Push-up thread
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Printed on: 5/7/2026 1:02:00 PM
Topic
Topic author: xya
Posted on: 20231104154943
This is a wonderful forum with plenty of valuable information and rare data bases. But obviously there are too few to contribute (includes me, shame on me). On the other hand a forum with no newer messages will not attract new visitors. Often it's a month without any message and then there are quite some within days. I have a look nearly every day and then I pass on...
So how about pushing the dates up with this thread every 2 weeks? I would be happy to take on this task. What do you think about it?
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Replies
Reply author: Luiz Paracampo
Replied on: 20231105060026
In my opinion one of greater problems is the relatively short validness of member passwords. Members suffer laziness to post. I know the reason, once our forum is severely stuck by unwanted people.
The other reason is that founders became aged and lost original enthusiasm. Others are gone.
Finally your affirmative is a fact that is touching me from early days.
We had yet completed 15 years of life without any notice as it would be expected.
I had worked in a project to enhace our forum, but its chronogram was unfavourable, perhaps some thing can be ready up to the end of this year, or the beginning of the next, but still is a project to be born, at least in the while.
Let us wait to the end of 2023 -It will come soon.
Every one will know our secrets.
Good luck to all.
Reply author: SteveA
Replied on: 20231105091815
I think part of the problem is there are equivanent forums on Facebook, which has taken contributions away from this forum.
Cheers,
Steve
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20231105101050
I completely agree with you, Steve. On reading facebook forums, I very often think that the subjects would be better examined on USSRphoto, with a format which makes discussion much easier.
That said, I am not far from 80 years now, and I feel a bit tired, absolutely OK with Luiz. A bit discouraged too not to find any more interesting stuff (for me) on the net. And I deeply feel the lack of most of the Russian collectors for the reasons we know...
OK with Reinhard's proposition. Thanks if that can help![:)]
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: Vlad
Replied on: 20231107140259
Hello everyone,
social media has killed activity on this forum a number of years ago, regardless I keep this site active for at least archival purposes. I appreciate the efforts and as long as I'm around I'll keep this site alive!
Best regards,
Vlad
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20231107164410
Well, yes, I also think that social media has nearly killed the forum. See other text based media like the Usenet or IRC, they are nearly dead.
xya, to keep informed about activity here I have a filter in my E-Mail program which moves mails from the forum to a special folder. So there is no need to look here every day :-)
Vlad, many thanks that you keep the forum alive. I like it very much. There is nothing comparable specially for USSR cameras with so many experts and collectors from all over the world.
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: Luiz Paracampo
Replied on: 20231108101600
See: My last post was at 05 November Today is 09 and again it was needed to register myself.
coming nto the discussion I agree with all reasons exposed, although I see a continous activity at "Starie fotoapparat VK" independently from all reasons.
Although not dealing with strictly with Russian cameras, there are a lot of information there some of them surprising to me who believed knowing a large amount of information. I had ther seen some posts from Vlad.
Although this forum is in Russian language there is no problem in follow it through translate programs.
One can see that from this lifted problem we began to manifest ourselves to give a new life to this forum .
Regards to all and a renaissance of our discussions.
Reply author: Vlad
Replied on: 20231108102025
VK is blocked for traffic from United States and my account was deleted..
Reply author: Luiz Paracampo
Replied on: 20231108103216
Regrettable... There is always someone to seed and promote ignorance World around.
I did to re register again some minutes after the previous post
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20231128182619
So, a lot of members have to keep re-registering? This is rather odd, I've never had to re-register in all of the time I've been a member. I can that would be a big problem.
Could a small part of the problem of few posts/few new members be caused by it being rather difficult to post photos and it not being clear that when we send PM's we're actually sending emails to members outside email addresses?
I'm on another forum and in the years I've been a member they've always had a lot of posts, and a lot of photos. Mind you, it's a very wide-ranging forum, going from large format, through medium format, 35mm, 110, instant, digital etc. I don't think there's a type of camera that they don't talk about. Then there's the darkroom stuff and the wide range of photographic subjects and everything in between and to the side edtc. so It's bound to have more posts.
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20231129140654
There are 2 different things here. On this forum I have to log in anew from time to time, but that's easy. It's the Russian forums, stored in Russia, that are either blocked or they delete inscriptions. There you have to re-register...
And no, no difficulties to post photos here, it's as easy as on Photrio or others.
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: Vlad
Replied on: 20231130085721
Sean, I think this is only somehow happening to Luiz, it's possible something related to his local setup, you do have to login from time to time as cookies expire in your browser. And yes it is a very old forum software package, I added the image functionality myself as it didn't even have one, all this was 15 years ago and it's all very outdated. Unfortunately with the amount of interaction we are getting I don't think investing hundreds of hours into rewriting this forum onto something more modern is worth it anymore.. I'm just willing to maintain it and pay for hosting for archival purposes, if someone wants to volunteer their time to rewrite it I'm all for it, will even help, as personally I just don't have that time anymore..
Best regards,
Vlad.
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20231130115607
Thank you Vlad, for your perseverance (and your support). Yes, the information on this forum is worth to be kept. All those interested will find it sooner or later. And they will be grateful that it is still there...
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: fedka
Replied on: 20231130132742
Vlad,
Thank you for hosting this. I am still not into FB and such, and this forum is my main source of knowledge.
I also refer people to it when I can't answer their questions. We have the best experts here.
As for the hosting package - it is fully adequate. I just hope it will remain compatible with your web hosting.
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20231201033706
Certainly, my life of retirement would have been very different if I had not met Alain Berry, then USSRphoto.
I owe much to both.
All my thanks, Vlad. And thanks for maintaining your site that I still use almost daily...
Of course, it would be great that somebody takes the stick...
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20231216163639
Thanks for the info, Vlad.
xva, I still don't know how to post photos on this forum, lol.
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20231217130617
It's easy. If you are logged in, look at the left margin of the "quick reply" case at the bottom. There is a link "upload image". If you click on it, you can choose any image on your computer. We wait for your first image... ;-)
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20240110180839
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20240112123503
Hi,
it hasn't worked yet, so please try again...
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20240122135342
Yes, I'll have another go:
http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2212024_my fed 3a(5) 1.jpg
http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2212024_my fed 3a(5) 1.jpg
Nope, didn't work. I had thought that may be the trouble was that I'd deleted the photo I'd originally uploaded from my "pics to upload" folder, but I've just done the same method as the previous try and the photo is still in my "pics to upload" folder.
I am using an "old" windows version, (not 3.1, 95, 98, 98se, ME or 7,8,9) so perhaps that's the problem? I'd try uploading the pic to "imagebam"but they often have naughty adverts even when you click on "family friendly" for the image type.
Reply author: Luiz Paracampo
Replied on: 20240123053904
Seany you are posting zippered photos they do not load correctly
Open a blank image copy and glue at the new opened support,
Now images go correctly.
Regards
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20240207185637
Luiz, Thanks for the info. However, as far as I can tell I'm not posting "zippered" photos. I'm clicking on "upload image" next to this reply box and navigating to the jpeg photo in my "pics to up" folder.
Hmmm, it's just occurred to me that by "zippered" you may mean thumbnails!
I'll get to the photo of my fed 3a, open it with "Windows Picture and fax viewer", then copy and paste the pic below this writing.
I've just found the "copy" command in the right mouse click menu and clicked on it and tried to paste here, but nothing happened.
Reply author: Luiz Paracampo
Replied on: 20240208074924
Seany65
You must open picture save it again as png and send it as png .
It will load correctly
Regards
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20240216121441
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20240216121908
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20240216124937
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20240217041150
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20240217172310
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20240217172507
So, after all this time I've learned how to post photos. Thank you Luiz. :-)
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20241109120248
More than a month without any post. Hasn't happened for quite some time. So I push up again...
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: Luiz Paracampo
Replied on: 20241111171955
it seems a lost interest from members
Something of importanc must be made in order to revival ofsmembersor campaign for new ones
I callmemberber inviting them for new ideas or new influences
Lets go ahead
Regards
Reply author: Luiz Paracampo
Replied on: 20241111174822
my first suggestion is to reopen the camera wiki section because no news, no readers
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20241112052732
My suggestion would be to reopen the thread "just arrived in my collection", with a new warning by Vlad, if necessary.
I bought several cameras since it was closed, but none of them would deserve a special thread... So, I didn't write anything...
Thanks, Reinhard, to push up!
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: Vlad
Replied on: 20241112135938
Jacques you got your wish, I unlocked that thread [:D] I didn't realize it was such a problem..
in terms of interest, everyone is on social media now, this site became mostly an archive, I am grateful for the posts though. It was never about making any money on it, in fact it actually costs a decent amount to keep it up, ads only cover maybe 5-10% of it, but I'll keep it up as long as it serves purpose, I think information on the forum here is invaluable thanks to everyone's knowledge and posts over the years!
Best regards,
Vlad
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20241112143424
Thank you Jacques, for laying your finger on one of these problems and thank you Vlad, for your immediate solution. There are quite some cameras to report. And yes, thank you so much for keeping this site working.
Seen from Cologne, Germany, there is much hope. Within one year we have seen 5 (!) new shops for analog photography opening in the center of our town and it seems as if they all make their living. People here seem to turn away from big social media towards smaller communities. All of these shops have a bunch of fans around them and it's a pleasure to dicuss with them and a good opportunity to pass information from the old like me to the young.
Russian cammeras will be part of it.
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20241113040905
Thanks, Vlad, to keep this site opened, and to have unlocked the thread "just arrived..."! I have several cameras to put on it, in some days...
I cannot completely follow you when you say that everybody is on social media now. Probably a question of generation. I must admit
that my future is behind me [:)]
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20241117173106
Vlad, thanks. I agree with Jacques, I'm not a big user of social media either. It's nice that the thread is open again. I also have some new additions that don't need to have their own thread. And if it gets too big we'll open a second one like it :-)
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: Elmar Lang
Replied on: 20241127022103
Hello,
I'm not a very active contributor to this Forum, I need to say.
But also, I don't have Facebook or any other social-media account, besides whatsapp, to quickly keep in touch with family, friends etc.
This specialized Forum with its branches is an invaluable source either to the beginner or to advanced enthusiast and collector of cameras and optical equipment from the former USSR.
I've been a systematic collector of these cameras since when as an exchange student I moved to Warsaw in 1986. I had with me my Kiev-4A purchased in Venice in my early teens and my "advanced" 35mm. reflex, the Praktica B-200E.
Then, from 1989 onwards, most of Italy's flea markets were full of optical equipment from the former socialist countries, where I've avidly bought (often for nearly nothing), pieces that satisfied my collector's ambitions.
In the early 2000s, I've decided to part with most of the collection, keeping for myself just what remembered some "adventure", or common friends. The passion remained though, and this forum is my main source of information and research.
In the last 15 years, I've started to buy again ex-USSR cameras and accessories, mainly of the Kiev brand, or panoramic cameras (I've contributed, here, to the discussion re. the Horizon 205-PC.
Thanks to this Forum and the enthusiasm of who keeps it alive, anyone with specific interests, can find a precious place, like a living museum with library and archives...
A warm thank you from Italy,
Enzo
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20241208191206
I don't use social media either. I don't post a great deal on here, partly because I tend to get a bit "carried away" with other forums or researching things I want to buy and generally being easily distracted, but mostly because I only have two pieces of Soviet gear: one Fed 3A and one Industar 26M. I have in the past owned or thought of buying other Soviet gear (previously owned: several each of Zorki 4k, Fed 2, Fed 4, one Lubitel 166B and one Lomo blik. Thought of buying: one or other of the "improved" Kiev88 cameras), but almost all of what I have now is not allowed to be mentioned here. I also have little knowledge of Soviet cameras etc., consequently I don't really have very much of value to contribute, unless you count saying Hello to new members.
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20241224142933
It's time to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the members of the forum. May health, luck and peace be on the list for 2025!
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: cedricfan
Replied on: 20241225021950
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20241226102411
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20241226162426
I'm a bit late for the Christmas thing, but I'd like to wish everyone a happy new Year.
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20241226162557
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20241227082618
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Jacques, is that your garden? Looks really nice.
Ulrich
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Alas no. It's in Lothringen where I had holidays some time ago. I love the garden and the dreamy look given by the 28mm Fed lens...
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: Valkir1987
Replied on: 20241230153106
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20250630142754
A month without new message again, so I push it up. Meanwhile I have received some Russian cameras in half-frame size, 3 Chaikas, II, 2M and a 3 with a working meter, which seems to be rare. And a Fed Mikron half frame, working meter and even the rare Olympic edition, in unused condition. The latter is a super find, all information is visible in the viewer, which makes it one of the better half frames...
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20250701071810
Thanks, Reinhard.
Nothing to write here for the moment: I am in the Contax world, early postwar rangefinders and SLR.
A bit later, certainly...
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: uwittehh
Replied on: 20250709153608
Same here, nothing really new in the sowjet section. Some times ago I received a red painted Kristal, looks very well made, but it is not original.
My latest find is an original "Luftwaffen-Eigentum" Leica for small money. The "Luftwaffen-Eigentum" enravings on the back are removed but you can see it in flat light. The FI number is engraved on the top and it has one(!) red curtain. The shutter clothes are in good condition and all speeds work as expected.
Ulrich
http://fotos.cconin.deReply author: Jacques M.
Replied on: 20250710091905
Last find here: a 1949 SLR Contax S, s/n 890, without selftimer, with 1/500th as fastest speed, and with a speed button with vertical stripes. Very rare and working!
I just need to find a correct Biotar now.
Amitiés. Jacques.
Reply author: cedricfan
Replied on: 20250715111847
Well, at least here in Finland (and much of it applies also to Estonia where I frequently visit) it is not easy to find any nice FSU-cameras for a decent price. Most of what is for sale is either very common Fed-, Smena- & Lubitel-models, or then Zenit-bodies. Unfortunately someone found out the “great bokeh” of Helios-lenses, so now all Zenits are slaughtered, and lens sold separately for approx. 40-50 euros, bodies becoming door-stoppers. And then there is some more interesting (read more rare) items, but for ridiculously high prices. Usually they don’t sell, as you see them from year to year for sale. When the border to Russia is closed for normal people, cameras don’t move in or out.
During the last year or so I have bought two cameras: a Chinese TLR Seagull 4A for 30 euros, and a tiny 60ies souvenir toy which shows pictures from my hometown, a bit like a View Master.
http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/1572025_IMG_20250420_110200_edit_868794784355.jpg
http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/1572025_IMG_20250420_110200_edit_868794784355.jpghttp://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/1572025_IMG_20250713_161236.jpg
http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/1572025_IMG_20250713_161236.jpgBest regards,
Juhani
Reply author: Valkir1987
Replied on: 20250717053018
It's a bit sad about many Zenit (and Praktica) cameras. People just want the lenses nowadays. With proper service these cameras can be a joy to use. I've used (and still use) a Zenit E for years and I like the simplicity and sturdy mechanics.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Chinese TLR Seagull 4A for 30 euros<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Their price has increased recently. 30 euros is a bargain. They are not as decently made as the Rolleis and Yashicas, and need to be used with a little more care. But can still be great. You can get an upgrade 'Tessar' SA-99 lens from Ebay with multicoating. I replaced mine and got very good results. You can also use push on 36mm filters on the 4a and b.
https://flickr.com/photo_download.gne?id=54404833132&secret=0b24a1d8f7&size=c&source=photoPageEngagement
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20250911154546
In the UK, Seagull tlrs have a reputation for having very unreliable shutters. I presume there's a way of using them that generally doesn't cause the shutters to become unreliable such as setting the speed before tensioning the shutter, or even tension the shutter before setting the speed or even remembering to not use the self-timer if the synchro lever is set to "M" or something.
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20251027155715
More than a month without any post, so it's time for a push-up. And yes, I should put some cameras into the just arrived thread...
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20251028150813
xya, how do you find the winding of the film on those old 120 cameras? I had a Welta Perle (although it just said "Welta" where it would normally say "Perle" or any other model name), I had a Ferrania elioflex 1, and several ensign selifx cameras, all of which I had trouble winidng the film on when it was near the end and the trouble got even worse when winding past the last frame. I now have a agfa isoly III, which takes 120 film so I'm hoping it doesn't have the same "tough winding" problem.
I apologise for all the "swearing" ie. mentioning the makes and models of non-soviet cameras, but it couldn't be helped.
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20251029140253
seany65, I never had this problem and I think I had more than 100 items of those 120 film cameras in total with 1000s of film rolls from different makers. Very strange. So sorry, but I have no idea...
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20251103165608
Ha, no need to be sorry xya, it's not your fault. It could just be me not doing things correctly but I do also seem to have had a little more than my fair share of bad luck with cameras - I won't go into the full list of problems and cameras, but I think most of my Agfa Ambisilettes, Minolta 110 zoom slr MKII's and Yashica D tlrs have all had something wrong with them so I don't have any now. Even my Nikon FM2n must have been dropped on it's head at some point as the hotshoe is slanted down on the right hand side but it does seem to be working.
More than 100 big old folders and they all workd properly? I'm sooooo jealous, lol. how many do you have now, and do you use them as much as you'd like to?
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20251107133549
seany65, I only said that I didn't have this winding problem. No, not all of my folders worked properly. When I think about it, there must have been much more than 100. There are about 40 different models on my website, for quite a number of them I had multiple copies. The much lauded Mamiya 6 folder didn't satiefy me at all, but after 7 copies I gave up. At the moment I sort out the Certo Super Sport Dollies, one of my favorites, there are 12 of them...
All the very simple folders from Agfa, Kodak, Zeiss and others didn't make it to my site, these were more than 40. I gave them away to youngsters who wanted to know about film. During the last few years there were quite some purchases fron Japan that were really bad. They had good ratings, but they were crap. I stopped buying fron Japan completely. 10 or more years ago Japan was a source of honest sellers...
When I have finished weeding out my cases, there will only be less than 10, 2 Certos, a Konica Pearl III, a Voigtländer Perkeo II, 2 Iskras, a Fuji GA645 Wi, a Lomo LC-120 and a Plaubel Makina (+ 3 TLRs). I still use them regularly, about a roll a week without fuzz, HP5 and Rodinal 1 hr semi-stand, a lazy man's solution.
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20260115175804
I see. Your'e probably right to weed some out even if you have the space for them. I have 14 cameras (each with a lens) and 13 lenses that are not on the cameras, hoods for alll lenses, a bag of photo bits that "could come in handy at some point", a bag of rollei bayonet 1/30mm bayonet filters, 4 kit bags and little bags of filters in them. Unfortunately I only have a walk-in closet to put them in, but I have all my books and some dvd's in there as well. I have to sthift stuff to get to the stuff I have to shift on order to get to any of the books, and it's a nightmare if I knock something off one of the bookshelves such as a lens hood. Even in daylight it's not bright in there so I have to get a torch and then shift stuff from the floor to my bed to create enough space to find the hood.
It seems you've had a lot more bad luck than I have with your cameras. 7 different Mamiya 6's and all crap? I suppose some Japanese sellers are taking advantage of the idea that most buyers are so far away that they may not return any faulty stuff.
Reply author: xya
Replied on: 20260117131819
No, the Mamiyas were not all crap, they just did not meet my (high) expectations. Some had issues. I personnally think that moving the film plane of a film without sprockets is not a good idea from the beginning. Already it needs an extra plate to be inserted the right way. Sharpness did not impress me at all. But this is a personal opinion, for me the Super Ikontas, for example, were much better. It will always be a personal choice...
www.a7camera.com www.120folder.com www.instantphoto.eu www.135compact.com www.oddcameras.com
www.subcompactcam.com
Reply author: seany65
Replied on: 20260218181414
xya, Thanks for the info.
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