| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Vlad |
Posted - Dec 14 2011 : 8:16:17 PM
Ran into this - this can't be a real thing can it??
http://www.camerasdownunder.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=19&pos=18
Vlad. |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| nightphoto |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 3:01:52 PM
Hi Luiz and Ulrich,
It would seem that the designs for turrets that Princelle refers to that are from Sovetkoe Foto (and shown on page 177 of Princelle book)are for later cameras and may be home-built. Sovetskoe Foto always had many articles about home-built things. On page 126 of Princelle, the example he shows of the FED-Zorki turret is exactly like the one Vlad pointed out from the Australian collection, so if the one in shown in Princelle is real, then probably the one in Australia is real.
However, I have my doubts about the authenticity of both examples being made by KMZ or for KMZ. It would seem as though the universal finders were originally made in a smooth glossy black paint finish, not a crinkle black paint finish. Also, although there is an example of the finder shown (Princelle p. 145) that is reversed (or 'right side' when looking at the camera - finder from the front), Princelle states that it is circa 1951, made for Zorki-3 for better access to speed knob.
As well, Princelle states that the example of FED-Zorki turret attachment on page 126 "would appear to be original", which to me my mean that he had some doubts, or at least was not sure that it was original.
They are always offered without lenses or with non-ZK lenses. I have never seen a complete set with ZK lenses, the turret, FED-Zorki camera, and FED-Zorki finder. The finders always have the crinkle-paint and no wear at all (as though they are freshly painted), at least the several that I have seen.
So, in the end, these are the reasons I think it may be fake, although I have seen them before on Ebay (both finder and turret) did not buy them because I had many doubts, including the quality of engraving from close photos ... but, only a close-up, in-person inspection, of the engraving and manufacturing technique signs would allow me to know whether they are authentic or fake for sure!
My best regards and Merry Christmas ~Happy Holidays to you all!
Regards, Bill
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| uwittehh |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 1:58:52 PM
Vlad,
that's interesting. Look at my FED-Zorki finder:
http://fotos.cconin.de/kameras/zorki1.htm#fedzorki
The white engraving looks the same as on the picture of the turret.
I have no idea if mine is real but it looks really nice. When did they start to build the mirrored finders? If it was in or before 1948 it could be a real one.
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.de |
| Luiz Paracampo |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 12:39:03 PM
Hello Bill
It might have some fakes but there were original ones.
Regards and Merry Xmas!
Chastlivii Xristovim!
LP |
| nightphoto |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 09:58:56 AM
I suspect this turret is not made by KMZ and is a home-manufactured unit. To me, the logo possibly looks too big for the style of logo that KMZ was using in 1948, and also I don't think they would have made the unit black and filled the logo engraving with white paint. The FED engraving looks a bit rough too, but hard to tell for sure from these photos.
Regards, Bill
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| Luiz Paracampo |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 05:14:34 AM
This camera and turret is described in the two editions of Princelle book and was made by Krasnogorsk in 1948 sporting "ZK" lenses and right side universal Viewdinder. There were built small amounts of these turrets. Some of them without Fed Xorki engravings but with KMZ logo were also used in first Zenit models.
Regads
LP |
| RCCCUK |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 02:32:38 AM
Hi Vlad,
Very interesting! It certainly looks well made. If it were a fake, would they have bothered with the black finish? On the other hand, this is the sort of item that 'Soviet Foto' used to publish instructions to make, allbeit without the FED-Zorki engraving.
David. |
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