The Zorki 3 is the predecessor of the Zorki 4 and is quite a rare Russian camera. Thanks to a viewer and fellow photographer I have the chance to review not one, but two of them!
Hello Nigel! Thank you for the review. I just recently purchased a Zorki-3 made in 1955 with a Jupiter-8. I was actually very impressed with the build quality. Keep up the great work!
I love my old Zorki 4. I just got it and apart from weighing a ton and looking like something from the stone age, it looks like it just rolled off the stone age show, room floor. It's incredible, it looks great, and I love the sound. That's one of the things that I loved about my old Yashica TL Electro X, the mechanical, clockwerk sound. Thanks for the video.
I used both Zorki and Kiev (74-76. later Zenit). The optics were great, but the camera body was outdated and heavy metal, but they work great for B&W. I was a student in the USSR at that time.
I do like the Russian cameras, but I think the Zorki 3 was something of a high point. If that level of quality and innovative design had continued, later cameras would have been rather different, I think!
Hi, you'll find the 'T' function in addition to the B on minox subminiature cameras too, a favourite of mine for the exceptional engineering in them.One press opens the shutter and a second one closes it.
Ah, i didn't know the Minox cameras have this function, although not surprising as they're very well engineered and designed. Thanks for pointing it out.
You're welcome, I enjoy your Russian camera reviews and would love to find another Zorki 1 or try a Kiev 4a, the Zorkis i had previously weren't very good unfortunately, one was non functional and ended up being a chore to return for refund (ebay and the seller was in czechoslovakia if memory serves and he was selling numerous Russian cameras all 'tested and working' all with the same 'sample image shot with this camera' the crying shame was that it was a lovely unusual faux snakeskin covering. The other was hit and miss with with the shutter and you'd maybe get 10 correctly exposed shots from a 36 roll. Not too bad when you're developing yourself but irritating. I'm getting back into an interest in film again because I always loved the tone and texture of film B&W. You should try a minox if you get the opportunity, they're beautifully engineered little marvels, the minox b are very reasonably priced now too as they were the most common, of course the selenium cell lightmeters are about as accurate as the 50 year old zenit cameras and others. :)
Additionally, I was always very disappointed that the T function wasn't a commonly seen one on the Japanese SLR's and rangefinders as the ability to press and leave it open then again to close minutes later is so useful in long exposure imagery
I'd love to try a minox, never actually handled one but they look like beautiful little things. Shame about your Zorkis, but I suppose 10 out of 36 ain't bad! Apparently film is undergoing something of a resurgence just at the moment - it's an anachronism now of course, but a beautiful medium with a unique look. Hope you continue to enjoy your cameras.
That is something that could be arranged, I'd love to run a roll of film through a Kiev 4a and experience one having enjoyed Zorkis previously, which I believe you have. if you'd be willing to do an exchange for test and review I could send a nice little Minox B and even load a cassette for you, (also develop it for you if you don't have a suitable reel or tank) on return? The Minox is a stunning camera and every camera fan should experience one.
The 1s speed (around 5:37) sounds like the camera needs a doctor. It's slow, around 1.3s, and the second shutter sounds rather sluggish. I hope I'm wrong.
Hmm, yes, I think you might be right, it does sound a little slow. Having said that, the times I can't remember ever having actually used a speed of 1s, so it's probably not that important. Thanks for pointing it out though.
Hi Nigel. I'm realy glad you like both of Zorki-3. Very nice review!
Thanks Alexey, I've got some nice shots with these cameras, on Cinestill and Fuji film, which I'll be posting soon.
Hello Nigel! Thank you for the review. I just recently purchased a Zorki-3 made in 1955 with a Jupiter-8. I was actually very impressed with the build quality. Keep up the great work!
The Zorki 3 is a very nicely made camera - enjoy!
i know it is kinda off topic but do anyone know a good site to watch newly released tv shows online?
@Lian Johan flixportal :)
@Harlan Wilder Thank you, I went there and it seems to work :D I appreciate it !!
@Lian Johan you are welcome :)
I love my old Zorki 4. I just got it and apart from weighing a ton and looking like something from the stone age, it looks like it just rolled off the stone age show, room floor. It's incredible, it looks great, and I love the sound. That's one of the things that I loved about my old Yashica TL Electro X, the mechanical, clockwerk sound.
Thanks for the video.
The Z4 is a great manual camera, with everything you need and nothing you don't - enjoy!
This was terrifically entertaining and informative. Thank you❤️👍
I used both Zorki and Kiev (74-76. later Zenit). The optics were great, but the camera body was outdated and heavy metal, but they work great for B&W. I was a student in the USSR at that time.
I do like the Russian cameras, but I think the Zorki 3 was something of a high point. If that level of quality and innovative design had continued, later cameras would have been rather different, I think!
I really like your channel and your style!! Very objective and informative!!
Stay home and stay healthy!! Virus Free!!
Many thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel!
Im trying to find as close to leica 1 as possible. Thanks for doing these cameos.
Hi, you'll find the 'T' function in addition to the B on minox subminiature cameras too, a favourite of mine for the exceptional engineering in them.One press opens the shutter and a second one closes it.
Ah, i didn't know the Minox cameras have this function, although not surprising as they're very well engineered and designed. Thanks for pointing it out.
You're welcome, I enjoy your Russian camera reviews and would love to find another Zorki 1 or try a Kiev 4a, the Zorkis i had previously weren't very good unfortunately, one was non functional and ended up being a chore to return for refund (ebay and the seller was in czechoslovakia if memory serves and he was selling numerous Russian cameras all 'tested and working' all with the same 'sample image shot with this camera' the crying shame was that it was a lovely unusual faux snakeskin covering.
The other was hit and miss with with the shutter and you'd maybe get 10 correctly exposed shots from a 36 roll.
Not too
bad when you're developing yourself but irritating.
I'm getting back into an interest in film again because I always loved the tone and texture of film B&W.
You should try a minox if you get the opportunity, they're beautifully engineered little marvels, the minox b are very reasonably priced now too as they were the most common, of course the selenium cell lightmeters are about as accurate as the 50 year old zenit cameras and others. :)
Additionally, I was always very disappointed that the T function wasn't a commonly seen one on the Japanese SLR's and rangefinders as the ability to press and leave it open then again to close minutes later is so useful in long exposure imagery
I'd love to try a minox, never actually handled one but they look like beautiful little things. Shame about your Zorkis, but I suppose 10 out of 36 ain't bad! Apparently film is undergoing something of a resurgence just at the moment - it's an anachronism now of course, but a beautiful medium with a unique look. Hope you continue to enjoy your cameras.
That is something that could be arranged, I'd love to run a roll of film through a Kiev 4a and experience one having enjoyed Zorkis previously, which I believe you have.
if you'd be willing to do an exchange for test and review I could send a nice little Minox B and even load a cassette for you, (also develop it for you if you don't have a suitable reel or tank) on return?
The Minox is a stunning camera and every camera fan should experience one.
Thank you for the info.
Happy to help!
just bought one
It's a beautiful camera and in my opinion the best of the old soviet rangefinders. A beautiful machine, enjoy!
The 1s speed (around 5:37) sounds like the camera needs a doctor. It's slow, around 1.3s, and the second shutter sounds rather sluggish. I hope I'm wrong.
Hmm, yes, I think you might be right, it does sound a little slow. Having said that, the times I can't remember ever having actually used a speed of 1s, so it's probably not that important. Thanks for pointing it out though.