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Kontroversial Re-invented ex-USSR cameras ?

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Printed on: 5/31/2026 12:33:15 AM


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Topic author: dee

Posted on: 20081125182115

Hi

I know that Leica copies from Zorki / Fed cameras are , to say the least , controversial but
I love the various imaginative re-inventions of poor inocent Zorkis and Feds , it means that I can enjoy many variants on the Leica II shape which is known / safe to my Autistic Glitch .

[ not Leica IIIc - this is seen as '' not right '' Leica II OOPS ! ]

Some from moscow photo - Mika - [ my Mika muse cameras ? ] are refinished in immaculate new matt chrome , thick black top plates with exquiste if over imaginative , fuax wartime engraving . It seems impossible to find such craftsmanship in any other field ,
I have triples* of Zorki 1 and Zorki S , and the are smooth and quiet and lovely to use -purely as an escape from the '' noise '' of my Asdee - anyway , they were simply recycled from sales of previous toys.
* it seems that it's easier to '' see / resolve '' several same items that just one .
I tend to surround - and somehow ground myself with either my '' Leica-likes '' or Kontaxes .This is common with ASD , as little is ''in focus '' feels real .

I have twin Fed 1g in Black Leica guise , and I have '' nickelised '' the controls with metallic paint to complement my twin 1st and second batch Leica IIs .

I have now started to modify a late Kiev 4 from Oleg , which works beautifully , with silver paint and tan leather , currently wearing Contax label .

I am looking at various new coverings from asahi for several Kievs .

I guess these inexpensive Classic Contax / profile cameras offer the opportunity of a kind of cosmetic interaction .

I have made the '' labels '' in 1947 script , Contax , and KNeB , in black on silver paper , just to add a little difference to my Kiev 4's and 4a's.

Temporary , I hasten to add - they just peel of !

Naturally , early Kievs , like my Kievs 2 1952 / 1955 and Kiev 3 1954 / 1955 are safe from interference , though a rough Kiev 2 1956 will be restored in nickel plating .

I know that this goes a lot further than most , I guess collecting all the variants is more normal , I would prefer to have many Kiev 4 which I can finish differently , whilst respecting the style and heritage of these classic cameras .
My Kiev 4m for example looks stylish in dark blue leather with a Helios with the crude white engraving filled in black .

... and that Helios is stunning !

dee

Replies

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20081125205913

Dee, please post pictures, we are all dying to see them!!

Yes some of the Feicas are absolutely stunning and are works of art.. I loved my gold Zorki-C with real wooden paneling covering, which I gave as a present to my dear friend - the camera was made in 1958 and my friend turned 50, and he loves photography, so seemed like a very appropriate present, he had loved it!

Vlad

Reply author: Bull Halsey

Replied on: 20081126020931

Hello Dee and welcome to the group.

I too am a fan of Russian "Leica Copies". Please do share some of yours with us. I also agree there is a lot of work that goes into these cameras and the results are quite interesting and entertaining.

Regards,
Steve

Reply author: mermoz37

Replied on: 20081126044916

Hi Dee,
first of all,welcome here ;-))

So , as Bill said, "feiZorkas" must be considered like cotemporary indication in FSU history and also as a very good craftsmen work for most of them.