Zorki 1 - Transformation of an Ugly Duckling - Epilog

Restoring my Zorki camera was a big adventure for me. It was the first time I took on such a big project. The learning was tough but rewarding. In the end, I had a shiny, working vintage camera. It felt really good to use and hold.

It's amazing to see that with hard work, an old Zorki camera can work again. I put in a lot of time researching and working on it. Now, after getting to know every little part of the camera, it's not so mysterious to me anymore.

I also added a Doomo D lightmeter to it, which works great with the camera. I like how small the camera is and the special feeling I get when taking photos with it.

I really love this camera. Using an old camera without an integrated meter is special, but it takes some time to practice. I have my own workflow which consists of taking two exposure measurements - one for the lights and one for the shadows. Having those both values in memory, I estimate the proper exposure for my shots. I don't need to measure the light for every photo. This method works for me and reminds me of how some famous old-time photographers used to take photos.

The Zorki fits my hand perfectly. It's the right size, weight, and feel. It also looks nice, adding a vintage style to the outfit. Sometimes people even come up to me to say they like my "cool camera."

Below are some photos I took with it.

Zorki 1 with Doomo D meter