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Chinese replica F21 camera, model 150

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Printed on: 5/7/2026 2:42:09 PM


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Topic author: liukai

Posted on: 20240520112433

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2052024_1.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2052024_1.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2052024_2.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2052024_2.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2052024_3.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2052024_3.jpg

Replies

Reply author: seany65

Replied on: 20240520175813

Hello liukai, thanks for posting this. I've just done a quick search for the f21 "kgb" camera. It's a new one to me. I also found out that its other name is "Ajax 12" and it used 21mm film (which I've never heard of) and gives 18mm x 24mm negatives. Here's a link for anyone who is interested, but who doesn't know much about it:

https://www.cryptomuseum.com/covert/camera/f21/index.htm

Reply author: liukai

Replied on: 20240520212932

thank seanperry

Reply author: Detlev

Replied on: 20240521101118

Hi,
The Soviet secret service NKVD, the predecessor of the KGB, had a small observation camera developed by the OOT (Otdel Operativnoy Techniki) in the 1940s. The first model was the UFA (Universal Foto Apparatus), which was probably the first camera in the world to be equipped with an integrated electric winder in 1945. It is possible that they later switched to a spring motor like the Robot due to battery problems. The subsequent models Ajax 8 (1948), Ajax 9 (1949), Ajax 10 (1950) and Ajax 11 (1951) came closer and closer to the well-known F 21, which was built from 1952 as Ajax 12 until 1994. In contrast to the 1503, the F 21 only has three times: 1/10, 1/30, 1/100 s and B. This development is richly illustrated in “The Secret History of KGB Spy Cameras” by Keith Melton.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2152024_Einband KGB.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2152024_Einband KGB.jpg

Reply author: Detlev

Replied on: 20240521111816

The Chinese 1503
In the 80s, the Shanghai factory 832 built a copy of the Russian F 21, but with some modifications, so the time range was extended to ½ to 1/150 s and B, and there were four lenses: 2/28 mm, 2.8/28mm, 4.5/28mm and 5/40mm, all with distance adjustment. Trigger and time setting knob were modified where necessary.
Like the F 21, it has a negative format of 18 x 24 mm and can take 14 - 15 shots. 35 mm film is cut to a width of 21 mm using a film cutter and placed in special cassettes that are light-tight and can be changed in daylight.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2152024_Ausschnitt1503k.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2152024_Ausschnitt1503k.jpg

Reply author: liukai

Replied on: 20240521214658

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Detlev</i>
<br />The Chinese 1503
In the 80s, the Shanghai factory 832 built a copy of the Russian F 21, but with some modifications, so the time range was extended to ½ to 1/150 s and B, and there were four lenses: 2/28 mm, 2.8/28mm, 4.5/28mm and 5/40mm, all with distance adjustment. Trigger and time setting knob were modified where necessary.
Like the F 21, it has a negative format of 18 x 24 mm and can take 14 - 15 shots. 35 mm film is cut to a width of 21 mm using a film cutter and placed in special cassettes that are light-tight and can be changed in daylight.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2152024_Ausschnitt1503k.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2152024_Ausschnitt1503k.jpg
only three shots

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

Reply author: Detlev

Replied on: 20240522014722

I see four lenses
Detlev

Reply author: liukai

Replied on: 20240522023830

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Detlev</i>
<br />I see four lenses
Detlev
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The original packaging consists of one camera and three lenses

Reply author: Detlev

Replied on: 20240522025435

Was the 4th lens added later?

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2252024_TZ-1-003k.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2252024_TZ-1-003k.jpg

Reply author: liukai

Replied on: 20240522031024

There are only 3 in the normal packaging box, including the one I have collected

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2252024_111.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2252024_111.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent2/2252024_1111.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent2/2252024_1111.jpg

Reply author: Detlev

Replied on: 20240524020916

Which lenses belong to the the normal packaging box?
Detlev