| Welcome To My Russian Camera Collection Page |
 There
is a special kind of camera called Range
Finder, unlike SLR 'what you see is what you get', there
are separate viewing and focusing windows, and extra windows for
different lens in some design. Focusing is done by aligning a
superimposed image, usually with amber filtering, to the main image in
the viewer. The viewer is fixed frame size for 50mm, but in newer Leica
and Contax design there are frame lines for 28-135mm, an external
viewer like the Kiev Finder
also can be used to fit on the hotshoe, focusing is done with the main
viewer. Since the focusing is not 'through the lens', there is parallax
problem when shooting at close range, so RF is not suitable for
close-up work, also not for long telephoto because the focusing
accuracy will not enhance with long lens, also no depth of field
preview.
In other words, range finder is for general non critical works. But on
the plus side, RF does not has focusing problem with  slow lens
like SLR, they always work at their
best as long as the coupling in good alignment. To further enhance the
accuracy, the viewing window should far apart from the focusing one,
and has a long 'base line'. Further more, there is no need to put a
mirror between the lens and film plane, the vibration caused by
'flipping mirror' in SLR doesn't exist here. The lens can go deep into
the body, getting closer to the film at about 29mm compared to 46mm in
SLR, the light fall off 'vignetting' reduced. For the same reason, the
effective aperture is also wider. |
| During the 30s'-80s', Russia produced many 'Leica look alike' range finder cameras, some of them are of high quality and low cost, so called "poor man's Leica", there are also some good quality lens too, the 2 most famous brand are Zorki and FED. Unfortunately the Empire's photographic industry ceased after the 80's, hardly any new camera produced since then. The remaining units gone to the used market and collector's hand, many of them still can be found today in good working order and reasonable price, here are some famous examples. |
| Some Famous Models |
| Other Models |
| FT-2 First Russian panoramic camera, angle of view 120°, take 24x110mm photo, shutter speed 1/100 - 1/400 |
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| Horizont
Another famous model born in 1966, still in production today, with a 28mm lens take 24x58mm photo. |
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| Leningrad Motorized mechanic, take 24 frames per wind, unusual split screen focusing  |
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Inspired by the Leicavits they made the
DRUG in 1960 |
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| A
cute little
camera LOMO Produced in 1983-1990 Lens : 32mm/f2.8 Minitar MF Shutter : 2s-1/500 Auto 1/60s Manual flash sync. First model : LC-A Redesigned LC-M with reliable shutter |
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| Lens And Accessories |
| In 1948, a famous camera called Kiev II has born, it is a close copy of Contax II ,and it was first made with original German parts by German engineer. As opposite to Leica copy, it is more complex in mechanics design and 'heavy metal'. It also has a more accurate range finder, although old today, it is still the best model they ever made, name plate changed in later models. |
| General
Spec.
for all models : Shutter : Vertical travel metal 'Jalousie' design, speed from 1/2-1/1250sec. Lens mount : Contax bayonet |
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Russian
And Other Camera Links
If
you can read Russian ! |
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