View Full Version : the worst rangefinder
jean-marc B.
06-19-2006, 14:19
I need your advice for my website, wich russian rangefinder is the worst rangefinder ??? And naturelly wich one is the best ??
For me the worst is the Fed 4, and the best is the Zorki 6. And you ???;)
Kim Coxon
06-19-2006, 14:35
The worst is the one that doesn't work and the best is the one that does. :D
Kim
So true. The quality 'control' is so varied I dont think its fair to choose. Besides, personal preference!
darkkavenger
06-19-2006, 14:56
I'll give you my point of view... the cameras I enjoyed the most, besides my Kiev-2A, were a Fed-3 type B (wonderful design, silk-smooth rapid winder) and a Zorki-4 (The professional, straight-to-the-point brick)
this is going to be a long thread ;)
So far the FSU camera that I have enjoyed the most is Fed-2. The worst for me is Fed-5.
But I think what Kim said is right. May be if my fed5 functioned better, I would have also enjoyed it better :)
jean-marc,
I think there is a large difference between "my worst" and "the worst" FSU(or any) camera. And I suspect all the FSU cameras when working correctly take better photos that I can.
My worst changes; last time it was a Kiev 4a that I had just opened to change the film in and missed what could've been the best photo I took that time. Another time it was a FED Micron2 that lost the screw for the advance lever while I was using it. Only took me 45 minutes to find it in the snow. :rolleyes:
I'm not expert enough in engineering or mechanical design to have a valid opinion about the worst.
Rob
rpinchbeck
06-19-2006, 18:32
Well, from a purely technical standpoint of what I have seen I'd say it would be most of my LTM rangefinders. I have a Fed 2, Zorki 4K, Fed 3 and a Fed 5 that will not come into adjustment to cure shutter fade or capping no matter what I do. Each Kiev I work with gives way to my will, even the real junky ones turn out to good performers in the end.
Now just before I run and hide from the barrage of posts delaring me some sort of heretic, I would like to say I do have a Zorki 1 and a Fed 2 that have adjusted to have less than 1/2 stop of shutter fade from side to side. I very much enjoy shooting with these two cameras.
Russ (running to find a nice flat rock to hide under) Pinchbeck
My Leica iiic was far worse than my Zorki ! It needed a CLA of 5 times what I paid for the FSU camera ! So, Leicas are the worst FSU copies on the planet, then ?
Peter.
I don't like the vf of my FED-2, and the vf of my FED-5 is worse. The vf of my Kiev 4am is much better but doesn't beat the vf's of my Bessas, R-D1 or Zeiss-Ikon. IMO all of those FSU vf's are crap. :)
David Murphy
06-20-2006, 00:26
Petri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cool:
I don't like the vf of my FED-2, and the vf of my FED-5 is worse. The vf of my Kiev 4am is much better but doesn't beat the vf's of my Bessas, R-D1 or Zeiss-Ikon. IMO all of those FSU vf's are crap. :)
The VF on my Zorki 3c is really nice. And for shooting with 50mm not worse than Bessa R. But I still enjoy using the Fed 2 much more.
Spyderman
06-20-2006, 05:22
Since this was posted in FSU forum, I guess You want to know which FSU RFs we like, and which we dislike.
Well, for me, I like the design of the Barnack clones, but also the functionality of later cameras - especially Zorki 3, 4.
The ones I dislike are FED 4 and 5. Only because of their look, and also because of their dim viewfinder.
PS: just a thought: recently I bought a Sokol Automat. Already in 60' it had much better vf and rf than most of the LTM FSU RFs. Why didn't they put such a beutiful vf into a Zorki or a Fed? Even just 50 framelines with paralax marks would be MUCH better...
Whatever is working at the time,all have quirks and saving graces,Fed2's are fun
I wonder which "planet" PeterL comes from. To call a Leica an FSU camera is pure sacrilege. Any IIIc that is not a Russian copy was made in GERMANY long ago.
The general rule with FSU cameras is that the quality/function depends on how much vodka the boys in the factory had the night before.
Dear Jean-Marc,
1) Kim is right!
2) Define "best" (Mr Socrates looks forward to hearing from you!).
3) Not another plug for your website!? :D
4) As products of Scientific Socialism all Soviet Cameras are necessarily perfect.
'a votre sante!
Ian
None of the FSU cameras are exactly works of art. On the whole, I think my Kiev is the "coolest".
Best machine I own is a Minox C. (they're just so cute and cuddly...)
Best camera I own is is my OM-1.
Best camera I ever handled was an Alpa 10. (a Rolex with film!)
Worst camera? Made in the USA not in the FSU: Argus C-3.
We can't make motorcycles and we can"t make 35mm cameras.
I wonder which "planet" PeterL comes from. To call a Leica an FSU camera is pure sacrilege.
I'm good, aren't I ? ;)
I would've thought from the high over-the-top-ness factor it would've been clear it was a joke.
The CLA'd Leica feels incredible, can't wait to use it. Stuck in exams for another few days, then it'll be glued to my hand. I just noticed I love the split RF/VF windows. The RF enlargement is so practical. I've never used an RF camera with a single window, but maybe I'd miss the focussing accuracy.
Peter.
comp_wiz101
06-20-2006, 22:34
Look at my sig.. there are my rangefinders. My favorite? The Zorki 3 - Nice VF/RF, smooth operation, comfortable to hold.... and the best fit and finish of all of my FSU rangefinders. However, I might just someday get a Kiev... but not yet!
Best camera overall?
The best camera I own would have to be my Rolleiflex SLX Medium Format SLR, 6x4.5 back and a Rollei HFT 80mm Planar (Under licence from Zeiss)... Even the contact prints are nice!
rolleistef
06-21-2006, 05:32
A Rollei SLX really? doubtlessly nice but aren't they a bit... ugly? Anyway all "classic" flexes are nice...
I only tested 2 FSUs : a 61 Zorki 4 (or 4K? dont remember). I think no speed dial scratches the skin on the fingers that much... arghh... and they are not quiet at all...
the other one is my Kiev. Nothing to say, this camera is near perfect : rf, setting etc. And sooo quiet!! and soo smooth! no as a nice Barnack Leica though....
comp_wiz101
06-21-2006, 10:07
Yes, it is a bit... chunky. The quality of the photos I get from it does help make up for it though. I think my best looking camera is the Zorki 3
Silva Lining
06-21-2006, 10:49
My Best FSU would be the Zorki 3M or 3C - I like the design and feel of the camera. My Worst FSU would be the Kiev 4a - just couldn't get along with it!!
jean-marc B.
06-22-2006, 13:18
jean-marc,
I think there is a large difference between "my worst" and "the worst" FSU(or any) camera. And I suspect all the FSU cameras when working correctly take better photos that I can.
My worst changes; last time it was a Kiev 4a that I had just opened to change the film in and missed what could've been the best photo I took that time. Another time it was a FED Micron2 that lost the screw for the advance lever while I was using it. Only took me 45 minutes to find it in the snow. :rolleyes:
I'm not expert enough in engineering or mechanical design to have a valid opinion about the worst.
Rob
I agree with you, in fact I wanted to know your worst and your better rangefinder. I wanted to know if one camera may be the worst for some one and the best for an other one... It is not for a scientist publication, but just for the fun. I am sorry but my english is not so good...
Thank you everybody for your answer, and for your mails. :)
tenebrae
06-22-2006, 15:15
I really like FED-1's and Zorki-1's, as outdoors shooters. With a collapsible lens they fit into almost any pocket. They look cool too. Indoors they're not much use, as they don't have slow speeds and I like available light photography.
And I have a Kiev 4a with the silkiest shutter release of any camera I own.
But nothing beats a Leica M viewfinder....
I agree with you, in fact I wanted to know your worst and your better rangefinder. I wanted to know if one camera may be the worst for some one and the best for an other one... It is not for a scientist publication, but just for the fun. I am sorry but my english is not so good...
Thank you everybody for your answer, and for your mails. :)
Your english is fine, Jean-Marc, but I will try to be more specific about my likes/dislikes:
My least favorite FSU camera is the FED Micron2. Decent size(I think it's the same dimensions as the FED Micron but the Micron2 is full frame while the Micron is half-frame) and OK controls but it just doesn't thrill me like the other FSU gear I own.
My next disliked camera was the FED2. I bought one from a member here and while the camera was in excellent condition, I never could get used to the tiny viewfinder. So I sold it to another RFFer. I really wanted to like that camera; fit my hand well, very cool looking, capable of excellent photos. But it just didn't work for me.
The cameras I like the best are the Kiev 4a and the Zorki 3m.
The Kiev was the first or second FSU camera I bought from a soviet camera auction site (that doesn't seem to exist any more--my bookmark didn't work the last time I tried it :( ) and I was pretty nervous sending the admittedly small amount of money by Western Union. But the camera came with out undue delay and it is still wonderful! It looked new and still works well. One of the strap lugs is starting to wiggle a little which I'll need to have looked at eventually.
The Zorki I bought from another FSU dealer( http://rafcamera.com/ )that mostly sells movie cameras but has some still camera gear. That one was/is the best looking FSU camera I own. I made the mistake of trying to change the shutter speed before advancing the film. It broke and so I sent it for a CLA(I've got a thread abou it if you're interested: "CLA in the USA?"). I bought another(in poor condition) one thinking I might fix and repaint it but ultimately decided to send it to Oleg for rehab. Soon as I get them back, I will be very happy. Big VF, full shutter speeds, and strap lugs.
The FSU camera that has surprised me is the FED5. I own two of them, one 5C and one black 5. Ugly they are but they work. No strap lugs and top speed of 1/500 but I have been able to live without those things pretty well.
The silver one I am going to repaint and releather into something obnoxious or cool depending on one's taste: John Deere green and yellow "leather" but I'm going very slowly on this project.
Rob
One of the strap lugs is starting to wiggle a little which I'll need to have looked at eventually.
Most likely you need to tighten the holding screw, under the leather.
Most likely you need to tighten the holding screw, under the leather.
Thanks, Eugene! I wasn't sure how the lugs were held in place. Hmm, This sounds like a good "reason" :rolleyes: to get new leather for this camera.
Good, clean, frivolous fun!
Rob
It's a real shame to limit this to FSU cameras. In all actually the worst rangefinders may have been American.
For example: The Perflex Speed Candid (http://www.vintagephoto.tv/speedcandid.shtml)
has anyone seen these? ive seen copies of the zorki 1 (leica2) and zorki 3. its called shanghai something. the funny thing is these camera sell for about 200 USD! which is double that of the zorkis and near as much as leicas on ebay! granted these seem to be recent copies and are in good condition bt the machining looks rough
has anyone seen these? ive seen copies of the zorki 1 (leica2) and zorki 3. its called shanghai something. the funny thing is these camera sell for about 200 USD! which is double that of the zorkis and near as much as leicas on ebay! granted these seem to be recent copies and are in good condition bt the machining looks rough
There is a thread here in the "Russian RF" section called "chinese Red Flag 20 and lenses" that has lots of lovely Chinese Camera Porn. And good info.
Rob
wlewisiii
06-24-2006, 23:01
It's a real shame to limit this to FSU cameras. In all actually the worst rangefinders may have been American.
For example: The Perflex Speed Candid (http://www.vintagephoto.tv/speedcandid.shtml)
Uhm, no, actually, there are a very large number of american cameras that are far worse in the real world. All you have to do is take an Argus C33 for a few minutes and you will have several brused fingers a short time later...
In the end, I want a battle rifle. Why does that have to be such a MotherfFu*ker?
comp_wiz101
06-24-2006, 23:05
Agreed. I have two of them, and I never use them for that exact reason
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