Along the Tiber River – Praktica Mtl 5b & Helios 44 M 4

There are many excellent Eastern Europe lenses of the past with the M42 screw mount, and I have some, e.g. the Helios 44M4 58mm f/2. Built in the former Soviet Union to equip Zenit cameras. The latter, while if robust, often have limits, both operational, and reliability. To play it safe and always staying behind the Iron Curtain, should turn to production in the former GDR. Still were German! And so, I did not miss a couple of Praktica Mtl5 bodies . One normal, and the other in B version. These differ between them practically only in the power source of the TTL CdS meter. The second in fact, uses the current LR44/SR44 batteries, while the first was designed for use with the PX625 mercury.

A Winter Series with Moskva 5

The Moskva 5 is a big Soviet made camera, which follows forms and performance of the most renowned folding Zeiss Super Ikonta. Snap 6×9 cm frames and 6×6 through a special removable mask. For the technical specifications of the camera back to the previous test readers: here and here. This time, taking advantage of a typical winter day, I wanted to use it in its native format, for large negatives (if any) to print.

Fed 5 and Jupiter 8… By The Sea

Fed, along with Zorki and Zenit is one of the best known Soviets brand by photography enthusiasts. Since the early 30’s  of the twentieth century in fact, have been built millions and millions of  Fed cameras. Just to give an idea, the initial model that was simply called “Fed” (ФЭД), since 1934 and until 1955, were produced (in many variations) about 720,000 copies, while for the model 5 in production from 1977 to 1990, I have no data  (according to the website Sovietcams, which I suggest to refer to anyone interested in identifying and learn more about these cameras) but are surely made in hundres of thousands copies.

Lomo Smena Sl – Just twelve frames of (1992) Expired Orwo Np20

This time I deal with one of the most popular cameras in the world: the Lomo Smena. In the specific case (just to complicate a little the affair) the SL version, adopting a sort of variation of more known “Rapid” loading system, introduced by Agfa in 1964. Born as an antagonist of the Kodak 126 system, it was adopted by some brands, but didn’t have long nor too fortunate life. I have to say about, that in my childhood I used repeatedly Kodak Instamatic cameras, either in 126 or 110 and perhaps one Agfa 110 … but I’ve never seen a Rapid or SL model.

Never seen a… Voskhod?

The Voskhod (Восход), which means “Dawn”, is a rare (approximately 59,000 units produced by Lomo factory) Soviet camera made during the mid ’60s.  At the height of scientific and economic power in the former Soviet Union and in full Cold War, the Voskhod  was designed to demonstrate the technological (and stylistic) autonomous capabilities  behind the Iron Curtain. So, no more one of the many clones of famous Western cameras, but a completely new, cutting-edge project and well built camera. It must be said that one can not remain indifferent to the shape (very 60’s) really unusual for a camera, as well as in front of some technical characteristics.

Boats & Knots – Canon 7 Rangefinder First Test

Since I was very pleased by the Canon P (and Here) rangefinder, with Leica M39 mount, as soon as  I had a good opportunity , I  got the following model: the Canon 7. The latter, brings some improvements such as rotating frames in the viewfinder to frame with different focal lengths (35, 50, 85/100 and 135mm) and a semi-coupled selenium light meter.

Canon P Rangefinder – Soviet lenses and Agfa Rondinax

Ok… I’m back! I finally got to shot again, and above all, to develop. So, this time I tested some things all at once: A beautiful Canon P rangefinder , with 39×1 screw mount, togheter with two standard Soviet lenses: the Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 and the Industar 61 52mm f/2.8. What’s more, however, I developed the film with the old Agfa Rondinax system, using Ars – Imago Fd developer.
Perhaps, as they say … I put too many irons in the fire but the results were satisfactory.