Hello to everyone!

Vlad you are right, I should introduce myself long time ago. It’s just not much I can tell about myself. Same as you, I got to US 15+ years ago. I use to have very small camera collection back in USSR. Had to left it behind together with rest of my live. Happy to be in US! Here I work with computers and when it become really bored I look Internet for Russian cameras. I’m not a hard core collector. I do this only for fun. And often I have to force myself to stay this way(fight the addiction!:). I’m from Kiev. Now I live in Annapolis. My collection is some 100 cameras. I admire them for the way they looks, the way they feels, and the way they klick(not much the way they smells:).
I was very glad to find your Website. I use to read Zenit camera group on Yahoo, but that chat mostly for photographers and camera users, and few questions what I dare to post did not generate much attention. Here you came in! I’m really happy to meet all this wonderful people here and read about they thought, discoveries, and concerns not only about cameras, but also about that social experiment what use to be call USSR.

Well, Okynek, I officially welcome you to the site! I couldn't have said it better, but I do like the way the smell of old leather as well, although my wife hates it, so I gotta disagree with you on that point. I also recently joined the Zenit group... there are couple of hard core collectors there like Bill (nightphoto), although he had been pretty quiet there.. and Alain Berry, a very big French collector, I heard he has an amazing collection. I don't know what he's still doing on Zenit group, he should be participating in our discussions here... Alain, if you read this, we can always use your opinion and expertise!

It's great to have someone like you that has almost the same background as I do, awesome! How old were you when you moved to US?

Vlad

I was 26 when I move to US, now I'm in the middle of 40th. I collecting Russian camera for 5 years (second round).
And you are right, we need to get all Russian camera collectors on board. We also need people who actually design, built and sell this cameras. They may have a lot to say.

Unfortunately most of those people do not speak English, I participate in forums on the ranngefinder.ru (in Russian), there are quite a few people like that and I've posted info about this site but there wasn't much interest since this site is in English...

Than, I guest, it is out job to get what is awalable there and post it here?. I visited rangefinder.ru too, but it looks to me this is like zenith camera group on yahoo. Mostly about phototechnic, not about collecting cameras. But may be I’m wrong.

Yea you are right, it is mostly users there but some collectors too, not too many though.. and yes, it is our job :) we'll keep doing what we were doing.. do you have anymore interesting cameras like that Lubitel in your collection? I would love to see it in the catalog!

Thanks,
Vlad.