zorki 4 or 6? (off the fed kick)

fish4570 · Expire: 2012-03-21

users recommend fedka, yuri, alex-photo, oleg others. i wouldn't mind paying a little extra for an in-country, well-examined example.

i now like the idea of a zorki 4 or 6 with jupiter 8 lens. fedka has a couple of nice examples. any of you guys shoot the same?

ludoo · Expire: 2011-12-05

I've had great experiences with Oleg, and I guess he could also do a CLA if you ask him. As for lenses, I love th sharpness of the I-61, and it's also pretty cheap.

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

Of course your mileage will vary, and I bought the less cool Fed 3 / Industar 61 ... and the Jupiter 12 ... and have a vented hood to go with the Industar...

I find I don't actually end up using this equipment. Reasons? The viewfinder, the fear of burning a hole in the shutter, the pain of remembering just when I can and cannot change shutter speed, and the far easier use of fixed lens cameras, whether true RF or guess-focusing folders.

I.e. I'd much rather carry a Retina.

I'll be selling the Fed and the Jup, as the experience did not live up to the dream.

fish4570 · Expire: 2012-03-21

did you find the fed 3 to operate properly?

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

Yes, I bought it from a Russian camera repair guy who was a regular at the camera show, till he passed. He showed me how to use it & guaranteed it for 6 months. The ideal way to buy one.

The fed viewfinder is small and squinty, but the rf patch is clearer than on the Zorkis he also had, but the Zorkis had a luxurious viewfinder.

fish4570 · Expire: 2012-03-21

although i have never handled one, i just like the industrial look of the fed 2 ...

as for burning a hole in the shutter cloth, that was never an issue with a leica m3 i had many years ago. second nature to be aware.

Nesster · Expire: 2014-02-20

I should add: the 'light seals' are notional on my camera, though I suppose I could improve on them; the way I keep it light tight is by having it in its leather bottom case. This is necessary anyhow as the camera itself lacks lugs.

My brother in law has one of the more antique Leica style Feds, I'm not sure if it is the model you're interested in. This is smaller, cuter, and all around more cool, with the classic Leica curves. If I had it to do over, I'd probably want one of these rather than the one I got (and I'd still not use it that often). My b-i-l doesn't use his much either.

fish4570 · Expire: 2012-03-21

thanks. maybe i should hold for a canon p or 7, or a bessa r. i really want to try those normal russian rangefinder lenses. and if the fed viewfinder is that squinty, i probably should sty away. we'll see ...

scsambrook · Expire: 2011-11-18

Fed/Zorki viewfinders are all awkward, especially if you wear specs. Bessa v/f is about as good as they come, better than the old Canons certainly. Plus you get a meter that works well, and speeds that will be pretty accurate too. And a Bessa R will cost you less than a Canon P. If it fits your budget, get a Bessa R and enjoy using rangefinder lenses ... Very Happy

(Confession: I have a Bessa R)

Kamerer · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 389 Location: Russia Moscow

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

We I have one of the later FED2s. The viewfinder is small and dark but perfectly usable. It's really only for focusing though and it is great for that. To compose shots I have the universal viewfinder which you need of course if using any other focal length than 50mm.

It came with an Industar-26M which are prone to flare and it does unless the sun is at you back, even with the hood on. Nice looking shots when the flare isn't present. I also have a Jupiter 8 which doesn't seem to be prone to flare and it's faster and also very good. The J-11 I have is not bad and can be found for peanuts. I recently bought a J-12 which is the focal length I reall enjoy, but I've not tried it out yet.

I tend to keep my shutter speed the same on the FED2 for fear of damaging it by forgetting to wind on 1st. I see that Zenit SLRs have the same system but there's no warning about them so I wonder how true this is.

I would just get one and try it as you can always sell at a similar price. They're good fun cameras, but I wouldn't use one as 1st choice, but this is only as I prefer SLRs.

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

Kamerer · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 389 Location: Russia Moscow

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

I have a Zorki 4 with the Industar 61

It works perfectly well, and is easier to use than the Leica III's I have tried - nicer viewfinder/rangefinder and MUCH better film loading.

But as a walkaround, Barnack and Bresson type camera, I like the Retina folders even better, they go in a pocket, are nearly silent, and are less fussy with the shutter. They sell for about the same too.

I even like the Argus C4/C44's better - the viewfinder/rangefinder is bigger and brighter and there is no problem with the shutter either. And you can get a replacement (in the US) for $20 shipped.