the *best* Zorki

Carburo · 10-05-2004

After the Kievs (my favourites) and FEDs, I am looking now for my first Zorki :P
Which one? I read good things about Zorki 6, and I like this:
http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/cameras/leica/67/67.htm
The price is a bit too high, but I'll think about this one, because they sell good and reliable items in my opinion.
I'm waiting for suggestions (see my other post too).

PS:
These Zorkies look amazing!
But isn't their price out of reasonable?

http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/cameras/leica/41/41.htm
http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/cameras/leica/42/42.htm

pshinkaw · 10-05-2004

The Fed-Zorki's are primarily sought after by collectors. The prices are unreasonable for my wallet, but they might be worth it to someone out there. The collecting market will pretty much decide their reasonableness.

-Paul

pshinkaw · 10-05-2004

If you are looking for a Zorki-6 to use, this one is a little high. That price is what you should expect to pay for one with Jupiter-8 INCLUDING all of the shipping charges from the Ukraine or Russia.

The Zorki-6 has a long base rangefinder. The best use for that rangefinder is the faster Jupiter-8 or Jupiter-9 telephoto. For the J-8 equipped camera the prices start as low as $25. It is not too hard to find a good one for around $35 plus shipping. The Jupiter-9 is not standard equipment, and you will typically have to find one by itself.

-Paul

mac_wt · 10-05-2004

I think the Zorki 3 or 3M is the 'best' Zorki. It has the classic style, but also a big and bright viewfinder. But since I'm not the only one with this opinion, they are a lot more expensive than the other zorki's.

vladhed · 10-05-2004

I agree with mac_wt, however a Zorki 4 or 4K with Jupiter 8 represents the best value for money

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

but then I may be biased (I own a 1959 Zorki 4 with Jupiter 8 :-)

Kin Lau · 10-05-2004

I have a Zorki 4 & a 4K both with J8's, and a 2C w/ I-22. The 2C is "stylish", looking much more like a Leica, but the 4K is a much more efficient shooter. My 4 is not very reliable.

Laika · 10-05-2004

I don’t think you can beat the 3M for function or style but the prices for a nice one are high next to most Soviet cameras. The Zorki 6 is a nice user and the only one with a hinged back.

My favorite is the 'Red Logo' Zorki 5, its slightly smaller than the Z6, has the same larger finder that all the later Zorkis have. The main thing that puts people off is it’s a bottom loader and needs the film leader trimmed, not really an big issue IMO. Size wise its like a FED2 and makes the Zorki 3/4 models look a bit bloated.

wlewisiii · 10-05-2004

I've been doing a toss up of 4k vs 6 from Fedka. Is there really much of a difference other than the hinged back?

William

pshinkaw · 10-06-2004

They are very different cameras. The 4K has a shorter rangfinder baselength, but larger viewfinder and higher viewfinder magnification and most of them have no neckstrap lugs. The Zorki-6 has the aforementioned hinged back, longer rangefinder baselength, smaller viewfinder, harder to adjust eyepiece diopter, and all of them have neckstrap lugs.

Each is the end product of a divergence in KMZ design, the 4K being a descendant of the Zorki-3 line and the Z-6 being a descendant of the Zorki-S line.

-Paul

wlewisiii · 10-06-2004

So, IIUC, if I'm interested in telephoto lenses, I'd be better off with the longer baseline of the 6?

William