Fed/Zorki Cap & Case

Topic

Topic author: Bull Halsey

Posted on: 20080707125716

Can anyone tell me if the front lenscap (in my case a Zorki 50 mm F.2) and the eveready case from a Fed/Zorki has special markings indicating both names ?

Thanks,
Steve

Reply author: Frankl

Replied on: 20080707181824

Steve,
I really don't know the answer but, this case is currently on Ebay and, it looks like it has both names..... Hope this helps.

Regards,
Frank
http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-CASE-FOR-RAREST-FED-ZORKI-CAMERA_W0QQitemZ140246090435QQihZ004QQcategoryZ30030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20080708125616

Thanks, Frank.

I took a look at the case being offered. It's nice to see that there is actually a specific case for the camera, however the one that's being offered is not in the greatest shape, especially for the price that it is being offered for.

I've seen other items offered from this seller before. All were on the high side. Even though he is offering a "Make An Offer", he has set the bar too high for what I feel it's worth.

Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention. I appreciate it very much.

Take Care,
Steve

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080708135734

As one who has been collecting this "Stuff" for a long time I will jump right in and offer some advice.

1. Any FED/Zorkii case is better than none.
2. Most Fed/Zorkiis do not have cases for numerous reasons. Most of them have been destroyed not lost.

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20080708163820

Well, to be honest, I have been going back and forth over this since I replied to Frank and decided to make an offer anyway.

We will see.

Steve

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080708171921

I am wondering why this FED-Zorki case has a cut-out on the front? Usually this kind of cut-out is seen on cases for cameras that have a slow speed dial, like Zorki-2 or Zorki-3. A bit strange since the only earlier camera that I know that would have that feature might be the rare FED-B! Is this case authentic?

Regards, Bill

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080708181712

Maybe someone used it as a case for a Leica?

VLad

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20080708184818

Bill,
Hard to make a call concerning authenticity. Do you know of anyone who has one ?
I checked all my books and the net and this is the only one I've come across.

Steve

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20080708185320

Vlad,
I doubt this case would have been used by a Leica owner only because cases for the Leica are plentiful.

Then again, stranger things have happened. :-)

Steve

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080708193450

Hi Steve,
Although I doubt that it was used for a Leica, I can't be of any help with authenticity for sure. I have never seen (that I can remember) a real FED-Zorki case. But I would say that before I noticed the cut-out for slow speeds or who was selling it, my first impression was that the case may be fake. This is because it had the look of many fake Leica cases made from Russian ones. You know, the kind that say 'Leica' on them, made for the fake Leicas. It has that "no wear" on the lens area that looks like it was darkened with polish or stain, and the texture of the leather has reappeared (which seems to happen when the old leather has been sanded down to get the original logo off ... seems like they can't get the same smooth texture back again).
Then when I noticed who the seller was and the cut-out, the three things together made me very suspicious. But, as I have said, I have never seen one before, so I'm just guessing. If I had been sure it was authentic, with no doubts, I would have just bought it when I saw it (before it was posted here).

Regards, Bill

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080708202223

I have 7 fed/zorkis 2 of which are in the original cases. There are several variations. I will take pics and post them tomorrow. Both cases have the little cutouts. The case on Ebay looks exactly the same as one of them.

One reason why you have not seen many cases is that very quickly the cases had just Zorki not FED/Zorki.

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080708204156

Hi Nathan,

Why do you think they have the cut-outs? Do you think the one on Ebay is authentic?

Regards, Bill

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080708205447

"Opinion" I do not have enough information to offer more than a guess! When I post more tomorrow(weather willing) I will give details on each camera. They all show minor variations so I think that all the FEd/Zorki were pre-production prototypes. Only the 1949 cameras are essentially identical. The 1949s are essentially what became the Zorki with a change of engraving. Yes I think that it is an origional case it matches one of my cases. Notice that the lens cover is for a non-collapsing lens!

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080709150739

FED/Zorki 1948 #00758 The lens is a collapsable ZK 1:2 F=5 cm (sn: 02165) This is in an aluminum lens mount of poor quality.

This is the oldest camera that I have it is covered in leather and has the plate on the back.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz48758f.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz48758r.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz48758t.jpg

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080709151213

Fed/Zorki #01411 with case.
Note: This camera has a 1948 ZK 1:1.5 F=5cm (sn 000520)and a crummy stamped aluminum lens cap.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz481411cf.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz481411cr.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz481411f.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz481411t.jpg

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080709151537

FED/Zorki #02670 Note the replacement lens mount plate with strange SN.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz482670f.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz482670t.jpg

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080709151847

1948 FED/Zorki #04274

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz484274f.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz484274t.jpg

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080709152116

1949 FED/Zorki #05313

I have another 1949 but can not find it right now.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz495313f.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz495313t.jpg

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080709155556

FED/Zorki #04737 Collapsible Zk1:2 F=5cm (sn: 003550) in poor quality Aluminum lens mount.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz484737f.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz484737t.jpg

Reply author: nathandayton

Replied on: 20080709161202

48 FED/Zorki #02954

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz482954cf.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz482954cr.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz482954f.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/fz482954t.jpg

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080714104646

Hi,

I'm just wondering, why nobody have paid attention to Nathan's camera #00758, which is almost identical to FED-KMZ camera indeed ... The only difference I can see is different name writings on the rear plaque ...

Nathan, you possess an unique camera, my best congratulations!!!

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080714120930

Once again Aidas thanks for bring this to attention, I was looking primarily at cases here as was the topic [:D] so did not notice it that time... it is a very similar camera to what Steve (Bull Halsey) has, I believe it even has the same kind of aluminum lens, although I cannot remember the back plaque, it may have been there.. maybe Steve can chime in.

Vlad.

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20080714145633

Hi All,

My camera does have an aluminum lens. It's a 50mm F2.0 3K Zorki.
The body #03818, the lens #4902160, but alas, it's still without a case.

I made 3 offers to the seller, one was not accepted immediately and the 2 others were allowed to expire without a reply.

The case may very well be original but there was something about it that just didn't feel right. Who knows, this may very well come nack to haunt me but for now I don't feel too bad. The seller never communicated a single word to me. My offer was quite fair given the condition of the case as well as the high shipping cost.

Either it will come back online or someone may have emailed the selller with an offer.

Steve

PS..... No plaque on the back of my camera but the seller also included the original F3.5 witn the camera. It was a nice surprise.

Fed/Zorki Cap & Case

Topic

Replies