Moskva-5
Contents
Description
The Moskva-5 (MOCKBA-5 in cyrillic writing) was produced by KMZ (Krasnogorskii Mechanicheskii Zavod or Krasnogorsk Mechanical factory) in the 1950's. It's said to be a copy of the Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta C, but it makes more sense to call it an adaptation. In difference to the Super Ikonta, its solid top plate has a built-in rangefinder and a dual format viewfinder.
The back of the camera showing the year of production (1958), two red windows for 6×6 and 6×9 numbering, the rangefinde rwindow (left) and the seperate viewfinder window (right). The symbol left of the serial number is the Krasnogorsk company logo.
Dual Format
Super Ikontas were made for the 6×9 and 6×4.5 format. The Moskva-5 is a 6×6 and 6×9 camera. Since it has a 105mm fixed Industar lens, at 6×6 you have a mild tele at your disposal. To use the 6×6 size, you need to set the viewfinder to the square format. The film pressing plate is taken off to select the right window so you can see the numbering on the film back. The 6×9 red window is now blocked, so there's no room for confusion.
As a last step, the 6×6 mask has to be inserted. The camera locks right into its holes. Close the camera and you're ready to shoot.
Operation
The Moment 24c is a central shutter with speeds of B, 1 to 1/250s. To fire it, the film needs to be transported or the release button will be blocked, indicated by a red window on the top plate. The shutter isn't set by transporting, it has to be cocked at the lens by a lever.
