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Memories of my friend Isaak Maizenberg

Added by Vlad in Articles

kiev 15 TEE and lens outfit

Added by Luiz Paracampo in Kiev / Arsenal - Kiev SLR

Kometa brochure

Added by Vlad in Advertising Brochures

Tento Zenit Brochure

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SKF-1 on Digital cameras

Added by Luiz Paracampo in Stereo Attachments

Kiev 4AМ Black aftermarket modification

Added by Denn_kirov in Kiev / Arsenal - Kiev Rangefinder

Kiev III/IV crossover model 1957

Added by Denn_kirov in Kiev / Arsenal - Kiev Rangefinder

Zorki 1 with black nylon cover

Added by Jacques M. in KMZ - Zorki

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Memories of my friend Isaak Maizenberg

Last edited by Greg Prior in Articles

Kiev 4/4a without logo on the clip (1968)

Last edited by Jacques M. in Kiev / Arsenal - Kiev Rangefinder

Kiev 19

Last edited by villava in Kiev / Arsenal - Kiev SLR

FED macro collapsible Industar 10

Last edited by Jacques M. in FED

Kiev 3 / III Ukrainian Logo

Last edited by Jacques M. in Kiev / Arsenal - Kiev Rangefinder

Fed 1 Anniversary 1654-1954

Last edited by Jacques M. in Commemorative Cameras

Fed 3b Great October - 50

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Vlad 06/10/2026 17:00Collectors and Users Open Forum3 views

Wiki Article: Memories of my friend Isaak Maizenberg by Greg Prior

This is a preface to a preface. On May 31, 2026, I met Greg Prior at a camera show in Detroit, Michigan. We had a very pleasant conversation and soon discovered that we shared an interest in Isaak Maizenberg. Greg had known Isaak personally, while I knew of him through his reputation and through many people in the camera collecting community who had known or worked with him.
Isaak was a prominent figure in the Soviet photographic world. He authored numerous articles for Soviet photography magazines, books on camera repair and was a renowned camera repairman in both the Soviet Union and the United States. He was also one of the pioneers of Soviet camera collecting and restoration, helping to shape the hobby and preserve its history for future generations.
After the show, Greg and I continued communicating and agreed that it would be a great idea to write an article about Isaak. The article below was written by Greg and is accompanied by an article from Shutterbug magazine. Together, they serve as a tribute to Isaak's life, his contributions to photography, and the lasting impression he made on those who knew him. I believe this site would be a perfect place to host this article. Thank you @Greg Prior!
https://ussrphoto.com/modern/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=50&ParentID=49&ContentID=1738&Item=Memories+of+my+friend+Isaak+Maizenberg++

Vlad 06/08/2026 17:07Collectors and Users Open Forum7 views

Black framed logo Smena Symbol

Hi all,
I added this supposedly rare Smena Symbol to my collection, does anyone have this one to compare serial #? Mine is 79250290

Best regards,
Vlad

cedricfan06/09/2026 11:17

Same text and black plate but another font... 1982
https://www.cedricfan.sivut.ws/website/My%20cameras/Smena%203/slides/DSCF1650a.html

Vlad06/10/2026 10:34

thanks Juhani, it is a different type of nameplate though, Aidas had this one in this list but the year was different so i'm curious now

tablemix 06/08/2026 16:56Collectors and Users Open Forum4 views

Zenit 16 shutter repair

Hey all,
Does anyone know much about repairing the Zenit 16 shutter? Does it need specialist repair or could any film camera repair store do it?
The shutter is only firing at 1/1000 no matter what shutter speed i set it too.

Vlad06/08/2026 17:04

hmm.. it's a pretty odd vertical shutter.. I think Oleg Khalyavin in Slovakia may be able to fix it but I am not sure where you can find someone in Australia, you can ask around..

liukai 05/21/2024 22:13Photo Gallery3,081 views

F21 camera photos taken

fuji positive film rvp100,my son

liukai06/16/2024 02:44

quote:Originally posted by seany65
Thanks for posting this liukai. It's an interesting result, quite "arty". Although I am a little puzzled about what I'm seeing, especially the dark bits that are mostly at the top and bottom, and the white bits.

Maybe it's because it was filmed directly

seany6506/18/2024 19:08

Thanks for the reply Liukai. I don't really understand what you mean though. Did you use a camera to take a photograph through the viewfinder of another camera, and the dark bits at the top and bottom are part of the 2nd camera?

Vlad06/08/2026 15:54

Thanks for the reply Liukai. I don't really understand what you mean though. Did you use a camera to take a photograph through the viewfinder of another camera, and the dark bits at the top and bottom are part of the 2nd camera?

it's just a slide viewer that was taken photo of.

Jacques M. 01/29/2024 04:37Collectors and Users Open Forum2,622 views

A coupled Industar 7 ?

Hello,
I fell on this very curious GOMZ Industar 7 some days ago. It is here now.

I don't know when, nor by whom it was made. But that does not look like a "home made" work. I am astonished too by the very early serial number... If anybody has an idea...
Thanks! Jacques.

seany6502/07/2024 19:01

Jacques, I'd like to know how much of the viewfinder image you can see when it's on the Fed, and whether you can see anything at all if there's a lens hood on the lens?

Jacques M.02/08/2024 10:20

Hi Sean,
The lens takes 1/3 - 1/4 in the viewfinder. No idea with a sunshade.
It is not visible when using the 100mm Fed finder.
Amitiés. Jacques.

Jacques M.06/08/2026 07:01

Another GOMZ Industar 7 M39, much later than mine by the serial number (110414 vs 1129), with a different system of coupling (shortened distance scale)...Photos by "la Gazette Drouot".
Amitiés. Jacques.

mermoz37 01/05/2010 11:09Collectors and Users Open Forum217,245 views

just arrived in my collection

note :
a "no-name" factory design Lubitel (black front paint whith original rivets) may be to be silk screen rebadged in export or just for International exibition ? (never used)
and an original Kristall whithout usual hammered grey enamel.Seem to be factory made like this : soft matt aluminium (whithout any scratches or cracks)...I can confirm never painted.
serial number : 61018045

Jacques M.06/03/2026 02:43

Marvelous! Congrats, Vlad!
I have too a 1947 Kiev, but much less convincing than yours! (s/n 47168 with "Kiev" in bold characters).
Amitiés. Jacques.

Jacques M.06/04/2026 08:09

A 1968 Kiev 4a, with the s/n only on the clip.But after the 1947 Kiev, that doesn't look seriious!
Jacques.

Jacques M.06/06/2026 07:59

The last evolution of the stepped 3a "1 name" just before the "2 names" (still stepped).A thread will come soon!
Amitiés. Jacques.

tablemix 12/05/2023 17:00Want to Buy4,673 views

Looking for a Zenit 18

Hey,
Does anyone happen to be selling a working Zenit 18?

Valkir198708/20/2025 08:49

I found this interesting repair instruction, with the original schematic. It does not show an optocoupler circuit like the Praktica EE2/EE2. But it uses and IC for the memory instead.
When this camera was produced (1980-1987) the Praktica B series was already in production.
https://fotoussr.ru/articles/zenit-18-repair/

Valkir198709/09/2025 14:11

A dutch photo store has one on stock for a good price:
https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/audio-tv-en-foto/fotocamera-s-analoog/m2303656621-zenit-18-zeldzaam

Mikhailovich06/01/2026 08:07

What amount of money are we talking about, if I am ready to sell this camera in full factory equipment and in excellent condition.(ME-1 lens, passport, box, belt).

Jacques M. 05/28/2026 05:02Collectors and Users Open Forum3 views

Proxi (repro?) device for Fed 1.

Hello,
I have received lately a proxi device for Fed 1.

It was certainly prewar made, when the "macro" 3,5/50mm Fed did not yet exist, so before 1938.
An interesting device, with an additional +2 lens which fits only the 3,5/50mm lens, and a very well made correcting finder with two optical parts. All that is connected to the rangefinder, of course. As to make correct photos with all that...🤔

Vlad05/28/2026 09:11

Hi Jacques,
this is a logo of Izyum Factory in Soviet Ukraine which was established in 1956 so it seems to be a post-war product.
Thank you and I'm glad you like the forum updates, more are coming.
Best regards,
Vlad

Vlad05/28/2026 09:13

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%98%D0%B7%D1%8E%D0%BC%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE-%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%85%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4

Jacques M.05/28/2026 09:45

Many thanks, Vlad!
OK. If I understand correctly, I will have to put that accessory on a late 1g rather on a 1b...🤔
That puts another question. Why that device made after 1956? It can be put only on Fed 1/Zorki 1 cameras (both discontinued in 1955/56) and only on a collapsible 3,5/50mm...
I am perplax...
Amitiés. Jacques.
PS: the Princelle quotes the +1 version only (p 273).

uwittehh 03/02/2025 14:18Collectors and Users Open Forum4,747 views

Repair instructions on my site

Hello,
I think this might be of interest to you all too, so I have put all my repair instructions, which were scattered all over my website, together on one page.
All pages are still in German, but I will translate them into English in the future.
If you are interested you can have a look: http://ritzelkiste.de/kameras/repair/index.htm
Have fun
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.de

uwittehh05/24/2026 15:49

Right, I’ve successfully taken the Droug apart, repaired it and put it back together again :-)
Here’s a brief guide (it could be much longer), but it was already enough work as it was...
http://ritzelkiste.de/kameras/drougrepair/indexe.htm
Enjoy watching.
Ulrich

Jacques M.05/25/2026 04:31

Hats off once more, Ulrich! Your guide gives an idea of the complexity of this camera.
I did not think it was so different from the "ordinary" Zorkis... and so well made.
I suppose you have put the extra pin in a safe, to get it out, just in case?😉
Amitiés. Jacques.

uwittehh05/25/2026 15:43

Jacques,
thank you very much. I was also really surprised by the camera’s modular design and high-quality build. I suppose that’s why so few were ever made. It wasn’t possible to manufacture it at a profit under the Soviet system.
Of course, I kept the bolt; maybe I'll take the other Droug apart again just enough to see if it belongs there or not :-)
Ulrich

Vlad 07/17/2023 09:21Collectors and Users Open Forum6,036 views

[UPDATE] - REGISTRATION REOPENED. <s>FORUM REGISTRATION TEMPORARILY CLOSED</s>

All,
Due to a recent massive spammers attacks on this forum, I am temporarily closing new member registration.
It can be opened by request if you would like to register and participate - please email me at ussrphotohelp@gmail.com with a short introduction of yourself and why you want to join and I will open it for a few hours so you can register in the forum.
I will reconsider reopening it in a couple of months to see if spam subsides.
Thanks for you understanding and I apologize if anyone got any spam emails from this site.
Best regards,
Vlad
USSRPhoto.com Admin

Vlad01/17/2024 08:41

I decided to try a different approach. The registration will stay open for the time being but there will be a registration password asked during the new user registration. Contact me at ussrphotohelp@gmail.com to get one. We'll see if that will stop the spammers from registering. If not, I will close it once again.
Best regards,
Vlad

Vlad05/22/2026 10:53

The registration process has been reopened and now includes an approval step. Please make sure to complete the two required fields explaining why you'd like to join and providing a brief introduction about yourself. This information helps us review applications and prevent spam registrations.
Thanks,
Vlad

Latest Catalog Entries

Memories of my friend Isaak Maizenberg

Fed 5B, A gift from Viktor Georgievich Kulikov

Kiev 4/4a without logo on the clip (1968)

Teknointorg Istanbul newspaper ads

Industar-7 LTM

kiev 15 TEE and lens outfit

Kometa brochure

Tento Zenit Brochure

SKF-1 on Digital cameras

Kiev 4AМ Black aftermarket modification

Kiev III/IV crossover model 1957

Zorki 1 with black nylon cover

Memories of my friend Isaak Maizenberg

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Kiev 4/4a without logo on the clip (1968)

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Fed 3a Type 1 second version.

FED macro collapsible Industar 10

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Kiev 3 / III Ukrainian Logo

Fed 1 Anniversary 1654-1954

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Fed 3b Great October - 50

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