FKD view cameras
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| FKD 13x18 image by nefotografas (Image rights) |
FKD cameras (ФКД - sometimes only labelled FK)[1] are folding tailboard cameras made in the Soviet Union. An entry for the FKD 13x18 at USSRPhoto.com (a wiki), apparently repeating information from the Fedka web-shop, states that the cameras were made in a number of workshops in different parts of the Soviet Union, some of which originally made wooden furniture.[2] These locations included Kharkiv in Ukraine, and Kazan in Tatarstan.
At least two sizes were made:
- FKD 13x18 (about equivalent to 5x7 inch)
- FKD 18x24 (about 7x9½ inch, though this is not a plate size in inches)
There are variations in both models, presumably with time over the years the cameras were made, or perhaps between manufacturing locations. The examples of the 13x18-cm camera shown at Fotoua.com are listed as Types 1a and 1b to 4a (and 4b and 4c). Unfortunately the photographs were not archived with the site.[3]
The 13x18-cm camera has an Industar-51 21cm f/4.5; a barrel lens (i.e. without a shutter built-in; exposure would normally be long enough to be controlled with the lens-cap). The 18x24-cm model has been seen for sale with an Industar-37 30cm f/4.5.
The front standard of the camera has sliding panels allowing front rise and fall and left-to-right lens movements. Front tilt is not possible. The rear standard allows tilt.
The camera uses wooden single dark-slides.
Notes
- ↑ The name is a shortening of Фотокамера Дорожная (Fotokamera Dorozhnaya; 'road camera', or Reisekamera) - see the manual linked below.
- ↑ FKD 13x18 page at USSRPhoto.com
- ↑ For example, some examples of several versions of FKD camera listed at Fotoua.com (archived at archive.org), but shown only as thumbnail images.
