A classic came home

[kiev4a]

Several years ago, pretty much by accident, I stumbled on a fairly scarce Soviet camera -- a 1956 Zorki 4. 1956 was the first year for the z4 and only about 15,000 cameras were made. -- with vulcanite covering, strap lugs and shutter speeds and name engraved rather than painted. The Zorki 4 I had was nearly mint.
At some point my interest in FSU gear faded and I traded my 1956 Z4 to a friend in a nearby town. Almost immediately I regretted my decision because you just don't find examples of that model--especially in near mint condition.
A couple of weeks ago my friend called and said he was divesting himself of most of his FSU gear and wondered if I would be interested in a trade (I had a Nikkor lens he had admired for some time). So I came home the other day with a bag full of FEDs, which I had not previously collected, and my 1956 Zorki 4. I won't let go of it again!

[Randy]

Welcome back Wayne. That is an exceptionally clean camera, your friend took good care of it.

[kiev4a]

In the trade I picked up another camera I'll probably use a great deal if it checks out -- a black FED 5C with the Industar 61 LD lens. I'm told some 5Cs actually came from the factory in black and it looks better with a slotted lens hood. Haven't shot any film with it yet but everthing seems in order. Wish it had strap lugs!

[Randy]

Well now, that one has me drooling Wayne! I love black cameras.

[PeterW]

Hi Wayne,

Haven't got a FED 5C but I've got a FED 4 with the Industar 61 lens, basically similar camera although cosmetically slightly different. Mine's the usual plated version from 1985. I like using it, it's nicely balanced, the shutter's very smooth and the lens has lots of bite with good contrast. I'm sure you'll love your 5C.

Peter

[herron]

Those are neat, Wayne...particularly that black FED 5C.
I haven't gotten to that one yet although, for someone who supposedly collects Mamiya 35mm, I seem to have my share of old Russians!








Plus a couple I haven't gotten around to cataloging yet!

I've got descriptions of all the above on a page in my web site at www.mamiya35collectors.com/russian.htm

[kiev4a]

Nice FED 1s and FED 2 with the colored body. I have a couple of FED 2s but they are both early models with the Leica rather than the mushroom wind knob. Now I'm overstocked with FED 3as (two cameras with lenses and one body). I'll have to track down someone with extra late FED 2s

[herron]

Thanks, Wayne.

I would use them more, because they look good, take good pictures, feel good in your hand, etc, etc, but I hate having to cut the film leads! I know it only takes a moment (and I have the template cutter)...but it always makes me hesitate, and if I do that I'm grabbing another camera altogether!

[kiev4a]

herron said:

Thanks, Wayne.

I would use them more, because they look good, take good pictures, feel good in your hand, etc, etc, but I hate having to cut the film leads! I know it only takes a moment (and I have the template cutter)...but it always makes me hesitate, and if I do that I'm grabbing another camera altogether!

I assume you are talking about the FED 1 on cutting leader. Not necessary on the FED 2.

[herron]

Are you sure, Wayne? The manuals I have don't talk about it, but they certainly show the long film leader for almost all the bottom-feeder FED's and Zorki's...right up to the Zorki 4. Check out the online manual here www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/zorki4.html

It has the diagram from the Zorki-3 manual...and even though it doesn't say anything about the film leader, that illustration from the manual certainly seems to indicate it.

[herron]

By the way...I found a Zorki-5 I have not cataloged yet...couldn't figure out why I did not photograph and list it, until I noticed the damage it has to the film rewind and it all came back to me...this was one I had intended to repair! But it got put away in the display case, and I totally forgot about it!

So now I have another project (as if my wife was not aggravated enough by the ones I already have underway which do not appear on her "honey-do" list)!

[kiev4a]

Ron:
Only the bottom feeders -- er loaders --- require the long leader. It probably shows the long leader in the manual because most film used to come that way. The long leader is needed on the bottom loaders so the leading edge of the inserted film doesn't get hung up on the sprocket teeth and rails up in the top portion of the film path. You can circumvent the need for the long leader by slipping a very thin plastic card into the film path first, then slde the film into position behind it, then pull out the card. Any camera that has a removable back doesn't need the Leica leader.

[herron]

Silly me!

Here all this time I have been following the instructions! Or at least the drawings/photos that looked like they might be instructions. Guess that's what I get for not being adventurous enough to try something different from what "the book" says. Or maybe I should just stick with Mamiya's!

I'm glad you brought up this thread, Wayne! I learned something the easy way for a change! As a matter of fact, I put some (un-cutdown leader) film in that nice blue FED-2 this morning, and hope to get a chance to take a few pix with it before the end of the day. ;D First time in quite a while.

Assuming they turn out, I'll post a few!

Thanks again!

[kiev4a]

Trying to follow instructions is always my last resort -- especially when they are in Russian!

[Just Plain Curt]

Thanks for the tip Wayne. I knew there had to be an easier way to load film. I always look forward to your posts. Take care and good shooting.