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VTSVS more doubts

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Printed on: 5/7/2026 2:32:23 PM


Topic

Topic author: Luiz Paracampo

Posted on: 20170217122708

interesting article
http://photolubitel.com/index.php?route=module/kbm/article&kbm_article_id=2
Lots of evidences of being a German made câmera.
Why only 100 pieces?
LP

Replies

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20170217122747

repair: Why only 1000 pieces?

Reply author: AlexanderK

Replied on: 20170217132447

Luiz,
have you ever seen this camera with the s/n with 4 digits? I did not.
So, this very little batch for such camera could proof the assumption about the possible "gift camera", but it is only speculations.
And the article is really very interesting!

Regards, Alexander

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170217141810


Impossible to have a comprehensible translation. No doubt it is interesting! I just understand that the Jena-Contax production is put in relation with the TSVVS as they have the same 2/5cm Sonnar lenses, in the same numbers. I add that the first western IIa too (the "P" series)...

I add too that the Jena-Contaxes (except the first ones) have a back made of brass, just like the TSVVS.

Jacques.

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20170218082606

I will try a translation
the text is very logic and made me think a bout
I speculare the Ucaflex and Neuca as relating with Zenit and Zorki
As well as Finetta and Leningrad
The VTSVS has its passport shown in the article the fonts are not the standard GOST type This ponts to a foreign manufacture
the Curtain fabrics is the same of Contax S The number "3" and "B" denotes German manufacture etc....
Regards
LP

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20170218091630

Thanks Luiz.
It seems to confirm the hypothesis of German origins.
As for the passport, it's the first official paper we have about this camera...

Jacques.

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20170219092952

We previous ly thoroughly discussed about this particular câmera at

http://ussrphoto.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=790&whichpage=1
and
http://ussrphoto.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=790&whichpage=2

I believe we are near to determine details
Intriguing is its chrome finish Extremely similar to Voitlander Prominent from 1954 -But VTSVS was made in 1949-1950! No other german câmera shows this kind of finish
a Set of 1000 câmeras was absolutely normal at those times... A "large" production
Regards
LP

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20170219094039

Hello Gentlemen,

I've read this article before, it's just an exploratory piece based on various information and does not offer any conclusions. It has evidence for and against German manufacture as well as running theories of KMZ, FED and Almaz production. As for the shown passport, it is not a VTSVS/TSVVS camera passport - it is a passport for a mechanical part that was actually used by topographical service, a "control mesh" and has nothing to do with the camera but has to do with the VTS service.

The article does offer indepth analysis of various mechanical details of the camera so that part is very well written. Especially the part when it says that the simplification of parts has been done like it has been done on FED factory to be able to mass manufacture cameras easily - that's a definite argument against German origin.

Having been able to hold a few of these cameras in my hands, I will keep saying it was too high of a quality camera to be done at the time by Soviet manufacture.. it just feels too foreign and I would be very surprised if it was made on Soviet factory other than major known soviet camera factories due to the highest quality of manufacture exhibited only by a camera maker that has been making similar cameras for many years... but I digress [:)]

Best regards,
Vlad