[Leica] Zorki and J-8 Industar 61 as "car camera"

[denik at comcast.net (Dennis Kushner)]

My favorite rangefinder is a Canonet QL 17 GIII with the 40mm f1.7 lens.
Most under $80 serviced. Mercs needed for meter (if still working) or 
stick
on a VC Meter II. About $60 for a CLA. Hoods scarce but a Olympus
35/50mm rubber clamp on a good substitute. Lens underrated.
Join Canonet Yahoo group for more info.

Dennis


On Sep 25, 2005, at 6:48 PM, Peter Klein wrote:

> This might be the wrong crowd to be asking this question, but here 
> goes.
>
> My workplace has banned cameras completely.  If I want to shoot at 
> lunch or on the way home, I must leave the camera in my car in the 
> underground parking garage.  I am not comfortable with leaving a Leica 
> in my car.  So I was thinking of applying the Daniel Ridings Solution: 
>  Use a Soviet camera as my "at-risk" camera.
>
> My recent shooting with my Zorki 4 and Jupiter-8 have left me 
> underwhelmed at the J-8.  It's an OK lens, but it's very flare-prone, 
> low contrast and a bit soft at the 3 widest stops .  Even at narrow 
> apertures, it's no Summicron.  At f/4.5 and wider, it's distinctly 
> 1930s.  In general, I consider it good for retro portraits, but not up 
> to par for general use.  Seattle has many cloudy days when I'd need to 
> open up.
>
> I also have an Industar 61 L/D  55/2.8, which is supposed to be the 
> Soviet equivalent of the Red Scale Elmar.  Basically a Tessar lens, 
> with lanthanum glass.  This lens has an outstanding reputation.  Mine 
> focuses significantly to the rear of where the RF says it is on the 
> Zorki.  So I don't know yet how good or bad it really is.
>
> I'm thinking seriously of trying to get the Industar 61 adjusted.  But 
> I'm wondering whether I should do this with a $12 lens, or simply buy 
> a couple more until I get one that works.  Or try for a better 
> Jupiter-8.  I'm also wondering whether I should stop playing Russian 
> roulette, buy a used Bessa R and C/V 35 or 50  for a couple of hundred 
> dollars and stop worrying.
>
> I must admit to a slight fascination with the Zorki, but I much prefer 
> shooting with a Leica.  Buying more film cameras would cut into the 
> "Someday a Digital Rangefinder" fund.
>
> Thoughts, advice?
>
> --Peter
>
>
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