Ajax F-21 serial numbers

Hi!

Does anyone know the meaning of serial numbers on Ajax F-21 cameras?

They seem to be of the style "No. 77456", "T842345" or even "A70003". And there are some with no serials, and others with the serials deliberately erased. What's going on?

It looks to me that many follow the standard approach of the first two numbers being the year of manufacture, but I also see that cameras numbered e.g. 77123 have passports from 1962.

Another know how to interpret them?

Thanks,

Michael.

T or not, the first 2 numbers are the year of production. as it was produced to the special needs of the kgb, there were variants without numbers and other specialities. I own one and I have a slicer to cut film for it. it works well. http://www.subcompactcam.com/21mm_ajax_f21.htm

www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com

Hello Michael

As xya said the first two digits represents the year, but it's from an unknown date on. Very early F-21 had different numberings I think (it's like the early Zorki-1 series before 1955). The "T" models are the newer ones and there exist special versions like the one for artic use for example.

An extra version are the 1994 F-21 with no s/n on the front but on the back. This is the last year of production as far as I remember. Also in this years the civil version MF-1 was build by KMZ with the typical KMZ logo and the s/n on the back too.

Best wishes - Guido

Hello,

the F21T works in the temperature range from -20 C to +55 C.

Detlev

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/31122020_F21-06k.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/31122020_F21-06k.jpg

Thanks all! That's just the information I was looking for. I haven't got an F-21 yet but am thinking of getting myself a little New Year gift. :-)

A temperature range of -20 to 55oC is really quite impressive. Don't think I'll be testing those boundaries in my native Scotland, anyway!

Michael.