Miniature Panoramic Camera

Hello,
the number "27" on the back of the camera seems to be the focusing distance 27 cm. Document copy cameras for spies use this distance often. Therefore the panoramic camera might be a document copy camera too.
Detlev

Hello Detlev
Observe:
Alycha lens Helios 57
http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=51&ParentID=49&ContentID=1230&Item=Scan+camera+principle Miniature Panoramic Cвmera lens Helios 57
http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=17&ParentID=1&ContentID=402&Item=Miniature+Panoramic+Camera Regards
LP

Hello Luiz,
do you agree that the Miniature Panoramic Camera is a document copy camera?
Regards,
Detlev

This could not be affirmed once the rotating lens distorts some important images to be collected. i believe this could be an all purpose camera.
Regards
LP

A collector in Vienna tested this camera: sharp pictures between 20 and 50 cm distance, infinity out of focus.
What else can I take photographs of in 27 cm distance?
Regards,
Detlev

As well as documents, it could also be used for photographing the interiors of electronics, mechanical items, small weapons, military objects, and any type of object that would be desirable to have the details of. The fact that it is panoramic seems to point to some use that requires a wide view. It would seem that photographing a flat document at the distance of 35 cm would produce a distorted photo, possibly hard to read fine type. Maybe it was made in just one copy for a specialty job that we cannot guess or know about.

The Totchka is just about the same size and would probably work for documents also. how close will the Totchka make a photograph that is in focus.

Regards, Bill

The field of view is about 22.5 x 41 cm at 27cm focusing distance, not much more than DIN A4. The fact that the photo of a plane document is distorted is also true for any other flat object.

The Totchka with focusing allows min. 35 cm focusing distance.

Regards, Detlev

Well Detlev, your points are well taken and it may well have been used for documents. In fact, thinking about it, it could be that some paper documents could be photographed better with a curved field if set up in a curved position ... such as a photograph or maybe a journal book. If a book was opened flat and each side propped up a bit with something under the front and back covers, it might be possible to photograph both open pages at once with a panoramic device, and each page might even be rendered in a clear manner, with better sharpness.

Regards, Bill

I'm fairly certain they didn't spend all time and resources to develop this miniaturized panoramic camera to take pictures of panoramas. This would never fly with committees that approve this kinds of projects - "oh yea we're gonna try to develop this overly complicated, unnecessarily miniaturized panoramic cameras for consumers".. no it had to be an order from some military/paramilitary organization to fund this kind of project...

So yes, the secret document copying or whatever clandestine purpose of this camera is obvious..

Vlad

Vlad,
No doubt that it was not developed for the pleasure of making beautiful panoramas and that it was made for clandestine use. It was not for consumers, it is a KGB camera, and likely there were not as many committees to have to approve every last secret thing done by KGB workshops.

But, there would also be many purposes to a camera that was miniature and took panorama views at a further focusing distance (to infinity) than this camera has. For example, Views of the inside of a factory or manufacturing facility, views of a military installation, etc. So, it would not surprise me if KGB did have use for a panoramic camera for clandestine surveillance or reconnaissance ... just that it was not this unit since the focusing is so close (and perhaps a unit like this could have been fit with a different lens or adjusted to a different focusing distance if regular long distance panorama views were needed. The workshop could probably accomplish that if they could build this amazing miniature camera in the first place.

Regards, Bill

Hello,
I still believe that this camera is a document copy camera. It has one advantage: if the spy shakes the camera, not the whole picture is blurred, only a stripe.
Regards,Detlev

I don't disagree with you Detlev! Hopefully we do not have any spys with shakey hands!

Regards, Bill

that is why my horizont-helicopter-panorama was quite sharp when the bell 47 was flying forwards. just wanted to know if its possible. maybe with widelux 1500 i will use 1/60 next time since 1/250 has overexposure at start. thats why horizon 205 pc/pan 120 has 1/60 as quickest exposure time. plus allowing slower times. film is not as wide as widelux 1500(122mm)-110mm only due to this overexposure at start. if only they had used the right overall sharp lens in s3pro.
www.europanorama.ch.vu
3d-stereo-aeropanorama
swiss alps like never before
marspanoramas in 3d-stereo