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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ

China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 08 2009 :  9:48:36 PM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Actually, I have no Chinese old cameras until today. All of may collections are USSR cameras. But I find some of you like Chinese cameras especially those USSR clones, so I thinks this topic is not exceed the extent of our forums.
All of these pictures showed to you are from other Chiese collectors. Thanks for their share.

I think my cameras' knowledge is poor, so if there is any wrong with what i describe, please correct it.

Zi jin shan, copy of Zenit


Shanghai58-1(not 58-2), copy of Zorki


Nanjing58-2, copy of Fed 2


Changle, copy of Lubitel


Changjiang, Huashan, copies of Smena



I find a rare Chinese camera called Xingguang also has some common parts with Smena, especially the top of the camera.


Juhani Halmeenmaki
cedricfan
Finland
1005 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 08 2009 :  11:31:12 PM  Show Profile  Visit cedricfan's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Lovely, thanks! Is the Xing Guang hard to find? My contacts in China have not yet found me one. I already have Changjiang and Huashan as I collect Smena..

Best regards,
Juhani
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 09 2009 :  03:13:27 AM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Juhani,
Xing guang is rare even in China.
It's a simple camera with: shutter speed:1/25,B; aperture:F8,F11,F16
Xing guang was made by BEIJING CAMERA FACTORY.

quote:
Originally posted by cedricfan

Lovely, thanks! Is the Xing Guang hard to find? My contacts in China have not yet found me one. I already have Changjiang and Huashan as I collect Smena..

Best regards,
Juhani

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Juhani Halmeenmaki
cedricfan
Finland
1005 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 09 2009 :  04:02:16 AM  Show Profile  Visit cedricfan's Homepage  Reply with Quote
If you ever see one that could be bought please inform me, I can propably arrange the shipping and payment with my contacts.
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 09 2009 :  04:34:35 AM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Ok, no problem. If there is any news, I will contact with you.
quote:
Originally posted by cedricfan

If you ever see one that could be bought please inform me, I can propably arrange the shipping and payment with my contacts.


Edited by - USSRBJ on Jan 09 2009 7:47:04 PM
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Zoom
596 Posts
Posted - Jan 09 2009 :  4:07:32 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ

...Xing guang was made by BEIJING CAMERA FACTORY.


Btw., may be you know: where was in a 1950s--1960s the "State North-West optical mechanical plant" (in Russian: "Государственный Северо-Западный оптико-механический завод")?
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 09 2009 :  7:39:27 PM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Hi,
Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory. It was found in Xi An, Shaan Xi provice, 1957.
Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory in 1958, and were massly producted in 1959 and 1961 respectively.

Best wishes,
Zhou


quote:
Originally posted by Zoom

quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ

...Xing guang was made by BEIJING CAMERA FACTORY.


Btw., may be you know: where was in a 1950s--1960s the "State North-West optical mechanical plant" (in Russian: "Государственны?Северо-Западный оптико-механический заво?)?


Edited by - USSRBJ on Jan 09 2009 7:51:12 PM
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 10 2009 :  10:02:54 AM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Another version of Chang Jiang.
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Zoom
596 Posts
Posted - Jan 10 2009 :  5:14:06 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ

Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory.


Thank you! The year of this plant foundation is very close to my data. But is it correct to say that the Shaan Xi provice is in North-West?

quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ

Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory...


I think that it is too hard to make an independed design of something if you have an all original documents, an original soviet equipment and a soviet specialists to help. ;)
This plant (and I think that all others too, up to 1960 year) was build by USSR.

Edited by - Zoom on Jan 10 2009 6:22:50 PM
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 10 2009 :  7:14:23 PM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Hi Zoom,

Xibei in Chinese means "North-West".

There were lots of USSR helping item in China, 1950s, and I also think Hua Shan's production is one of them. Maybe I'd better use "imitate" instead of "design", sorry for neglect.
As the story goes, Hua Shan's lense and shutter assembly were made in USSR.

Best regarts,
Zhou

quote:
Originally posted by Zoom

quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ

Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory.


Thank you! The year of this plant foundation is very close to my data. But is it correct to say that the Shaan Xi provice is in North-West?

quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ

Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory...


I think that it is too hard to make an independed design of something if you have an all original documents, an original soviet equipment and a soviet specialists to help. ;)
This plant (and I think that all others too, up to 1960 year) was build by USSR.


Edited by - USSRBJ on Jan 10 2009 7:15:27 PM
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 11 2009 :  10:37:21 AM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
I find there is a mistake in Wiki catalog. That F-21 copy called "SY 916" is wrong. It's real name is "1503". In my memory, "SY 916" is the nickname of author who mentioned 1503 in his article.
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Vladislav Kern
Vlad
USA
4236 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 11 2009 :  10:41:18 AM  Show Profile  Visit Vlad's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Please go ahead and edit that entry, that is why it's WIKI for a reason, if you see a mistake and you are sure of a correct answer, just change it!

Thanks!!
Vlad.
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Vladislav Kern
Vlad
USA
4236 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 11 2009 :  10:46:58 AM  Show Profile  Visit Vlad's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Zhou,

The Zi jin shan seems to be more of copy of an Exakta rather than Zenit and Shanghai58-1 I think is direct copy of Leica rather than Zorki due to the front slow shutter dial... just seems like the Soviet industry didn't really have impact on these 2 particular designs.. but the Changle and the others are clearly Soviet "borrowed" design..

Vlad.
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 11 2009 :  11:14:04 AM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Hi Vlad,
I have changed that entry. I'll keep on learning how to use this fully functional site.

Best regards,
Zhou
quote:
Originally posted by Vlad

Please go ahead and edit that entry, that is why it's WIKI for a reason, if you see a mistake and you are sure of a correct answer, just change it!

Thanks!!
Vlad.

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Zoom
596 Posts
Posted - Jan 11 2009 :  3:38:52 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ


Xibei in Chinese means "North-West".


Wow... Interesting: from what place it was located as "North-West"? ;)
Thank you!
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Wei Zhou
USSRBJ
China
19 Posts
Posted - Jan 11 2009 :  7:12:29 PM  Show Profile  Click to see USSRBJ's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Hi,

North-West of China consist of Shaan Xi, Gan Su, Qing Hai, Ning Xia, Xin Jiang.

Zhou
quote:
Originally posted by Zoom

quote:
Originally posted by USSRBJ


Xibei in Chinese means "North-West".


Wow... Interesting: from what place it was located as "North-West"? ;)
Thank you!

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jokerrabit
4 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 23 2010 :  05:20:22 AM  Show Profile  Visit jokerrabit's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Hi dose any one have any knowledge about a Chinese camera called Huqiu 35mm?

this guy would like to know about it
http://www.camerasdownunder.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=4&pos=17
as well as my self.

Edited by - jokerrabit on Jan 23 2010 05:25:42 AM
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Juhani Halmeenmaki
cedricfan
Finland
1005 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 23 2010 :  07:52:18 AM  Show Profile  Visit cedricfan's Homepage  Reply with Quote

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2312010_Huqiu1.JPG

I have this version and this:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2312010_DSCF1687.jpg

What do you want to know?

Best regards,
Juhani
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jokerrabit
4 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 24 2010 :  09:17:30 AM  Show Profile  Visit jokerrabit's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
What do you want to know?


thank you Juhani
first off when and where was it made? how many and for how long? is it a common camera? is it a knock off of something else or it's own design? what are the shutter speeds focal lengths? stuff like this. are there any special features?
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Juhani Halmeenmaki
cedricfan
Finland
1005 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 24 2010 :  12:09:12 PM  Show Profile  Visit cedricfan's Homepage  Reply with Quote
It has the same lens/shutter construction than already Seagulls had in 1960ies: 45mm f/2,8 and speeds B & 1s - 1/300s.
Typical to Huqiu is the Canonet-like film advance lever & shutter release design.
Most likely no exposure meter but coupled rangefinder.
Made in mid-70ies.
If someone can translate Chinese then I will scan a page of my Chinese camera book?

Best regards,
Juhani
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jokerrabit
4 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 25 2010 :  5:33:03 PM  Show Profile  Visit jokerrabit's Homepage  Reply with Quote
thank you very much! Juhani, I'd like to add this camera to my collection some day so this will help me allot. if you can scan the pages of your Chinese camera book that could turn out to be very useful. my brother in-law is Hmong and I also have a Chinese friend who might be able to help in translating the pages. that is if no one here can do it in the first place.

than you again.

Edited by - jokerrabit on Jan 25 2010 6:13:08 PM
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Juhani Halmeenmaki
cedricfan
Finland
1005 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 25 2010 :  10:35:25 PM  Show Profile  Visit cedricfan's Homepage  Reply with Quote

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2512010_Huqiu.JPG

Hope this helps!

Best regards,
Juhani
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jokerrabit
4 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Jan 26 2010 :  08:19:27 AM  Show Profile  Visit jokerrabit's Homepage  Reply with Quote
yes thank you very much Juhani, very cool of you to post this. if I can get it translated I'll post it back up here. laters
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JS1
5 Posts
Posted - Dec 04 2014 :  12:17:10 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Very interesting post.

I probably will add a Shanghai 58-1 to my collection, a Leica/Zorki/Fed copy of 1958



best regards
Johan
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Luiz Paracampo
Luiz Paracampo
Brazil
1959 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Dec 04 2014 :  11:05:19 AM  Show Profile  Visit Luiz Paracampo's Homepage  Reply with Quote
This Shanghai is much nearer a Leica IIIb than Zorki or FED
Shanghai has slow speeds and prismatic finder (towards joining oculars
Regards
LP
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Alexander K.
AlexanderK
Germany
584 Posts
Posted - Dec 04 2014 :  2:02:51 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I find the title of this topic quite curious. There were no USSR copies of Chinese cameras as well as there were almost NO Chinese copies of the USSR cameras.
All "Chinese copies" were really the original USSR cameras, that were produced on the factories built by USSR in China. All these cameras were made with the original soviet technical documentation from original soviet parts under the coaching of the soviet engineers.
So they were not a copy, but the original, branded for the "USSR younger brother".

What is about Chinese Lieca-copies? I think they are copies of original Leica, but not the copies of FED or Zorki (may be except of FED-2?).

Regards, Alexander
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Juhani Halmeenmaki
cedricfan
Finland
1005 Posts
My Collection

Posted - Dec 04 2014 :  2:14:19 PM  Show Profile  Visit cedricfan's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Originally it was so. But later the USSR-designs were modified to suit Chinese. Also designs like shutter and lens were adopted to many cameras, which lead to that most Chinese cameras are technically almost same. So not copies, but neither original either, except the very few earliest models. Same evolution that happened with Fed, Kiev and Zorki.

Best regards,
Juhani

Edited by - cedricfan on Dec 04 2014 10:54:50 PM
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Lenny
496 Posts
Posted - Dec 05 2014 :  03:42:48 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by AlexanderK

I find the title of this topic quite curious. There were no USSR copies of Chinese cameras as well as there were almost NO Chinese copies of the USSR cameras.
All "Chinese copies" were really the original USSR cameras, that were produced on the factories built by USSR in China. All these cameras were made with the original soviet technical documentation from original soviet parts under the coaching of the soviet engineers.
So they were not a copy, but the original, branded for the "USSR younger brother".



Interesting. I didn't know that FED and KMZ produced in China.
Were these cams only produced for the chinese market?
When did this USSR/China cooperation start? 1958?
They made the Fed-2. How about Zorki-2C and Zorki-5?
Zorki-2C and Zorki-5 have a big gap in the serial numbers. Zorki-2C was produced till around #5816xxxx and then started again with #589xxxxx. Zorki-5 had first a 7-digit serial number in 1958 and later in 1958 it changed to 8-digits starting with 589xxxxx also.
Could it be that all 589xxxxx Zorki-2C and Zorki-5 are chinese made?
I'm not sure about Fed-2, but there are changes in the serial-number-system also.

The Zenit copy "Zi jin shan" shown in the first photo in this thread seems to be a real chinese copy before this USSR/China cooperation.
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