I have a beautiful Zorki 4K from 1973. I am 68 years old and I have no problem using this camera, including the finer dots on the shutter speed dial. I just need my bifocals and I'm good to go. Please do not discourage seniors from buying and using this type of camera. Most of us who need visual aid already have it, so it's just the same as a younger person with no glasses. We can also read too! 😉 Also you may not want to touch your viewfinder window. After you rubbed across it a couple of times I could see your finger oils on it, which will in time degrade the clarity of the plastic. Also true of original glass viewfinder windows, especially coated ones. Of course you can use regular lens cleaning supplies to clean your viewfinder window, but this will be harder on plastic so just as is the case with the shutter curtain, hands and fingers off. Thanks for a great review! I am loaded up with color film and on my way out for a fun morning with my Zorki!
I have one (zorki-4k) and I have to say the pictures I've taking are outstanding, far better than any digital camera, and I have used many Nikon's and fuji types, the Jupiter 8 lens gives an awesome depth of field. 1000% recommend this camera for anyone still using film. It's simple to use and it really gives feeling to the pics. I'm no professional but I've taken some really good shots, some of the best pictures I've ever taken. Hard to explain but the zorki-4k gives something many cameras can't. I highly recommend anyone who is thinking of purchasing one to do so, you won't be disappointed. They are built like a tank no flimsy shit. Heavy and quality. Honest review from a person who was given it by my father, even now in 2021 I've used it many times and for the price I think it's great value. Obvs most people use their mobile phones or a digital cam, film is hardly used these days but for anyone studying in old school SLR using file it's a great investment. Best wishes ✌️📷 I don't know why but I've just noticed the one in this video doesn't have a crank arm to wind on before each snap..mine does have a crank arm wind on. So... Slightly different from one in the vid but I'm guessing the result photographically would be the same.
This is a Zorki 4, not a 4K. The lever advance mechanism was introduced on the 4K, so that’s why yours is different. The rest of your comment…. Totally agree! I have a Leica IIIF and while it does feel substantially smoother than, let’s say, my Zorki-1, I’d be hard pressed to not recommend it to someone who is looking for an old school Barnak-style camera. Zorki and FED did some amazing stuff during their runs and the lenses are superb if you get one which has been taken care of.
So many good old rangefinders out there. Thanks for putting this out there so people see there are alternatives to Leica. I just got a Nicca 3-S Japanese Leica III clone and its a really lovely camera.
Hi Brian, a classic camera. It's easier to mount a lens if it is set to its closest focussing distance. I was told years ago to undo the lens using the focussing ring which sets the lens to its closest distance and then unscrews it from the body. When mounting hold the lens by it's body (depth of field scale). Means you're not trying to push in the rangefinder shoe as much as you find the start of the thread, if that makes sense.
The shutter speed disc (inside the camera) has slots for each speed. The slots for the speeds that require the engagement of the slow speeds escapement (from 1/60 down to 1 second, minus 1/30) are less deep and therefore the shutter speed dial doesn't seat all the way in respect to the camera top cover. Hence the gap :)
Very comprehensive review. And it's never said too many times that one should always tension shutter before changing the speed. This saves many old cameras.👍 My understanding is that early Zorki 4 has better built quality than later Zorki 4K. I was fortunate to acquire 1956 made Zorki 4 with Jupiter 8 lens many years ago. It's still in working condition but would benefit for good CLA. Difference for later cameras mine has strap lugs for easier carrying, can't understand why they were left out from later models. Maybe saving the cost. It also has older style shutterspeeds: 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000.
:( bought mine 2 years ago , had curtain issues so I got it fixed , learned ALL the Dont's to avoid breaking it and on the First Roll , 4th frame ... jammed :( haha . It's a lovely paperweight ever since.
That was quite informative and I did not have to learn Russian, which is a plus. Thanks for the great info. Is there a link to any images produced by the camera? Did the "fix" for the rangefinder patch help much? Best wishes!
Yes, the rangefinder patch "fix" works, at least in daylight. Here's a link to my images shot with a Jupiter 8 if you're interested: flickr.com/photos/11142854@N08/albums/72157683003836484
@@BriansPhotoShow Thanks I see some were done on that Bessa R. The scans and such are very nice, detail right down to the crystals it looks like. Nice stuff, thanks for sharing. Lens seems to perform very nicely indeed.
I don't know of any offhand. I'd suggest contacting KEH in Atlanta and Fedka in New York for recommendations. Now, if you don't mind sending it back to the homeland, then check out okvintagecamera.com.
Good way to put people off vintage film... Open wound? Seriously? Haven't you seen digital shooters crying like babies when they get specs on their sensors even though the did everything possible to keep dirt out when changing lenses? Come on bro, these non-bottom loading Leica copies are the easiest bricks to learn about photography basics.
I have a beautiful Zorki 4K from 1973. I am 68 years old and I have no problem using this camera, including the finer dots on the shutter speed dial. I just need my bifocals and I'm good to go. Please do not discourage seniors from buying and using this type of camera. Most of us who need visual aid already have it, so it's just the same as a younger person with no glasses. We can also read too! 😉 Also you may not want to touch your viewfinder window. After you rubbed across it a couple of times I could see your finger oils on it, which will in time degrade the clarity of the plastic. Also true of original glass viewfinder windows, especially coated ones. Of course you can use regular lens cleaning supplies to clean your viewfinder window, but this will be harder on plastic so just as is the case with the shutter curtain, hands and fingers off. Thanks for a great review! I am loaded up with color film and on my way out for a fun morning with my Zorki!
I have one (zorki-4k) and I have to say the pictures I've taking are outstanding, far better than any digital camera, and I have used many Nikon's and fuji types, the Jupiter 8 lens gives an awesome depth of field. 1000% recommend this camera for anyone still using film. It's simple to use and it really gives feeling to the pics. I'm no professional but I've taken some really good shots, some of the best pictures I've ever taken. Hard to explain but the zorki-4k gives something many cameras can't. I highly recommend anyone who is thinking of purchasing one to do so, you won't be disappointed. They are built like a tank no flimsy shit. Heavy and quality. Honest review from a person who was given it by my father, even now in 2021 I've used it many times and for the price I think it's great value. Obvs most people use their mobile phones or a digital cam, film is hardly used these days but for anyone studying in old school SLR using file it's a great investment. Best wishes ✌️📷 I don't know why but I've just noticed the one in this video doesn't have a crank arm to wind on before each snap..mine does have a crank arm wind on. So... Slightly different from one in the vid but I'm guessing the result photographically would be the same.
This is a Zorki 4, not a 4K. The lever advance mechanism was introduced on the 4K, so that’s why yours is different. The rest of your comment…. Totally agree! I have a Leica IIIF and while it does feel substantially smoother than, let’s say, my Zorki-1, I’d be hard pressed to not recommend it to someone who is looking for an old school Barnak-style camera. Zorki and FED did some amazing stuff during their runs and the lenses are superb if you get one which has been taken care of.
This is the vanilla 4. You probably have the Zorki 4K which has a crank mechanism.
Do you have any tips for an absolute newb that bought a Zorki 4k?
So many good old rangefinders out there. Thanks for putting this out there so people see there are alternatives to Leica. I just got a Nicca 3-S Japanese Leica III clone and its a really lovely camera.
Great video, very helpful!
Hi Brian, a classic camera. It's easier to mount a lens if it is set to its closest focussing distance. I was told years ago to undo the lens using the focussing ring which sets the lens to its closest distance and then unscrews it from the body. When mounting hold the lens by it's body (depth of field scale). Means you're not trying to push in the rangefinder shoe as much as you find the start of the thread, if that makes sense.
I had not thought of that, but it makes sense. Thanks!
Thanks. The best review of the zorki 4 I have seen ..
The shutter speed disc (inside the camera) has slots for each speed. The slots for the speeds that require the engagement of the slow speeds escapement (from 1/60 down to 1 second, minus 1/30) are less deep and therefore the shutter speed dial doesn't seat all the way in respect to the camera top cover. Hence the gap :)
Really helpful, thanks for the tips & tricks along with some sage advice, appreciated 👍
Very comprehensive review. And it's never said too many times that one should always tension shutter before changing the speed. This saves many old cameras.👍 My understanding is that early Zorki 4 has better built quality than later Zorki 4K. I was fortunate to acquire 1956 made Zorki 4 with Jupiter 8 lens many years ago. It's still in working condition but would benefit for good CLA. Difference for later cameras mine has strap lugs for easier carrying, can't understand why they were left out from later models. Maybe saving the cost. It also has older style shutterspeeds: 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000.
Yes, I wish mine had strap lugs. At least I have the original case.
What I do Brian put camera on its back bf screwing in the lens.... It works!!
Thanks. Great review. Have one on the way.
I use flash on a bracket i put a gossen digisix light meter on the cold shoe
:( bought mine 2 years ago , had curtain issues so I got it fixed , learned ALL the Dont's to avoid breaking it and on the First Roll , 4th frame ... jammed :( haha . It's a lovely paperweight ever since.
That was quite informative and I did not have to learn Russian, which is a plus. Thanks for the great info. Is there a link to any images produced by the camera? Did the "fix" for the rangefinder patch help much? Best wishes!
I think you'd want to look for images for Industar-50 and Jupiter-8. Both lenses can be adapted to mirrorless and some digital SLRs.
Yes, the rangefinder patch "fix" works, at least in daylight. Here's a link to my images shot with a Jupiter 8 if you're interested: flickr.com/photos/11142854@N08/albums/72157683003836484
@@BriansPhotoShow Thanks I see some were done on that Bessa R. The scans and such are very nice, detail right down to the crystals it looks like. Nice stuff, thanks for sharing. Lens seems to perform very nicely indeed.
fyi shutter replacement is cheaper than buying a new camera can get it done as parts exist and its like $40. Cameras are 90-100$
Focus spot on my FED 2 rangefinder is pretty bright tbh
Oh dope! I just bought one, will I need a turret viewfinder for an industar 61 lens?
No.
Thank you❤
My pleasure, I hope this was helpful.
CLR Service. Any suggestion for a good CLR service in North America? If not, am willing to send it off. Many thanks.
I don't know of any offhand. I'd suggest contacting KEH in Atlanta and Fedka in New York for recommendations. Now, if you don't mind sending it back to the homeland, then check out okvintagecamera.com.
Looks like OK Vintage is another casualty of Putin…
The X is for electronic flashes
Good, but have a complicated speed control
never heard of bifocals ? great video tho , cheers
Good way to put people off vintage film... Open wound? Seriously? Haven't you seen digital shooters crying like babies when they get specs on their sensors even though the did everything possible to keep dirt out when changing lenses?
Come on bro, these non-bottom loading Leica copies are the easiest bricks to learn about photography basics.