Classificator for Start

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Printed on: 5/13/2026 6:58:20 AM

Topic

Topic author: Vlad

Posted on: 20080508131436

Hello everyone, I am currently working on a classificator for Start cameras, and I am in desperate need for images of 1958 models and 1964 models to completely my sampling. The more the better! Can anyone help? Posting those here or emailing them directly to me at vladkern@particle-z.com will be very appreciated!

Thank you!

Vlad.

Replies

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080509020146

Vlad,

I just have sent few photos to your e-mail address. Hope this helps

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Spacetop

Replied on: 20080509124419

Thank you Aidas, it looks like I have now all the necessary information now..

One question to everyone here is, I've encountered an anomaly in my sample, but I think this maybe a modification or a result of a repair.. what do you think? Look at 2 screws by the self-timer.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/358793831.jpg

Reply author: Spacetop

Replied on: 20080509124638

The serial # of this 2-screw model is 6008611 where 6006176 and 6106880 (2 samples above and below) do not have it. Does anyone have any cameras within that serial # range to confirm?

Thanks!
Vlad.

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080509124750

ooops sorry was logged in as my test account "Spacetop" [:D].. Spacetop = Vlad

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080511003313

Here's my first draft of the Start Classificator (I don't think there is such a word though [:D]). It's in an image form, I found it easier to work with... due to my inexperience please do let me know if you see any discrepancies - this is derived from a sample of about 16 cameras from 1958 to 1964..

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/starttypes.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/starttypes.jpg

thanks,
Vlad

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080511003918

damn.. shot myself in the foot there.. the image is tall so it resized automatically on the forum.. but I think it's still readable...

Vlad.

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080511014202

Vlad,

Great source - many thanks! I'd like to say in addition, that existing for sure export Start in Type-1.

Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20080511060728

Fantastic Vlad!
Know that there are at least three versions of the Helios 44 Automatic lens.
regards LP

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080511132344

Thank you all, but I don't think it's complete yet, as I was pointed out by some people there are still additional variations and details I've omitted by accident (like serial #s in different spots) so I will keep working on it...

Luiz: it's extremely hard to fit lenses into classificator because a lot of models I've looked at had switched lenses so it's very unreliable to put which lens came with which one for sure..

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20080517122631

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Vlad
 Thank you all, but I don't think it's complete yet, as I was pointed out by some people there are still additional variations and details I've omitted by accident (like serial #s in different spots) so I will keep working on it...

Luiz: it's extremely hard to fit lenses into classificator because a lot of models I've looked at had switched lenses so it's very unreliable to put which lens came with which one for sure..
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Vlad,

I posted some images of my 5800xxx camera sometime ago. Did you deleted those images?

Zhang

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080518003817

Zhang,

I've been looking but cannot find it.. I will go through images manually at some point but I need to do this at the server level.. will take me a bit.. but I do remember you posting these now, thanks at least it gives me an extra '58 model to compare..

Vlad

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080520100950

http://www.ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=233

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080520101719

Thank you Aidas! It was an external image link and it was removed at Photobucket, no wonder I could not find it! also reminds me I gotta move these turret pictures Alain posted in that thread into the catalog, I'm not sure if they are there already...

Zhang, do you by any chance still have those images? It would be really helpful!

Thanks,
Vlad

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080617172322

Here's the latest updated version, still missing images for the Type 1 Export model.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/usercontent/classificator2.jpg

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20080618023158

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Vlad
 Thank you Aidas! It was an external image link and it was removed at Photobucket, no wonder I could not find it! also reminds me I gotta move these turret pictures Alain posted in that thread into the catalog, I'm not sure if they are there already...

Zhang, do you by any chance still have those images? It would be really helpful!

Thanks,
Vlad
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hi. Vlad,

I just saw this messaage. Sorry for late reply. I still have this early 1958 Start. I will take some images and post here FYI.

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080618103824

Thank you Zhang, but before you do that, first check your Start against classificator, if it falls exactly under one of the types described then you don't have to post pictures, but if it is a different variation I would love to see it.

Thanks!
Vlad

Reply author: California

Replied on: 20080618113430

Hi Vlad,
I have some pictures (sadly only the pics, I sold the camera last year [:(] ) of a type 2A2 Start but with S/N 6212398. In your classificator you start the model 2B from 1961, so I think this may be not correct [?][?]
If you are interested, I can send you those pics.
I have also some pics of a nice 2B1 (export) with the waste-level finder in place of pentaprism.
Again, if you are interested...
Bye
Davide

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080618120815

Hi Davide!

Thank you for this information, it must mean that they were still making 2A2 in parallel or mixed with 2B (hang-down lever) still in 1962... Does yours have ALL characteristics of 2A2 model? Or just the stay-on-top lever?

So it should probably read for 2A2 (1960-1962). Here's a 2B model from 1961 (so I think that's still stays correct):

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/361138613_3.jpg

Reply author: California

Replied on: 20080619071726

Vlad, in my opinion it's definitely a 100% 2A2 type, here it is:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/davide1966/Start%206212398/1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/davide1966/Start%206212398/2.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/davide1966/Start%206212398/3.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w30/davide1966/Start%206212398/4.jpg

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20080619092454

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Vlad
 Thank you Zhang, but before you do that, first check your Start against classificator, if it falls exactly under one of the types described then you don't have to post pictures, but if it is a different variation I would love to see it.

Thanks!
Vlad
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

O.K. I will check. But I would like to mention that the early ones has a light brown leather case that is different from those made in early 1960's.

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080619125108

Davide! Very interesting, it IS 2A2... even the button on the back is still there.. how odd! I will update the classificator with new date range.

Zhang: thanks for that info.. I think here I'll just be sticking to camera bodies only at this point...

Vlad

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080620065435

Vlad,

Great job! But to be more precise, you should refer to year 1956 as the date of prototype Start (type 0). Below you will see a picture from Sovietskoe Foto magazine. issued in 1957 ... [:)]

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/start_1957.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/start_1957.jpg

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080620095707

Vlad,
I believe the substance covering the knobs of the earlier versions of Start is plexi-glass or clear plastic, not glass.

Regards, Bill

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080620130024

Thank you both for corrections, I will update the file tonight! Aidas thanks for cleaner photo of this early camera, so what the heck is this thing on front above the lens, anyone has any ideas?

Vlad.

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080620134422

I would guess it's a sliding button to release the locking mechanism for the lens or maybe the prism housing ?

Regards, Bill

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20080620195429

Note the speed dial also coverd by a plexiglas viewer. This denotes a different form of changing speeds! And non rotating external dial!
Similar to Contax S, D?
LP

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080620203928

Good eye Luiz! I will add it to the file! Thanks!

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080620204656

Ok, here is the updated file once more.. if you guys see no other problems I will make a wiki entry with it.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/usercontent/classificator3.jpg

Thanks!
Vlad

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20080620205215

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Vlad
 Zhang,

I've been looking but cannot find it.. I will go through images manually at some point but I need to do this at the server level.. will take me a bit.. but I do remember you posting these now, thanks at least it gives me an extra '58 model to compare..

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

Vlad,

Here I find some details on my 5800366 Start.

1. Screws on removable finder and trace of hand finishing.
2. No arrow on aperture nob, and dull chrome plating. Lens s/n 0003929.
3. No'Made in USSR'.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCN2802.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCN2803.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCN2804.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCN2805.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCN2806.JPG

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20080621194502

At:
http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=66&ParentID=4&ContentID=923&Item=Rio+de+Janeiro+1960+Cameras

is a demonstrative leaflet of Start camera.
All cameras came with a transient ring M39x1 made to recieve Zenit lenses.
Original accessories: -Pentaprism, -Hood finder, -An special extension rings set composed of two adapters and four Zenit rings - An extra and difficult to find pentaprism with expoure meter, inherited from "Iskra", as the second version of "Kristall-2".

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080718051758

Hi,

some comments about my Start #5800867:

1. The particular camera comes with black Helios-44 lens (#0057339);
2. Camera comes with already new GOST shutter settings (!);
3. Different design of rewind knob (see picture below);
4. Still no black arrow engraved beside rewind knob (see same picture).

The particular camera was compared with another early Start #5902313, which is type 1B2 according to Vlad's classificator. My Start 1958 should be type 1B1, but as said above it has new GOST already ... [:D]

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7010057rsz.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7010072rsz.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7010072rsz.jpg

Best Regards,
Aidas