Zorki-4K

Zorki-4K is a 35mm rangefinder film camera produced at the KMZ plant and is an improved version of the Zorki-4 camera.

The main difference between the Zorki-4k camera and the previous version is the presence of the film advance lever (the letter K in the camera name means “Kurok”, which translates as “Lever”).

Zorki-4 Specifications

Type: 35mm rangefinder camera
Manufacturer: KMZ plant
Production period: from 1972 to 1978
Format: 24x36cm on 135 film
Lens mount: m39 thread mount
Lens: Jupiter-8M f2.0/50
Rangefinder base: 38mm
Shutter: focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/1000 sec.
Viewfinder: optical parallax viewfinder combined with the rangefinder
Lighmeter: none
Flash synchronisation: sync socket “X”, sync speeds from 1/25 s and longer
Selftimer: mechanical
Weight: 668 grams

Zorki-4k is one of the latest rangefinder cameras produced at the KMZ plant. Of course, it should be noted that the quality of the latest Soviet cameras is noticeably lower than those that were produced in the 50s – 60s, but nevertheless, the Zorki-4K camera is surprisingly well assembled.

The quality of the metal and inscriptions on the body is at a fairly good level, the leatherette coating does not cause negative emotions, and the mechanical parts move quite nicely, provided that the camera is in good condition.

The Zorki-4 camera, like the previous model, is equipped with a Jupiter-8 f2.0/50 lens, which is capable of producing very good photographs with good sharpness in the center and pleasant bokeh.

Since this camera has an M39 screw mount (inherited from first Leica cameras) you can use a huge number of lenses made in the USSR, such as Jupiter-3 f1.5/50, which is one of the best lenses of the Soviet era.

The shutter, as well as the screw mount, is inherited from the Leica cameras, which means that cloth shutters are still used in the Zorki-4K. But unlike the very first Leicas and Zorkis, the shutter of this camera works out shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000 sec.

This is quite a good set of shutter speeds for the 70s, although at that time German and Japanese cameras already had shutter speeds of 1/2000 and even 1/4000 sec.

Like the Zorki-4, this camera has a very large and clean viewfinder with a clear and bright rangefinder spot. The camera is very easy to use and focus in not very good lighting conditions.

This camera still does not have a light meter, which in our opinion is not a big disadvantage. Nowadays, you can use an external light meter or install some light meter app on your smartphone.

Conclusion

The Zorki-4K camera is one of the best Soviet cameras. It is quite compact, has a good set of shutter speeds, film advance lever and is equipped with a very good lens.

The camera has very good ergonomics and it’s just a pleasure to take pictures with this camera. The Jupiter-8 lens, combined with the ease of use of this camera and good functionality, makes the Zorki-4K a really good camera.