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Zorki – any opinions?
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I have to face the fact that I’ll not own a Leica until the kids are through college.
So, been doing a bit of research and the Zorki keeps popping up as an alternative – something for a bit of a distraction. I’ve started using my old XA a bit and …
I’d be interested in any views on any of the Zorki range (quite keen on the 4) or a similar/alternative rangefinder.
[url=http://www.grizzly33bear.com/35mmrfcameras/leicacopyd.r.p.black[L-DRP-BLCK]Ahem[/url], don’t be so hasty on your dismissal of a Leica. And I won’t tell anyone. :wink:
I’ve dealt with this crowd recently on Ebay and they’re A1 and can’t fault them.
Alan.
Here ya go buddy . . .
Some of the other Russian’s might be worth some research like the Fed’s, Zenit’s, Kiev’s and Mir’s they can
be got for small change but yea the quality can be questioned too.I have a zorki 4 and i find it great.
There are a few variations, the main being the 4 and the 4k, the ‘4’ has a knob wind and the ‘4k’ has a lever wind to name just one diference.
I went for an early ‘4’ for several reason’s, the main ones being that it has strap lugs and the markings on the camera body are engraved instead of silk screened.
everything on mine works and the only problem i’ve had is that the odd time the film can run through a bit off cente as the take up spool is removable and has to be put in right (in other words it was my own fault)
BM wrote:
or a similar/alternative rangefinder.
I have a Bessa Rangefinder, (actually 2, I need to sell one).
First I got an R3A, but found the 1:1 viewfinder difficult with glasses (with the 1:1 view if you are right eyed you can shoot with both eyes open, I’m not)
Then I got the R4A, the viewfinder is much better for me, and has 21mm framelines.A more expensive option is the Zeiss Ikon. Rangefinderforum had a poll of this camera vs M7 and it was surprising how well it did, almost 50/50.
Both the bessa and the zeiss ikon are still in production, easy to get second hand too.
I have a few cameras, but when I got the rangefinder, it become my favourite form of shooting.
Eventually I’ll get an M7, for build quality and quiet shutter. But for usability, bessa, zeiss ikon and others can be as good, or near Leica.Zorki is such a cool sounding name.
Martin
Lot of good user cameras out there alright, as Martin mentioned. The FSU rangefinders definitely seem funky, but just be careful what you’re buying. The designs of all these cameras and lenses are top notch (for cameras and lenses of that period), as they were all pretty much looted from the Germans (Leica & Zeiss) at the end of WW2, but the Russian manufacturing tolerances of these cameras and lenses can be quite variable. For example with the lenses, it is common place for people to buy several copies just to be able to get one fully functioning copy that doesn’t require a minor trip to a technician. I believe the camera bodies were more reliable, but still, caveat emptor.
Lastly, given the above mentioned manufacturing issues, there are several ebay sellers of these cameras and lenses out there, that sell these cameras for a bit more, but you have the assurance they have been given the once over by a proper technician/ camera repair person, and any flaws/ issues corrected. Don’t have any seller details on hand, but if you’re set on a Soviet Union RF, this could be the way to go.
Damien
I know, a late reply; but if you want cheap and cheerful (and even if you don’t), the early (Ukrainian) Kievs are far less “industrial” than the (Russian) Zorkies, but cost about the same.
I have a Kiev 2a and a “real” Contax II; indistinguishable in performance and handling, because they’re basically the same camera. Excellent, quiet shutter, nice, precise and very accurate combined rangefinder, much easier film loading than e.g. the Leica M3 I once had (or the Zorki). Did I mention cheap? The Kiev cost me €50 (WITH a great 50mm Jupiter-8 lens, incl. p&h), the Contax (incl a service) ~ €180…I think I’d rather sell the Contax than the Kiev. The lens bayonet is quick and Nikon-S and Voigtlander-SC wide angle lenses fit if you’re so inclined.
Of course, the Zorki looks Leica-esque, if that’s important to you :)
Just a word of caution: If you’re thinking about the later Kiev-4 (M, AM,…) models, quality control was, well, not part of the 5-year plan. You CAN get very good examples and you CAN get dogs. That also applies to a lesser extent to their lenses. All my Kiev gear is late ’50s. If you get G>A>S>, or any of your Kiev/Contax RF gear needs servicing: Oleg at okvintagecamera.com is your man (he’s servicing a Contax for me right now).
– As you well know, nothing wrong with your Olympus XA by the way either.It just to get a fully functional copy which does not require a minor to travel to a technician. I think the camera bodies are more reliable, but still caveat emptor.
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