It's the fiddly film loading that puts me off, and the inability to remove the back. I love my Zorki 4k with the awesome Jupiter 8 50mm F2 lens. Only downside, no strap lugs.
So many cool cameras! I think the biggest distinction of a Zorki from other Leica screw mount cameras is the rangefinder coupling arm: instead of a wheel on the end of the arm, Zorki put an adjustable foot that you can turn with a pliers to adjust the close-focus calibration. If the lens mount has been properly shimmed, then the flange distance is *supposed to be* exactly the same as a Leica. However, so many Zorkis have some kind of issue either the rangefinder foot is bent to the wrong angle or the shims were lost or installed incorrectly at the last service or the Soviet lens it was tested with isn't adjusted properly, all these things together lead to the misconception that the Soviets used slightly different dimensions. They didn't, they were just inconsistent and it's common to find them out of adjustment, I think. The original Zorki 1 was intended to be maintained and adjusted by its owner, and they can all have their own quirks based on the last owner's idea of how to adjust it. The fact that you can adjust both close focus and infinity, both of which affect each other, can lead to a wide range of wacky solutions.
Thank you for the video, I have exactly the same copy but I have to take it to the service as it has not been used for a long time.This is a Zorki S (C in Russian) manufactured in 1958 (the first 2 digits of the serial number are the year of production). And this symbol with a prism is the logo of the Mechanical Plant (KMZ) in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, where it was produced.
Matt , yes you can also be a happy filmshooter with a Russian rangefinder . But in mine experiance I must say don't mixed up lenses only use Jupiter , Industar and Orion lenses on a Fed or Zorki . But I made a update from my Kiev to a Contax IIIA with Zeiss and Voigtlander wide angle lenses that I can also use on my Kiev . A Contax IIIA is a beautiful rangefinder camera for a amature price , I bought mine with west Tessar and case for only 250 Euro in Germany Ebay . Best regards Peter .
Thanks Peter! Agreed the Contax are nice. You will see a video to come on Contax so stay tuned. I bought a Tessar once but it was a bad copy so it was returned.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom My West Tessar is a very sharp landscape lens with a nice soft bokeh . Normaly a West Tessar for Contax cost around 400 Euro lens only . I was just very lucky with my Tessar Contax IIIA set .
I was looking into Soviet LTM cameras but I didn't want the risks of getting a dud so looked into the next best thing, which are Canon rangefinders. I finally end up picking the Canon 7SZ, which is considered to be the best vintage LTM camera ever made. I spent a bit more but at the end I was factoring future use, reliability and even value appreciation because they're relatively rare with only 4,000 total units made. The 7SZ rangefinder/viewfinder is really good for a non-M Leica and it is one of the best for LTM cameras. It makes a whole day's difference when comparing the older, smaller and squinty finders of other LTM cameras.
Matt! I'm happy that you have finally got a better version of Zorki. About Zorki I want to mention that Zorki C, Zorki2 and Zorki 2C are one of the best Zorki cameras because they shutter speed mechanics are much better made and they speed can be switched before you wind the knob. On other Zorki cameras you can't do that because you will actually break the mechanics or mess up the shutter speeds. Unfortunately Zorki2 is very expensive and rare, but C series are really easy to find for a friendly price in a good condition. I love to use my Zorki 2C with Jupiter12 and sometimes I put a Jupiter8 or my Canon 50mm f1.8 on it and it gives a really great results. I have Zorki1 as well, but its not that good condition and needs new shutter curtains + some cleaning.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom For me Zorki 4 is right in the line with many other ugly soviet cameras like Kiev4, smena... I love Zorki1, FED1, Zorki C, Zorki2, Zorki2c. The rest of the zorki and fed lineup is not worth my attention. If you like it, fine I can gift you another Zorki4 for renovation if you wish.
Excellent introduction to Zorki. I find the Leica cameras nicer to hold, and the wind on and shutter release smoother. Perhaps the Leicas have been used more. You just can’t beat the value for money of the Zorki.
Very good presentation Matt! In my tiny collection I have Zorki S (not "C" please) with the Industar-22 lens from 1956. I use this combo willingly, but I prefer my 1932 Leica Standard with the same lens. Zorki is a good camera, but Leica body is beyond competition.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom For many years my 1932 Leica Standard was not in use and then I used all of my Zorki and FEDs it was really a pleasure, but I had the Leica repaired and adjusted and since then it is my favorite non SLR 135 type film camera. The quality of the finish, and especially the matching of the mechanical elements to the thousandths of a millimeter, are incomparable. It is hard to appreciate when working only on Zorki or Fed.
I thought this Zorki camera is referred to as a 2c. The 1c has exactly the proportions of a Leica iii, making it a direct copy. These can also be found for as little as 30€. A good one with an Industar 22 and a rotating barrel viewfinder can be found for 80- 100€. They are lovely little cameras:)
Thanks, hmm you could be right. I bought it as a 1c but I’ll have another read to check. It is almost the same size as a iiia, maybe closer to iiig as taller.
Hi, I recently bought Leica IIIc but it came without the bottom plate. My question is: can I use bottom plate from zorki or fed instead of buying leica one? Are they compatible?
Great question, try looking closely at images to see if fixtures are the same. I don’t have cameras on me to check. If not you can get Leica base plates too on eBay but less cheap ofc.
I need the inner left (round)focal focus eye piece or ring for my 111f Leica it fell off when I took off exterior eye piece. The right (square) piece only because of age and dirt didnt fall off. Were can I get one ???
Your Zorki 4 has strap lugs. Mine doesn't, or my Zorki 4k. My Zenit C hasn't got them either. The Zenit C or S is from 1958..My first real camera when I was 13.
Question for you camera Gurus- How does one focus the old rangefinders that have two optical windows? I have a Leica M2, so I know how the single viewfinder works. - Aligning the ghost image) How on earth would the same be done with two windows?
Hi! Can you use your Jupiter 12 fully open? If so, youre one lucky guy... Mine is so soft, unusable below f8 :-( Maybe you could give some advice, how and where to find a good one!? I am looking forward to the upcoming Zorki/ Fed reviews, they are fun. Austrian greetings, Stephan
Matt, you should start all your reviews on lenses and cameras with this clear warning: BEWARE, YOU ARE GOING TO LOOK AT SHARP PHOTOGRAPHS, THEY CAN CAUSE AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX TO THE VIEWERS. The amount of high quality information on the analog and digital black and white photography can give you severe headaches. It is wise to be aware that fine artistic photos can be made with old cameras without autofocus, manual filmtransport, TTL , HSS and non coated lenses.
Haha thanks Jaco, Yes I watched a few other videos last night on film cameras and I didn't really appreciate their images (without sounding like i'm something special, i'm not) .. but it is easy to make crappy photos so I try to make better than that or I don't bother).
