Zorki 6 - The Search For The Ultimate, Budget, Rangefinder Camera

[@Srulio]

Thanks. I am sure lots of viewers would be happy with more detail on how to service and repair these rough diamonds.

[@Ybalrid]

Funny, I was looking into other M39 soviet rangefinders, I may want to dedicate one to Jupiter 9 duty, with a 85mm finder stuck in the cold shoe, so I am looking for the ones that may have the widest "effective base length for (hopefully) accurate focus

[@Ybalrid]

Also the "virtual focal" that is communicated for focusing on the Soviet cameras is using the Contax standard focal lengh of 52.4, instead of Leica's LTM standard of 51.6mm! Which means that some of the most interesting lenses from the USSR can only properly work on a Soviet made Rangefinder. No Canon/Bessa/Leotax/Nicca and of course "real" Leica can give you accurate focus on a Jupiter-9 unless it's stopped down at like f/11 so the DoF is wide enough to include the focus error in it.

[@GrumpyTim]

I've always fancied a Jupiter 9, but never felt like paying the money that many sellers want for them - I'm sure I'll find one in a box of junk one of these days!!!!

[@ka4estvo]

FED-2 has the longest EBL of the m39s. It's a freaking mile.

[@Ybalrid]

@@ka4estvo I can see that. On top of that it is a very common model. It also does seem to have a 2 peice shutter speed dial with a dot indicator on it. Though I am unsure if it can be changed before advancing the camera. It also seems that some do and some do not have a PC socket for flash synchro, on the front. That's interesting.

[@nevillewatkins4997]

There's a certain charm to the Zorki's, that's for sure. I've got a 4k sat around all loaded and ready to shoot. Trouble is that was about a year ago. 😄 Don't think I've come across a 6 though.

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Neville, it took me a while to find a 6, don't think I've ever seen one at the local flea market. The 4 was definitely the big seller back in the day and I bet there have been some great photos taken using them.

[@tobysummers471]

I would love to get my hands on a Zorki 6. I have had a couple of 4Ks and a few older copies like the 1. I’ve had a few FEDs as well. All these cameras are great fun to use. I recently spoke to a gentleman called Roger Lean who worked for the importers and repaired them for a living. He still repairs most Soviet rangefinders, Zenits etc. He bought all the spares and testing equipment when the importers closed and carried on repairing cameras. Really Reasonable prices and a good service. I’m sending my FED 2 to him shortly. Would recommend. His details can be found online. Great video, thank you for uploading.

[@TheManFrayBentos]

I've had a Z4 for years, can't say I used it a lot - not because of the camera, but I had so many others. I believe it was CLAd before I bought it, as it's felt great from day one, and none of the usual minor faults have cropped up. Really must get it out this summer, and you've re-awakened my interest in the K or 6.

[@joellinker9899]

I have a full set of the Feds, at least I think I do. Next step, full set of working Zorkis! Just kidding, life's too short. 📸

[@Ybalrid]

I do not think the rewind button act as a shutter release button, rather it "unwinds" the shutter but the 2 curtains moves with no gap between them. Pretty sure that is the same when turning the button on a Zorki 4 too.

[@GrumpyTim]

I just double checked, and the rewind button does fire the shutter the same as the shutter button itself, even works in bulb, holding the second curtain until the button is released - it's been a while since I was inside that camera, so I can't remember exactly how it differs from the shutter button. I'm pretty sure holding the shutter button doesn't release the drive to the film, that would almost inevitable lead to uneven frame spacing.

[@Ybalrid]

@@GrumpyTim interesting! The shutter button should not release the sprocket. But… keeping it pressed may let you advance the film without charging the shutter mechanism…!!

[@MrLukealbanese]

Tim, could you please do some servicing videos on Zorkis please?

[@nostalgiccameralife]

After using a Zorki 4 for a few years I decided to try a Zorki 6, and I just couldn't get along with it. I only ever ran one roll of film through it, and then never used it again. Finally sold it after it sat on a shelf for a couple of years. I can't quite put into words what the issue was, just that there was something vaguely repulsive about the thing. Even now, thinking about it, I just remember it being off putting to use. I ended up also selling the Zorki 4 to a friend, thinking I'd had enough of that one too. It turned out, I hadn't, and after a couple of years absence from my life I acquired another 4, and still have and use that one today.

[@BensWorkshop]

Interesting camera. I do like rangefinders. That said the Panasonic FZ200 I have, can do multiple fast shots which is great for action and catching birds in flight. Edit: Forgot to add, that is a very odd film!

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Ben, I really like rangefinder cameras, but my go to will always be an SLR, partially because that's what I've always used, and you know exactly what you are taking rather than possibly having massive lens flare that you are unaware of, or worse still, leaving the lens cap on!!! There's barely an argument for shooting old film cameras when I could get amazing results with something like your Panasonic - guess I just like doing things the hard way (not to mention expensive). Lomo Turquoise is totally bonkers, but I quite enjoyed shooting with it. Definitely not an every day film though.

[@BensWorkshop]

@@GrumpyTim I do like film cameras also. I have many of them! And yes that film isn't an every day film.

[@conrad1837]

That’s one I’d like to try out myself. I like the thought of an easily adjustable diopter and it sounds like the viewfinder is quite nice . I have a fed 3 which I love the look and feel of but I struggle with it because I don’t think it suits my eyes

[@GrumpyTim]

Hi Conrad, I have a FED4 (or at least I think that's the model), assuming the 3 is similar to the 4, they also have an adjustable dioptre, on those you rotate the ring round the viewfinder eyepiece until everything is clear. It's always possible that someone has taken the camera apart and not re-engaged the drive for the dioptre adjustment, in which case it would be stuck at one end or the other, leaving it more or less unusable. I should have checked my FED to see how the viewfinder looked compared to the Zorki 6 - I was surprised how much more magnified the Zorki 4 was - if wearing glasses, your eye is held further away from the eyepiece and you can hardly see any of the frame on the Zorki 4 - I know the idea is that you take your glasses off and compensate with the dioptre, but my other half struggles with this because you've then got to hold your glasses while you take the shot, then put them back on so you can see the world again.

[@conrad1837]

@ it does indeed have that Tim, but the finder is quite dark and the patch isn’t great either. I have it adjusted as much as I can with the little toothed/ knurled ring but still isn’t great

[@christianlorenz2717]

Love your videos! Got a FED5 for a couple of euros… and it’s like new.. 😂

[@wyatthalchishick5167]

Good timing with this video, I just got a Zorki 6 a few days ago! You said you've been into your copy, have you run into any trouble separating the rangefinder window trim piece to the actual optical block of the rangefinder? Both are tightly stuck together on my copy and I will have to separate them to adjust the vertical position of the rangefinder image.

[@Banneoliberalism]

I demand to Put Leica strap to it and put Leica refit sticker beside the zorki logo!

[@Banneoliberalism]

Beside the joke I love this classic. The sharpest of all rangefinder and it make me feel like I am wielding Soviet tank shell that can capture the picture of vodka. I have zorki 10 too. I can build a house with it due to its robustness. Somehow selenium meter just die the day I use the third Flim roll.

[@ka4estvo]

The consensus in rangefinder aficionados in the former USSR is that Zorki-3 and 3M are the best zorkis overall. The build quality and ergonomics are great. They're usually 2 times more expensive than the other models. 5 is bad because the lever winder is very unreliable.