There's one of these in the local rag for £35 and the seller recons it's mint (we may see). I know it's yet another 35mm which isn't really what I'm after but reading the write-ups on the web I'm tempted. Anyone ever played with one of these?

Tony

PS oooops sorry just thought this should be in the rangefinder forum !

Tony,
Take a peek at www.photoetnography.com

Hans I would but the link don't work :(

Arrrrrrrrrr Got it Thank you Hans photoethnography (http://www.photoethnography.com/) :)

Been using one since 1975. Built like a tank, nice to handle, easy to use. Not too shabby lens (mine has a 50mm Jupiter 8 lens). I've never bothered sourcing other lenses for it because I've always found the 50mm adequate.

The camera has no metering... I think this is a good thing, no batteries!

Just remember never to change the shutter speed unless the camera is wound on, doing otherwise may damage the mechanism.

Sorry Tony for the spelling error. Must be the Rodinal fumes!

Nice site! Ms Nakamura has done her homework.

I own several Zorkis, including a couple of the 4K models and they are nice cameras if they have been properly maintained. Of the various FSU rangefinders, for picture taking, I personally prefer the FED 2 types b through d. These FED models have a 61mm rangefinder base. The later FED models (FED 2e, FED3,4 and 5) have the short rangefinder base.

Thank you everyone for your help as always, I'll try to get a look at it tomorrow and see if it lives up to the "mint condition label" and has been maintained as I can't get the person on the 'phone at the moment.

Andy - The thing that does worry me and the same with Fed's is how do I know if the shutter speed has been set in it's lifetime without the camera being wound on? Not too worried about the lack of meter as I have a nice Sekonic.

Hans - That's OK I get the same hic!! you got me in the right direction though :)

Tom - It's amazing what I found there as I use to have a Zenit EM and still have a Zenith 11. I've played with a Fed 4c? but agree the earlier ones look better. Hopefully I'll find out if it's been maintained tomorrow as I can't get the person on the 'phone at the moment.

Tony

Tony, unfortunately I don't know. I've always made sure not to do it, and my 4K is still in perfect order. All I can do is attach the two pages from my camera's manual which warn against wrong setting the shutter speed. Hope they are of some help.

Andy, Many thanks for your time and help. I'll take a look at it if it's still there and like checking out any used gear go by what I see and how the person comes accross. Those pages will be very helpful so thank you again. Tony

Just a quick update here ..... well I somtimes wonder if people really do want to sell things as I haven't been able to get in touch with the seller. After this thread I may look out for a Zorki though. Thank you everyone for your advice :)

Now it's the men in white coats time and they will be coming to take me away ......

The friend I get the Picture Posts from collared me today to say he had a Bencini Koroll 24 just come in. Looking on that great Zorki site Hans provided I found the manual for the "S" version.

It's so basic, no meter, takes 120 film 1/2 frame (yippee) has 1/50th of a second or bulb, fixed at F11 and purfect for me made in the 50's. I know .... I know it's a toy .... but it was only the price of a packet of cigarettes and it's so cute. Yep I've got it sitting next to me at home :) Inside it's perfect and outside just need a little tlc cleaning.

Now all I need is a 120 spiral and find some times for development :) I promise not to use it with the rolls of 120 Tri-X pan I have in the fridge.

Tony

Tony, just a quick note, if you do find yourself a 4 or 4K I'll be happy to scan the rest of the manual and mail it to you. Good luck in the search!

Andy many thanks your very kind ;) I'm looking down here and I'm going to get a mate to look up on the Glasgow markets, they have more variety up there.

Sorry Tony for the spelling error. Must be the Rodinal fumes!

Hmmmm....I never heard of disadvantages with Rodinal...

Hmmmm....I never heard of disadvantages with Rodinal...
Arrrr but did we say that is was a disadvantage Morten? I love breathing those Rodinal moments .... peace and love man hic! LOL :D

Yeah man, develop for the "high" lights, you know...

We don't get stoned of course ... us Rodinals get grained ;)

Mmmm but with acute acutance.

And as sharp as a finely tooled cutting edge.

PS Hans you didn't bite on the point that it's the same thing LOL

Morten,

no one spoke of disadvantages - Rodinal, the mind-enhancing drug of the 21. century!

8-)

Now I´m gonna smoke a Mommsem....

Tony, at the price you are willing to pay you may get a decent early Zorki4 model from Oleg, serviced and CLA´d... he (www.okvintagecamera.com) has the best fame in the SovRFKam community (which is very avid at http://www.beststuff.com/forum/list.php?f=21).

I prefer the early Zorki4 over a 4k (I have a 3S... beautiful thing) for it´s sturdier built quality and the transport knob, I don´t need a lever wind.

With any Zorkii you´ll get a Jupiter8 lens - those are Sonnar-siblings, deriving from the Contax-Sonnars.

Roman - Many thanks for the info! Just had a quick look on the site and it looks very interesting :) ThinkI'll be spending some time there later tonight.

Tony.

don´t forget the fun part.. ,-)

http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/

Roman,

Thank you there's many beauties there :) Fun is exactly what I hope to have with a Zorki ... there again those early Feds look very nice.

With the links you and Hans have given me I could be a Russian camera anarak by the end of the year LOL

Tony

Tony,
Don't forget to get some Russian film from www.retrophotographic.co.uk and a bottle of Rodinalski.
Cheers
Hans

Hans goooood point ;) hic!