USSR copies of Chinese cameras

Actually, I have no Chinese old cameras until today. All of may collections are USSR cameras. But I find some of you like Chinese cameras especially those USSR clones, so I thinks this topic is not exceed the extent of our forums.
All of these pictures showed to you are from other Chiese collectors. Thanks for their share.

I think my cameras' knowledge is poor, so if there is any wrong with what i describe, please correct it.

Zi jin shan, copy of Zenit


Shanghai58-1(not 58-2), copy of Zorki


Nanjing58-2, copy of Fed 2


Changle, copy of Lubitel


Changjiang, Huashan, copies of Smena



I find a rare Chinese camera called Xingguang also has some common parts with Smena, especially the top of the camera.

Lovely, thanks! Is the Xing Guang hard to find? My contacts in China have not yet found me one. I already have Changjiang and Huashan as I collect Smena..

Best regards,
Juhani

Juhani,
Xing guang is rare even in China.
It's a simple camera with: shutter speed:1/25,B; aperture:F8,F11,F16
Xing guang was made by BEIJING CAMERA FACTORY.

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Originally posted by cedricfan

Lovely, thanks! Is the Xing Guang hard to find? My contacts in China have not yet found me one. I already have Changjiang and Huashan as I collect Smena..

Best regards,
Juhani

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If you ever see one that could be bought please inform me, I can propably arrange the shipping and payment with my contacts.

Ok, no problem. If there is any news, I will contact with you.

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Originally posted by cedricfan

If you ever see one that could be bought please inform me, I can propably arrange the shipping and payment with my contacts.

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Originally posted by USSRBJ

...Xing guang was made by BEIJING CAMERA FACTORY.

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Btw., may be you know: where was in a 1950s--1960s the "State North-West optical mechanical plant" (in Russian: "Государственный Северо-Западный оптико-механический завод")?

Hi,
Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory. It was found in Xi An, Shaan Xi provice, 1957.
Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory in 1958, and were massly producted in 1959 and 1961 respectively.

Best wishes,
Zhou

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Originally posted by Zoom

quote:

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Originally posted by USSRBJ

...Xing guang was made by BEIJING CAMERA FACTORY.

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Btw., may be you know: where was in a 1950s--1960s the "State North-West optical mechanical plant" (in Russian: "Государственны?Северо-Западный оптико-механический заво?)?

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Another version of Chang Jiang.

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Originally posted by USSRBJ

Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory.

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Thank you! The year of this plant foundation is very close to my data. But is it correct to say that the Shaan Xi provice is in North-West?

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Originally posted by USSRBJ

Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory...

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I think that it is too hard to make an independed design of something if you have an all original documents, an original soviet equipment and a soviet specialists to help. ;)
This plant (and I think that all others too, up to 1960 year) was build by USSR.

Hi Zoom,

Xibei in Chinese means "North-West".

There were lots of USSR helping item in China, 1950s, and I also think Hua Shan's production is one of them. Maybe I'd better use "imitate" instead of "design", sorry for neglect.
As the story goes, Hua Shan's lense and shutter assembly were made in USSR.

Best regarts,
Zhou

quote:

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Originally posted by Zoom

quote:

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Originally posted by USSRBJ

Maybe you mentioned is Xibei Optical Instrument Factory.

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Thank you! The year of this plant foundation is very close to my data. But is it correct to say that the Shaan Xi provice is in North-West?

quote:

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Originally posted by USSRBJ

Smena's copy Huan Shan and Lubitel's copy Chang Le were designed by this factory...

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I think that it is too hard to make an independed design of something if you have an all original documents, an original soviet equipment and a soviet specialists to help. ;)
This plant (and I think that all others too, up to 1960 year) was build by USSR.

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I find there is a mistake in Wiki catalog. That F-21 copy called "SY 916" is wrong. It's real name is "1503". In my memory, "SY 916" is the nickname of author who mentioned 1503 in his article.

Please go ahead and edit that entry, that is why it's WIKI for a reason, if you see a mistake and you are sure of a correct answer, just change it!

Thanks!!
Vlad.

Zhou,

The Zi jin shan seems to be more of copy of an Exakta rather than Zenit and Shanghai58-1 I think is direct copy of Leica rather than Zorki due to the front slow shutter dial... just seems like the Soviet industry didn't really have impact on these 2 particular designs.. but the Changle and the others are clearly Soviet "borrowed" design..

Vlad.

Hi Vlad,
I have changed that entry. I'll keep on learning how to use this fully functional site.

Best regards,
Zhou

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Originally posted by Vlad

Please go ahead and edit that entry, that is why it's WIKI for a reason, if you see a mistake and you are sure of a correct answer, just change it!

Thanks!!
Vlad.

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Originally posted by USSRBJ


Xibei in Chinese means "North-West".

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Wow... Interesting: from what place it was located as "North-West"? ;)
Thank you!

Hi,

North-West of China consist of Shaan Xi, Gan Su, Qing Hai, Ning Xia, Xin Jiang.

Zhou

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Originally posted by Zoom

quote:

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Originally posted by USSRBJ


Xibei in Chinese means "North-West".

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Wow... Interesting: from what place it was located as "North-West"? ;)
Thank you!

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Hi dose any one have any knowledge about a Chinese camera called Huqiu 35mm?

this guy would like to know about it
http://www.camerasdownunder.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=4&pos=17
as well as my self.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2312010_Huqiu1.JPG

I have this version and this:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2312010_DSCF1687.jpg

What do you want to know?

Best regards,
Juhani

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What do you want to know?

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thank you Juhani
first off when and where was it made? how many and for how long? is it a common camera? is it a knock off of something else or it's own design? what are the shutter speeds focal lengths? stuff like this. are there any special features?

It has the same lens/shutter construction than already Seagulls had in 1960ies: 45mm f/2,8 and speeds B & 1s - 1/300s.
Typical to Huqiu is the Canonet-like film advance lever & shutter release design.
Most likely no exposure meter but coupled rangefinder.
Made in mid-70ies.
If someone can translate Chinese then I will scan a page of my Chinese camera book?

Best regards,
Juhani

thank you very much! Juhani, I'd like to add this camera to my collection some day so this will help me allot. if you can scan the pages of your Chinese camera book that could turn out to be very useful. my brother in-law is Hmong and I also have a Chinese friend who might be able to help in translating the pages. that is if no one here can do it in the first place.

than you again.