Topic
Topic author: dee
Posted on: 20100125173136
I have been questioning why I like Soviet era cameras .
Originally , in mid 2006 , I bought a pair of black Leica copies -from Mika at Moscow Photo .
I loved using them on a rare holiday and the 50s feel of the slides .
This revived my snapshooting after a 10 year break .
Was it because they were inexpensive ? Cost effective substitute Leicas ? From a mysterious culture ?
Probably a little of everything , but I was probably seduced by the Leica connection more than USSR .
it does not explain looking for more - I began to become intrigued by the derivations on the original Leica II base - Zorki S and Zenit S in particular .
OK , they are affordable , although I bought restored and more expensive cameras and immaculate faux wartime Leicas .
These I bought for the style , finish and exquiste , if fanciful engraving !
These are really unique to the new era of craftsmanship where the input seems out of all proportion to the selling price -£60 / 70 Zorki S / 1 .
But Kiev / Contax blurred the boundaries until origin is immaterial - quality of early cameras is that of my Contax III - but with a different chrome finish .
I have several Fed 2 , but ultimately , it's the Leica II / Contax close cousins which I prefer .
As for collecting rather than using - Guilty as charged , but why not ?
Originally , in mid 2006 , I bought a pair of black Leica copies -from Mika at Moscow Photo .
I loved using them on a rare holiday and the 50s feel of the slides .
This revived my snapshooting after a 10 year break .
Was it because they were inexpensive ? Cost effective substitute Leicas ? From a mysterious culture ?
Probably a little of everything , but I was probably seduced by the Leica connection more than USSR .
it does not explain looking for more - I began to become intrigued by the derivations on the original Leica II base - Zorki S and Zenit S in particular .
OK , they are affordable , although I bought restored and more expensive cameras and immaculate faux wartime Leicas .
These I bought for the style , finish and exquiste , if fanciful engraving !
These are really unique to the new era of craftsmanship where the input seems out of all proportion to the selling price -£60 / 70 Zorki S / 1 .
But Kiev / Contax blurred the boundaries until origin is immaterial - quality of early cameras is that of my Contax III - but with a different chrome finish .
I have several Fed 2 , but ultimately , it's the Leica II / Contax close cousins which I prefer .
As for collecting rather than using - Guilty as charged , but why not ?