Let's create a FSU Frankenstein... [Archive]

Spyderman

06-29-2006, 03:01

Hi guys.

We all know each FSU RF had its own pros and cons and there seems to be no perfect FSU camera. I mean that you cannot say about one camera model that it had all the positive things inherited from its ancestors. There seems to be some kind of lack of logic development in those cameras. An example could be the strap lugs :D or the step back from Zorki 4 to Zorki 5 etc.

What would be the camera that had all the pros of its ancestors?

My ideal FSU camera would be:
- body from Zorki 3
- with strap lugs ;)
- comfortable advance lever (like Zorki 6)
- viewfinder with framelines for 35 50 and 85 (like Leningrad)

PS: if you don't like this kind of dreaming, just ignore this thread :angel:

Ash

06-29-2006, 03:10

Mine:

Zorki 4k body, with strap lugs (hefty ones too).
A near-silent kiev 4 shutter
the speeds from both cameras (so there is a wide selection).
Kiev 4 style viewfinder length, but 1:1 with framelines.

So basically both my cams smashed together!

Jocko

06-29-2006, 03:20

A Fed 2 with the viewfinder of a Zorki 6 - or, in an ideal world the Kometa (with an added 35mm frame!), the Leica "roller" of the Drug, the focussing wheel from a Kiev and the TTL metering of a FED 6.:)

And a Jupiter 3 that worked!:D

Cheers, Ian

lubitel

06-29-2006, 03:21

My ideal would be a Zorki 7 (a nearly identical copy of Leica M7 :D )

lubitel

06-29-2006, 03:24

fed 6?

I found this about it

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/FED_6_TTL

Spyderman

06-29-2006, 03:33

And read this: http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Zorki_35M

I guess that is the camera that would have success even in the west, if only it made it to production...

ErnestoJL

06-29-2006, 03:40

As I didn´t have any experience with other FSU cameras, mi opinion and wishes will be based on what I know, it is a Kiev 4 / Contax II.

Then my choice for the perfect FSU includes the following items:

Body, shutter from a KIev4 (or Contax II)
RF from a Kiev4 with 1:1 ratio, framelines (35/50/85/135 mm) and diopter correction (like FED3).
If not TTL metering, at least a top mounted meter covering only the RF patch area and with needle/lights visible in the VF.
Advance lever (at least something like the FED3 or Zenith´s design).
An easy to set shutter speed dial.

Anyway, I´m fond of my Kiev and Contax II, and been living many years without the improvements mentioned, so they are just something nice to dream about!

Cheers

Ernesto

Jocko

06-29-2006, 04:08

fed 6?

I found this about it

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/FED_6_TTL

There's more about the FED 6 here, Lubitel http://www.nightphoto.com/fed6p.html

I remember the E-bay one. It was an "Improved" version of the above and looked very interesting - apparently they were shown at Photokina in 2000.

The intriguing thing is that the FED 6 (1992) considerably predates the Bessa R. In some parallel universe the RF Renaissance began in Kharkov...:)

Cheers, Ian

PS, Although I can't recall the link - and I think it may be in the second edition of Princelle - there was also a striking looking TTL "Kiev 4" prototype...

Spyderman

06-29-2006, 06:26

What do you think about this ?

http://zenit.istra.ru/qa/tip-zorki-4-ttl.html

pvdhaar

06-29-2006, 06:41

What do you think about this ?

http://zenit.istra.ru/qa/tip-zorki-4-ttl.html
I think it's a secret prototype of a digital Zorki-RD1. They're still in the process of getting the pixel count up from 1..
:D Well, you did ask..

pvdhaar

06-29-2006, 06:51

Jocko

06-29-2006, 07:20

What do you think about this ?

http://zenit.istra.ru/qa/tip-zorki-4-ttl.html

I had a rant about that a little while back! I still think an Arax-style refurbisher could do it! :)

But there do seem a lot of wires....:eek:!

Ian

rbiemer

06-29-2006, 11:32

I'd be very happy with a Zorki 3m with the additions of: ttl light meter that worked similarly to the meter in the Bessa R (except that the J-12 wouldn't interfere) and, if done elegantly, an advance lever.
Zoom VF from 35 to 135? Nah, would ruin the beauty of the current top deck.
Rob

Fedzilla_Bob

06-29-2006, 20:41

I think it's a secret prototype of a digital Zorki-RD1. They're still in the process of getting the pixel count up from 1..
:D Well, you did ask..

Sounds a heck of a lot like the digital Canonet I proposed a while back. :)

lmd91343

06-29-2006, 21:32

A FED 1, FED 2, or Zorki 1 that I don't have to work for a week to get it to work! ;) Once they start working they are great!

A TTL meter would be nice too! I am trying to make a prototype for my non-functional FED3. My first attempt has electronics as big as a deck of cards. It is functional down to -4 EV asa 100 at f2.8. I am on attempt #2 now.

comp_wiz101

06-29-2006, 22:21

What sort of design are you using? Is it a basic comparator circuit?

A FED 1, FED 2, or Zorki 1 that I don't have to work for a week to get it to work! ;) Once they start working they are great!

A TTL meter would be nice too! I am trying to make a prototype for my non-functional FED3. My first attempt has electronics as big as a deck of cards. It is functional down to -4 EV asa 100 at f2.8. I am on attempt #2 now.

PetarDima

06-29-2006, 22:42

comp_wiz101

06-29-2006, 22:53

Hmm...
Zorki 3 body w/Vulcanite or soft pebbled leather w/ strap lugs
Rapid Lever Wind
Multi-Frameline parallax compensating 1:1 VF
Wide-Based rangefinder w/ Droug-style rounded cam
*M-Mount!* -> So we can use ANY Leica RF lens
Speeds from 1-1/1000 (Pick-your-poison for the shutter type)
Smaller internal flash synchro & hot shoe
Metering system: Either TTL (Without interfering with a J-12) or Reading through the Rangefinder housing with a measuring area the size of the RF spot.
Swing back, fixed spool
Stronger folding bottom foot
Folding rewind crank

Results: Almost more features than a Bessa series, with the ability to use a J-12 and the good looks of a Z3!

PetarDima

06-29-2006, 22:56

Digital Z orki1? Whitout lcd( only viewfinder)? It sounds fantastic ... Anyway, factory( Krasnogorsky Zavod) still works?

Spyderman

06-30-2006, 00:23

Here's another TTL attempt... (I think it was already mentioned here in the RFF) http://www.textklick.demon.co.uk/leicattl.html

A TTL meter would be nice too! I am trying to make a prototype for my non-functional FED3. My first attempt has electronics as big as a deck of cards. It is functional down to -4 EV asa 100 at f2.8. I am on attempt #2 now.
can you post a diagram of the circuitry? or at least email me? I too am trying to make a TTL meter for my Zorki 4. I plan to make the circuit just like the one on the russian site, but a different implementation - something simplier, with a potentiometer (variable resistor) with knob sticking out instead of selftimer cocking lever.

lushd

07-01-2006, 06:05

Oh, and while we're at it, a full frame digital FED1/Zorki1 would indeed be absolutely fab! But.. without the Bayer filter, i.e. black & white only. And none of that flip up LCD nonsens. Just a FED1/Zorki1 on the outside.. Merely a card and battery slot -bottom loaded of course to keep with the theme-..

Oh that would be heaven, also cheap as you wouldn't have to pay for all those redundant bits of pointless software that you will never use or spend your life cursing as you try to defeat them.

I vote for a digital Zorki 5 on this basis as this is my favourite handling camera. It would remove the bottom loading/heavy wind on issue. Otherwise a digital Zorki 4k would be cool.

Macpod

07-02-2006, 07:07

this might be a stupid question. and its probably to do with patent rights. But why hasnt anyone made a leica M copy? i know theres a chinese red flag.

how do you think it would sell? i suppose it makes more sense for companies to make SLRs in todays market.

id buy a FSU MP :D

Ash

07-02-2006, 07:42

I think patents are more strict now than they were back in the Soviet-copy-everything days. I doubt its financially viable to rip off the M. Especially the QC

Valkir1987

07-02-2006, 08:22

A smaller and more compact Zorki 4-K with...

-a smaller top plate and strap lugs.
-X sync only
-a leica like slow speed dial on the front plate (like the Zorki 3)
-a smaller viewfinder with parralax correction
-a speed setter like the Zenit E has, you can set the speed wound and unwound
-a better rewind lever (instead of a knob)
-a built in light meter (non TTL)
-and... a Jupiter 8 with click diafragm

Greetings :)

Macpod

07-02-2006, 08:24

well. i figued just about what everyone wants is on the leica Ms. i cant imagine what leica actually has patented. surely anyone can make a lever wind or brightline viewfinder.

surely an even cheaper alternative to the current voigtlander bessas would be attractive. although im just speaking out of my backend. the market for rangefinder is probably scarily small.

I dont know about zorki and fed. but im pretty sure Lomo is still in business. i heard some swiss comany bought it and will be coming out with new models. Maybe if they actually knew this segment of the market existed. they can then make up their mind if its worth while bringing out another FSU rangefinder.

wouldnt that be something. another whole generation of competitive FSU rangefinder for less than 300USD :) Maybe we can even have a LHSA equivalent limited edition!

varjag

07-03-2006, 08:10

Macpod

07-04-2006, 05:13

LOMO, the optical conglomerate located in St. Perersburg, Russia has ceased to produce cameras around 2001. The lomography.com website has not much to do with LOMO except selling their "new old stock" LC-A among others overpriced cameras-

Looks like things have changed in the last 5 years...

http://www.lomoplc.com/newsFrames.htm

that site is current and the latest news artical is dated december 2005.

Jocko

07-04-2006, 05:24

Looks like things have changed in the last 5 years...

http://www.lomoplc.com/newsFrames.htm

that site is current and the latest news artical is dated december 2005.

Macpod, Varjag is totally correct. Those people import telescope lenses.

Cheers, Ian

varjag

07-04-2006, 05:28

I see no mention of cameras produced there.

LOMO is still in optical business, but has quit making cameras. Just like KMZ did last year.

darkkavenger

07-04-2006, 05:30

My ideal FSU RF would be the Kiev-TTL prototype.

Jocko

07-04-2006, 05:33

My ideal FSU RF would be the Kiev-TTL prototype.

Max - do you know where there's a picture of that? I'm sure I saw one once, and it looked absolutely fabulous.....

Cheers, Ian

Edit - actually I don't think it can have been the Kiev-TTL... I'm sure I saw a picture of a streamlined Kiev rangefinder intended to succeed the 4A... Oh I need the new Princelle....:(

varjag

07-04-2006, 05:42

I heard that Kiev TTL prototype of the 1960s used two CdS sensors on swinging arms arrangement, quite similar to what was done on FED TTL. Not sure how would it work with a lens like J-12..

Macpod

07-04-2006, 06:20

I misread your reply. i thought you meant the company no longer exists.

who knows. they might decide to make cameras again.

Spyderman

07-05-2006, 12:33

My younger brother had an idea to buy the machines from KMZ and start making cameras :D :D :D And he's 18 y.o. :D

Macpod

07-06-2006, 02:27

are they selling it on the bay? ahaha. heck if they can train it over to china ill buy it and churn out my own 'improved' zorki 3m! with lever wind and 3 viewfinder lines. mmmm

darkkavenger

07-06-2006, 03:42

Jocko: I have the pictures on an Outlook inbox backup file. I need to fetch outlook from work and then i'll be able to extract them. A fellow RFF member had sent me these.

Varjag: I think you're correct, there were 2 Cds sensors on a swinging arm... maybe that's why they made the Sputnik-4 lens prototype who knows ;)