USSR copies of Chinese cameras

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Printed on: 5/15/2026 3:46:19 AM

Topic

Topic author: USSRBJ

Posted on: 20090108214836

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.[:D]
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.[:D]

Zi jin shan, copy of Zenit

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWbBgruZalI/AAAAAAAAACc/g_62zIQ4L8A/s640/zi%20jin%20shan.jpg

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

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWbBeRp0ofI/AAAAAAAAAB4/fHG4669AiJw/s640/shanghai58-1.JPG

Nanjing58-2, copy of Fed 2

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWbBgKWXPjI/AAAAAAAAACU/jb0-QJUeYFM/s640/nang%20jing.jpg

Changle, copy of Lubitel

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWbBfhybKjI/AAAAAAAAACM/8KiZBn6lNIo/s640/chang%20le.JPG

Changjiang, Huashan, copies of Smena

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWbBhIs0uZI/AAAAAAAAACk/0rL4BTzDLDg/s720/chang%20jiang.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWbBhRT7b6I/AAAAAAAAACs/VckUZfLxAvI/hua%20shan.jpg

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

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWbBfLlGQ5I/AAAAAAAAACE/decKtF7HcC0/s640/xing%20guang.JPG

Replies

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20090108233112

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

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090109031327

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.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="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
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20090109040216

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

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090109043435

Ok, no problem. If there is any news, I will contact with you.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="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.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: Zoom

Replied on: 20090109160732

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090109193927

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

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Zoom
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by USSRBJ
 ...Xing guang was made by BEIJING CAMERA FACTORY.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Btw., may be you know: where was in a 1950s--1960s the "State North-West optical mechanical plant" (in Russian: "Ãîñóäàðñòâåííû?Ñåâåðî-Çàïàäíûé îïòèêî-ìåõàíè÷åñêèé çàâî?)?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090110100254

Another version of Chang Jiang.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hITn7CrbajI/SWjGL1eVE7I/AAAAAAAAAEw/9j9NrK5KzOw/changjiang%20x1.jpg

Reply author: Zoom

Replied on: 20090110171406

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by USSRBJ
 Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
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?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by USSRBJ
 Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
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.

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090110191423

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.[:D]
As the story goes, Hua Shan's lense and shutter assembly were made in USSR.

Best regarts,
Zhou

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Zoom
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by USSRBJ
 Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
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?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by USSRBJ
 Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
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.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090111103721

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.

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20090111104118

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.

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20090111104658

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.

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090111111404

Hi Vlad,
I have changed that entry. I'll keep on learning how to use this fully functional site.[:D]

Best regards,
Zhou
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="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.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: Zoom

Replied on: 20090111153852

Reply author: USSRBJ

Replied on: 20090111191229

Hi,

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

Zhou
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Zoom
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by USSRBJ
 
Xibei in Chinese means "North-West".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Wow... Interesting: from what place it was located as "North-West"? ;)
Thank you!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: jokerrabit

Replied on: 20100123052022

Hi dose any one have any knowledge about a Chinese camera called Huqiu 35mm?

http://www.camerasdownunder.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_hp116.jpg

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

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20100123075218

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

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

I have this version and this:

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

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

What do you want to know?

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: jokerrabit

Replied on: 20100124091730

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What do you want to know?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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?

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20100124120912

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

Reply author: jokerrabit

Replied on: 20100125173303

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.

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20100125223525

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

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

Hope this helps!

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: jokerrabit

Replied on: 20100126081927

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[:D]

Reply author: JS1

Replied on: 20141204001710

Very interesting post.

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

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff179/camera_collection/Shanghai58-1195762.jpg

best regards
Johan

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20141204110519

This Shanghai is much nearer a Leica IIIb than Zorki or FED
Shanghai has slow speeds and prismatic finder (towards joining oculars
Regards
LP

Reply author: AlexanderK

Replied on: 20141204140251

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

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20141204141419

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

Reply author: Lenny

Replied on: 20141205034248

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="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".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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.