Table Of ContentIsaak S. Maizenberg
All You Need
to Know About
Design and Repair
Russian Cameras
o f
A Collector9sa nd Repairman's Handbook
Copyright O 1996 by Author, Isaak Maizenberg
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, translated,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
This book is dedicated
to my darling wife Ketti
and my son Leon
INTRODUCTION
In the past several decades we have seen a growing interest in optics and photo-cameras
manufactured starting in the 1920's. The quality of Russian cameras of this period easily
compares with that of the cameras produced by German, Swiss, and French companies. A
special, new market has appeared in Europe, America, and Japan where these early cameras have
a steadily increasing market value. There are at least two reasons for this recent upsurge in
popularity. Russian optics and cameras are superior in quality, and many of these older models
are still widely and successfblly used by photographers. Both Russian cameras made in the
twenties and thirties as copies of their German counterparts and later cameras of unique design
have become collectors' items at many auctions throughout the world.
Prior to World War 11, Russian camera manufacturers mainly copied the world- renowned
cameras of German design. For example, the FED camera is an exact copy of Leica II. Well-
established German companies, such as Ernst Leitz, Zeiss Ikon, Voigtlander, etc., are known as
the pioneers in the design of photo equipment, 35 rnm cameras in particular. The concept of the
focal plane shutter invented by Oscar Barnack for Leica i.n the mid-1920's remains basically
unchanged even in the state-of-the-art electronic cameras. Both collectors and experts know that
early designs of Nikon and Canon were taken from the same Leica. Today these brands have the
highest price on the market, and there is a special demand for their copies manufactured in
different countries, particularly in Russia.
Starting in the mid-forties, uniquely designed cameras were built in Russia. Within the
following twenty years Russia was annually manufacturing between two and five million photo
and movie cameras, a great number of which was exported to seventy countries, including the US,
Canada, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Russia became one of the largest manufacturers and
exporters of photo equipment. Some of these cameras are highly priced as significant milestones
in the development of Russian optics and cameras. Others meet up-to-date demands and continue
to be used by both professional and lay photographers.
The number of available, well-preserved Russian cameras produced prior to 1970 has
decreased dramatically over the last decade and will continue to do so, whereas the market value
of these cameras will increase ever more sharply due to their scarcity. At the same time, there are
fewer and fewer repairmen who are capable of repairing and restoring this type of photo
equipment. Keeping their cameras in worlung condition is equally important for collectors who
want to see their value increase and for those who use the cameras professionally or as a hobby.
In this book you will find a description of the most popular opttcs and cameras produced
in Russia at that time It contains information on the clesign, operation, and repair of forty-two
brands of mechanical Russian cameras Many of them, such as FED (Leica 11), "Kiev" (Contax
11), "Moscow-2" (Super Ikonta "C"), etc , were distributed by the thousands all over the worlld
The first part of the book is a general introduction to the operations and functions of the
cameras' basic parts You will find here a list of instruments and tools required for camera repair
and a description of the most common repair procedures The second part contains a more
detailed description of camera designs, assemblies and subassemblies, and speaks of how typical
operational problems can be resolved Each chapter combines cameras similar in design. for
example "Smena", "Smena-2", "Smena-3", etc The original models of each brand are described
in the greatest detail while later models are viewed fiom the standpoint of introduced
modifications If you are not a professional, you will still find here the information you may need
for minor to moderately complicated repair of your camera Even the most comprehensive of
books is unable to cover every possible type of malfbnction and the method by which it is
eradicated Instead of only giving you step by step instructions, the book gives you an even more
valuable tool This tool is operational knowledge which you can use to solve any problems that
may arise and are not described here Even if you have no intention of repairing your camera on
your own, you will find this book helpfbl in evaluating the camera's present condition and its
market value It is useful in different ways for photographers, collectors, appraisers, and
repairmen
CONTENTS
.
INTRODUCTION
Part I
.
GENERAL
.
CAMERA
.
Correct Camera Handling
Loading the Camera with Film
.
Choosing the Cartridge
.
Camera Adjustment
.
MAJOR CAMERA ASSEMBLIES AND PARTS
Photographic Shutters
Delay Mechanisms
Rangefinders
.
Viewfinders
.
Flash Synchronization Mechanisms
Interlocking Devices
.
PHOTOGRAPHIC LENS
.
Lens Design
.
Lens Handling and Cleaning
.
Diaphragms
Filters
PREPARATION AND EXECUTION OF REPAIR WORK
.
Tools
.
Lubrication
Repair and Replacement of Gear Teeth
Part II
DESIGN AND REPAIR OF CAMERAS
"MOSCOW-2", "MOSCOW-4", AND "MOSCOW-5" CAMERAS
.
"MOSCOW-2"
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
.
Camera Disassembly and Assembly
Camera Body
.
Viewfinder
.
Film Transporting Mechanism and Release Interlocking Syrstem
Shutter Release Mechanism
Shutter
.
Diaphragm
.
Lens
.
Camera Adjustment
"MOSCOW-4"
.
Shutter Disassembly
.
Flash Synchronization Mechanism
Device for Making 6 x 6 cm Negatives
"MOSCOW-5"
.
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
.
Top Shield
Selfiimer
.
Lens
"LUBITEL", "LUBITEL-2", AND "SPUTNIK" CAMERAS
"LUBITEL"
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
Camera Body and Back Cover
Optical and Frame Viewfinders
.
Photo Lens
Shutter
"Lubitel" Camera Adjustment
"LUBITEL-2"
"SPUTNIK"
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
Camera Body and Angled Back Covers
Camera Shutters
Viewfinder's Well, Viewfinder, Lenses, and Their Adjustment
.
"ESTAFETA" CAMERA
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
Camera Disassembly and Reassembly.
Film Track and Film Transport
.
Lens Barrel
.
Shutter
.
Lens and Its Adjustment
"SMENA", " SMENA-2", "SMENA-3" , "SMENA-4", " SMENA-5", "SMENA-6",
"SMENA-M", "SMENA-2MW,A ND "VESNA" CAMERAS
"SMENA"
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
Camera Body and Back Cover
.
Viewfinder
Film Transport Knob
.
Exposure Counter and Start Mechanism
Shutter
.
Lens
.
Camera Adjustment
"SMENA-2"
Selfiimer
.
Flash Synchronization Mechanism
"s~NA-3"
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
Lever Film Winding Mechanism
Interlocking and Release Mechanism
Shutter
.
"SMl3NA-4"
"SMENA-5"
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
.
Film Track and Film Advance Control Mechanism
Shutter Release Mechanism
Shutter
"SMENA-6"
.
"SMENA-M"
Camera Disassembly
Mechanism Controlling Film Advance by One Frame
.
"SMENA-2M"
"VESNA"
Major Camera Assemblies and Parts
Camera Disassembly and Reassembly
.
Film Track and Interlocking Mechanism
Shutter
.
"KEV-VEGA CAMERA
.
Design and Operational Principle of Camera Mechanisms
Camera Disassembly and Reassembly
.
Film Transport Mechanism
.
Focal Plane Shutter
.
Flash Synchronization Mechanism
Lens and Diaphragm
.
FED, "ZORKI", "ZORKI-2", "ZORKI-C", AND " ZORKI -2C" CAMERAS
FED AND "ZORKI" CAMERAS
Major Exterior Camera Assemblies and Parts
.
Removable Bottom Plate
Film Movement in Film Track, Film Rewind Mechanism, Support Plate, and
Take-Up Spool
.
Camera Body
Partial Camera Disassembly
.
Mechanism Switch While Loading and Rewinding Film
.
Exposure Counter
Brake Spring and Winding Mechanism
.
Speed Mechanism
.
Focal Plane Shutter
Making and Installing the Flash Synchronization Mechanism
.
"Industar- 10" Lens
.
"Industar-22" Lens
.
Camera Adjustment
.
Tips on Operation of FED and "Zorki" Cameras
"ZORKI-2"
Major Exterior Camera Parts
Camera Disassembly
Selfiimer
"ZORKI-C"
Major Exterior Camera Parts
.
Top Plate and Partial Camera Disassembly
.
Shutter Speed Mechanism
.
Flash Synchronization Mechanism
Switch Mechanism of Film Rewind
Complete Camera Disassembly
.
"ZORKI-2C"
Camera Disassembly
Selfiimer
.
"lndustar-50" Lens
"ZORKI-3". "ZORKI-3M", "ZORKI-3C", "ZORKI-4", AND "MIR" CAMERAS
"ZORKI-3"
Major Exterior Camera Parts
Partial and Complete Disassembly and Reassembly
.
Camera Body and Removable Cover
.
Film Track
.
Switch Mechanism for Film Rewind
.
Focal Plane Shutter
Additional Shutter Speed Mechanism
.
Flash Synchronization Mechanism
Viewfinder-Rangefinder
.
Dioptre Sight Correction
.
Lens
.
Camera Adjustment
.
"ZORK1-3M"
.
"ZORKI-3C"
"ZORKI-4"
Partial and Complete Camera Disassembly and Reassembly
.
Focal Plane Shutter
Additional Shutter Speed Mechanism
Selftimer
.
Rangefinder
"MIR"
"ZORKI-5" AND "ZORKI-6" CAMERAS
