Iskra
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| Iskra, c.1962. image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) |
Iskra is a folding rangefinder camera, manufactured by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod KMZ , (Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk), Moscow, USSR. Искра = Iskra means Spark. All Iskra first series produced between 1960-63, quantity made 38722.
Specifications
- Model: 1962, First version, type 2a , produced between 1961-63
- Distinctive feature of this type: an adjustment bolt on the top plate [1]
- 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 3 elements; 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, speeds: 1-1/500 +B, very quiet, possible to set separately.
- Viewfinder: Coupled rangefinder/viewfinder
- Winding: Do not work without film
- Double exposure prevention: Film advance system blocks the spool reel when reaching the next frame, warning us that when we feel that resistance
- Frame counter: Auto resets, advance type, not work without film
- Other: Self-timer; Flash PC socket; Flash sync: at all speeds; Cold-shoe; Memory 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.
History
Iskra has four variants/types with some changes on the body.
The name Iskra 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 inspired by the Agfa Super Isolette of 1954.The shutter is a copy of Synchro-Compur RMX/RMXV of the Solinar 75mm f/3.5 lens of the Agfa Super Isolette.
Iskra is the highest quality level camera, above all from an optical standpoint, ever made in USSR.
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| Iskra, c.1962.
Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) | ||||||||
Iskra-2
The second version of the series is Iskra-2, and produced between 1961-64. The only change in this model is a Selenium meter added. Controls for the meter are integrated into the knob that was the film reminder in the original Iskra. There are three variants/types.
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| Iskra-2, image by mflenses (Image rights) |
