Zorki 1E Rangefinder Camera

Joe acquires a Leica thread-mount rangefinder camera circa 1955. How does it compare to the later Zorki 4? Will it become Joe's new knock-around film camera?

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Looks like thezorchi i c is my camera of choice. I miss the self timer and diopter zoom though. Where can i find one ive been wanting a leica for 5 or 10 years. Thanks for the cameo on zorchi 1 c.😅

[@Gilico]

I bought Zorki 1d yesterday and I happen to see your video now ! Cant wait to get it and take some pictures.

[@романсараев-з2м]

Это потрясающая камера с исключительно мягкой работой автоматики и с отличным мягко рисующим объективом превосходно подходящим для портретной съемки. Я являюсь счастливым обладателем подобной камеры. Знак призмы со стрелой означает что данная камера изготовлена на Красногорском оптико-механическом заводе. На данном заводе производились самые качественные камеры производимые в СССР. Джо последние 3 года я являюсь подпищиком Вашего канала. Вы открыли для меня занимательный мир пинхола. ОГРОМНОЕ ВАМ СПАСИБО за те усилия и время которое вы потратили создавая эти видео-ролики

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you!

[@mrteatime4116]

Just last week I bought a Zorki 6. I am fascinated how simple yet genius the rangefinder mechanism works. Didn't shot a film yet but I'm looking forward to it

[@cauldron101]

I love these early Zorki and Fed cameras. They are small, ultra-portable in a way, and they are fun to use. A draw back could be the process of taking a photo which is very slow: Extend the lens, advance the film, set the shutter speed, set the aperture, focus through the rangefinder viewfinder, frame through the galilean viewfinder and then take the shot. A good thing would be learning to estimate the exposure without the need of a lightmeter. I did by experience (started long ago with the sunny-16 rule) and now it is real fun to use these.

[@fricki1997]

I got a Fed 3a, one of my mechanical cameras favourite. They're great little things :) and at least mine also feels well-built. I still need to get a folding Industar for it.

[@tinfoilcat]

I have a Leica IIIf with a collapsible Elmar 50/2.8 (which is slightly bulkier than the 3.5 which the Industar-22 is made after). It is a great feeling camera to hold and use, compact and nice mecanics. If the Zorki works well I would guess that it will be similar! Great premium (coat) pocket cameras! I have used a Zorki 1 or Fed 1 briefly a long time ago and it felt good albeit a little stiff due to seeing no use for a while. I was gifted a faulty Zorki 4 but wasn't too happy with the feel, a bit too bulky for me. I look forward to seeing your results with the Industar, I have been thinking about getting one to make the Leica smaller and getting another character (I guess that uncoated + wide open would yield something other than the Elmar 2.8).

[@vasilis_k_97]

Fed 2 is another great camera

[@MichaelRusso]

I have the fed version. All nice cameras.

[@Hi-lb8cq]

The shutter looks a bit rough....have u taken any photos yet with it!?!?

[@michelgiachino5887]

I EXPECTED to see more accuratly the SPOOL and bottom plate

[@brucehorn7600]

Interesting little camera. The only Soviet rangefinder I ever had was a Moskva 5. 6x9cm image. Folded up nice and small and fit easily in a jacket pocket but weighed about two pounds. Made nice images but I wasn't all that wild about the rangefinder which seemed very small and squinty to me.

[@tamassanta6819]

Dear Joe, I have the Zorki 1, but I usullay have parallax issue. Do you have any experience how to frame based on the distance? Many thanks: Tamas

[@Joe_VanCleave]

With any rangefinder without a compensating viewfinder, compose slightly to the right and down, but more so for close in subjects, less for distant ones.

[@tamassanta6819]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thanks Joe

[@Tamadehenzhan]

gut

[@petergoodrum1607]

Joe as this is a Russian camera is your timing off regard posting this given the circumstances in Ukraine? Just for the record I have a Moskva 5 which I'm not going to use as a small gesture in Support of Ukraine.... Just Sayin

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The Zorki 1E I bought several weeks ago -- near the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine -- from a US seller. It may have been the last Zorki 1 available on US eBay from a non-Russian seller. The camera was made in 1955, Putin was 3 years old at the time, I don't see it as supporting the current Russian regime at all; any more than the fact we bought Alaska from Russia a century ago doesn't mean we should give it back now and demand a refund. As for the timing -- great timing, I was wanting one of these to accompany the Zorki 4 I've had for years. I hope you enjoy your Moskva 5, I haven't used one, but they sound fun.

[@petergoodrum1607]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your candour. The whole situation is nuanced, our country is still buying Russian oil, albeit in ruducing quantities... go figure.. Ebay for instance was listing Russian sellers of Moskva cameras a few days ago now they are listing mainly Ukraine the odd one in Albania and Israel for example.. None from Russia, rightly so, imho and in line with our government`s sanctions. However I stand by my comments and your inalianable right to post as you see fit. Btw I Love your vids, hugely engaging and full of useful info and insights including this one about the Zorki. The Moskva 5 is a very capable 6x9 but an ergonomic nightmare in use. Mine came from a Ukrainian seller right at the start of the Covid pandemic and took 6 weeks to get to me! When I can bring myself to use mine I intend converting it to use 35mm film with an internal mask giving a xpan type vibe...

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@petergoodrum1607 Thank you for your thoughtful reply. It is, as you say, nuanced. Our objective should be to oppose the current Russian regime (and by proxy the current Russian economy) while being aware that our fight is not against the historic Russian people or culture. Our end-state objective should be a democratic Russia in favorable partnership with the West.

[@petergoodrum1607]

Agree with your thoughts. History repeating itself..... The Russians defended themselves like demons when they were invaded by Hitler and we UK helped them defend at a great cost ... Its a crying shame that so much power is in the remit of a flawed individual hell bent on a glory day. He has turned a noble people and culture into a pariah state in the eyes of many and wreeked a havoc on an equally noble people who deserve as much of our support as possible, short of all out world war. Unfortunately its not the first time the Russians have invaded Ukraine. Nuanced indeed.

[@tonydoidge4552]

@@Joe_VanCleave ❤