My ama yesterday went well so I'm happy to talk about more stuff that I know about. While I can talk a decent amount about digital photography most of my experience is with film stuff. I have grown up in the digital era so I may not be as experienced as some of you older folks. I own a few soviet cameras, a chinese one and a couple old cannons. I've used a bit more than that so I should be able to answer a decent amount of your questions.
In a lot of ways not as much as you'd expect. Some of the best designs including my favorite the Zorki 4k are copied from some western ones. Not to say that they didn't inovate at all because that's not at all true. Normally they would start off with a model that is an exact copy of a western camera (for instance some leicas had their machinery liberated from Nazi Germany as reperations) and then would change to be their own thing. Soviet cameras as far as I've used them are rugged and at least today are super affordable compared to similar cameras from the same time period.
Ever try adapting your soviet lenses to a digital camera? I hear they produce some interesting images.
I have a Smena 8M, Zenit 122, and a Zorki 4. The Smena and Zenit were in great condition and after cleaning the Zorki it actually looks and works decently. Unfortunately the lens wasn't quite as salvageable and its got scratches that are significant enough to affect the image quality:sadness:
That being said if you have any rangefinders, what are some of your favorite lenses for them?
Idk why my response didn't post but I love the jupiter 8 lens for my Zorki 4k it works like a charm. Seems you got a lot of cool cameras they're so affordable right?
Yeah. And the build quality is good. Granted they all have certain quirks, but that's part of the charm.
Yeah exactly. Everyone complaining about soviet build quality online needs to get a life. Just because a country is communist doesn't mean that they have horrible quality stuff. I have a canon from the same time period as my Zorki and while it's kind broken the Zorki still shoots like a pro.
Most photography forums are filled with people who are like "just spend $200 to have it sent off" and act like doing any work yourself is insane. Is it actually difficult to work on Soviet cameras and keep them running? I am considering getting a Soviet rangefinder of some sort, or maybe one of those slrs that are adapted from rangefinders.
Also want a tlr, idk if there are good Soviet ones.
I actually just bought a lubitel 2. That and the 166 seem like fine tools. Both were made by lomo which is a company with a great reputation.
So yeah even into the 80s or so the soviets didn't have aperture priority like americans would. It means that you have to know what you're doing a little more in terms of exposure but it's not that hard to use. We all have smartphones just get a light meter app and you're all set. I've had to do literally no work on my Zorki 4k which is my secondary camera (I use a digital one for a primary). Just don't drop them or anything. Also, don't change the shudder speed without cocking the camera. That's something that applies to most soviet cameras.
I may get a Zorki 4k as a secondary camera to have in my car. I hate leaving my Canon F-1 (my main camera) in there as wild temperature swings hurt the lubricant and it's a huge pain to change. Having a weird soviet camera noone has ever heard of with me all the time is hilarious to me, I wanna be that guy who does that.
Oh no the lube in the Zorki would get fucked up too! Don't leave it in the car.
Well, is it any easier to relube? Canon slrs involve a million microscopic screws and springs and stuff and you risk damaging things every time.
Yes ebay is great and is all I've ever used. I normally get stuff shipped from russia/ukraine. If you wanted to make sure you get a high quality one or even a new one lomography the website has what you're looking for.
