Former Soviet Union RF Users?

[BrianS]

Hello, wondering if anyone used any Russian/Ukrainian/Former Soviet Union cameras here, besides the LOMO LC-A. Seems that camera is great, but I really like the LTM/LSM/m39 soviet rangefinders. I use a Zorki 4, FED 2, Kiev 35A, LOMO Smena 8M, and a Zenit B.

I haven't shot too many with the FED 2 or the Zorki 4, but these cameras in my opinion are beautiful and smooth after I got them CLA'ed!!!

-Brian

 

[reno77]

I got a Moskva 5 about 3 months back...just finished shooting my first roll of velvia with it but havent developed yet ..

 

[whoelse]

Me Me!!! I have a Kiev-4M, a Fed-5b, Zenit 12sd, many FSU M42 lens and SVERDLOVSK-4 Lightmeter. I even have alot of FSU watches! Heheh and I love Stolichinoya Vodka! I love Russian girls too haha.

Remember only to change your shutter speed after cocking the shutter for the RF. This is original leica RF design and serious advice
The I-61LD on the Fed is amazing. None of my lens can beat it's resolution and contrast.

 

[BrianS]

Remember only to change your shutter speed after cocking the shutter for the RF. This is original leica RF design and serious advice
The I-61LD on the Fed is amazing. None of my lens can beat it's resolution and contrast.

Yeah, that was the first thing I learned. EVERY COLLECTOR SITE HAD THAT!! Luckily my Zorki 6 is cool and doesn't require that, but after using the FSU collection for a while, I've learned to do that instinctively

How does the Sverdlovsk 4 perform? I've been looking into one, but I got a Germanmade Voigtlander VC Meter II instead

I agree, the 61LD are wonderful lens. I would love to try using the Jupiter-3 (Zeiss Sonnar clone) 50/1.5 (!!!) lens. I've had REALLY good experiences with the Jupiter-8. They're cheap too.

I honestly bought a "MINT FED-5V" just for the lens. But you wanna know the crazy part? IT REALLY WAS MINT CONDITION! BOTH THE LENS AND THE CAMERA! The camera's a bit big though... makes me kind of embarassed for using it.

Whoelse, have you considered using a Zorki 3M? They have that Leica IIIF look (almost) but shutter speeds from 1-1/1000s & B-sync.

I do have a non-RF LOMO Smena 8M. It's such a crappy camera, but it's so good! Triple element lens, F/4.0, 1/15~1/250, B. It's definitely a bargain at $10USD (but the shipping ~$12USD makes it expensive) on ebay. Mine came without a takeup spool so I use masking tape and a spool from a used roll of Kodak 35mm film.

I haven't shot MF before, but I'm looking into it. Do any of you know how the Iskra works? I heard it's even more clearer and nicer than the Agfa Isolette II that it was cloned after.

 

[whoelse]

Hi, isn't Zorki 6 still base on the same design? I have a Kiev-4M and I challenge it w/o cocking since I read somewhere that it work fine w/o the need of cocking. It went ok but soon develop problem. I open it up and indeed the mech. is design to set the speed after cocking the shutter.

The Sverdlovsk 4 is fantastic! I never like CDS but it perform very well even in low light condition. Unbelieable, I even thinking to buy another one just to keep. It's small in size too.

Jupiter-8 shd be quite close to the Helios-103 on my Kiev. Colour should be more nature but unique. Have the characteristic of lens made in the 60's. Shd be good esp. for b/w.

I like the FEB-5B esp. the cocking level. Kiev winding knot make my thumb sore. The lens is wonderful infact I went to buy the I-61L/Z M42 hoping I could get the same performance. The LD version is too good, M42 is not even close.

The only thing I seldom use the FEB is the parallax error so I usually shoot SLR. Never use MF too can't comment. Have you try zenitusergroup on yahoo?

Yeah, that was the first thing I learned. EVERY COLLECTOR SITE HAD THAT!! Luckily my Zorki 6 is cool and doesn't require that, but after using the FSU collection for a while, I've learned to do that instinctively

How does the Sverdlovsk 4 perform? I've been looking into one, but I got a Germanmade Voigtlander VC Meter II instead

I agree, the 61LD are wonderful lens. I would love to try using the Jupiter-3 (Zeiss Sonnar clone) 50/1.5 (!!!) lens. I've had REALLY good experiences with the Jupiter-8. They're cheap too.

I honestly bought a "MINT FED-5V" just for the lens. But you wanna know the crazy part? IT REALLY WAS MINT CONDITION! BOTH THE LENS AND THE CAMERA! The camera's a bit big though... makes me kind of embarassed for using it.

Whoelse, have you considered using a Zorki 3M? They have that Leica IIIF look (almost) but shutter speeds from 1-1/1000s & B-sync.

I do have a non-RF LOMO Smena 8M. It's such a crappy camera, but it's so good! Triple element lens, F/4.0, 1/15~1/250, B. It's definitely a bargain at $10USD (but the shipping ~$12USD makes it expensive) on ebay. Mine came without a takeup spool so I use masking tape and a spool from a used roll of Kodak 35mm film.

I haven't shot MF before, but I'm looking into it. Do any of you know how the Iskra works? I heard it's even more clearer and nicer than the Agfa Isolette II that it was cloned after.

 

[BrianS]

Yeah, Zenitusergroup on yahoo groups is really helpful. Thanks for your reply. The only reason I like the Zorki 6 is because it's winding, and it's got a hinged back. The only thing I'll complain about is the lack of slow shutter speeds and 1/1000. I'm actually thinking of getting a Kiev 4A

 

[whoelse]

Kiev-4A has a very unique curtain shutter. Like window bind like that and very fun. Get one wif the Helios-103 len.

 

[sedentary]

:embrass: Sorry if this is going off topic, but can I ask what CLA is?

 

[whoelse]

Clean, Lubricate, Adjust.

 

[sedentary]

Thanks! Where do you go to get that done?

 

[Russian_cam]

Hey all,
OT, but FYI, I've a bunch of FSU cameras for sale here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?p=1587618#post1587618


cheers

ken

 

[BrianS]

If you need a CLA and minor repairs, send it to Oleg Khalyavin in Russia. Very reliable repairman and fixes them up like they were new! I sent a couple of my cameras to him and got it back within 2 months. http://www.okvintagecamera.com

 

[Klose]

hmm, is ebay a good place to hunt for soviet RFs? :think:

 

[BrianS]

It's not bad. It's a gamble though... kind of like mail order brides or buying a car online without actually test driving it. They aren't -THAT' bad though!

 

[whoelse]

I have at least purchase more then 40 items from ebay all over the world. The FSU countries and Russian are the most reliable or honest people with a lot of pride. Nice people to deal with.

Heard Cam-x at the other end of camera workshop is capable of servicing russian camera stuff.

Russian also make beautiful watch like:
-

-

-
Not forgetting best Vodka. Sorry OT

 

[Gosu_John]

I have at least purchase more then 40 items from ebay all over the world. The FSU countries and Russian are the most reliable or honest people with a lot of pride. Nice people to deal with.

Heard Cam-x at the other end of camera workshop is capable of servicing russian camera stuff.

Russian also make beautiful watch like:
-

-

-
Not forgetting best Vodka. Sorry OT

haha genuine russian fan we have here. what's next? a bride? haha

 

[Bobinde]

OK! My first post here . . .

FED 3b with (right now, at least) a Jupiter 12

FED 5v with Industar 50

Zorki4 (Early model) with Industar 61 L/D from the FED 5v. (This is my primary shooter)

Jupiter 11 lens

Lubitel 166b (More for its cuteness, otherwise it's a piece of junk)

Prcktica Super TL with a "generic" 28mm lens, also a strange Jupiter 11 that was cut down to fit the M42 lens mount - but it's SHARP!

All cameas have been (within the last year or so) CLA'd & work fine. I do @ 75 % of my photography with them.

I also have a Minolta Maxxum 7000 with a Tokina 28-70 lens and a 500mm telephoto with t-mount.

So, this is what this fellow is up to!

From scenic Delaware,

Bob Abel

 

[Ansel]

I got a Moskva 5 about 3 months back...just finished shooting my first roll of velvia with it but havent developed yet ..

What are you waiting for? :dunno:

 

[haagen_dazs]

hmm, is ebay a good place to hunt for soviet RFs? :think:

guys a heads up.
just be wary of fakes ok?
alot of crap in ebay too..

i have a jupitar 8 but i dont use it. haha too lazy to unscrew and screw on:bigeyes: ;p

 

[Ansel]

guys a heads up.
just be wary of fakes ok?
...

Fake FSU RFs? Why they even bother? :dunno: