Beginner's guide to Soviet cameras

Kosmo Foto's Stephen Dowling has been shooting with Soviet cameras for 20 years. Here he shows some of the most common and reliable models to shoot with.
Want to know more about Soviet cameras? Head to Kosmo Foto's archive of Soviet-related posts at: kosmofoto.com/category/soviet...
Zenit-E review: kosmofoto.com/2018/12/zenit-e...
Lomo LC-A review: kosmofoto.com/2014/02/lomo-lc...
Zenit-TTL review: kosmofoto.com/2016/07/zenit-t...
#photography #cameras #analog

[@angelfoto4795]

For Nikon users the Kiev SLRs system of cameras is a really cool experience, not only cameras but a good bunch of Soviet lenses that were made for the F mount.

[@smitbar11]

That's interesting 🙂😉

[@spencerhope1490]

Really informative video, as a collector of these cameras I was particularly enthralled. Nice to know which factories made the different models & the location of each Brand. Looking forward to more videos soon hopefully, thanks Kosmo Foto.

[@mforfilm4833]

Loved this video! I have a Lubitel, we always get into fights, take breaks, but then we always get back together! Agreed that this is probably one of the best travel/street photography companion. Great pictures btw!

[@petepictures]

Just a remark, (Lubitel) can also be translated-understood as a Lover of photography , or enthusiast in photography , which was used in many instances for the people who don't make money from the art, but are no less dedicated to it. Nice presentation. My first camera ever, was Smena 8M in the 70's

[@fasol1998]

Любитель = Amateur.

[@stevecurrie7939]

Great video, loved it. My first camera was a second hand Zenit E back in the early 80s when I was teenager with dreams of being Cartier-Bresson 😀

[@steffenbjoern]

Very good presentation. I learnt something new and extended some of my knowledge watching this film. The Lubitel is really a camera, I'd never ever considered buying if I hadn't seen your video. So, it's you to be blamed for another leak on my bank account... Obviously intentionally, you didn't mention my favourite "Babies", the Ukrainian cubes Salut-C and Kiev 80 till 88-CM series. Maybe, you like to make another series about advanced cameras. Even though it might be difficult to draw a borderline to this video as the low numbered Feds and Zorkis definitely are high end professional cameras with outstanding optics. I even consider my Fed 1g to be the best camera, I've ever held in my hands in my amateur career since 1979.

[@slavayorish4836]

Thank you, Stephen for a nice review. Zorky did not stopped on model 6. It made all the way until model 12. I was probably shooting with almost 90 per cent of existing Soviet cameras most of it were just a replicas of German, Japanese etc. But there were some unique like Tokarev panoramic camera, Horozont and some others.

[@22welcome]

Thank you so much for sharing this nice video about Zenit Camera , I have Zenit ttl an amazing film camera to have and use 📷💞

[@tonyb2760]

Very informative presentation. I currently own three Soviet made cameras and this was great to see. Thanks for sharing

[@jean-marcschwartz2525]

Hey Stephen, great to see you there. Happy to have a new analogic photo gear's channel. 👍

[@kosmofoto]

Thanks Jean-Marc, hopefull there will be a lot more videos for you to enjoy in the months to come.

[@nandakumarnarasimhan6720]

Great Job Stephen! Looking forward to seeing more! Keep going bro!

[@kosmofoto]

Very good of you, la!

[@ianhand5006]

My first real camera was a Zenit EM, which my Dad gave to me in 1980. I have a Zenit B, but I don’t use it as much as I should. Soviet cameras are quite remarkable and should not be overlooked.

[@robertalexander2478]

Glad I found you!!! Bought a Zenit 11 today

[@Edubarca46]

Fantastic video Stephen. Thanks for sharing. A very interesting story about USSR cameras. I suppose there are many more Soviet cameras so you couldn't describe all of them. However, you missed the famous Panoramic Horizont cameras which directly compete with the famous Japanese Widelux. It would be very interesting if you can talk about these models. Again congratulations and keep up the good work. Greetings from Colombia EDUARDO

[@rolandilles1014]

Thank you for this informative video!

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

Great to see you here Stephen!

[@kosmofoto]

Thanks mate!

[@MrSjpsjp]

An excellent guided tour. The first camera I used, fifty years ago was a Cosmic 35. After years away from film, now I have a Kiev 4A, another fine (and cheap!) camera.

[@kosmofoto]

Many thanks Steve. Soviet cameras can be really addictive. You might find yourself buying another... and another...

[@pzarc]

Thank you, very enjoyable and informative.

[@jonathandowman2770]

fantastic! thank you

[@JamesPearson]

Excellent video Stephen, Soviet cameras was my gateway back into film. They have so much charm and idiosyncrasies compared to their non-Soviet counterparts. Fun to make images with and the results can be beautiful. Great to see you making videos, looking forward to more.

[@kosmofoto]

Cheers James - nice to hear from you.

[@sbutler66]

Just found the site and channel via the dpreview film friday piece, it feels like my digital discovery equivalent of the kazakh warehouse discovery. keep up the great work!

[@kosmofoto]

Very kind of you, Stephen! This KZbin won't be updated as regularly as the blog, but there are some fun things taking shape. Thanks for stopping by.

[@tanyaskvortsova5863]

Love it! Fantastic guide, S!

[@kosmofoto]

Thanks, madam!

[@Murgoh]

Nice video, very informative. I have a few soviet cameras, a Kiev 88, a Zorki 4 and a Zenit E. I also have a Kiev 30 on the way, will have to figure out a way to slice the film for that one as it takes unperforated 16mm film. They are often clunky and quirky but mostly take good picrures and they are very cheap for their quality.

[@JanneRanta]

When I was looking for a medium format camera kiev-60 and kiev-88 were both on my shortlist. Didn't find one I liked but for next purchase they are still on the list.

[@deminmax]

Smena also means a working time. And at school children who stayed after the classes were studing in the second "smena" basicaly waiting for the pick up from their parents :) Lubitel can have a meaning of amateur. But it has never been used that way in Soviet countries. The word "lubitel" had a meaning of an enthusiast. You buy simple camere and when you are hooked and go deep in your hobby you are an enthusiast. Nice video btw!

[@dmytroyehorov2905]

Hello from Kyiv. I found your video and it’s pretty relaxing. I have Kiev-4 and two Zenit-EM (one in awesome condition). Maybe it’s enough for me now, but if I will take a decision to expand my collection I will watch your video again

[@kosmofoto]

Thank you for getting in touch, Dmytroy. That’s the start of a good shooting collection! I still find the range of cameras produced in the USSR really fascinating. You’ll be able to find many of the rarer models easily in Ukraine. Good luck!

[@felicitymakes]

Welcome to KZbin, Stephen! Great video :) Hope you cover some of the more obscure models in future videos. Then again, maybe not because I can't afford any more GAS =P

[@kosmofoto]

Yes, that's the plan - with well over 100 cameras in the cabinet, and some of them definitely obscure, I'm hoping there will be something for everyone.

[@robstammers7149]

A remarkable video, I've always been interested in Soviet cameras, I used to own a FED 4, a Zenith E and Kiev 35mm range finder way back in the 80s, wish I'd kept them if I'm honest, I miss them. Many thanks. Regards Rob (UK).

[@kosmofoto]

Many thanks for watching Rob. You can find all three of those cameras easily today if you fancy dipping your toes back into film.

[@robstammers7149]

@@kosmofoto As it happens, I'm already dipping my toes into film again, using a Canon ELAN 2, the 50E here in the UK, I also have a Canon 300V and a 500, you guessed I'm a collector. I'm currently collecting early Sony, Olympus and Konica/Minolta digital. My favourites are the Sony DSC R1 and Sony DSC F828, amongst others, thanks Stephen for your reply.

[@CristianGeelen]

Nicely done, Stephen. :)

[@kosmofoto]

Thanks Cris!

[@hayderassam]

Great video , I have the Zorki 4K and its a great camera to use ;)

[@kosmofoto]

Thanks Hayder - yeah, they are definitely not the most elegant of cameras but they are great shooters.

[@sgit1]

Nice presentation. Also to note, some Soviet cameras were rebranded simply by having another decal plaque glued on top of the original brand. For example, I have a Kalimar SR200 which I believe is really a Zenit-E in disguise. Kind regards.

[@RubtsoffAccordion]

It's the same camera.

[@edinburghtumuran916]

Great I am a collector of Zenit SLRs!

[@Seto45]

Nice video :D

[@1973sonvis]

Spasiba bolshoi! :)

[@LeendertCordemans]

Zorki translate sharp-sighted. Zarya translate dawn. Zenit or Zenith are the same meaning. Любитель - Lubitel means amateur.

[@nounejm2761]

I've got smena 6, it's mamazing for it's simplicity it is possible of good photos. However I have tryed Zenit TTL and it's very heavy. I think, that Praktica's are in some ways better, they have slow speeds and aren't so heavy, on the other hand, I've heard, that Zenit's are indestructable.

[@komradentomolog7701]

Definetly true,the nokia of cameras

[@kevindowdall3792]

I actually just got my grandads one recently refurbished it had the helios 44 2 58 mm in really good condition I'm doing shoots with it today at my sons communion indoors thing is I don't really know exactly how to use it I got 400 iso film I'm wondering what F stop and shutter speed to use indoors not the best of lighting if you get me we're all having a dinner in a pub and if I was to take outside shoots in the sun do you know what settings I'm looking at for that 🤔📸 thanks in advance

[@kosmofoto]

Hey Kevin, you can get a free lightmeter app for your smartphone which might be the best for the indoor stuff (lighting varies enormously). Outside in sunny weather on 400-ISO film, 1/500 at f/16 should be god, but make sure your subject is in the light, Good luck.

[@kevindowdall3792]

Thank you for that never realised I could get it on my phone app 🤣🤣 good luck to me thanks for the reply only starting my photography journey 🤪

[@Jamal_sml]

Will it work for PRL cameras? Poland

[@user-wc6vb3fn1s]

Kiev-60 wasn't answer to P6. There is an older model, Kiev 6C, wich is probably copied from P6, but Kiev 60 is heawily modified Kiev 6C, so it is not a copy anymore. There are also Kiev 35mm SLRs (10,15,17,20,19 and 19m) , those are the best cameras ever produced in USSR. Kiev-10 is a first ever SLR with automatic exposure. Kiev-35A probably worth mentioning too, it's a Minox-35 copy

[@kosmofoto]

Thanks. Definitely a big fan of the Kiev SLRs, but they're definitely not as easy to find as the Zenit SLRs. But there will be videos coming up looking at some of the other Kiev cameras too. The Kiev-35A is definitely not a camera I'd put on a list of reliable, easy to find cameras - they have a very poor reputation. I've never found one that worked properly.

[@user-wc6vb3fn1s]

@@kosmofoto well, to be fair, Minox isn't reliable either. Feel free to contact me if you'll need any help in finding Kiev cameras or more or less rare lenses (like Arsat H 1.4/50) for them , after all, I live in Kyiv, so it'll be easier for me to find them

[@kosmofoto]

@@user-wc6vb3fn1s I will definitely do that. Been looking for some of the lenses for my Kiev 19s.

[@mrbwa1]

I didn't realize you don't have a Kiev 4. Maybe I need to do a writeup and/or video on them.

[@kosmofoto]

Please do!

[@victor-zi3md]

Hello dear Kosmo photo, how are you? I'm writting you because my girlfriend is obsessed with one vintage analog camera and i just dicover your chanel. I have a few questions for you. All this soviet cameras can make photos on colour and in black and white? Soviet cameras uses universal reels? I don't know nothing about cameras, but want to buy one for her. Any recomendations? Bests

[@kosmofoto]

Hello Victor - yes, any camera that takes 35mm film will be fin with colour and black-and-white. Many Soviet cameras use 35mm film. I would suggest something like a Zenit-E or Zenit-12XP would be a good place to start.

[@victor-zi3md]

​@@kosmofoto Many many thanks my friend. I'm seeing a Zenit-E with a HELIOS-44-2 2/58 Lens. What do you think? It uses a 35mm film right?

[@kosmofoto]

@@victor-zi3md Yes it does. All Zenit cameras use 35mm film.

[@victor-zi3md]

@@kosmofoto thank you so much my friend

[@alexandersedykh9280]

The 'Smena' also means the period of stay of the child in the pioneer camp, which was usually 28 days

[@kosmofoto]

Wow. In 25 years of collecting Soviet cameras, I'd not come across that bit of info - thanks for that!

[@mkshffr4936]

I have been thinking that Russian cameras might be a really fun way to get into medium format but I am not sure how available they are hear in the states. Did the Russians ever make large format cameras?

[@kosmofoto]

They did, but not many models. The best bet for the medium format models is a Lubitel TLR or a Kiev-60 SLR.

[@billcarson8973]

@@kosmofoto Try Moskva (Moscow) - 1...5 models

[@kto-totam]

Большинство советских камер имеют минимальную комплектацию, они очень ломкие, их сложно ремонтировать. Зато у них очень доступные цены.

[@sandor7594]

Only films were crap in the Soviet Union. Even the resolution of B&W films was terrible. The best films they imported was NDK ORWO, actually made on the old Agfa base. ORWO was the only good film in the East. A Zenit camera with a Helios lens can also be fed with the best Kodak film, because the quality of the Helios 44 reaches the level of the Zeiss optics.

[@komradentomolog7701]

Comrade stalin's personal camera

[@randomlyrelatable1372]

Is it real that the had betters cameras than the west in the cold war ?

[@vatanenj]

You dont addres a few features of russian cameras: First and worst: No quality control. Second: they were made within "five year plan" no mater how they turned out, main thing was to meet the required quantity. Third: the "funny russian design style" in my mind, very aquard looking stuff.

[@roygardiner2229]

My one and only Russian camera was the Zenit E, bought in 1968. Look....it was....OK....-ish. But once I started using Pentax and Minolta cameras there is no way that I would want to "go back" to a Russian camera. The Japanese cameras are mechanically more reliable, are better looking, have better ergonomic design, and I do consider their lenses to be preferable to the Russian Helios lens. I am just bored with all this adoration of the latter's "swirly bokeh". I don't consider it as anything more than a distraction, I don't really like its appearance, and its presence is an indicator of aberration in the optical design.

[@vladnickul]

not really leica copy. canon and leotax nicca even nikon made copies. ussr ones are, not even look alike, just weak m39 mount cameras

[@GeorgeStar]

Their cameras are built like their tanks. That should tell you something.

[@jakekaywell5972]

That they will work no matter how badly they're maintained or otherwise treated?

[@GeorgeStar]

@@jakekaywell5972 They blow up when the wind blows.