David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
And I have had bad experiences with Leicas and Leica lenses (and a lot of other top makes) but I blamed the owners and sellers.
No machine or gadget that is, what?, 50? 60? or 70 years old can be expected to work perfectly, unless it has been maintained and looked after. And I mean maintained by someone who knows what they are doing and who has access to the right tools and spare parts.
If you look you will find a lot of people with good experiences and bad ones. That applies to all makes of cameras and not just old ones. (Look at forums about digital Leicas, I've had two that were returned to the factory for new sensors one this year and one about 9 or 10 years ago... ) But, they don't have people jumping up and down denouncing all the other makes.
All I'm saying is that most film cameras these days are second-hand (or third hand or forth hand and so on and so forth) and it is unrealistic to expect them to be perfect. And the makers shouldn't be blamed 30, 40 or 50 years later for it.
So buy with your eyes open and keep your fingers crossed; I'll wish you luck.
As for the original post; the old Leica Barnacks are very nice cameras but expensive and I doubt if you'll see much difference between one and your Zorki without paying a lot for the lens. To get something better (noticeably better) you need to look at post war coated lenses and the best are probably the Summitar, Summicron or the f/2.8 Elmar. A good body to go with them that won't break the bank is the IIIc.
It's best to buy from a dealer and get some sort of guarantee. Leicas can cost an arm and a leg to sort out. I've been quoted hundreds of pounds for a new set of blinds, for example and double that to fit them. And my Leica II, that has served me well over the years is starting to show signs of needing a service and I am dreading the bill.
You should also be warned that Leicas, FEDs and Zorkis can be addictive. And so, again, I'll wish you luck.
Regards, David
And I have had bad experiences with Leicas and Leica lenses (and a lot of other top makes) but I blamed the owners and sellers.
No machine or gadget that is, what?, 50? 60? or 70 years old can be expected to work perfectly, unless it has been maintained and looked after. And I mean maintained by someone who knows what they are doing and who has access to the right tools and spare parts.
If you look you will find a lot of people with good experiences and bad ones. That applies to all makes of cameras and not just old ones. (Look at forums about digital Leicas, I've had two that were returned to the factory for new sensors one this year and one about 9 or 10 years ago... ) But, they don't have people jumping up and down denouncing all the other makes.
All I'm saying is that most film cameras these days are second-hand (or third hand or forth hand and so on and so forth) and it is unrealistic to expect them to be perfect. And the makers shouldn't be blamed 30, 40 or 50 years later for it.
So buy with your eyes open and keep your fingers crossed; I'll wish you luck.
As for the original post; the old Leica Barnacks are very nice cameras but expensive and I doubt if you'll see much difference between one and your Zorki without paying a lot for the lens. To get something better (noticeably better) you need to look at post war coated lenses and the best are probably the Summitar, Summicron or the f/2.8 Elmar. A good body to go with them that won't break the bank is the IIIc.
It's best to buy from a dealer and get some sort of guarantee. Leicas can cost an arm and a leg to sort out. I've been quoted hundreds of pounds for a new set of blinds, for example and double that to fit them. And my Leica II, that has served me well over the years is starting to show signs of needing a service and I am dreading the bill.
You should also be warned that Leicas, FEDs and Zorkis can be addictive. And so, again, I'll wish you luck.
Regards, David