Small, Silent, Simple!! Four Favourite Soviet Rangefinder Cameras, Compared.
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- Want to get into rangefinder photography? These bargain rangefinder cameras from the former Soviet Union are great to get started with!
Cameras: Zorki 1, Zorki 6, early Fed 3 and later Fed 3.
Enjoy!
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Some peanuts brand needs to sponsor this man.
:)
I own 3 so far. The kiev 4a the zorki 4 and the fed 4 . Getting back to the grass roots of photography has reminded me why i love photography.
Thanks a lot for another fantastic video. Could you review or tell us what you think about the industar 69?
Thank you for sharing the knowledge about soviet cameras. Some were good, some not, but it is all like a monument of a civilization that is gone. I was born there, learned photography there and probably used any camera that was made in USSR. I still have some really rare pieces as Zorky 2, Russar etc. And yes, I still shooting film!
They were simple machines, but there's something very compelling and likeable about them!
This is the kind of thing 007 would have to tolerate from Q after saying, "I'll need a camera"
:)
I tried a range of vintage analogue cameras, but the Fed 3a (the version with the recessed film wind knob) quickly became my favourite :)
It's very solid and pleasingly heavy, and I actually prefer the feeling of a winding knob over a lever.
The Fed 3 is a very nice camera, no doubt about it!
I've just remembered something a professional photographer told me about 60 years ago when seeing me using a Zorki.
He said it had one advantage over a Leica in that, if you squeezed it, it didn't alter the lens to film plane distance.
Unfortunately, I've never owned a Leica to find out if that were true.
It's true - the early ones (before the iiic) were made of sheet brass and are a bit flexible - don't squeeze too hard (this is also true of the very early Fed cameras)!
The L39 mount Canon Rangefinders were really well made and have great lenses also.
I've heard they're excellent - I'll try one out sometime!
I have the late FED 3 and the only real issue is that the viewfinder is small and dark, making it harder to compose and almost impossible to view in the dark, which is why I might buy a Zorki, as my friend's Zorki 3S has a much nicer VF.
I thought I read somewhere that the first two digits of the serial number indicated the year of manufacture. So your Zorki 1 is 1956.
I collected a lot of different FSU cameras in the early 2000's and used them constantly. They are great cameras, helps to have light meter. In most cases with FSU cameras the first digits of the serial number indicate the year they were made. I miss using them and may start shooting film again. Kievs, Feds, Zorkis they are all amazing.
They're nice little cameras, simple and unsophisticated, but all the better for it!
How times have changed. A zorki 1 is now almost $200.
I have a FED 3a with the industar lens. What a fun camera. I did break the slow speed but shoot sunny 16 in bright daylight with 100 or 400 ISO.
Glad you're enjoying that little Fed!
great video because of your films i have bought a Zorki 1c in beautiful condition now got to learn to use it thank you for sharing your knowledge on these lovely cameras it comes with the industar 22 f3.5 50mm lens can you recommend a quality wide angle lens for me please to have a look at and any others that you feel would be of value to me many thanks keep up the great videos
Excellent trove of information on these classic cameras!
Thank you!
I've always love these soviet rangefinders. But man they weighs a ton!
the best deal on a rangefinder i found was asking my grandma. i got a voigtländer vitoret DR, fixed 50mm lens all manual. photos are not back yet sadly.
Have you any Japanese rangfinders yashica etc
LOVE the first fed 3... Is my favorite!!! I have one!
It's a lovely camera, enjoy!
Just picked one up, waiting for it in the mail... Really excited
Russian cameras where also used in movies. For example. The Russian movie "the spacewalker", the press photographer in a interview using a FED 3 with flash. Btw a good movie. Spoken lanquage Russian and subtitled English.
That's interesting, I'd like to see that scene!
Kiev 4 speed can also be changed before rewinding
I had a quick question about the Industar 61 that typically comes with the FED 3. I've heard bad things about the later production of Industar 61 L/D and was wondering if there is any way to spot a good or poor L/D lens?
Love your videos by the way
There's a lot of talk about the variable quality of Russian lenses, but I can say that after using probably around a hundred or so over the years, I've only ever found one bad one, and that had been very neglected. I wouldn't listen too much to scare stories - the later Industars are fine optics - get one and I don't think you'll regret it!
@@zenography7923 Thank you for the help!
Уважаемый автор, самые популярные в СССР фотоаппараты - это "Зоркий"-4 + "Юпитер"-8 и ФЭД-5В + "Индустар"-61Л/Д.
Он про свои любимые
Они оба отличные маленькие машины, но я думаю, что мой любимый должен быть Zorki 3 (первая версия) - или, может быть, Zorki 1, который тоже действительно хорош!
These are like potato chips, you can't really have just one. I have had a lot of fun with these cameras over many years, some problems, yes, but the lenses are fantastic. As you say, it's hard to think of a better value today in film rangefinders. It's shocking to me how affordable Canon rangefinders have become, but service can be an expensive crap-shoot.
Agreed - once you have one, GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) can never be far away!
The Zorki 4k, that's not here, is the best with the black Jupiter 8 50mm f2.
The Z4K is a great little camera, no doubt about it!
I recently got a Zorki-1 that had been done up to look like a wartime Leica II. I'm trying to figure out how to redo the engravings but the part that troubles me the most (besides all the Nazi symbology) is that it doesn't have its original s/n. I feel like part of that camera's soul has been lost.
I quite like the reproduction Leicas (as opposed to outright fakes of course), I think they're lots of fun! Re-doing the engraving could be very tricky though, as I imagine the metal has already been ground down to erase the original engraving, and to grind it further in order to re-engrave you'd possibly risk going right through the metal. You could perhaps fill it with something like silver solder to build it up, but to do a seamless job I think your metalworking skills would need to be pretty good. I'd keep it and - if you can bear the Nazi markings, which I must admit I'd find difficult - enjoy as is. That, or find a very skilful engraver!
My FED 1g, manufactured in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic back in 1954 works perfectly. This camera with a couple of vintage Japanese cameras are what I am using to record the life and times of my young family.
Another great video. What do you think about the industar 69. Can you review it?
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I've known about the Indy 69 for quite a while but have never used one; I'll certainly review it when one eventually comes my way...!
Well....
As far as I learned, the Fed cameras were produced first until the production partially shifted to Zorki. Zorki 1 and Fed 1 are quite identical. The Fed 1 is definitely, as is the Zorki 1, a real good pocket camera. And if you use a Kodak Tri-X 400 with that lens, you'll be shocked about the extremely good results. I also have the Fed 3a, which I love as well as it is even a bit quieter and easier to handle regarding the loading of the film. But it is much more voluminous with her standard lens. Both cameras are the most beautiful cameras I've ever had. But they can be real beasts! They will destroy your glasses the same moment you try to look into the viewfinder. This might be the reason why the Fed 3 viewfinder has an optical correction.
That Zorki 1 loading challenge takes some determination!
I got a Zorki 1, Zorki 6 and Fed 3a thanks to your video. Beautiful machines❤️👍 Thank you!
Acquired a fed 3 type b , today along with an industar61 lens in excellent condition for £12.75
Can't wait to try it out + shoot some film.
Agree this rangefinder experience is quite liberating from the instant philosophy of the digital world!
Best wishes Nigel
Derek
And now, to wait on a new ebay purchase from Ukraine...
Hope you enjoy it!
Same here
Nice review. Nice close up filming.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. This was quite a tricky one to shoot!
Great cameras! But for some quality step-backs in some models.
I also own a few of FSU cameras - Kiev-4AM with Helios-103 lens, FED-4 with Industar 61 lens, and Zenit ET with Helios 44M-4.
FED is the least interesting among them, as for me. Because of dark and small viewfinder. But it is built like a tank, if to compare with more complex wise Kiev range finder series.
Another good piece of a camera from 80s is Kiev-20 SLR camera. It has Nikon mount. It was if not the most advanced, but definitely of the most advanced Soviet era cameras. But has some reported issues with shutter mechanism. Make a review if one day you will get a hold of this camera.
P.S. Another big like for "Ukrainian" !!!
I've heard the Helios 103 is a very nice lens - I'd like to try one, but they're not so easy to adapt to digital. The Fed viewfinders are smaller and darker than the Zorki - not sure why they never improved it!
I also heard of a prototype Fed 6, with auto-exposure - I think it was a rangefinder and would have been a nice camera, but it was overtaken by events I guess. Glad you enjoyed the video!
@@zenography7923 yes, Helios 103 is a nice lens.
For some FED6 or other new cameras or prototypes - in FSU there were some attempts to make more advanced cameras, with some new features, but the collapse and some economic issues in 80s have changed the plans.
Regarding the Arsenal cameras (like Kiev rangefinders, Kiev-88, etc) they have made some attempts for 35mm SLR and medium format, but in 90s the company had faced bankruptcy and economic conditions, together with bad management, has led to a complete end to photography equipment business.
Despite having learned photography on a Fed 4, I once said in a video that the Fed cameras were Russian! I know better now...
The Kiev 20 sounds very interesting. In fact, I've heard of a couple of other cameras, like the auto exposure Fed 6, that were about to be mass produced, but with the end of the FSU camera industry they of course ended too. I'll look out for a Kiev 20 though - would make an interesting comparison!
I like your style....you should end up by saying of all these, I love this one most!
Invaluable knowledge right there. Ty sir.
Glad it was helpful!
great video thank, learn so much about these cameras:)
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
caneras?
I like them all. And I have all 4 of them.
The FED-3 I bought for 50 Griewna in L'viv/UA. My favorite is the Zorki-3.
Mine too, a beautiful machine.
Can't help but agree, Zenography. These are wonderful value, and excellent cameras. I've been getting wonderful results with my '56 Zorki 1, and I have a non-export early Zorki 4 with a Jupiter 8 - fabulous combo. But the one I love the best is my 1938 FED - built like a tank, robust, heavy but fairly compact, and the original FED lens (equivalent of the Industar 22) gives susperb results. Unlike you I prefer the look of the FED 3 later version (and have one) over the early version - beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I really enjoy your videos; please keep them coming!
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed the video! Those early Feds are lovely - well made, simple and small, and the FSU lenses are fantastic. I've been very impressed by the Zorki 1 too, a real quality bit of kit!
I do have a FED-3 (second version) but alas, the first shutter curtain degraded before I bought it. On the other hand, that meant it was very cheap indeed- around US$20 with a Industar-61L/D lens, including shipping. Someday I'll need to repair it (and maybe give it a CLA while I'm in there...) and put it into service.
I think you'll enjoy it. Whenever I shoot a rangefinder I'm reminded of how I used to take photographs, it's slower and in some ways nicer than digital. Thanks for watching!
I own a 1966 Zorki 4 and a 1958 Fed2, with Industar 61, Jupiter 8, and Industar 22 lenses. The Fed2 has some pinholes in a shutter curtain that I have tried to quasi-repair with some plasti-dip.
If they're not too bad, shutter curtains can be repaired with latex, although it's a temporary repair. New curtains are available from Russia and elsewhere, though to replace them is a very skilled job. Enjoy those rangefinders!
What about the zorki 5?
If I had one at the time, it would have been there!
What phone app do you use as a lightmeter and is it reliable?
It's an app from the Apple istore, called 'Lightmeter'; I've found it to be very accurate.
Outside use Sunny 16 rule
Does the Fed 3 have a light meter?
No sir
Very good explanation! But why do I feel like I'm listening to bedtime horror stories
I don't know! Glad you enjoyed the video though.
Will be also a video on Kiev Rangefinder cameras ii or iii available?
I'm hoping to feature some Kiev cameras in a video soon!
Great video! What about fed-2 is also great camera like the fed-3?
Thank you sir!
Yes it is - a very nice little camera indeed!
I once bought a broken FED 2 from a Russian ebay seller, to get a part for my good FED 2. The package came, and it was a Zorki S that someone had removed the rewind knob and the pressure plate on, not what was pictured in the listing. I replaced those parts (initially I took the pressure plate out of my Zenit S) and it has served me better than my FED. It's essentially a Zorki 1 with a Leica IIIf style flash sync mechanism (variable delay controlled by a dial). It does lack a little of the Leica elegance, since the top plate is extended a little and the molding around the viewfinder window is gone, but it has that Leica II charm with the added bonus of being able to sync electronic flash.
I had one a while back - a very nice little camera!
you can change shutterspeeds before winding also on zorki 2c
I didn't realise that, thanks for the info!
thanks for the great video, love my Russian rangefinders, i have eleven different models , but not my favourite the zorki 3. I find my zorki 6 the catch opens too easily, so I tape it closed when I use it,
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it! The Zorki 3 is indeed a lovely camera, but the other Zorkis and Feds are great too!
Visited Russia in 1974. Whisk I had thought to buy a brand new one when I was there.
They're still around though - and some are in very nice shape, too!
Holy hell this is a great video ❤
I have sold all of my FSU and Canon LTM camera and lenses . A Jupiter 3 , 9 and 11 wil not focus well closer than 4 metre's on a Canon or Leica . And Leica and Canon lenses give same focusing problems on a Fed and Zorki if you not adjust the rangefinder for Canon and Leica lenses .
But I like the Jupiter / Zeiss rangefinder lenses very much , so I use now a early and serviced Kiev camera with very good results . Even the Jupiter 11 at 1:4 will focus spot on at 1.5 metre , so what do I want more ? Peter .
There's some controversy about Leica/FSU lens compatibility. Noted authority Brian Sweeney says they don't match without adjustment, and has adjusted several FSU lenses to suit the Leica register. Another noted authority however, the late and sadly missed Roger Hicks said he'd never encountered the issue, although he noted that it may be there. I must say I'm with Roger - I've never noticed it either! Perhaps I would if I shot an f1.5 Jupiter 3 on a Leica body though?
I have used my Canon 35 1.8 on my Zorki 4 without any focus issues it's a wonderful lens
I have fed 3, and few questions:
Really need to use force to move to 60 from 125, going lower is also hard but on 60 really need to be rock climber to move it, it should be like that?
25-30% pictures have blacked top or left side on 125 speed is fine but on 500 the thing kicks in.
Jupiter wide lens, whats the avg price?(for fed 3)
It sounds like your Fed needs a service. The speed control should be easy to change, harder in the low speed section as you're turning against spring pressure, but it definitely shouldn't be as hard as you describe. The blacked out pictures sound like shutter capping - one of the curtains isn't moving quickly enough, perhaps because it has been adjusted wrongly, or because it lacks lubrication. A good service is definitely needed! Not sure which country you're in, but in the UK a Jupiter 12 35mm usually goes for around £60 -£70 or thereabouts.
@@zenography7923 Thanks for info! Service done! B,500, 250 and 30 did not work that was the reason and now its fixed!
Russian cameras are the only ones in the world that were able to work in the atmosphere of Venus.
Is this actually true?
Hi , I have the Fed 1 & Zorki 1 , would you suggest 24 or 36 exp film, I'm thinking of the size of the take up spools have you had any problems, interesting note on my Fed 1 the shutter release button, has a devise screwed to the top and threaded inside seems to be for a remote cable , Ive dated it around 1940's ish , shame I can't post a picture , thanks. & subbed.
Thanks for the sub! The spools on your cameras will both take 36 exposure films without problems. Your shutter release device is interesting, and quite rare I think!
@@zenography7923 Thanks for reply, tried a remote cable it works fine, both cameras work ok but fill a bit stiff so only used 24exp film, I've had the Fed 1 a while now, it has some war time history , which got me interested in film cameras used during ww2, ill make a short video of the Fed & Zorki and post it on youtube ill send you a link.
I have a question. I just recently started with Film Photography. I have a Industar 52mm and a Jupiter 8. Which one will you keep? I heard the industar have more contrast than the Jupiter
If you have the Industar 61 then yes, it does generally have more contrast than the Jupiter, but all things considered I think the Jupiter is a little bit nicer. I'd keep the Jupiter, but that's just my opinion. Why not shoot both lenses and keep the one you think gives nicer results?
@@zenography7923 I'll try them both! Thank you
Hello sir & thank you. Love the content & the way you approach it. Still shoot some film with my Mamiya Sekor occasionally. I'd like to play with another film camera as well as start to build a display for myself in the studio. The question I have is about the Feds/Zorkis/Zenits that have colored bodies. Are these from the factory or aftermarket stuff??
Thank,you. Mike
As far as I'm aware, the only FSU camera that came with coloured bodies from the factory was the Fed 2 - I think they came in green, red, blue and (mostly) black. All others are aftermarket.
@@zenography7923 Thank you sir. Love your channel. Looking forward to playing with Russian rangefinder. Have several Russian lenses & love them. Look forward to you next vid.
Zenography which 35mm lens should I buy for my FED 2? Thanks
Wide angles for rangefinders tend to be rather expensive, however the Jupiter 12 is more reasonably priced, and might be your best bet.
@@zenography7923 tank you. It was my thinking but I wanted to have confirmation from someone knowledgeable on Russian cameras like you!
i just found FED 3 russian camera in my grandma s garage
That is a lucky find!
What do you think about the Leningrad cameras
I think they're very intriguing cameras which I believe were used on the soviet space missions! Would love to try one someday!
Congratulations on 10k!!!
Many thanks Peter, it feels like quite a milestone! Next one is 20K!
désolé,les zorki 4 sont fragiles ,par contre les objectifs sont bons
Un peu fragile quelquefois, mais tres chic!
Does the zorki 6 has frame lines in viewfinder?
No, the only fsu rangefinder with framelines (as far as I know) is the Fed 5c - and maybe the rare and exotic Leningrad camera?
My first camera when I was 10 years old was a Zorki 4K
You were a lucky 10 year old - I had to wait until I was 14 for my Fed 4!
They are very hard to find in the US and if bought in from overseas customs makes up a value and taxes the crap out of it. I really want anyone of these.
Prices do tend to vary from country to country, unfortunately, and importing can be expensive. Perhaps not many of these were sold in the USA?
@@zenography7923 I believe most of the ones that are in the US are brought here through Canada or maybe people visiting Europe. They where never sold here at least not the Russian cameras.
I fortunately found a fed 10 for about $100 us in mint condition plus original manual and box. The seller mentioned going to Canada and buying them.
Maybe one day I will make it to Russia or the Ukraine and buy them all up.
On your advice I picked up a few fast 50s and just started messing around with them. Kinda challenging getting the shutter speed right without being able to use the cameras light meter. Probably going to have to buy one.
I believe for some reason my cameras antivibration feature seems to work or my hands are getting more steady as I get older.
Anyway thank you for the content but have you given any thought to doing a series on post processing? Some tips and advice for amateurs would be outstanding. Be safe out there. World's going nuts.
Few years ago...it is probably the last two decades.
Probably, but that's only a few years to me!
I've got these cameras they are excellent
I have an old Voigtlander from my great grandfather from when he passed away. He was a veteran, he got it when he was in the army years and years ago.
If film is available, why not use it? Could be a lot of fun...
@@zenography7923 If I could afford the film and find a place to develop without sending it out, I would LOVE to try using it. Only rangefinder I've used before was my flea market Kodak Pony b and I had fun.
Just bought a Ringfoto N 35mm f2.8 - have you come across it?
I've heard of it, but never used one. How do you find it?
@@zenography7923 It cost me £12.40, so I wasn't expecting too much from it. The condition is almost MINT. Looks as though it's been very well looked after or bought and used infrequently. Think it came from a house clearance. I'm using it on a D700 with an adapter fitted. For close up work, it is an amazing little lens. When I use it for landscapes, the centre is in focus but the left and right hand sides look as though I've tried to pan to create blur.
It sounds like a fun lens - and for £12.40 you really can't go wrong!
@@zenography7923 Managed to buy an Industar 50mm for £16 - I'm loving these vintage lenses and it's thanks to you and Mark Holtze for showing me the way.
i can have for free?
:)
I think the shutters are the weak point.
I had some Zorkis and Kievs in the 80s, but was never happy with them. They were mechanically poor and unreliable. Pity, the lenses were really good.
I've seen quite a few Zorki 4 and 4Ks with sticky shutters, in all cases they had never been serviced!
Cameras*
Yes
Indeed most of the Russian r/f cameras are extremely good value, however bear in mind that many of the early Zorki's were/are used to fake Leica's. Because of this please be wary of ultra-cheap 'Leica II's' that are in fact Russian fakes. The Kiev r/f models were copies of the German Contax cameras and have exceedingly complicated vertical travel metal shutter mechanisms that (in my opinion) should be treated with great care and only purchased if sold with a return guarantee.
Yes, I've seen some of those reproduction Leicas - I think they're quite fun if it's made clear they're not the real thing. Outright fakes are a different matter of course - always look for a round (Leica) rather than wedge-shaped (Fed and Zorki) rangefinder cam!
Don't the first two digits of the serial number on the Zorki's tell you the year of manufacture, meaning that your Zorki 1 is indeed a '56?
umac76 The early Zorki and FED cameras had sort of serial numbers. The pre war FED were assigned in groups to a technician so several serial numbers in different groups were made at the same time. The post war FED cameras had sequential numbers as did the Zokri, around 1952 both changed their shutter speeds 20 and 40 were combined to 25, Z (German for time) was replaced with B (bulb). towards the end of 53, the serial numbers were moved to the back and prefixed with the year.