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Posted by Andrew Marks on November 08, 2001 at 10:11:13:
In recent months I've become increasingly interested in older cameras--yes for the cameras them selves but also for the challenge (and feel) they bring to making pictures.
I don't have a Leica myself. (and can't afford one). Are the Russian Leica copies (Fed, Zorki, etc) of a decent quality? (ie: will they work a user? of course, I'm not expecting the feel of a true Leica.) Where is a good place to get them?
Thanks. Take care. Matt
Posted by Mark E. Smith on January 11, 2002 at 18:26:46:
I have a Zorki 4, and I it is in Great condition. You must get it from a reputable dealer like sovietcameras.com.ur and you will get a fine camera that will give exceptional photos. I might be a little louder and stiffer than a Leica, but for $50-60 it is well worth it. Many of the Leica snobs will tell you otherwise. I have a saying "Never confuse efforts with results" and the Zorki's will provide the results. Many true camera enthusiests will tell you that the lenses from Arsenal (Ukraine) are very close or better than the Leica lenses.
Check it out, you have not thing to lose and alot of money to save. Regards, Mark Smith
Posted by John on November 09, 2001 at 14:08:48:
May I suggest a Contax G1 or G2. These great rangefinders are auto-focus, but are of fantastic quality. You can buy one in mint condition with a Zeiss Planar 45mm f2 lens for about $600 (G1) on eBay. A whole range of Zeiss lenses & flashes are available including a short zoom. A lot cheaper than Leicas, but still have fantastic body & lens quality. I had a Leica copy (Fed), but it was junk. I also had a Contax G1 and loved it. You can't replace a Leica with a cheap Russian copy.
Posted by Erik Stiegler on November 09, 2001 at 07:58:40:
They are crap. Quality and reliability are poor. They are inherently crummy designs, prone to light leaks and eating your film.
Posted by Rick Oleson on November 09, 2001 at 05:06:42:
The Zorkis are pretty well made, if not beautifully finished, and certainly represent good value for the money as user cameras. The Zorki 1 (the one that looks like a Leica II) handles and feels much like the Leica it's copied from, except that the shutter is a little louder and the shutter release is stiffer. The f/3.5 industar normal lens is really remarkable: I have three industars and all give an almost leica-like atmosphere, especially in color. The faster russian lenses are copies of prewar zeiss designs and also very good (actually better), but they don't give the sort of 'atmosphere' of the f/3.5. The shutter speeds only go from 1/20 to 1/500 second - limited, but simple and reliable. Feds are functionally similar but rougher in my experience than zorkis.
If you want more features, the zorki 4 gives a full range of shutter speeds, single-window rangefinder and a self timer, and I've found no reliability problems at all with it. The Kievs (based on the Zeiss Contax rather than the Leica) can also be very good; they are generally finished better than zorkis. handling is very different with the kiev/contax... a matter of taste and what you get used to.
There are issues of quality control consistency of course; but at something like $50 apiece, you could buy two and still be hundreds of dollars ahead of a leica or contax. If you want to give rangefinders a try, these are most definitely worth looking at. The first place to look, of course, is ebay; many dealers there also have separate sites worth checking out.
rick :)= ...this is me
Posted by mikeb on November 08, 2001 at 12:40:20:
Matt........... don't waste your time and money on them.
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