Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]AAPR MBS wrote: > > Greetings, > > I recall a post several months back regarding Ukrainian and Russian Leica > Copies. An associate of mine will be travelling to Ukraine (Lviv) in the > near future and I was wondering what is available, what to stay away from > and how much the cameras and lenses would cost (USD). I am not looking > for Leica Fakes such as the much copied Luxus, but cameas like the FED 5C > etc. > Also is there a source on the web with more info on these russian/ > Ukrainian cameras? > > Thanks > > Myron B. Soltys > O- Myron: About three years ago the Fed 5c was selling in Moscow for $7 US. Over here you could buy then for as little as $59.95. They have gone up quite a bit since then. The latest price listed at Kiev USA is $178. A fellow I know went to Russia in 1996 and was buying Contax style turret finders for $10 each - now expect to pay around $100 over here. The two best choices for 35mm rangefinder would be the FED 5c or the Zorki 4K. They both load much better than LTM Leicas as the backs come off for loading. These two are the only readily available Russian RF that came with lever film advance. Both have bright rangefinders. The 5c has an uncoupled meter, the Zorki has no meter. I have never had any problem with either of these and no trouble mounting and focussing any M39 lens, Leica or other. Let me know if you had any specific questions Randolph Carlisle