Smena-4 version 2 or kotlet for dinner?

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Printed on: 5/31/2026 1:04:28 PM

Topic

Topic author: cedricfan

Posted on: 20081127095532

A comparison shot with my Mk-1 on the background. That has serial-#035660 on lens frontface. The one in the foregorund has serial only in rear cover #210871 which is much higher. And the place is different. Then there is the wind knob instead of lever, Aidas homepage does mention that would mean Mk2.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCF1626a.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCF1626a.JPG

Here a closeup of the serial in back cover and winding knob: all looks like it should, no traces of hammer & sickle customizing.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCF1626c.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCF1626c.JPG

And it was a local flea market finding for 5 eúros, not fleabay superhypremega-rarity for only 500 [:D]

Smena rules

Replies

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20081208015808

Hi Juhani,

I'm absolutely sure your new purchase is authentic, so congratulations! [:)] Next one for me, ok? [:p]

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20081208025521

Thanks for the confirmation, and naturally OK.
And this proves my way of shopping correcr: always open the cases even when it is a cheap Smena. You never know what is inside!

Reply author: mermoz37

Replied on: 20081208044027

may be a MARK III ?

here is my bakelite smena collection, So I classifyed as well I can do (may be some mistakes ?) and I found 2 smena whith winding lever : one "no name"
both have serial numbers only on front lens.
I never found another type of sm

the problem is ...it is very easy , you know, to make "strange" smena setting parts from differents bodies.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSC_0074.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSC_0074.JPG

I never saw another smena 4 different model (but everybody knows the sentence: "which one can say : I possess ALL item in fsu collection ?")

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSC_0073.JPG

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20081223095621

One more Smena-4, serial #288640. With this one I am starting to think that the GOMZ-people put these cameras together from left-overs, as this has so many charasteristics from previous cameras, but on the other hand making one as a kotlet afterwards at home would mean more than two cameras for parts.
1) Platform for Smena-4, mold with rounded ends like oval, same as my #210871 with winding KNOB
2) Film counter with metal rim and black dial, like Smena-1/2
3) Film advance with LEVER
4) Case has the pocket for memo or exp guide

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCF1626d.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/DSCF1626d.JPG

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20081227050605

And here a kotlet: Smena-3 type 2 byt POMZ (Piispanristi OMZ) [^]
I had a 3 with missing wind knob, so I took this knob from a spare parts Smena, and same time the counter top to make it like the one on Aidas homepage. But being a kotlet is easy to tell by using: the wind and counter do not work like they should...

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/L1020113.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/L1020113.JPG

But this is "true camera" bought today locally for 4 euros, a Smena-1 type 4a according to Aidas catalogue. Was missing in my collection, and easy to reckognize from the smaall Smena-text.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/L1020111.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/L1020111.JPG

Now only 55 different Smenas with the Chinese & renamed ones counted in [:D]

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20090101113913

One more Smena, which can be kotlet or not. The seller usually doesn't sell "modified cameras" like Liecas, so I will know better when it arrives...

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

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

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: mermoz37

Replied on: 20090101122441

AAAHHHHH...[}:)]
damned Finland ...a very great field for hunting rare smena , in fact [;)]

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20090101125657

Yes, but you know a lot of goodies did travel from here to France, so you have your share [;)]

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20090103133112

Juhani,

great find, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your Smena collection now becoming too serious to compete with ... [:)]

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20090112122309

The black Symbol arrived today. 1982 camera and the name plate is not "painted" (silk screened?), but same way as Zenit-16 or Smena-19 nameplates. The font looks same as normal Symbol-nameplate, not wrong like in the black faceplate 8M fakes. So I am very convinced that is real, the only thing that makes me wonder is that it is not more worn. If a camera has a lot of marks from use then it can not be a fake so easily?

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20090112123551

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

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

And here's a picture of the faceplate, I tried to take a photo that shows the printing way. Text is metal colour, and most likely the base colour.

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20090112124138

Juhani, I'm sure this one is from old stock, but it's going to become a lot harder in the future to identify these as new or old stock.. LOMO can still make these silkscreen any color you want, as long as you order 100 of these.. they refurbish them but keep the old serial #.. just look at the blue Smena-8Ms that they made... so maybe there is a batch of Smena-Symbols floating around that is freshly made, but I can't be sure.. this one is probably original though, since I saw the seller [;)].

Vlad.

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20090112223624

oh no... I was afraid of this.. same seller, same exact camera.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/SMENA-Simbol-BLACK-LOMO-Good-condition-VERY-RARE_W0QQitemZ150320839326QQihZ005QQcategoryZ3322QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Now I think this is new stock.... sorry Juhani..
Vlad.

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20090112232745

[V][:(!]

Reply author: mermoz37

Replied on: 20090113040656

hmmmm ,
I think Juani's is an original because very hard to make such an anodized/print face plate ....more easy to make a silk screened
isn't is the case of Vitalii's camera ?