Best FSU for first time RF shooter?

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spystyle

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Hello from Maine :)

OK, like everyone who ends up in this forum I was "Leica curious" then saw all the Russian RF then read that they were poor in quality control then learned about Oleg *phew* that's a lot.

Anyway, I have never used a RF before but I'm interested in trying one :)

Which FSU is best for a digitally spoiled fella? I keep hearing the FED-2 is a winner :) Yet that requires a meter ...

Or should I go with another? I like the idea of the "Yashica Electro "because they have "aperture priority" mode. Or I could get both since these old film cameras are rather affordable to collect :)

Thanks!
Craig
 
If you obtain a properly working model, the Fed 2 is a fun camera. I think this is a super choice among many for a great FSU camera. I have one and have had it CLA'd. It still acts up from time to time, however. I keep it because it has considerable charm, and it does take excellent photos.

Since you are considering other models besides FSU, how about a Canon P? It is extremely well built and very reliable. It has a very nice 1:1 viewfinder that is parallax corrected.
 
Hi JMCD

I was planning on buying a FED from Oleg the famous repair man, each of his cameras are already CLA'd :)

www.okvintagecamera.com

I took a look at those Canon P, they seem to approach the price point of a Leica IIIc ...

I have to try a Leica too, I keep hearing they are magical and nothing comes close to their magical-ness... Oh I'm indecisive and I need a RF manager...

Thanks,
Craig
 
Early model Zorki 4,50/2 J8.1:1 viewfinder and not a budget breaker.Learn "sunny 16" and you're set.Save up for more....................Robin
 
Aha, Zorki 4 eh? I wonder how that compares to a FED 2 ? And I wonder how those compare to Leica IIIc ?

No wonder people collect these, they are difficult choices :)

Thanks,
Craig
 
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Both very good cameras when working fine. Z4 has slow speeds and 1/1000 top speed, Z4K has film advance lever rather than knob, later Z4s have shutter speeds transferred rather than engraved - they tend to wear off.

Whatever you decide, try to get one that's been regularly used or given a CLA by Oleg for instance. Shutter speeds are close enough for negatives even though they can be decades old. Serviced (CLA'd) FSU gear can be very nice to use.
Kievs are worth considering too - wide RF base and 1/2 to 1/1000(1250) shutter with metal shutter curtains.

Whatever you buy, it probably won't be your last :)
 
Thanks, I'm not film savvy, when you say close enough for negatives I would assume there is a preferred type of film for these cameras?
 
Not really - transparencies (slide film) need very accurate exposure, negative film (colour or black & white) has more "latitude" i.e. more tolerant of exposure that is not (for want of a better description) 100% accurate - be that "educated guess" exposure such as Sunny 16 or due to shutters getting a bit slower than their stated speed due to age/wear/dirt/design etc.

Hope this helps :)
 
spystyle said:
...I keep hearing they are magical and nothing comes close to their magical-ness...
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funny...

anyway, my recommendation will be a Zorki 3, preferably a Zorki 3M but those are pricey. I love the FED-2 but you may find the small viewfinder difficult to use. And it also lacks slow speeds. With that said, my FED ends up getting more use than my Zorki.
 
I started with a Fed-4, which I found useful because it had a light-meter [mine was accurate, too]. Fed-4s are ugly, so tend to be cheap.

I think the recommendation of a Zorki 4, given above, is a good one. They have excellent viewfinders compared to many of the other FSU cameras.

Working with something like a Yashica Electro is a very different experience. You won't need to learn/think quite as much about exposure but the lenses are excellent.
 
Aha, votes for Zorki 3M and Fed4 - I wonder how those compare to each other and against FED-2, Zorki-4, and Leica IIIc ?

I do like the idea of having a built in light meter, that seems like it would save me $75 of buying a shoe mount light meter.

Also, thanks for the film explanation - I will use "black and white negative film" - I couldn't be a junior Cartier Bresson with anything less :)

Cheers,
Craig
 
I think the Zorki 3C is a beauty but if you have a look you might find a MIR at a lower price..similar body but no slow speeds. I think that the earlier model Zorki 3 and 4 are of better quality than the FED but you might get one which lasts forever!
 
Hi Craig,

I have both Fed 2 and Zorki 4. Of the two, I would recommend finding an older, CLA'ed Zorki 4 with Jupiter 8. The Z-4's viewfinder is larger and gives a more pleasant view than the Fed 2. I prefer the J-8's characteristics more than the I-26m (which is usually standard on a Fed 2). Having said that, I also enjoy my Fed 2 very much for it's simplicity and overall feel. You get used to the small viewfinder after using it a while.

I bought all my FSU cameras cheap on E-Prey when they were plentiful, but if I were to do it all over again, I would buy one already CLA'ed by Oleg or Fedka (Fedka.com).

Welcome to RFF. :)

--Warren
 
Thanks for the welcome :) and the information. It seems like a "Zorki 4 already CLA'd with J8" is the way to go.

Have you by chance tried an Yashica Electro or Leica IIIc ? I wonder how all these different cameras of similar price compare...
 
From memory my Fed 2 with Industar came from Oleg CLA'd for around $45.00 USD ... it has been a great camera. The viewfinder is a little squinty but no worse than a screwmount Leica IMO.

I personally would avoid the Kievs ... if you get a good one they're excellent but the hit rate for success seems a little low to me. I bought one from a reputable Russian seller and it never worked reliably from the day I got it!
 
spystyle said:
Thanks for the welcome :) and the information. It seems like a "Zorki 4 already CLA'd with J8" is the way to go.

Have you by chance tried an Yashica Electro or Leica IIIc ? I wonder how all these different cameras of similar price compare...
Click to expand...

I also own a pair of Yashica Electro 35 GSN's. As someone else already mentioned, the GSN's auto exposure gives an altogether different photographic experience. Many folks love them, but for me, the experience is less than satisfying. You don't know exactly what the camera will choose for an exposure setting. I'm sure its drawbacks are often overlooked because the AE system is mostly accurate, and the GSN's lens has proven to be quite spectacular. They are not very expensive, so it may be worth trying for yourself.

--Warren
 
Warren T. said:
I also own a pair of Yashica Electro 35 GSN's. As someone else already mentioned, the GSN's auto exposure gives an altogether different photographic experience. Many folks love them, but for me, the experience is less than satisfying. You don't know exactly what the camera will choose for an exposure setting. I'm sure its drawbacks are often overlooked because the AE system is mostly accurate, and the GSN's lens has proven to be quite spectacular. They are not very expensive, so it may be worth trying for yourself.

--Warren
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I really liked my GSN when I first got it but discovered that I got bored with it very quickly ... folks that love them really love them but for me the shine wore off quite quickly.

Russian rangefinders are never boring! :p
 
spystyle said:
I see, this is all very interesting. Thanks all for the replies :)

What meters do you guys like?
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If your going to shoot with a soviet rf you gotta have a soviet light meter. I use a Leningrad 6 with my Fed2 or my Zorki 2c. My Fed 5 has it's own built in meter.:D
 
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