What I use my RF [Zorki 4] for

Chazzy said:

Have you had problems with the Bessa rangefinder going out of alignment? I've noticed that a few people have reported it, and it seems like a good excuse for getting the new Zeiss Ikon.

Click to expand...

I heard similar reports. That's why my heart sank when the camera strap caught on a draw handle as I picked it up off my desk, and the thing dropped on our wood floor with a thunk. The lens was dented, but the rangefinder stayed in perfect alignment it seems, so I dont have any reason to be worried. In Australia the distributor provides a 2 year warranty as well, which helped convince me.

My Zorki shutter and lens focusing did not work almost at all [i actually screwed the lens off the camera trying to focus it] and it was only -5C! My F5 wouldn't have problems like this!

For about 20 years or so now my walk around camera has been a Fuji 645 with a 60mm lens. It's a very small camera for the negative size, and being a rangefinder, is very light and easy to use. I've always preferred a RF to an SLR because of the size, quietness, and ability to view the scene directly rather than on a ground glass. The Fuji's 60mm lens is very sharp, but not fast (only f:4).

I recently got a FED 5, which so far is checking out pretty good. If it lives up to my hopes I expect to be buying another from the same dealer.

Markok765 said:

My Zorki shutter and lens focusing did not work almost at all [i actually screwed the lens off the camera trying to focus it] and it was only -5C! My F5 wouldn't have problems like this!

Click to expand...

Wait until your F5 is 50 years old....

Anyway, no fair complaining about a camera which is clearly in need of a service!

A properly CLA'd Zorky 4, especially if an earlier one - pre-1970's (see serial number) can be a very smooth and reliable machine.

Also, there are *many* tiny light meters made which will fit on the accessory shoe. Not only Gossen, but many others as well (Kodalux & Bewi come to mind in the tiny category).

I use a Kodalux L, which is accurate, rounded, does both reflected and incident readings, needs no batteries and measures 3.5 x 2.8 x 2 cm (just slightly larger than half a plastic 35mm film container)... Small enough?