My name is Keith and I'm a FSU camera addict :) [Archive]

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ZorkiFan

04-20-2006, 09:01

Seriously, I have only known about Russian rangefinders for about 2 weeks, and just had to try one out. After reading some on other websites, and lots here, I ordered one from Yuri at fedka.

(At first I wanted a Zorki 6 but decided I wanted the slow speeds, now I feel like Heck, why not get one of each, or several of each. :)

I got it Monday, (Zorki 4K with an I-50) , and was I ever pleased. The one I ordered had a J-8 on it, and he sent me an e-mail saying that he didn't have a j-8 that was as nice as I ordered, but he had a rigid I-50 that was nice. He also gave me 25 dollars off on the camera. I was a bit worried, as I haven't heard as many good comments about it as the J-8. I took a few shots and got the film back, and I'm very pleased.

The Camera is in almost brand new condition, with the exception of a bit of wear on the printed lettering, as usual with the 4K. I can still see them fine. I found the lettering template that one of the members made up, and I will mark at least the spots, I can use the template to tell which speed is where (actually I already remember for the most part.) .The never ready is also in really good shape, and doesn't smell as bad as I expected. (I smoke, so I may just not notice) Also his website didn't say it came with a case or a lens cap, but it has both. Also I was suprised that it has 1/4-20 threads in the camera and the case stud.

I had forgotten about the diopter correction till most of the roll was gone, and then I dialed it in, and wow what a difference. I have used SLR's for years, and didn't see how a rangefinder could be as sharp, but rangefinders work really good , maybe better than slr's.

I used a digital camera as a meter for the first shot I took (indoors, in very low light) and it came out good. Then, thinking I could go outside without a meter,
and I found out I need some practice, but that is ok. I have learned more about exposure in the time I have been reading the archives here, and my little test roll, than I have in thirty years with metered cameras. Actually using sunny 16 and the zone system, you don't really even need a meter.

If I can figure this forum software out, I'll put a picture of it up here.

Now, I also need a fed 2 to keep the Zorki company at night. Naw, the wife will never believe that one.

:) :cool:

jonasv

04-20-2006, 09:06

Can't rest before you have a Zorki-1.

Welcome, you'll love it here ;)

jorisbens

04-20-2006, 09:27

Can't rest before you have a Zorki-1.

Welcome, you'll love it here ;)

Maybe Jonas, but a Fed-2 is the best Soviet camera, so first go for the Fed-2 :cool:

Joris :cool:

ZorkiFan

04-20-2006, 09:43

Yes, must have both :)

Here is a link to a picture of it. May be a bit big, I'll go smaller next picture.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/ZorkAKa.jpg

kmack

04-20-2006, 09:47

Hello Keith.
Go hardcore and get yourself a Kiev.

Jocko

04-20-2006, 09:56

kmack

04-20-2006, 10:02

Real conversation, earlier today -

Old friend (female): "why do you have so many Russian cameras?".
Me: (stating the obvious) "Because you have to have one of each!".

The FED 2 is essential - but once you have one, you'll need a FED 1... and a Kiev :D

Welcome home Keith!

Cheers, Ian
Could not agree more, It starts with a Zorki 4, then a Fed 2. A Kiev is usually next (a 4 or 4m). I skipped on the Fed 1. I went with one of those later German Fed copies: the Leica IIIF :D

Start posting some shots.

Jocko

04-20-2006, 10:07

Could not agree more, It starts with a Zorki 4, then a Fed 2. A Kiev is usually next (a 4 or 4m). I skipped on the Fed 1. I went with one of those later German Fed copies: the Leica IIIF :D

Start posting some shots.

Ordered the scanner today Kevin! Shots of Old Female friend etc follow shortly!

Cheers, Ian

PS - between you and me, I don't think Barnack ever quite caught that unique Fed quality!

Edit: That should have been "perpetually young and beautiful female friend". I didn't know you could type whilst being hit about the head, did you?

ruben

04-20-2006, 10:10

Hello Keith.
Go hardcore and get yourself a Kiev.

If any Kiev is "hardcore", how would you term a black Kiev IIa, lizard embossed ?

Greetings for you

Welcome to Keith !

Ruben

ZorkiFan

04-20-2006, 10:24

This is the first shot off the roll and the first one outside.

All I had here was superia 800 other than 100asa and I wanted speed to shoot inside so they are bad, plus I was just shooting to test the camera I really didn't look hard for subjects :)

Robert Vote

04-20-2006, 10:49

ZorkiFan

04-20-2006, 11:13

I was suprised how well they came out.

If there is one thing they could have changed on the design is to put the aperture numbers on the top of the ring rather than the front. LOL I guess it is a self portrait lens. :)

It is kind of slow, but actually it is faster than most zoom lenses for SLR's A fast pro zoom is just a f2.8. Nikon's kit zoom is a blazing f3.3-f5.6. The kit lens takes pretty smooth pictures too.

I love the bokeh of the I-50. I cant say about flare yet, but carefull composition will usually cure flare. If it becomes a problem I'll make one of the alcohol bottle hoods that someone has on their website.

lushd

04-20-2006, 12:17

Edit: That should have been "perpetually young and beautiful female friend". I didn't know you could type whilst being hit about the head, did you?[/QUOTE]

Ian - did she hit you with the camera or just her fists?

Welcome Keith - I too started with a Zorki 4 and it's been a long and whacky journey. I have enjoyed every moment. I think the I-50 is underrated too, but it is quite ugly.

Jocko

04-20-2006, 14:52

Edit: That should have been "perpetually young and beautiful female friend". I didn't know you could type whilst being hit about the head, did you?

Ian - did she hit you with the camera or just her fists?

Welcome Keith - I too started with a Zorki 4 and it's been a long and whacky journey. I have enjoyed every moment. I think the I-50 is underrated too, but it is quite ugly.[/QUOTE]

Just the bottle Donald. Fortunately i was able to synchronise my ducking with her swings, so it was all right! Generally :D

Ian

lubitel

04-20-2006, 15:17

Welcome!

my first was Zorki 3C,

After you get your fed 2 dont forget to get a Fed 3 and a russian brick Fed5 with I-61 :)
and a medium format TLR Lubitel 166

all the best!

jcline

04-20-2006, 21:36

I must admit, I too am a junkie... I just got a zorki 1 and it is a damned nice camera... I like it better than my Fed2 or my zorki 3m... hmmm Keiv... a whole new mount to collect lenses in... evil!

comp_wiz101

04-20-2006, 22:28

Well, I'm glad someone could make use of my work on the shutter dial template!

comp_wiz101

04-20-2006, 22:37

reagan

04-21-2006, 03:15

Yep, the Zorki.4 has been the first step on the slippery slope for many, myself included. The 4 lured me in and once I held that Bad Boy in my hands, I just couldn't turn away. I don't have a rigid I.50, but IMO, the black ones don't look bad on the larger body Zorki.4 like yours. But I can't say I have any complaints against any of the FSU lenses I have so far. I don't have any FEDs or Kievs (though I've been often tempted) ... the Zorkis have served me quite well. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours as well.

ZorkiKat

04-21-2006, 03:40

Looks good!
I think the rigid I-50 is underestimated.
Maybe because a lot of people think it is ugly or slow.
It is a bit on the slow side, but ugly- u decide!
I got a silver one. I CLA`d it and it is doing a very nice and smooth job!

Thanks.

Robert

Robert

You can jazz up the rigid I-50 by placing leatherette (design of your choice) around its big fat bare waist Put lizard skin, ostrich skin, or even cat fur! :D
Got the idea from the old 9cm Leitz Elmar which sports a similar trim on its mounting grip.

http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page521.htm

The I-50 is an excellent lens by all means.

Robert Vote

04-21-2006, 04:03

very nice! maybe i will do it!

thanks.

Robert

ZorkiFan

04-21-2006, 04:21

BTW, make sure you are using my final version (In B&W) - it was the result of many tests to find the right size of font that would be readable and accurate; you can find it here: Worn Silkscreen Solution

I do now, thank you very much sir. Very nice to have. I wonder about printing it in reverse on a sandwich of tranparent material, and making it a stickon. It would take forever to wear it off again. :)

ZorkiCat, now that is a cool idea. It is funny, to me the lens looks so good with the lens cap on, but alas when you take it off, its beady little eye looks out of place. I suppose I could try a contax J-3 in its body, but as I don't have one, it might be better to find an LTM J-3.

I can easily buy most of the better Jupiters and Industars for less than I paid for my 80-200 2.8 I use on my Nikon, and be getting some fast prime lenses. Mother Russia was truly a good old gal in some ways.

I am sure I will be adding a kiev to my list, and that 'blad copy looks sweet. And then there is the Iskra.

*note to self- don't tell the wife all about this newfound fetish, she wont understand, or worse yet, she will want some too.* :)