Important Lessons learned from FSU Rangefinders

comp_wiz101 · 07-29-2006

I was introduced to Rangefinderdom in the form of a beat up Zorki C

Let us examine what important things we have learned from these cameras of the [Former] Soviet Union....

For me:
1) Taking time with composition is as important (or more!) than everything being technically correct.
2) Make every shot count (Because there is NO motor drive... except for you Leningrad guys!)
3) I can fix my cameras... first it started with the ZC, then the Z4K... then the Z3... then the other rangefinders (& SLRs!)... focal plane & leaf shutter!... Just finished a Kodak Retina IIC and a Pentax K1000!
4) The FSU forum is a great place to both find help and help others.

[Caution! The following is a description of a graphic event... the conversion over to FSU Rangefinders! You have been warned...]

I started out with an old Yashica J5 SLR with a handheld meter.... then I wanted a "Good" camera. I purchased a used Canon EOS 1000 (or Rebel, as it is in the US). Motor drive, AE, AF.... Auto Everything. It was too much... I became a "Couch Potatoe" photog, I was lazy. Composition was off, DOF was never given notice, and I have many blurring pictures because I did not pay attention to shutter speed. I needed the old feeling back, of being in control of my images. My Yashica had died, and the EOS developed "sticky shutter syndrome", so I looked to my shelf for the answer... and noticed the Zorki C.
Previously, I had looked at it as a novelty, a camera that could never be used for "real" photography.
Nevertheless, I cut a leader and loaded the camera with some cheap Wal-mart film. I carried around the old Selenium Sekonic and the Zorki. I fudged my exposure on occasion (Oops! did I still have that on f/16?..), but I was having fun again. Because I was not used to it, it took me forever to get the camera ready, so it forced me to ask myself two questions: "Do I need to take this one?" If so, before pressing the shutter release: "Is this exactly how I want it to look?"

After I realized what I had, I needed more.... now I have two more Zorkis and three more lenses. I like to think that my photography has improved because of this, even with my slightly more modern SLRs (I will only go up to Aperture Priority Auto!). At very least, the first roll from that Zorki produced a print that I still like enough to have on my wall.

So, if you are not exhasted from reading my long and tedious story, would anyone like to share their thoughts?

Ash · 07-30-2006

I think your signature says it all! That's a lotta camera's!

But yes, I've always tried to make each shot count, and rangefinders definitely push you to do so.

I got into these things for a similar reason - total boredom of SLR's.. I could use DOF and manual shutter speed selection and all that, but I just wasn't bothering with getting photo's I was proud of. FSU camera's have definitely rekindled a love of photography... supposedly at a cheap price, but I daren't think how much I'm spending on these cameras now!

I missed an awesome shot yesterday - no way I could have caught it (had my 'cord in my bag, though) - we heard some football fans outside the shop then in a bolt one of them vaulted over the wooden A-sign outside the door.. Really funny, and totally unexpected. I had to kick myself for that, I would never be able to crank a FSU camera up in time to capture it in the 3 seconds it happened!

comp_wiz101 · 07-30-2006

Yes, it never seems to be ready when you need it

One time though, I had my 4K all set up; film, hood and all when I happened to pass by a Barn fire, just before the Fire dept. showed up...

Ducky · 07-30-2006

I, too, went to RF for the control. Unfortunately I now have a pile of them that need sorting. I have a Kiev4 that I'm not sure I like and a Fed3 that feels just right. The sorting will have to wait while I take pictures.

SCOTFORTHLAD · 07-30-2006

I had always kept a Fed 4,on which I learned the workings of aperture and shutter speed.My interest then became maritime photography at the local working Port.
This lasted for 15 years,and took me into the arena of manual SLR's with medium length zoom lenses,to capture shipping on the move.

Unfortunately,after 9/11, for reasons of security,photography in the Port was ended.For a while I was in a photographic limbo,but then I went back to the Fed and rediscovered the fun of taking my time,and also the kick of trying to get a nice result from this basic equipment.No regrets at all.

Brian.

ErnestoJL · 07-30-2006

When I bought my real first RF, a Kiev 4 in 1982, I bought it thinking of it as a discardable camera, being just a copy of a Contax.
In fact, it wasn´t that kind of "copy".
After some time using the camera it became a part of my body, it is something I would never leave at home.
Now, having a Contax II and some other cameras (and some russian and german lenses), if I have to choose my favourites, I will allways pick the Kiev and the Contax both in first place.

Ernesto