I've made mention before about rat bikes, motorcycles that are kept running without regard to the original design or esthetics and how I may be applying the rat bike aesthetic to my Zorki Standard. My little Zorki is more of a rat cam than I first suspected.

It's such a tiny thing. My IIIc is positively gigantic next to it. I've spent the last week looking at it a lot. It's light and a joy to handle. It has the Zorki 1b body on it but there are several other things that don't appear to be a Zorki 1b. I checked ZORKI I MODELS, VARIATIONS AND LENSES and all was revealed. It's a Zorki 1d with a 1b body shell. The 1b is supposed to have three screws on the back of the top plate attaching it to the body shell but this has two. The shutter spring on the bottom of the camera is the short one and the serial number is on the back of the top plate. All 1d characteristics but the shell is definitely a 1b. The only downside is that the earlier Zorkis had a quiter and smoother shutter which is what I was hoping for, although the newer shutter design is easier to repair. It doesn't make a whole lot of difference. It was only $25 and it works fine. I've run a test roll through it and am waiting for the results.

I've not been happy with the viewfinders I have after looking through a new Voigtlander. I would like to get a 50 and 35 brightline but that will have to wait. But, for 1:1 viewing, it's hard to beat a wireframe viewfinder. The Ikodot has a great twist on the wireframe. But, not only can I not afford one right now, it is too low to fit on the Zorki. I cannibalized the lockable accessory foot off a dead Vivitar 285 and, with some brass rod, a couple of glass beads, lots of 5 minute epoxy, and gaffer's tape, I made my own.

It's tricky to make. Mine is at an angle but it works great. The great thing is that it works for multiple focal lengths. For the 50mm lens I put my nose one thumb thickness from the back of the camera. For a 35mm lens I put my nose on the back of the camera. If I move closer it works for up to a 21mm lens. Line up the beads to aim and fire away. I love it. Check out the Ikodot site for pictures and instructions. If you have the money it's easier to buy one than to make one.

I've also glued on the feet labels on the I-50. It makes it really fast to set the distance after estimating it. It's a joy to shoot with. I 've been shooting color for a long time but this camera cries out for some Tri-X. It's on order. When the Tri-X arrives I'll go have some more fun. Looking at the picture of the rat cam and my IIIc, it seems an M3 would make a nice progression. Someday.