Zorki 3M by Richard de Bulat
There is a certain cache? in owning and using range-finder cameras from the early years Barnack models to modern equivalents in all their different formats. Obviously, the rangefinders that spring to mind are predominantly Leicas, but there are several others including the Russian post war offerings, the most well known of which is the Zorki. Let me say from the start that the Zorki is more than a Barnack Leica knock-off, although they are usually represented as such because that is what they are based on and rather disparagingly compared with. Mechanically, the Zorki was neither as well made or as reliable as the Leica it resembled, but, time has rendered the less well made and unreliable models more or less defunct and those models remaining have stood the test of time and survived pretty much intact. The Zorki 3M that I tested and am now reviewing is one of those survivors.
There are two things that you want when buying a Zorki – mechanical soundness and a good lens. The Jupiter 8 is a remarkably good lens, if you get a good one and that makes all the difference. I would say that the lens with this Zorki 3M is a good one, capable of rendering images well with good contrast and definition. There are a couple of things to consider, regarding the lens, the first being that there are no click stops for the aperture and, as a result, you need to keep an eye on the aperture setting from time to time as it is easy to move the aperture dial depending on where you place your hand when focusing.
The Zorki 3M is easier to load than the series iii Leicas since you do not have to cut a long leader on the film. Undoing both knobs on the base plate releases the back and the take-up spool to make the loading process straightforward. Replace the back, turn the knobs to secure it, wind on a couple of times and you are ready to go. Remember to wind on to cock the shutter before you set your shutter speed – this is essential to avoid breaking the mechanism. The shutter is positive with a very satisfying click. The focusing patch is good, making finding focus easy from close-up to infinity.
The Zorki 3M is a walking about camera, ideally suited for street work where activities are taking place, but there is no reason not to use it for landscapes. Having said that, the rangefinder allows you to see outside of the scene to some extent and anticipate things moving into it as you prepare to press the shutter; the use of zone focusing and a reasonable aperture makes it a street photography camera of choice. In addition, you will not be ashamed of the way this camera looks – very close to a Barnack Leica, in my opinion and, in many ways, easier to use. Let me reiterate, one point, this camera has a good lens. This is important; you might think that a Leica lens would be better, but quite a few photographers, back in the day substituted their Leica lenses for a Canon, something that I have also done with my own Leica iii and I would say, that the Jupiter 8 that comes with this camera runs the canon close in some respects.
When you have finished your film there is a lever to release the wind-on mechanism and you can rewind the film back into its canister; this is much easier than having to fiddle with a ring on the shutter release as you do on some models.
I enjoyed using this camera and thought the results from using it were good. If I am honest, I also liked its resemblance to a series iii Leica, as well as its mechanical action, without thinking of it as a cheap alternative: it actually stands up for itself and is a bit of a work of art in its own right.
Pop over and check out our rangefinder cameras
