Thanks for your good job , Brian. I am a belgian customer of Oleg who is a true master craftsman. I bought from him: 1 FED1, 1 Zorki, 1 Zorki 3M, and I had a Kiev 19 and Barbarella's camera :) the Kiev 10 serviced. The work is done impeccably.
Also Kiev 4 based on contax rangefinder mount could be an option. Compact, precise in focusing and very very quite shutter. Also 4a model (without a exposure meter) compact and looks pretty. Jupiter-8 lens on this mount is also super compact in size and delivers good image quality.
I second the recommedation for the Kiew 4. I had a 4am for some time and I foumd it to be a much better camera than the Zorki 4. The finder is smaller but at least it shows what will be in the picture compared to the Zorki where the finder only gives a rough estimation and the rangefinder is very precise and impossible to go out of alignment and calibration as it is a one-piece construction. The russians really only delivered decent construction as long as they sticked to the german design they copied. Any deviation ment cheapening and simplifying to the worse with few execptions. The Japanese rangefinders are a class higher in my book, many real improvemets over the Leicas, some really good optics, astoninglishly good sometimes, but again I like the cluttered finder of the P not that much and would prefer other models from Canon's range.
Don’t be afraid of the Japanese camera sellers. I’ve purchased a handful and have never been screwed over. You need to read the camera descriptions and be on the lookout for any text in Red. The text in red typically describes the camera you are bidding. And if you have questions, message the sellers. They are nice and want to work with you. One note on Canon P’s in general: the shutter speed 1/1000 is notorious and tends to be the first to go. So a CLA is in order. Seconded on the wrinkled shutter curtains. Mine fires fine with 40 rolls through it.
I'm a camera technician who specializes mainly in Leica repairs. But, when a customer asks which Screw Mount camera is best to purchase, I without hesitation tell folks to buy the feature laden & ultra-high quality Canon P. - Plus, their lenses from that era show the concerted efforts made in battling it out with Leitz/Leica for overall quality. - As far as Russian made cameras, I flat-out refuse to work on these crudely made cameras (This also includes Japanese made Petri & Miranda cameras). Now, Russian lenses are fun to use on Mirrorless digital cameras; but only after replacing all the foul lubricates in them)...😎
Recently I did a comparision between Canon ltm 50mm f1.8, Jupiter 8 (old ver. With red P) and Industar 61 L/D. All photos shot with Canon P. Results are interesting. Shown to few photograps - Industar wasn't hard to recognize, but most of them couldn't guess the Canon and Jupiter. Photos taken by those two are so similar.
Found a smoking deal on a Nikkor 55 3.5 from a Japanese seller, arrived in less than a week as advertised. I would definitely purchase again. I wish I got along with rf cameras better.
At the end of WW2, Germany had to give up all it's patents.... and, as I understand it, the allies made all the Leica plans available to all!! So, there are dozens of high quality Leica 'copies' - like the Leotax - made in the post war years.
No strap lugs on the Zorki. I have a 4k with the lever advance.,and use the case as a half case to carry and use it. The date of manufacture is on the body and the lens on Soviet cameras. The black Jupiter 8 50mm f2 lens from 1974 is heavily coated a nd performs impeccably. It has an adjustable eyesight correction lever.
Hello Brian. I have purchased a number of items from Japanese sellers, A Bronica EC with 80mm Nikon lens, a 50mm and a 200mm lens for the same camera, plus a Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 (the radioactive one) and have nothing but praise for the 3 sellers I encountered. Shipping was fast and tracked every step of the way - import duties, however, were steep, (UK Government want to gouge us out of every penny) I have a pretty comprehensive collection of the Russian rangefinders, nice cameras if used as they should be - they can be a little delicate if abused.
Hello. In last 6 months I have ordered several Nikon items from eBay japanese sellers and no problems. They are fast and accurate. I can recommend japanese sellers.
I have only excellent experiences with Japanese sellers on eBay. I bougt medium format cameras, range finder cameras, compact 35, half frame cameras and others and ALL without exception where in great condition. They worked all as promised and had new light sealing most of the time and where clean inside the cameras etc. If they say they are working, the cameras are working. I can only recommend to buy Japanese cameras from Japanese sellers on eBay. Of couse best option is to buy them in Japan directly, but if you can’t buy them while travelling there, eBay is fine. Much better than other sellers I had from other countries in my humble opinion...
Very nice comparison video Brian, really enjoyed it. Also, thanks for Oleg's and Fedka's online stores. I did not knew about them but was looking for a good repairman for my FED 2 camera, one that really knows the internals of the camera and how to fix it. One thing I would like to add, on the Zorki 4 and any russian camera, is that before you set the shutter dial on a shutter speed do make sure that the camera is cocked. It is a very easy way to break the internal shutter mechanism if you do it without first coking the film advance wheel. Other than that they are really very nice cameras :).
I believe the Canon 7 bests the P in terms of features, framelines, view etc. Well worth a look and don't have the premium that goes with the P because of it's popularity!
I am a fan of Russian and Japanese Barnock style rangefinders. I had been tracking a Canon iib on ebay and made a bid not expecting to win but did. I know that there are wrinkles on the shutter, but the camera has been tested successfully at all shutter speeds. I do not own a camera with a metal shutter screen. I have only had problems with a Leica iiif that I purchased for $200 with holes in the screen. I spent another $250 for a CLA and new camera curtain. If a knew then..........(: In any case, thank you providing this comparison. I own a number of Zorki 4 cameras.
Interesting video! I have many fsu rangefinder cameras + find the value for money outstanding! I have just aquired a fed 3 rangefinder along with an industar61 50mm lens for a sum of £12.75. The condition is almost mint + in fully working! Incidentally, the shutter must always be wound on first before adjusting/setting the speeds, otherwise damage will be incurred! Derek
I've bought quite a bit from Japanese sellers recently and have had little or no issues, and if there is a slight problem they are usually very quick to respond and sort it out. I have noticed they do tend to get carried away with the "near mint" description, but if you scrutinize all the photos and read the description carefully it's usually fine. The main problem I have is that most tend to favor fedex, and from my experience fedex appear to be making a killing on the import tariffs fee (I live in Ireland) so I've stopped ordering anything being delivered by them. Now if I want anything listed as being delivered by fedex I'll message them and ask if they can send by standard post instead, and so far any I've asked have complied. It may take longer but it's better than getting ripped off by fedex.
Really? FedEx has quite the nasty reputation for customs and import duty shenanigans here in Israel as well. At least we know it's not a local problem. Thanks for your input.
@@BriansPhotoShow As I say Brian, if there's something you're looking for but it's being sold from Japan via fedex, message them and ask if they'll send by Japan Post instead and they'll probably oblige. I would never buy anything being shipped by fedex again due to their 'dubious' tariff fees and commissions.
Well I have ordered from japanese sellers via FedEx and no problems so far. FedEx has fast shipping and customs goes also fast. Only shipper superior to FexEx is DHL based on my experience. DHL is really lightning fast, last time I ordered lens from Japan via eBay it arrived 6 days later in front of my house. But regular post service EMS is really bad and I try to avoid it. I live in Estonia.
@@slv5102 I'm not referring to the speed of delivery but rather to the tariffs, commissions and add-ons fedex charge which is typically 10-20% more than other carriers such as DHL. Another problem is their billing system. While DHL or customs/revenue withhold delivery and notify you of the fees due, fedex deliver then notify you at a later stage (sometimes up to a month later), then demand immediate payment. If you have a number of items delivered over that period it can be difficult to even understand what exactly you're paying for, because they include a typically blurred, almost illegible photocopy of the invoice. This is all done purposely in my opinion in order to confuse the receiver of the goods and after the experiences I've had I vowed never to purchase anything being delivered through fedex again.
@@thewildgoose7467 well then this system is very different in Estonia. If I order item from Japan and tracking shows it has arrived, then I will contact shipper and they will send me package info. Then I will log into customs department website and fill up customs declaration, pay import fee and it’s usually done in 5 minutes. Next day courier will drop package off at my house. Process is same for FedEx and DHL. If I order with EMS then I will have to pick up my package from postal office. That’s the system here in Estonia. I don’t know about comissions and add-ons, only thing I pay for is customs import tax.
I do not know if this is because he moved, or if the information was just incorrect, but Oleg (okvintagecamera) is located in Slovakia, wich makes all things simpler if you're in the EU
I've got a Zorki 1 and a Zorki 3M (amongst many others!!) and I've just had them serviced by Newton Ellis - they are great cameras, in their own special way!
I have 3 Zorki 4 model don't know why... Oh yes the last one bought it for the Jupiter 8....thought I would like it on my FED 2 one of my Zorkis not working its got cycrllic font on it......but they good thought of clear nail varnish over SS shutter speeds...??
Great video and channel in general 🤙🏽. By the way the Jupiter 9 is an slr lens even though it fits screw mount rangefinders... it's called m39 and not l39. that's why it misses focus
My Jupiter 9 does not miss focus when mounted on a Soviet rangefinder. czcams.com/video/1Lj7BCqafho/video.html There was a version made for the first-generation Zenit SLRs which featured an M39 thread with an SLR flange to film distance, and of course there were several versions made in M42 mount.
None of my FSU rangefinders focused properly with any of my fast lenses wide open ...not even the FSU lenses ...and my FSU lenses dont work on my leica or japanese rangefinders ..people have different theories about this, some say its because the soviets used a different standard for their L39 system, the flange distance is different ,although the mount themselves are physically identical. some others say its just poor quality control...i would agree with the latter because the adjustment i had to make to make the FSU lenses focus correctly with my leica bodies were never consistent ....the tolerance is only good enough for the industar 45/2.8 or jupiter-12 ....maybe its just my lack of luck, but the quality control was really a big issue
My soviet M39 lenses are only working properly on my digital mirrorless with adapter. On all my film rangefinders (Leica M3, Canon P etc.) or my Leica M digital rangefinders the lenses are not really focussing correctly. Quality on soviet lenses is widely spread from terrible to okay … unfortunately.
thank you for the info. I just bought this Canon P body and now have also Jupiter 35mm and a little bit scared now that I already did some damage to the body screw. I felt nothing wrong with the screwing process it was really smooth. Shout I avoid using this couple together?
Let me add the highest recommendation for Jeff Guthrie at Japan-vintage-camera.com. He also has an Etsy store by the same name. Jeff only sells excellent or better, fully refurbished Japanese cameras. If the camera you want isn't listed he will find it for you. His prices are reasonable, and shipping is free, worldwide. I have purchased about a dozen cameras and lenses from him, including my impeccable Canon P. I have 5 more on the way to me. Do not hesitate to try him. Btw, he also has a CZcams channel where he does detailed reviews of these cameras.
Thanks for your good job , Brian. I am a belgian customer of Oleg who is a true master craftsman. I bought from him: 1 FED1, 1 Zorki, 1 Zorki 3M, and I had a Kiev 19 and Barbarella's camera :) the Kiev 10 serviced. The work is done impeccably.
That's good to know. Thanks!
Also Kiev 4 based on contax rangefinder mount could be an option. Compact, precise in focusing and very very quite shutter. Also 4a model (without a exposure meter) compact and looks pretty. Jupiter-8 lens on this mount is also super compact in size and delivers good image quality.
Yes, I believe the Kiev system may be the last affordable, good quality rangefinder system available. I've never owned one.
A Kiev 4 is a much better built camera than a Fed or Zorki. Does need to be used with the "Contax" grip!
I second the recommedation for the Kiew 4. I had a 4am for some time and I foumd it to be a much better camera than the Zorki 4. The finder is smaller but at least it shows what will be in the picture compared to the Zorki where the finder only gives a rough estimation and the rangefinder is very precise and impossible to go out of alignment and calibration as it is a one-piece construction. The russians really only delivered decent construction as long as they sticked to the german design they copied. Any deviation ment cheapening and simplifying to the worse with few execptions. The Japanese rangefinders are a class higher in my book, many real improvemets over the Leicas, some really good optics, astoninglishly good sometimes, but again I like the cluttered finder of the P not that much and would prefer other models from Canon's range.
Don’t be afraid of the Japanese camera sellers. I’ve purchased a handful and have never been screwed over. You need to read the camera descriptions and be on the lookout for any text in Red. The text in red typically describes the camera you are bidding. And if you have questions, message the sellers. They are nice and want to work with you. One note on Canon P’s in general: the shutter speed 1/1000 is notorious and tends to be the first to go. So a CLA is in order. Seconded on the wrinkled shutter curtains. Mine fires fine with 40 rolls through it.
I’ve got two Canon P and both have very clean, unwrinkled shutters.
I'm a camera technician who specializes mainly in Leica repairs. But, when a customer asks which Screw Mount camera is best to purchase, I without hesitation tell folks to buy the feature laden & ultra-high quality Canon P. - Plus, their lenses from that era show the concerted efforts made in battling it out with Leitz/Leica for overall quality. - As far as Russian made cameras, I flat-out refuse to work on these crudely made cameras (This also includes Japanese made Petri & Miranda cameras). Now, Russian lenses are fun to use on Mirrorless digital cameras; but only after replacing all the foul lubricates in them)...😎
Recently I did a comparision between Canon ltm 50mm f1.8, Jupiter 8 (old ver. With red P) and Industar 61 L/D. All photos shot with Canon P. Results are interesting. Shown to few photograps - Industar wasn't hard to recognize, but most of them couldn't guess the Canon and Jupiter. Photos taken by those two are so similar.
Found a smoking deal on a Nikkor 55 3.5 from a Japanese seller, arrived in less than a week as advertised. I would definitely purchase again. I wish I got along with rf cameras better.
Yes, the older I get, the less well I seem to get along with rangefinders.
At the end of WW2, Germany had to give up all it's patents.... and, as I understand it, the allies made all the Leica plans available to all!! So, there are dozens of high quality Leica 'copies' - like the Leotax - made in the post war years.
No strap lugs on the Zorki. I have a 4k with the lever advance.,and use the case as a half case to carry and use it. The date of manufacture is on the body and the lens on Soviet cameras. The black Jupiter 8 50mm f2 lens from 1974 is heavily coated a nd performs impeccably. It has an adjustable eyesight correction lever.
Hello Brian.
I have purchased a number of items from Japanese sellers, A Bronica EC with 80mm Nikon lens, a 50mm and a 200mm lens for the same camera, plus a Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 (the radioactive one) and have nothing but praise for the 3 sellers I encountered. Shipping was fast and tracked every step of the way - import duties, however, were steep, (UK Government want to gouge us out of every penny)
I have a pretty comprehensive collection of the Russian rangefinders, nice cameras if used as they should be - they can be a little delicate if abused.
Hello. In last 6 months I have ordered several Nikon items from eBay japanese sellers and no problems. They are fast and accurate. I can recommend japanese sellers.
I have only excellent experiences with Japanese sellers on eBay. I bougt medium format cameras, range finder cameras, compact 35, half frame cameras and others and ALL without exception where in great condition. They worked all as promised and had new light sealing most of the time and where clean inside the cameras etc. If they say they are working, the cameras are working.
I can only recommend to buy Japanese cameras from Japanese sellers on eBay. Of couse best option is to buy them in Japan directly, but if you can’t buy them while travelling there, eBay is fine. Much better than other sellers I had from other countries in my humble opinion...
I didn't hear you mention that if you change the shutter speed on the Zorki 4 without cocking the shutter, you will break you camera.
Please highlight the part in the original manual where it states this. Oh you can't? Well, looks like this is just a bunch of urban legend bullshit.
Very nice comparison video Brian, really enjoyed it. Also, thanks for Oleg's and Fedka's online stores. I did not knew about them but was looking for a good repairman for my FED 2 camera, one that really knows the internals of the camera and how to fix it.
One thing I would like to add, on the Zorki 4 and any russian camera, is that before you set the shutter dial on a shutter speed do make sure that the camera is cocked. It is a very easy way to break the internal shutter mechanism if you do it without first coking the film advance wheel. Other than that they are really very nice cameras :).
I believe the Canon 7 bests the P in terms of features, framelines, view etc. Well worth a look and don't have the premium that goes with the P because of it's popularity!
I am a fan of Russian and Japanese Barnock style rangefinders. I had been tracking a Canon iib on ebay and made a bid not expecting to win but did. I know that there are wrinkles on the shutter, but the camera has been tested successfully at all shutter speeds. I do not own a camera with a metal shutter screen.
I have only had problems with a Leica iiif that I purchased for $200 with holes in the screen. I spent another $250 for a CLA and new camera curtain. If a knew then..........(:
In any case, thank you providing this comparison. I own a number of Zorki 4 cameras.
Interesting video!
I have many fsu rangefinder cameras + find the value for money outstanding!
I have just aquired a fed 3 rangefinder along with an industar61 50mm lens for a sum of £12.75.
The condition is almost mint + in fully working!
Incidentally, the shutter must always be wound on first before adjusting/setting the speeds, otherwise damage will be incurred!
Derek
I've bought quite a bit from Japanese sellers recently and have had little or no issues, and if there is a slight problem they are usually very quick to respond and sort it out.
I have noticed they do tend to get carried away with the "near mint" description, but if you scrutinize all the photos and read the description carefully it's usually fine.
The main problem I have is that most tend to favor fedex, and from my experience fedex appear to be making a killing on the import tariffs fee (I live in Ireland) so I've stopped ordering anything being delivered by them.
Now if I want anything listed as being delivered by fedex I'll message them and ask if they can send by standard post instead, and so far any I've asked have complied. It may take longer but it's better than getting ripped off by fedex.
Really? FedEx has quite the nasty reputation for customs and import duty shenanigans here in Israel as well. At least we know it's not a local problem. Thanks for your input.
@@BriansPhotoShow As I say Brian, if there's something you're looking for but it's being sold from Japan via fedex, message them and ask if they'll send by Japan Post instead and they'll probably oblige. I would never buy anything being shipped by fedex again due to their 'dubious' tariff fees and commissions.
Well I have ordered from japanese sellers via FedEx and no problems so far. FedEx has fast shipping and customs goes also fast. Only shipper superior to FexEx is DHL based on my experience. DHL is really lightning fast, last time I ordered lens from Japan via eBay it arrived 6 days later in front of my house. But regular post service EMS is really bad and I try to avoid it. I live in Estonia.
@@slv5102 I'm not referring to the speed of delivery but rather to the tariffs, commissions and add-ons fedex charge which is typically 10-20% more than other carriers such as DHL.
Another problem is their billing system. While DHL or customs/revenue withhold delivery and notify you of the fees due, fedex deliver then notify you at a later stage (sometimes up to a month later), then demand immediate payment. If you have a number of items delivered over that period it can be difficult to even understand what exactly you're paying for, because they include a typically blurred, almost illegible photocopy of the invoice.
This is all done purposely in my opinion in order to confuse the receiver of the goods and after the experiences I've had I vowed never to purchase anything being delivered through fedex again.
@@thewildgoose7467 well then this system is very different in Estonia. If I order item from Japan and tracking shows it has arrived, then I will contact shipper and they will send me package info. Then I will log into customs department website and fill up customs declaration, pay import fee and it’s usually done in 5 minutes. Next day courier will drop package off at my house. Process is same for FedEx and DHL. If I order with EMS then I will have to pick up my package from postal office. That’s the system here in Estonia. I don’t know about comissions and add-ons, only thing I pay for is customs import tax.
Thanks for this review! It really helps a lot!
Glad to hear it!
i have bought 6 cameras. they are all very good.
I do not know if this is because he moved, or if the information was just incorrect, but Oleg (okvintagecamera) is located in Slovakia, wich makes all things simpler if you're in the EU
What caused those wrinkles?!… That could preventing me from buying those awesome looking Canon rangefinders 😂
Nice review. Every camera has it's charm, but I find the Zorki 4 a little too industrial for my tastes.
I've got a Zorki 1 and a Zorki 3M (amongst many others!!) and I've just had them serviced by Newton Ellis - they are great cameras, in their own special way!
i bought my last Nikon lens from japan ebay sellesr and no problem at all . very reliable ; very good price/condition ratio .
I have 3 Zorki 4 model don't know why... Oh yes the last one bought it for the Jupiter 8....thought I would like it on my FED 2 one of my Zorkis not working its got cycrllic font on it......but they good thought of clear nail varnish over SS shutter speeds...??
Great video and channel in general 🤙🏽. By the way the Jupiter 9 is an slr lens even though it fits screw mount rangefinders... it's called m39 and not l39. that's why it misses focus
My Jupiter 9 does not miss focus when mounted on a Soviet rangefinder. czcams.com/video/1Lj7BCqafho/video.html There was a version made for the first-generation Zenit SLRs which featured an M39 thread with an SLR flange to film distance, and of course there were several versions made in M42 mount.
@@BriansPhotoShow interesting 🤔 I didn't know there was a version that worked with rangefinders... thx for the tip buddy 🤙🏽
I'm not sure if common, but from my 3 soviet m39 cameras all of them had pinholes developed on the 2nd curtain. Seller might not mention or know that.
None of my FSU rangefinders focused properly with any of my fast lenses wide open ...not even the FSU lenses ...and my FSU lenses dont work on my leica or japanese rangefinders ..people have different theories about this, some say its because the soviets used a different standard for their L39 system, the flange distance is different ,although the mount themselves are physically identical. some others say its just poor quality control...i would agree with the latter because the adjustment i had to make to make the FSU lenses focus correctly with my leica bodies were never consistent ....the tolerance is only good enough for the industar 45/2.8 or jupiter-12 ....maybe its just my lack of luck, but the quality control was really a big issue
My soviet M39 lenses are only working properly on my digital mirrorless with adapter.
On all my film rangefinders (Leica M3, Canon P etc.) or my Leica M digital rangefinders the lenses are not really focussing correctly. Quality on soviet lenses is widely spread from terrible to okay … unfortunately.
I have a jupiter 12 on the canon p with no problems.
thank you for the info. I just bought this Canon P body and now have also Jupiter 35mm and a little bit scared now that I already did some damage to the body screw. I felt nothing wrong with the screwing process it was really smooth. Shout I avoid using this couple together?
Check for damage to the rear element. If there are no scratches on the glass, I think you're OK.
@@BriansPhotoShow i see. the rear element is clear. thank you :-)
What would you say about Canon VI T? Thank you.
I've never used one of the trigger-operated Canon rangefinders.
@@BriansPhotoShow Do you prefer level winding one over trigger? Thanks.
@@silvestersze9968 Trigger is different. Awkward for Tripod users. Lever is easiest and most natural.
Let me add the highest recommendation for Jeff Guthrie at Japan-vintage-camera.com. He also has an Etsy store by the same name. Jeff only sells excellent or better, fully refurbished Japanese cameras. If the camera you want isn't listed he will find it for you. His prices are reasonable, and shipping is free, worldwide. I have purchased about a dozen cameras and lenses from him, including my impeccable Canon P. I have 5 more on the way to me. Do not hesitate to try him. Btw, he also has a CZcams channel where he does detailed reviews of these cameras.
Can recommend. Bought a Minolta 7s from him, perfect condition and lots of knowledge.
CLA?
Clean, Lubricate and Adjust
A collection of comments based on limited understanding and even more limited experience.