the excuse to tinker!
A further limitation with this model is the lack of slow shutter speeds, not a problem for hand held shots. If you want a lever winder and slow speeds, and can put up with a narrower rf base (not really a problem for short or standard lenses) I would recommend you look at the FED3b, cheap as chips, not quite as old, but still with that classic look. If you get any of these, you will have placed both feet on the slippery slope and can look forward to owning a selection of FSU shooters 🙂.

 

[Diomedes]

I think that a zorki 6 viewfinder is the most beatiful...

 

[kzim56]

My Fed 3b is my most dependable FSU. Some say it's ugly but it grows on you. VF is small but the Zorki 4 VF is not all that much better. With care any of them will give great results.

Karl

 

[Jocko]

With regard to the Zorki 6 viewfinder, I'd add that it has an orangey colour cast that works very well; constrast is excellent. Apparently it's the same finder as used on the Iskra. As I wear glasses I can't fully appreciate the Zorki 4 finder, so I find the Zorki 6 has by far the best viewfinder of any FSU rangefinder camera. But as Kzim56 so rightly says "with care any of them will give great results".

 

[captainslack]

Is the Zorki 6 VF smaller than the 4's VF?

 

[je2a3]

Yes, similar to the Fed 2 in magnification but brighter and with more contrast.

 

[Jason_K]

I've got a Zorki 2, 3, 5, & 6 and would have to say the 6 is my favorite (right now).

I don't have a 4, so couldn't compare the two viewfinders for you.

 

[arothaus]

The Zorki-3/4 has got the biggest viewfinder of all and has got the long times. The Zorki-6 has got a lever and a wide rangefinder base. And the Kiev have got a bayonet mount, long rangefinder base and the long times. The viewfinder of the Kievs and Zorki-6 are small but with high contrast. You can work very well with a Kiev Viewfinder in low light situations, where a SLR would make trouble.

You need all of them! ;-)

regards,
Andreas

 

[captainslack]

Yes, similar to the Fed 2 in magnification but brighter and with more contrast.

Thanks! You just helped me make a decision. 🙂

 

[simonankor]

The Zorki-3/4 has got the biggest viewfinder of all and has got the long times. The Zorki-6 has got a lever and a wide rangefinder base. And the Kiev have got a bayonet mount, long rangefinder base and the long times. The viewfinder of the Kievs and Zorki-6 are small but with high contrast. You can work very well with a Kiev Viewfinder in low light situations, where a SLR would make trouble.

You need all of them! ;-)

Thanks! you just helped me make a decision. 😉

 

[kvanderlaag]

I fully endorse the Zorki 6. Comfortable hold, reliable, just seems to work. The only one of my cameras that nothing has ever stuck on.

The hinged back is nice if you've used SLRs extensively, or just for convenience, but it's not an asset. I know a lot of people that swear by the FED 2 or similar, so a lot of it is personal preference. But I've found my Zorki 6 to feel like more of an extension of my hand than any of my other cameras (excluding the Agfa Karat, once I came to terms with it.)

 

[Michael I.]

went for zorki 6 with jupiter 8.dont stone me for my unoriginality

 

[reagan]

Fidget gave you fair warning...

If you get any of these, you will have placed both feet on the slippery slope and can look forward to owning a selection of FSU shooters .

Welcome to the Slippery Slope. You're in good company, (...except for our broken marriages, wayward children, destroyed careers and financial ruin) ... uh, hmm, I mean, we're all enjoying these fine photographic instruments. 😀 Enjoy the 6!