Reason for collecting

I think, it is interesting to know, why you are collecting!

I live in former Soviet Union. I am young, dont remember much from this time. My fist camera was ZENIT-ET. Collection reason is intrest in photography.
Why soveiet cameras? They are much cheaper (from Leica for example) and in Estonia soviet cameras on quite common (not rare stuff). I still make "black & white" pictures and experiment some soviet cameras and lenses.

Best
Martti

Dear Martti,

The reason why I collect, shoot and repair is their kind of design and simplicity. They have a certain character other camera's don't have. To be satisfied with the design, without altering the model every year. Sturdiness, reliability. And the oppertunity to exchange a wide range of lenses. The Zenit E was my first camera.

But it is also an interest for the history of the former Soviet Union and East Germany. I'm from '87, we have friends and relatives living in the former East Germany. Thats a long story but we still talk much about it. Mostly because things changed so fast there after 1990.

With kind regards,


Milo Schekkerman

Topic refrech!!!

I don't collect, as such, I buy cameras to use. I bought a FED2 because I had never used a rangefinder, and couldn't afford a Leica. The Lubitel 2 was a free gift, and I never cease to be amazed at how sharp it is. The Horizont is fun, and where else am I going to get a swing-lens panoramic camera for less than Ј100? I also have an interest in the history of the eastern bloc, and this is one physical connection to that interest.

K.

Why do I collect.. I could say ' I'm spending the kids inheritance'.. that's not quite true.. it started when I needed just a couple of old working cameras that I could take images for use an art/craft project, as it turned out I won't be using the Russian cameras I purchased.. but rather pinhole cameras I have made..

Just one problem I got hooked on the Soviet cameras and number two was soon on the shelf and the collection had started.

One of my HomeMade Cameras.late next year it will me in an exhibition with the title 'Metamorphosis'.. My cameras have been made using as much recycled materials as possible.

Numer 16 arrived last week and 17 & 18 are in the post..

What a good question, Martti!

In fact, I don't know exactly. Probably there are several reasons.

The taste for history, certainly. If I love the Feds, it's because they represent (for me) the 30's. And the structure of production was really original. As a student 45 years ago (and a future teacher), I had learnt Makarenko's Commune...

Of course, there are too reasons of cost. I could not have collected Leicas as I do with Feds. And there is behind all that, at the beginning of the 30's, the symbol of the 24x36...

There is too mystery. With Russian cameras, there is always something to discover, whatever the camera be. There were much things to find about Feds. I find again this pleasure now with the early Kievs.

And there is friendship. Is there is nobody to communicate, collecting is empty, useless. Probably I would collect no more. So, thanks to Vlad for this site. I don't forget Alain, the first with whom I spoke of Russian cameras...

That was my one penny contribution...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Thank you for kind words, Jacques. As for me, it's probably obsession with small mechanical things, the nostalgic factor as I was born and grew up in former USSR republic of Georgia and of course the mystery and the rich history of country where people starved but ingenious engineers had created amazing machines.