Cameras of the USSR: FED, "Voskhod", "Moscow", "Zenith", "Smena"

The Soviet Union was famous for its rich history in all directions without exception. Cinema, direction, art was not left out. Photo-artists also tried to keep up and glorify the great power on their high-tech front. And the brainchild of Soviet engineers amazed amateur photographers around the world.

What is the secret of the success of the creators of cameras? Due to what millions of people around the world as if under hypnosis watching the masterpieces of Russian photography? Due to what the cameras of the USSR are known all over the world? In this article you will see them in all its glory.

"Sharp"

In 1954 this model of the camera was considered truly the most modern and highly technological development in the field of photo art. About "Zorkom" almost all amateur photographers, photojournalists, and also scientific employees dreamed. The basis for the successful operation of this device is the use of professional metal cassettes.

Take photos using the camera "Sharp", it was possible with two hands and using a tripod. In the latter case, it should be remembered that the bottom of the camera is a special socket, which allows the support to be fastened firmly and steadily. A leather case made it possible to shoot without taking out the device.

The camera "Sharp" became a real work of engineering. In the process of working with him, the following sequence was recommended:

1. If a retractable lens is inserted in the machine, set it to the working position.
2. One of the existing ways to determine the holding time for a given aperture.
3. Set the aperture to the lens.
4. Start the bolt.
5. Set the shutter speed.
6. Focus the lens on the sharpness.
7. Start shooting by gently pressing the button.

Taking the picture from two hands, it was necessary to keep the device confidently, but without unnecessary strain. This device proves once again that USSR cameras deserve respect!

FED-2

The FED camera is a professional device for photographers, made in 1952. By status and functionality for the middle of the last century it was truly a brilliant development and occupied an honorary place in the category "USSR cameras".

The shooting could be conducted from any positions and by any means known at that time. Instant photo, with a tripod, with hands, with endurance - anything. For FED-2 there was nothing impossible. He was especially fond of journalists and photo artists who actively took pictures of landscapes, sports events and panoramas.

FED was manufactured at a specially constructed factory of the NKVD Troodkommuny of the Ukrainian SSR. F. E. Dzerzhinsky entirely from Soviet raw materials and materials. As a negative material for him, the standard perforated film was applied at 1.60 m intervals, which provided a simultaneous charging of the apparatus for the production of 36 photographs.

The basis for the design of the camera FED-2 was the principle of automatic operation and the conjugation of mechanisms. In other words, when starting the shutter, the photographer simultaneously rewound the film and counted the number of images taken.

"Moscow"

In 1959 the camera with the professional shutter "Moment-24C", a case, a film coil, a trigger cable, a box for transfer and storage, as well as a detailed instruction with a passport and a description of the device operation were included in the kit together with this camera.

On the camera "Moscow", the manufacturer provided warranty service within one year after purchase, provided that the device was not opened and not understood outside the plant.

The main feature of the camera was high-speed optics. Also a nice addition for all amateurs was a case with a special shoulder strap.

In the manufacture of this model, Soviet engineers truly outperformed themselves. Optical focus, rangefinder with an extensive base of 65 mm, as well as a central shutter, which has eight automatic shutter speeds, coupled with a flash synchronizer, could not leave indifferent any amateur photographer in the USSR.

The camera "Moscow" could do as many as 12 pictures in 6x6 cm format without additional recharging. Now these figures may seem ridiculous to us, but in 1954 it was on the verge of fantasy, for which, undoubtedly, it is worthwhile once again to thank the Soviet engineers who produced such precise mechanisms in the postwar years. This device glorifies the cameras of the USSR, helping them to occupy a high place in the list of the best in the world!

"Zenith"

"Zenith" belonged to the category of mirror devices. It was intended for a variety of types of shooting and could support both color and black and white film. The people who used this device most often could be described in two words: a highly skilled amateur photographer. At that time the old model of "Zenith" still was very difficult to use for an ordinary photographer and not so effective for a professional photojournalist, so it was classified as "above average".

The main advantage of the model was certainly the so-called mirror of the current focus. It allowed in a constant mode to observe the object, focus sharpness and increase the clarity and clarity of the image. The old camera "Zenith" could be used with lenses having from 37 to 1000 mm in the focal length, as well as special elongated rings that allow reproducing and removing small objects close-up - the so-called macro and micro shots.

"Smena-2"

The camera "Smena-2" belongs to the class of small-sized devices. It has a rather rigid design, the main purpose of which is purely amateur photography. In the Soviet era, professionals avoided this model. For their purposes, it was too simple, although, on the other hand, for ordinary amateurs its functionality was simple and intuitive.

This camera was bundled with a technical passport, as well as an objective that easily provided the creation of five automatic shutter speeds and a number of arbitrary. The device was also equipped with a self-timer function and a special synchronizer for working with a flash lamp.

By rotating the lens, it was easy to bring sharpness to the desired object. The boundaries of the same picture were indexed using an optical search engine, which was originally mounted in the camera "Smena-2." This device could be charged without problems in the light, which is also important. In addition, it was equipped with a special mechanism for rewinding the film for only 1 frame, which was a truly state-of-the-art development in the mid-20th century.

"Satellite"

Announcing the release of the next model of the camera "Sputnik", the manufacturer told the broad masses about the so-called stereokomplekt. Producers claimed that a special stereoscopic photograph would help make images that would give a true spatial representation of the location of things, objects and various objects.

In this kit was directly the camera itself, "Sputnik", as well as a special frame for copying and a stereoscope. With the help of "Sputnik", an image was obtained, consisting of several slightly different photos, when considering which one could see the merging, three-dimensional image. According to eyewitnesses, the spectacle was truly fascinating. The camera itself could be charged with a conventional roller film. The photographer could make 6 specialized stereoscopic frames or 12 standard ones. In addition, this model was equipped with the function of automatic descent, which caused the shutters to act after approximately 7-8 seconds. Earlier, cameras of the USSR could not boast of such a kind.

"Sunrise"

"Sunrise" was produced in the USSR in the period from 1964 to 1968 in the city of Leningrad, at the factory of the Optical and Mechanical Association named after Lenin. This unit had a rather attractive body, based on an aluminum alloy and an opening rear wall (by the way, it was very convenient). The rewinding of the film, as well as the platoon of the apparatus, was carried out with the help of a trigger.

It should be noted that the trigger was located on the very frame of the lens, which is very unusual for the models of that time. The camera "Voskhod" had a mass of 850 grams and had the ability to shoot frames of 24x36 mm size using a flash with synchrocontacts of categories "X" and "M".

Interesting fact

Incidentally, this, it would seem, not the most popular model at that time in the Soviet Union had a total number of copies issued of 59,225 pieces. Unlike other models, this camera can and is now easily purchased in Russia and CIS countries. Until now, quite a large number of ideally working models of the "Sunrise" have been preserved.

We remember, we are proud

In the article, technical characteristics, features and interesting features of the most popular Soviet cameras were disassembled. Of course, progress never stands still, and, realizing this fact, I want to once again note the work of Soviet engineers. It was thanks to their efforts that Soviet cameras were not ashamed to demonstrate to foreigners, and the photographs taken with their help were of the highest quality!