Difference between revisions of "Iskra"

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The '''Iskra''' is a [[folding]] coupled-[[rangefinder]] camera for square-format pictures on 120 film, made by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod [[KMZ]] ('Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk'), Moscow, USSR. It is a high-quality camera. <!--replaced this sentence, which seems too much: Iskra is the highest quality level camera, above all from an optical standpoint, ever made in USSR.--> It is a copy of the [[Agfa]] [[Super Isolette]] of 1954, and The camera's FXCh-18 shutter is a copy of the Synchro-Compur RMX/RMXV used on the Super Isolette.<ref>See [https://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/sets/72157631234691718 Hans Kerensky's Flickr set] comparing the FXCh-18 to a Synchro-Compur from a Rolleiflex.</ref>
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|image_text= Iskra, made in 1963
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The '''Iskra''' is a [[folding]] coupled-[[rangefinder]] camera for square-format pictures on 120 film, made by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod [[KMZ]] ('Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk'), USSR. The camera was produced between 1961 and 1963.  It is a high-quality camera with an  Industar-58 (ИНДУСТАР), 75mm f/3.5 lens and a FXCh-18 shutter.
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The Iskra is a copy of the [[Agfa]] [[Super Isolette]] of 1954, and the camera's FXCh-18 shutter is a copy of the Synchro-Compur RMX/RMXV used on the Super Isolette.<ref>See [https://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/sets/72157631234691718 Hans Kerensky's Flickr set] comparing the FXCh-18 to a Synchro-Compur from a Rolleiflex.</ref>
  
 
Искра (Iskra) means 'Spark'. This was the name of the secret Marxist newspaper founded by Lenin in 1900. It was a political newspaper of Russian socialist emigrants established as the official organ of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.
 
Искра (Iskra) means 'Spark'. This was the name of the secret Marxist newspaper founded by Lenin in 1900. It was a political newspaper of Russian socialist emigrants established as the official organ of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.
  
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{{RightTOC}}
 
  
 
==Iskra==
 
==Iskra==
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38722 copies were made of the various types of the first model of the Iskra between 1960-63. There are 3 types and 1 sub-type, with some changes to the body.<ref>According to Alexander Komarov in [http://www.fotoua.com/1cameraAlltip.php?st=7&rd=4&usl=4&usl1=iskra&seek1=&seek2=  Fotoua]. You can also find serial numbers for dating of the cameras in this site. There is another former USSR cameras classification and info by Aidas Pikiotas at [http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1842842031 SovietCams]</ref><ref>Other writers on Soviet cameras have their own classifications.</ref><ref>Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by [http://img.inkfrog.com/click_enlarge1.php?image=IMG_3609.JPG&username=calicurg&aid=972050785 Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin]</ref><ref>Discussion about classifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in [http://www.ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1500 USSR Photo Forum]</ref>
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38722 copies were made of the various types of the first model of the Iskra between 1960-63. There are 3 types and 1 sub-type, with some changes to the body.<ref>According to Alexander Komarov's [https://web.archive.org/web/20160904235048/http://www.fotoua.com/index.php?rd=4&st=7 Fotoua] (archived). You can also find serial numbers for dating of the cameras in this site. There is another former USSR cameras classification and info by Aidas Pikiotas at [http://www.sovietcams.com/l.php?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=174&_m_e_id=22&_menu_i_id=179 SovietCams]</ref><ref>Other writers on Soviet cameras have their own classifications.</ref><ref>Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by [http://img.inkfrog.com/click_enlarge1.php?image=IMG_3609.JPG&username=calicurg&aid=972050785 Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin]</ref><ref>Discussion about classifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in [http://www.ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1500 USSR Photo Forum]</ref>
 
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===Type 1===
 
===Type 1===
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*Distinctive feature of the type: without adjustment bolt on the top plate
 
*Distinctive feature of the type: without adjustment bolt on the top plate
 
*Lens: Industar-58
 
*Lens: Industar-58
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===Type 2===
 
===Type 2===
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|colspan=3 align="center"| Iskra type 2a (1962)
 
|colspan=3 align="center"| Iskra type 2a (1962)
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<small>Images by Süleyman Demir {{ with permission }}</small>
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<small>Images by {{image_author|Süleyman Demir}} {{ with permission }}</small>
 
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====Type 2b====
 
====Type 2b====
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The second model is the '''Iskra-2''', produced between 1961-64, with quantity only 6118 copies. The only change in this model is the addition of a Selenium meter. Controls for the meter are integrated into the knob that was the film reminder in the original Iskra.  
 
The second model is the '''Iskra-2''', produced between 1961-64, with quantity only 6118 copies. The only change in this model is the addition of a Selenium meter. Controls for the meter are integrated into the knob that was the film reminder in the original Iskra.  
  
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There are 3 types of Iskra-2.<ref>According to Alexander Komarov [http://www.fotoua.com/1cameraAlltip.php?st=7&rd=4&usl=4&usl1=iskra&seek1=&seek2=1 in Fotoua]</ref>   
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There are 3 types of Iskra-2.<ref>According to Alexander Komarov in [https://web.archive.org/web/20130127080140/http://www.fotoua.com:80/1.php?rd=&st= Fotoua]</ref>   
  
 
*Type 1 with Cyrillic inscription of Iskra on the top plate
 
*Type 1 with Cyrillic inscription of Iskra on the top plate
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
In English:
 
In English:
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* Princelle, Jean Loup: ''Made In USSR - The Authentic Guide To Russian And Soviet Cameras'', Le Reve Edition, 2004 (<nowiki>ISBN</nowiki> 2952252106, ISBN13: 9782952252102) paperback.
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* {{Princelle USSR}}
 
In Russian:
 
In Russian:
 
* Suglob, Shaternik and Kochergin: ''1200 Cameras from USSR'', 2009. ([http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=39&ParentID=4&ContentID=311&Item=1200+Cameras+from+USSR+by+Suglob%2C+Shaternik%2C+Kochergin more info about the book])
 
* Suglob, Shaternik and Kochergin: ''1200 Cameras from USSR'', 2009. ([http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=39&ParentID=4&ContentID=311&Item=1200+Cameras+from+USSR+by+Suglob%2C+Shaternik%2C+Kochergin more info about the book])
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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*[http://www.fotoua.com/1cameraAlltip.php?st=7&rd=4&usl=4&usl1=iskra&seek1=&seek2= Iskra] at ''Fotoua'' by Alexandr Komarov, including pictures of various types.
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*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/russian/iskra/iskra_iskra-2.htm KMZ Iskra user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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*[http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1842842031 Iskra] at ''Sovietcams''
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*[http://www.sovietcams.com/index364b.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=174&_m_e_id=22&_menu_i_id=179 Iskra] and [http://www.sovietcams.com/index00d3.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=175&_m_e_id=22&_menu_i_id=180 Iskra 2]at [http://www.sovietcams.com ''Sovietcams'']
  
 
[[Category: 120 film]]  
 
[[Category: 120 film]]  
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[[Category:KMZ]]
 
[[Category:KMZ]]
 
[[Category:Soviet cameras]]
 
[[Category:Soviet cameras]]
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[[Category:Russia]]
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[[Category:I]]
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[[Category:1960]]

Latest revision as of 21:03, 31 January 2024


4502441025_0d7d8e6851_w.jpg
Iskra, made in 1963
image by Gabo Barreto (Image rights)

The Iskra is a folding coupled-rangefinder camera for square-format pictures on 120 film, made by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod KMZ ('Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk'), USSR. The camera was produced between 1961 and 1963. It is a high-quality camera with an Industar-58 (ИНДУСТАР), 75mm f/3.5 lens and a FXCh-18 shutter.

The Iskra is a copy of the Agfa Super Isolette of 1954, and the camera's FXCh-18 shutter is a copy of the Synchro-Compur RMX/RMXV used on the Super Isolette.[1]

Искра (Iskra) means 'Spark'. This was the name of the secret Marxist newspaper founded by Lenin in 1900. It was a political newspaper of Russian socialist emigrants established as the official organ of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.


Iskra

38722 copies were made of the various types of the first model of the Iskra between 1960-63. There are 3 types and 1 sub-type, with some changes to the body.[2][3][4][5]

Type 1

  • Produced in 1960
  • Distinctive feature of the type: without adjustment bolt on the top plate
  • Lens: Industar-58

Type 2

Type 2a

  • Produced between 1961-63
  • Distinctive feature of the type: an adjustment bolt on the top plate
4944144817_dba66c7243.jpg
Iskra type 2a (1962).
image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Specifications

  • Format: roll 120 film, picture size 6x6cm
  • Aperture and speeds are coupled and turning the coupling ring on the front of the lens, turns the aperture and speed rings together, according to Exposure Values
  • Lens: Industar-58 (ИНДУСТАР), 75mm f/3.5; Tessar design with 4 elements in 3 groups; Aperture: f/3.5-f/22, possible to set separately
  • Focusing: Yellow rangefinder images must be matched in the viewfinder for exact focus, via focusing ring w/ grooved silver handle, behind the lens-shutter barrel
  • Shutter: FXCh-18 central leaf shutter, speed: 1-1/500 +B, very quiet, possible to set separately.
  • Viewfinder: Coupled rangefinder/viewfinder
  • Winding: Does not work without film loaded
  • Double exposure prevention and auto-stop film advance (the spool reel is blocked when reaching the next frame).
  • Frame counter: Auto resets, advance type, doesn't work without film loaded
  • Other: Self-timer; Flash PC socket; Flash sync at all shutter speeds; Cold-shoe; Film type reminder dial
  • Body: Aluminum; Weight: 912g
  • Serial no. engraved on the back of the top plate with KMZ logo; first two digits show the production year
  • Caution: You must change the shutter speed before you cock the shutter. This is the opposite of almost every other Russian camera.
4944730090_010e054d33_m.jpg
4944146307_b4a3e2eb5f_m.jpg
4944145133_44ef0c8157_m.jpg
Iskra type 2a (1962)

Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Type 2b

  • Produced between 1961-63
  • Distinctive features of the type: with inscription "Made in USSR"
  • Lens:Industar-58


Type 3

  • Produced between 1961-63
  • Distinctive feature of the type: Iskra name on the front is with script Latin letters, export type
3574815205_0264c64362_m.jpg
3575623316_a3053fc411_m.jpg
Iskra Images by Siim Vahur (Image rights)

Iskra-2

The second model is the Iskra-2, produced between 1961-64, with quantity only 6118 copies. The only change in this model is the addition of a Selenium meter. Controls for the meter are integrated into the knob that was the film reminder in the original Iskra.

There are 3 types of Iskra-2.[6]

  • Type 1 with Cyrillic inscription of Iskra on the top plate
  • Type 2 with Latin inscription, export type
  • Type 3 Microscope version, bellow with the lens replaced by plate with MFN-9
10166689625_e39835db52.jpg
Iskra 2 type 1
image by Siim Vahur (Image rights)
2707553536_6a511fb6fe.jpg
Iskra-2 type 2
image by Siim Vahur (Image rights)


Notes

  1. ↑ See Hans Kerensky's Flickr set comparing the FXCh-18 to a Synchro-Compur from a Rolleiflex.
  2. ↑ According to Alexander Komarov's Fotoua (archived). You can also find serial numbers for dating of the cameras in this site. There is another former USSR cameras classification and info by Aidas Pikiotas at SovietCams
  3. ↑ Other writers on Soviet cameras have their own classifications.
  4. ↑ Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin
  5. ↑ Discussion about classifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in USSR Photo Forum
  6. ↑ According to Alexander Komarov in Fotoua

Bibliography

In English:

  • Princelle, Jean Loup (2004), The Authentic Guide to Russian and Soviet Cameras ('Made in USSR'), Le Reve Edition. ISBN 2952252106; or the earlier edition: Hove Foto Books, 2nd edition, 1995. 200 pages. ISBN 1874031630. Paperback.

In Russian:

Links

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