Back to basics

[swanseadave]

I love rangefinder cameras but had only one until last week,an Olympus XA.
I`ve just bought a Zorki 4/Jupiter 50mm f2 which I`m told is actually a Carl Zeiss Sonnar,something about war reparation.It seems all Zeiss lenses and Contax cameras were shipped to the Soviet Union in 1945


It really is back to basics since it has no meter so to help my "guesstimates"I`ve also bought a Leningrad 7 meter.


I have to say that the Zorki is a joy to use and I`m thoroughly enjoying myself.

[deetheturk]

Sounds great David, I would not know where to start, would be great to see some images

[tao2]

I love rangefinder cameras but had only one until last week,an Olympus XA.
I`ve just bought a Zorki 4/Jupiter 50mm f2 which I`m told is actually a Carl Zeiss Sonnar,something about war reparation.It seems all Zeiss lenses and Contax cameras were shipped to the Soviet Union in 1945


It really is back to basics since it has no meter so to help my "guesstimates"I`ve also bought a Leningrad 7 meter.


I have to say that the Zorki is a joy to use and I`m thoroughly enjoying myself.

Hi David,

The Jupiter 8 has the same optical formula as the CZ Sonnar. If yer version says ZK, ZK Zorki or ZK 2/50 on the lens front then congratulations, ye have a much sought after Russian built Sonnar, with German parts and optics.

It's more likely that ye have a Jupiter 8, an excellent, Russian made copy of a pre-war Sonnar . All the German CZ parts were used up by, at the very latest 1949. First two digits of the s/n are the year of manufacture - e.g. 61xxx - 1961.

Ye still have a great wee camera/lens combination, hope ye enjoy it. Sunny 16 works a treat with these cameras.

[swanseadave]

Thank you for that clarification.I heard only part of the story.Mine was made in 1970.

Regards,Dave