a first try with my new Zorki Mir + Industar 50 / 3.5

laurentvenet · 10-03-2004

Hi

I've recently bought on Ebay a Zorki MIR.

It looks great though viewfinder is small and not convenient, especially with my glasses. Are zorki 4 viewfinder better ?

This shot was made using Ilford FP4 plus (400), but I forgot to write down exposition, I remember light was low, it was on the morning , so maybe 1/30 and 3.5 for diaphragm.

I guess jupiter lens are better. And I read that Helios where even better but it looks like helios are more often found on Kiev 4 models.

I still have to pratice a lot.

Laurent

back alley · 10-03-2004

great first effort.

yes, the jupiter seems to be the favourite 50 of many.

joe

Rich Silfver · 10-03-2004

Yes, very nice shot and I'll echo Joe's comment

peter_n · 10-03-2004

Yes I like the expression and the big aperture really helps to isolate the subject. Good job, Laurent!

From what I've seen on this site, the Jupiter-8 50mm can be an amazing lens. They have some very clean looking black ones that look new(ish) on eBay for $20-40. Don't know how these black ones compare with the older silver ones, but this J-8 is a good lens!

Doug · 10-03-2004

A pleasant appearing lady, and the composition helps draw attention to her. Perhaps she was moving? I see less sharpness on her left side.

Practice is enjoyable, so have fun! :-)

Laika · 10-04-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by laurentvenet
Hi

I've recently bought on Ebay a Zorki MIR.

It looks great though viewfinder is small and not convenient, especially with my glasses. Are zorki 4 viewfinder better ?

This shot was made using Ilford FP4 plus (400), but I forgot to write down exposition, I remember light was low, it was on the morning , so maybe 1/30 and 3.5 for diaphragm.

I guess jupiter lens are better. And I read that Helios where even better but it looks like helios are more often found on Kiev 4 models.

I still have to pratice a lot.

Laurent

Hi Laurent,

About viewfinders... the Zorki 3, 4, 5 & 6 (and MIR) all share the same viewfinder and it is as good as it gets in the Soviet RF's. The Kiev RF's are about the same while the FED's and older Zorki's are a bit smaller and can be dimmer... None of them are very user friendly if you wear glasses. You mention FP4+ @ 400? Did you push process it? (FP4+ is normally 125 ISO). What lens is on you MIR? An Ind-22 or Ind-50? I've found both go be good performers even wide open. If I was you I'd try your lens again in good light and maybe overexpose some a half or even a full stop before giving up on it. The slight softness could be from the slow shutter speed and the use of a 50mm lens, I'd normally I find that lens/shutter speed combination ok but if it was a hurried grab shot with any movement from you or the subject its easy to lose sharpness. All that said I like the shot ...nice. I look forward to seeing more

PS: I also think the Jupiter 8 is a great lens, the black ones are my favourites but all are good performers if the glass is nice.

Pherdinand · 10-04-2004

I think the helios was ONLY made for the kiev/contax mount.
Also, i'd guess the film was HP5+ at 400 - FP4 as said above, is iso125, and it's quite dim there for that film... just guessing.

Nice shot, Laurent, really, the slight softness fits the girl.

Pherdinand · 10-04-2004

And - nice bokeh

laurentvenet · 10-04-2004

Hello all , Thank's a lot for your welcoming advices and congratulations for the fed 2 page from Laika !

The lens I have is an Industar 50, the bad thing about it it that it has some slightly hard movements at some times of it, but it seems to be working well. it must be a defect from the screw mechanism. And another flaw is that aperture is too easy to move and should be checked before any shots (focusing is turning the aperture ring). But I'm gonna give it a few more chances before buying anything else. I'll post another one tonite.

I guess I was using a 400 ISO / ASA Ilford, I've thrown away the box and I read what was on the negatives.

I've seen the Jupiter 3 also which was 50 / 1.5... sounds nice !

I should soon receive a BLUE FED 3 (the modern ugly one, like a brick) with an industar 61 (52 / 2.8). I did like the blue color !

The girl on the picture was my sweet girl friend, so it was easy to have this smile from her ! lucky me !!!

thank's for the new word bokeh in my vocabulary :

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/bokeh.htm

Kind regards to all, Laurent

nwcanonman · 10-04-2004

Laurent,
You are a lucky man, very pretty girlfriend indeed

I am enjoying learning about the Zorki 4K, which came with a very sharp J-8 lens.

jon_flanders · 10-09-2004

I complained in another thread about not being able to see the composition in the Zorki 4 viewfinder, since I am a glasses wearer who is quite nearsighted.

I have since acquired a Fed 2, whose viewfinder I like a lot better. But I also noticed that the Fed's viewfinder has a knurled metal ring that holds it on the back side. This scratched the plastic lens on my new glasses.

Today at work, I found a small rubber o-ring that just fit around the knurled ring, and glued in in place to protect my glasses. I suppose at the time these cameras were made, all glasses were actually made with glass, and scratching was not an issue.

Jon Flanders

nwcanonman · 10-09-2004

jon_flanders,
One of the things I liked about the 4K was the focusing diopter, that allows me to use it without my glasses. I have to admit it is still a very small viewfinder, but so far it's really fun to shoot with and makes nice pics. Best of luck with your Fed.

jon_flanders · 10-09-2004

The Fed has a focusing diopter as well. But I am *really* nearsighted.

Jon Flanders

nwcanonman · 10-09-2004

That's a bummer. I lucked out again, just passed my driver's license test and still don't "Have" to wear glasses. Though I always do wear them when driving. Turning 53 in 2 weeks, that feels pretty good.