Difference between revisions of "Mir"
Hanskerensky (talk | contribs) (→Links: Replaced no longer available Link with another nice one) |
(Various changes; spellings, tidied links and refs.) |
||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | '''Mir''' is a 35mm rangefinder | + | '''Mir''' is a 35mm rangefinder camera, manufactured by the [[KMZ]] plant in Krasnogorsk, Moscow, USSR between 1959-61. Мир = Mir, can mean 'peace' or 'world'. |
| − | The Mir is slightly simplified version of the well known Soviet [[Leica]]-inspired camera, the [[Zorki 4]], without the slow shutter speed mechanism (it also lacks the fastest speed of 1/1000 second). Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for domestic consumption only. | + | The Mir is a slightly simplified version of the well known Soviet [[Leica]]-inspired camera, the [[Zorki 4]], without the slow shutter-speed mechanism (it also lacks the fastest speed of 1/1000 second). Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for domestic consumption only. |
| − | Whereas about 160000 Mir's were made during a short time, | + | Whereas about 160000 Mir's were made during a short time, over 1.7 million examples of the Zorki-4 were made during its rather longer production time. The Mir was offered with the Industar-22 50mm f/3.5, the Industar-26 50mm f/2.8, or the [[Jupiter-8]] 50mm f/2.<ref>These are the only standard lenses listed in the [http://web.archive.org/web/20081204123655/http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/mir/mir.html user's manual] (in Russian) previously reproduced at the KMZ archive website (<nowiki>http://www.zenitcamera.com</nowiki>) and archived at the [http://archive.org/web/web.php Internet archive 'Wayback Machine'] in December 2008. Owners have reported cameras with other lenses such as the rigid [[Industar-22]], mounted on an extension tube to give correct film register, or the [[Jupiter-8]], as on the example pictured here.</ref> The Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 may have been an option, most likely with the [[Zorki 3]] and [[Zorki 4]] as an export option. |
The viewfinder has a larger magnification than some earlier rangefinder cameras, which is said by some users to allow more accurate use of the rangefinder. | The viewfinder has a larger magnification than some earlier rangefinder cameras, which is said by some users to allow more accurate use of the rangefinder. | ||
<!-- (I have replaced the commented-out text with the sentence above; I think to try to quantify 'accuracy' like this is silly. Dustin McAmera, 10 December 2012) Because the viewfinder has a true +/- 1:1 magnification, it is 25% more accurate with faster lenses like the [[Jupiter-8]], Jupiter-3 and Jupiter-9 (85mm f/2). The [[rangefinder base|long base]] [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] similar to the pre-war [[Contax]] (about 90mm), which offers a similar accuracy but at a lesser viewfinder magnification than the 1:1 of the [[Zorki 3]], [[Zorki 4]] and Mir.--> | <!-- (I have replaced the commented-out text with the sentence above; I think to try to quantify 'accuracy' like this is silly. Dustin McAmera, 10 December 2012) Because the viewfinder has a true +/- 1:1 magnification, it is 25% more accurate with faster lenses like the [[Jupiter-8]], Jupiter-3 and Jupiter-9 (85mm f/2). The [[rangefinder base|long base]] [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] similar to the pre-war [[Contax]] (about 90mm), which offers a similar accuracy but at a lesser viewfinder magnification than the 1:1 of the [[Zorki 3]], [[Zorki 4]] and Mir.--> | ||
| − | Three basic types and one sub-type can be recognised.<ref>According to Alaxander Komarov in [http://www.fotoua.com/1cameraAlltip.php?st=7&rd=4&usl=4&usl1=mir&seek1=&seek2= Fotoua]. The site gives serial numbers for dating of cameras. There is another former USSR cameras | + | Three basic types and one sub-type can be recognised.<ref>According to Alaxander Komarov in [http://www.fotoua.com/1cameraAlltip.php?st=7&rd=4&usl=4&usl1=mir&seek1=&seek2= Fotoua]. The site gives serial numbers for dating of cameras. There is another classification of former-USSR cameras by Aidas Pikiotas at [http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?-743313544 SovietCams]</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 of camera 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> |
===Type 1=== | ===Type 1=== | ||
*Type 1 produced only in 1959 | *Type 1 produced only in 1959 | ||
| Line 67: | Line 67: | ||
*Take up spool: Special, it can drop down very easily | *Take up spool: Special, it can drop down very easily | ||
*Back cover: Removable with the bottom plate, | *Back cover: Removable with the bottom plate, | ||
| − | *Others: Cold-shoe; Strap lugs; | + | *Others: Cold-shoe; Strap lugs; ⅜-inch tripod socket |
*Engravings on the back of the top-plate: KMZ logo and the serial no. the first two numbers show the production year | *Engravings on the back of the top-plate: KMZ logo and the serial no. the first two numbers show the production year | ||
<br clear="all" /> | <br clear="all" /> | ||
| Line 108: | Line 108: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
In English | In English | ||
| − | * Princelle | + | * {{Princelle USSR}} |
In Russian | In Russian | ||
* 1200 Cameras from USSR by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin, 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 book] | * 1200 Cameras from USSR by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin, 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 book] | ||
| Line 122: | Line 122: | ||
* [http://www.theothermartintaylor.com/moveabletype/archives/cameras/000012.html The Other Martin Taylor's review of the Mir] | * [http://www.theothermartintaylor.com/moveabletype/archives/cameras/000012.html The Other Martin Taylor's review of the Mir] | ||
* [http://www.swcornell.com/camera/zorki4list.html Zorki 4, all models] in [http://www.swcornell.com/ Wayne Cornell's photography site] | * [http://www.swcornell.com/camera/zorki4list.html Zorki 4, all models] in [http://www.swcornell.com/ Wayne Cornell's photography site] | ||
| − | * [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/ | + | * Examples at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Collection Appareils] by Sylvain Halgand: |
| + | **[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11356 Mir] | ||
| + | **[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11357 Mir] | ||
Revision as of 15:52, 8 January 2017
| Mir | ||
|---|---|---|
Manufacturer: KMZ Date of Production: 1959-61 Type of Camera: Rangefinder Film Type: 35mm Lens: M39 Screw mount Shutter: Cloth focal plane Shutter speed range: 1/30-1/500th + B |
Mir is a 35mm rangefinder camera, manufactured by the KMZ plant in Krasnogorsk, Moscow, USSR between 1959-61. Мир = Mir, can mean 'peace' or 'world'.
The Mir is a slightly simplified version of the well known Soviet Leica-inspired camera, the Zorki 4, without the slow shutter-speed mechanism (it also lacks the fastest speed of 1/1000 second). Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for domestic consumption only.
Whereas about 160000 Mir's were made during a short time, over 1.7 million examples of the Zorki-4 were made during its rather longer production time. The Mir was offered with the Industar-22 50mm f/3.5, the Industar-26 50mm f/2.8, or the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2.[1] The Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 may have been an option, most likely with the Zorki 3 and Zorki 4 as an export option.
The viewfinder has a larger magnification than some earlier rangefinder cameras, which is said by some users to allow more accurate use of the rangefinder.
Three basic types and one sub-type can be recognised.[2][3][4]
Type 1
- Type 1 produced only in 1959
- Distinctive features of this type: Early style of inscription "Mir"
Photo in Fotoua
Type 2a
- Type 2a produced only in 1959
- Distinctive feature of the type: There is a frame around the viewfinder's window
- Without stop bolt on the hot shoe
Photo Type 2a
Type 2b
- Type 2a produced only in 1959
- Distinctive feature of the type: With stop bolt on the hot shoe
Photo Type2b
Type 3
- Type 3 produced between 1959-61
- Distinctive feature of this type: Without a frame around viewfinder's window
Specifications
- Focusing: Matching yellow rangefinder images
- Shutter: Rubberized silk double cloth curtain, horizontal focal plane [5]
- Viewfinder: Combined view/range finder, large and bright
- Re-winding release switch: Around the shutter release, like a collar, points engravings П (P, re-wind) and Д (D, wind, red)
- Diopter adjustment lever: Beside the re-winding knob
- Self-timer: Activates by a small silver knob above the lever, 9-15 seconds delay
- Flash PC sync socket: On the front of the top plate, flash sync at 1/30
- Variable synchronisation delay (0 - 25 ms) is possible by dial around the shutter speed control
- Take up spool: Special, it can drop down very easily
- Back cover: Removable with the bottom plate,
- Others: Cold-shoe; Strap lugs; ⅜-inch tripod socket
- Engravings on the back of the top-plate: KMZ logo and the serial no. the first two numbers show the production year
Gallery
|
|
| ||||||
| Mir type 3 (1959)
Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights) | ||||||||
Notes and references
- ↑ These are the only standard lenses listed in the user's manual (in Russian) previously reproduced at the KMZ archive website (http://www.zenitcamera.com) and archived at the Internet archive 'Wayback Machine' in December 2008. Owners have reported cameras with other lenses such as the rigid Industar-22, mounted on an extension tube to give correct film register, or the Jupiter-8, as on the example pictured here.
- ↑ According to Alaxander Komarov in Fotoua. The site gives serial numbers for dating of cameras. There is another classification of former-USSR cameras by Aidas Pikiotas at SovietCams
- ↑ Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin
- ↑ Discussion of camera classifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in USSR Photo Forum
- ↑ As with other Soviet-era rangefinders, the Mir's shutter speed selector rotates when the shutter is released, and should not be changed until after the shutter has been cocked. If you change the shutter speed without cocking the shutter first, the setting pin can be broken when you advance the film and cock the shutter
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
- 1200 Cameras from USSR by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin, 2009 , more info about book
Links
- in Fotoua by Alexander Komarov
- in SovietCams by Aidas Pikiotas
- in Nathan Dayton's 'Communist Cameras' site
- Zorki 4 Manuals at the M.Butkus site
- Russian Camera Collection (includes all Zorkis and the MIR)
- Zorki Rangefinder Cameras
- Zorki Rangefinder Cameras at the site of Guido Studer (in German)
- The Other Martin Taylor's review of the Mir
- Zorki 4, all models in Wayne Cornell's photography site
- Examples at Collection Appareils by Sylvain Halgand:
| Zorki cameras |
|---|
| FED-Zorki | 1 | S | 2 | 2-C (S) | 3 | 3M | 3S | 4 | 4K | Mir | 5 | 6 | 10/11 | 12 | 35M |
