Zorki-3 test with J-8 and J-12

[PFMcFarland]

Quite possibly the last bit of FSU gear I’ll ever buy. I’m getting tired of all the problems associated with “good working” cameras.

The split-beam prism was loose, necessitating removal of the camera top to be able to glue it back in place. Then I never could get the vertical adjustment to come in, making for some difficult focusing situations. And to top it all off, there was a massive light leak towards the end of the roll, wrecking four frames.

Yeah, I’m done with them. Done with the lying sellers. Done with the leaks and flares. Done with the fragile shutters. Done with the non-standard fittings.

Just done with it all.

But they do look good, with more innovations than Leica would ever come up with.
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Zorki-3 1954 Soviet Rangefinder by P F McFarland, on Flickr



Different views with the J-8 (left) and J-12 (right).
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Jupiter-8 and Jupiter-12 Lens Comparison by P F McFarland, on Flickr



Close focus with the J-8 was doable, though difficult.
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Pole Numbers by P F McFarland, on Flickr



The J-12 had it’s moments of greatness.
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Company HQ by P F McFarland, on Flickr



AAARRRGHHHH! And no, it’s not “Talk Like A Pirate” day.
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New Shoreline With Flare by P F McFarland, on Flickr

See all the photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHskNvNg8v

They’re the last Soviet Camera photos I’ll be taking.

PF

[Julio1fer]

Good try! Sometimes, it is a lemon, and there is nothing to do about it.

The lenses are more than decent, though. Especially the J-12. I guess you have no shortage of L39 bodies to try them!

[scott]

It's surprising how hit-or-miss those Russian bodies are. The lenses look to be keepers though.

[GrahamS]

Bodies are a crap shoot. The best are the Kiev 4 or 4A but you have to search for a good one or have one serviced by someone who is a specialist and then you have a great camera. The lenses are superb.