Leica /Books/Online/ thoughts?

[BrianVS]

Prices on Contax RF's are way down as well. Nikon RF prices are way down.
I picked up a 1957 Kiev 3 in great shape, even the meter works. The finder needed to be cleaned, the "Kiev Survival Guide" made it easy.

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/index.html

The Helios-103/Menopta 53/1.8 are very good, also easy to shim for use on a Nikon. Just loosen two set screws, back out 1/2 turn. I modified 1 Helios-103 for Leica, used the close-up helical made for the Summitar. On the aperture blades- I used a Black Sharpie... it worked.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Kiev or any FSU is the last RF I would recommend to anyone, especially unknown person.
It is not about FSU gear itself, but its current condition. 99.99% FSU lenses and cameras needs CLA. Just because they were not in use for decades.
And problem is here is no eBay or specialized on FSU sellers who actually sell after CLA. Many of them will write what they did, but it is lie.
So, for Kiev here is only one who sell after CLA, known on Internet as Oleg.
But if you just buy it off the e-bay here is no FSU RF after CLA.
They just copy and paste same text about CLA, without even knowledge what it actually means.

I agree, as a general thing FSUs are mechanics' cameras.
I expect any mechanical camera and/or lens I buy to need work, from minor cleaning and lubricating to a complete stripping and overhaul. Blockend has a Kiev 4 that runs well, and by all accounts a clean J-12. The Helios, made in the early 80s, is the only FSU lens I have that did not need to be taken apart and cleaned. It did need to be taken apart to blacken the aperture blades though.

 

[blockend]

I bought my Kiev 4 from a second hand shop I'd entered with the intention of buying a sofa! For the price I assumed it wouldn't work and I'd have to get the tools out, but it functions as well as any camera I've owned. There was even a film inside. The only issue I found, common to most/all Kievs is a tendency to tear the sprockets on the final frame. I only did this on the first film, now as soon as tension increases I don't force things, and rewind. Remembering to manually set the frame counter helps. The advance knob is more highly geared than most cameras, and doesn't give the same feedback.

That aside it's worked beautifully. The rangefinder is correct in both dimensions, no squeaks, scratches or missing parts, the Jupiter 12 is also scratch and fungus free. Mine is mid-1970s vintage and any purchaser of a 40 year Leica should expect a CLA plus repairs - several hundred pounds. Research suggests Kievs built before the 1980s were mechanically superior to later models when quality dropped.

Quality relative to Leica is a moot point, the Kiev is a solid metal mechanical camera of vintage design, with the knobs and dials that suggests. There are no Barnacks with a 35mm lens for £20. A Kiev isn't for everyone and buyers may be unlucky, but the user experience is very similar to an old Leica. If a Leica is out of the question an FSU camera may be the answer.

 

[BrianVS]

Prices of Canon rangefinders are also way down. I've seen Canon 7 and Canon P bodies for under $100, listed as in good working order.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I bought my Kiev 4 from a second hand shop I'd entered with the intention of buying a sofa! For the price I assumed it wouldn't work and I'd have to get the tools out, but it functions as well as any camera I've owned. There was even a film inside. The only issue I found, common to most/all Kievs is a tendency to tear the sprockets on the final frame. I only did this on the first film, now as soon as tension increases I don't force things, and rewind. Remembering to manually set the frame counter helps. The advance knob is more highly geared than most cameras, and doesn't give the same feedback.

That aside it's worked beautifully. The rangefinder is correct in both dimensions, no squeaks, scratches or missing parts, the Jupiter 12 is also scratch and fungus free. Mine is mid-1970s vintage and any purchaser of a 40 year Leica should expect a CLA plus repairs - several hundred pounds. Research suggests Kievs built before the 1980s were mechanically superior to later models when quality dropped.

Quality relative to Leica is a moot point, the Kiev is a solid metal mechanical camera of vintage design, with the knobs and dials that suggests. There are no Barnacks with a 35mm lens for £20. A Kiev isn't for everyone and buyers may be unlucky, but the user experience is very similar to an old Leica. If a Leica is out of the question an FSU camera may be the answer.

A Contax will shred the film too. The advance knob travels a full turn, the Nikon F2 for example has a stroke of 120 or so degrees.
Another FSU I have and like is a Zorki S, which needed a complete stripping and relubricating. It runs well, the I 22 lens is a good little Tessar, and I have a tiny b-c flash that uses AG 1 bulbs. It's really a fun little camera.
Btw, the flash synch on both my Kievs works, albeit at 1/25th.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I agree, as a general thing FSUs are mechanics' cameras.
I expect any mechanical camera and/or lens I buy to need work, from minor cleaning and lubricating to a complete stripping and overhaul. Blockend has a Kiev 4 that runs well, and by all accounts a clean J-12. The Helios, made in the early 80s, is the only FSU lens I have that did not need to be taken apart and cleaned. It did need to be taken apart to blacken the aperture blades though.

As of now most of FSU cameras purchased from ebay needs CLA. And CLA is no matter where camera was made. All needs to be cleaned and the rest.

I purchased three FSU RF cameras recently. One from internally known in Russia service person. It is absolutely working Zorki. Because it has his CLA.
FED-3 all positive feedbacks in thousand+ dude from Ukrain. He sold it as after CLA and tested with film. Total scam it was. I nailed the bugger with full refund for camera and ordered one in for parts condition for DIY CLA.
FED-5B, those are freshest FSU RF model series you could get. This one seems to work.

Helios might works just because here is no focus part and aperture ring with gummed grease is not so critical.

Almost all black LTM J-12 needs sewer pump like action to clean over dump of oil on the aperture part...

 

[btaylor]

I enjoyed my time with FSU cameras and lenses, we had a good time together and made some decent pictures (the lenses were great). But my goodness, they were large, clunky and ultimately not a lot of fun to use. The squinty viewfinders of pre WWII designs don't work for me now at my age with my eyes. I like my M Leicas much more.