UFK 2

Wow these are pretty decent for a toy I like the one with the rowboat especially, very nice!

Bill thank you very much for all your work and time to make pictures and post them for us! What is your opinion about this pictures? And may be more members can post they input?

Here is how I made the photos with UKK-2 camera. I assembled the camera according to the picture diagram in the instructions. This was easy for me and would be easy for a child. Instead of using the two casstes that came with the set, I just used a roll of FUJICHROME 200 in the standard cassette it comes in. I used a take up spool from one of the cassettes in the set, but when the film was done, I took it out of the camera in a dark closet and rewound the film into the FUJI cassette by hand. The FUJICHROME is quite outdated (about 15 years old) and a fairer test could use new film.
The camera was easy to use. The frame-finder window (with no glass or plastic) seems accurate in framing the subject. The shutter works easily. The camera is so light that it is hard to hold steady and it is easy to move it just by pushing the shutter. The winding mechanism works good and the little frame indicator on the back is accurate. The two setting aperture works good and allows for some discretion in exposure, along with the "B" or "I" speed settings. By the end of the roll, I had a feeling where to set and when to use these (not major decisions).
I did not alter the camera by trying to stop light leaks. There does not seem to be any light leaks as far as I can see from the negatives. The lens is glass, but not coated and flare shows on most photos taken in bright light. The grainy quality of the photos is due to the outdated film. If an ASA 100 speed film, not outdated was used, this would be much improved. Also next time I will use black and white film as this was what was intended to be used (since the set comes with an enlarger... probably not for color).
The film was scratched, on the non-emulsion side on parts of the roll and this was done by the film pressure plate which had a bump in it pointing toward the film, made by a drilled hole (poor quality control and design). This will be fixed by putting a piece of scotch tape over it next time before I use it. Also, I notice a reflection of light along the right side of the photos which I believe was caused by the small metal half-frame window plate that is in front of the film (poor design, should have been flat black).
This was a quick test and I did not set the camera down on a surface and make an exposure to see actually how sharp (or unsharp) the lens is. But, I would have to say that the lens is poor. Less sharp than a LOMO LC-A and edge sharpness is quite poor.
So, all in all, I would say that this unit does qualify as a camera and would not be the worst thing to learn on, considering that you also gain knowledge and self estemm by constructing it, using it, printing photos (if that part works)and learning how silver-based photography and optics work. With the guidance of a parent and film, it would be a useful learning tool and you could make photographs with it. A good introduction for a cheap price to see if a child has interest and patience. If the child had interest, the next year at Christmas, things could be up-graded!
I would say it is a camera that can make photographs. The only things wrong are that the lens could be sharper, the film pressure plate smoother, the half frame plate flat black. Makes photos to be proud of if you are a beginner and could make you want to be a photographer because now you know how to make photos!
However... thi set is outdated as now I'm sure kids will start with a used digital camera on Dad's computer ;-)

By the way, my LOMO UFK-2 camera is serial number 94009516 (stamped on the bottom of the camera).

Regards, Bill

Thank you Bill for such comprehensive and honest report. Your words is completely coincided with words of my Natural Physic teacher why introduced me to this set. It show how light work, how it can make pictures and really good for all kinds of experiments.
I’m surprised about serial number on your set. I used set like this in 70-th and was sure that production seas short time after this. I wonder if you can find price of this set on the box or inside the manuals/passport. As I remember price was significantly higher then price of the Smena 8M.. That is why only few parents bought it. Also I do not think new film will significantly improve quality of the pictures. Also you developed this film in a mini lab. Film developed by machines in the lab has electronic control and produced great results even on pure negatives (like mine:). When I used this set, we had only b&w film 65 GOST(roughly 65ASA) and concentrated developer and did everything by hands with on the whole clock. Very frustrated and very soon I discovered that most of the film was impossible to use at all. Few remaining frames had very blurry images.
Well, may be set was modified over the time for better results. But I would not be to sure.
I would not buy such set for my kid at any price because pure results most likely would take him off the photography then in it. Truly to make pictures with such camera you must be a pro. No way inexperienced kid can make pictures with such equipment. Your pictures probably as good as it gets. They are great for Lomography!! But most likely they will not go in family album. It would be hard to recognize who was on the pictures in few years. Of cause this is matter of perception and I thank you to go this far and for posting your report and pictures, but I still lean to call this set educational toy but no more. Does it belong in camera collection? Absolutely yes. Would you take it with you on vacation and call it a camera? That may be in questions(for me).

Okynek, thanks for looking at the photos and my comments. I agree with you 100%. This quality of set can be difficult to use and bring bad results and so it can go either way depending on the personality of the child and encouragement from the parents ... either to prompt the child to explore photography more, or to make them feel it is too difficult. No doubt, if a child used this set at a young age with out guidance from an older person, it could be discouraging. But with proper guidence and encouragement, it could have good results for future interest.
But, our original question as to whether or not this is a camera and can make images is not in doubt after my experiments. It is a camera and can make photographs, in my opinion. It will produce the "magic image"... the photograph from life.
Good for vactation ? No way! But for $20.00 you can buy a small used digital camera for you and your kid to use! These days no one uses film for vacations ;-).


Regards, Bill

These are great Lomography style pics though! Anyone who's into it will definitely benefit from this little shooter.