Best of the Russian Leica copies

Seele · Mar 3, 2011

Do bear in mind that we are not talking about brand spanking new cameras which are still rolling off the production line, but cameras which have been used, and cared for (or the lack thereof) by as many people. The previous career of a camera is actually more important than the inherent merits when it was new, so you ought to take that into account.

That said, it is true that FEDs and Zorkis do tend to fare less well due to age compared to similar Leicas, partly because they were less likely to have been owned and used by people who knew what they were doing! I have heard of plenty of cases where after a rebuild by an experienced technician, a FED or Zorki could out-perform a corresponding Leica. If you can find a technician familiar with screw-mount Leicas and willing to take on such a project, it would be quite rewarding, and you would also get a smug satisfaction akin to winning the Grand National riding a shetland pony!

Nevertheless, if you choose to embark on this enterprise, it would still be an idea to get a nicer camera to start with; a late - somewhat tinny - FED 5 might not quite cut it. If I were to do it, I would start with a clean, early FED 2, or a Leicaresque FED or Zorki, and work from there.

02Pilot · Mar 3, 2011

I own a very late FED-2, and have had the opportunity to handle a Zorki-6. Both are quite solid and capable, though the Zorki feels about a half a generation newer given it's shape and features (hinged back, lever advance). Build quality seems to be quite good. Both were purchased from Fedka.com in NYC. I cannot speak highly enough of them; the cameras were pristine, tested and ready to go out of the box. Unless you are doing this as a rebuilding project (which certainly has an appeal all its own), IMHO it's worth it to pay a little more and get one that's not going to drive you crazy.

Alan Johnson · Mar 3, 2011

If you later want to add a 35mm Jupiter 12 lens it may not fit on an unmodified FED-2.
www.griffinbyteworks.com/photography/equipment/jupiter12.html

mgb74 · Mar 3, 2011

Have both Fed and Kiev. Fun to play with; where else can you get RF lenses for under $50. Of course, in many respects, inferior to my OM-1 with 50mm (which is not much larger). Bottom loading is a pain but not too bad if you don't need to reload quickly. Some FEDs do not have strap lugs (they're on the case) which I don't like. They will scratch your glasses; I glued an o-ring to the eyepiece of mine but it does restrict view.

Tempt f8 · Mar 3, 2011

Well said, Seele!

Athiril · Mar 3, 2011

b1bmsgt said:
I have had numerous FSU cameras, with mixed results, mechanically. As stated previously by a number of people, the build quality can vary quite a bit. That said, when you get a good one, the quality of the pictures is quite amazing, IMHO. I couldn't believe it when I developed my first roll taken with my Zorki 2c. Considering how cheap they are, I would say to go for it. That's half the fun of ebay anyway, isn't it?

Russ

Same with the Russian lenses..and folders.. not that great normally, but when theyre adjusted/calibrated to be in spec of the actual design.. damn good.

Arax/Arsat iirc do this calibration, so any Arax/Arsat labelled one should be great.

tomalophicon · Mar 3, 2011

Any one know anything about the Panzerkampf camera?

Ralph Javins · Mar 9, 2011

Good morning;

What a surprise to see this thread come back to life!

And, I am also a "Leica clone" user, having both a Zorki-4 and a Zorki-4K. Both of them had problems; the Zorki-4K locked up the shutter while I was testing the shutter system just after it arrived. The Zorki-4 came to me with the closing blind in the shutter either going across very slowly, stopping while going across, or not moving at all. Both of these cameras responded to a CLA, and the Zorki-4K a minor adjustment to the speed selector shaft assembly. Both of them have the Jupiter-8 2/50mm lens; one silver, one black.

Do they have the smooth operation of a Leica? My samples do not, but they sure do work. I am happy with the results on the negatives.

One of the previous postings included a comment about arm-wrestling. I do that all the time with my Kiev 88 and 88CM, just to take a photograph. I think that this is one of the standard characteristics of using FSU cameras, and may explain why FSU photographers have such strong physiques.

Xmas · Mar 10, 2011

Hi

Many of them will be junk by now, and they need to be gifts and you need to be good at repairing if you want to take photos, with them eventually. My mate, a poor student has been given a Fed 2 and a Leica IIIf...

My best two are a Fed I from 1936 and a Zorki I from 1949-50, the Fed I lens is uncoated, either needs a hood like the Leica 'Fison'.

Noel

ruilourosa · May 2, 2011

hello

recently i bought a kiev 4a, a fed 5 and a zorki 4k, all work well and apparently have reasonable quality for the money, the lenses seem reasonable also. My favorite is the zorki and the least favourite is the fed, the kiev is also very nice, with a bright finder.

for around 50 euros for all cameras with 50mm lenses and leather cases and working condition i couldn´t help myself

stevebrot · May 2, 2011

Now you need to get a FED-2 and you will be fulfilled! (Ok...a Zorki 6 will due just as well...)

Steve

Diapositivo · May 3, 2011

Panzerkampf cameras, cameras with marking of the German Navy etc. are all fake Leicas (re-badged Zorkis or Kievs). Leica never did special editions for the German Army. So in those cases even if they carry the Leica writings, they are certainly fake and presumably nobody will try to sell them as real Leicas on eBay.

There are also fake Leica that only bring Leica trademarks, and they are more "dangerous", you could think you buy a Leica and you buy a Zorki.

As far as the quality of Soviet cameras is concerned, a non unreasonable theory says that those which were destined to the export market have a higher average quality. You recognise them by the writings both in Cyrillic and in Latin characters, that applies to lenses also.

Fabrizio

Mustafa Umut Sarac · May 3, 2011

Higher quality Russian cameras costs more than Leica R4 and Elmarit combination. I happily met with Bulgarian and Romanian APUG members at the forums and asked them to help me buying best quality Russian Leica Clones. Roosinov lenses cost 700 dollars and some more. And I saw the images and it looks like satellite pictures , that sharp , even you dont want that sharp lens.
I learned Former Soviet Country Sellers apply the highest equivalent EBAY prices at their local market.
So all the remaiing ebay listings are there because there is somewhere problem at the cameras. They know they cant sell it a photographer who will try by hand and they are on the ebay like a pirate ship.
And most frequently found problem on these cameras and zenit slrs are the old silk textile.
They transmit some light on film where they mostly pressurized in the gear system and it is too difficult to change or finding the silk.
And there will be always a yellowing at the viewfinder and if there is not a error at the lens.
So your best bet is to be a APUG Subscriber and buy from a reputable member.

Umut

claytopia · May 9, 2011

I have a Kiev 4 am that I bought for about 50 bucks on Ebay. It is in great shape cosmetically and in function. Mine was produced in the city of its name in 1981 and is practically brand new. It takes rather exceptional pictures. Check out Kievs!

Best of the Russian Leica copies

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