10 years USSRPhoto camera?

Hello again,

I've recieved a reply from Mika and unfontunately with some very sad news. The person who made our previous cameras had passed away last year so he doesn't know anyone else to make this happen.. I will ask around but it seems like our previous series just became very limited editions..

Vlad

Didn't the Zenit 3m have brass top and bottom plates? if so, perhaps it would be good to have the gray metal stripped off so that the cameras come like they were supplied in a brass finish?

I think this would entail the 'repainting' of any black writing that's on the top/bottom plates, as I think any 'stripping' would get rid of the black paint as well.

I presume the wind knobs etc. were not brass, so a mix of brass, chrome and black may not look as good as we would hope.

Would it be possible to make the wind knobs etc. look brass? What about the lens, which type would it be and could it be made to look brass as well?

Yes, I know. I'm getting into the realms of fantasy now.

But I do think Brass and black would look good.

I think the front of the prism should have 'Zenit 3m' on it. I also think there's enough room on top of the prism for "10 years of USSR photo forum", though maybe with 'U' starting a second line of text.
Perhaps that inscription should be in red?

This camera will be useable, yes? How much would it be?

Hmm , if "All good things are 3" then perhaps it ought o be a Zenit 3 that is used? In which case, the red inscription should go on tha back of the top plate.

EDIT: Sorry, I've only just read the sad news in the previous post. Looks like we may not be able to have this done.

Sorry that Vlad's solution cannot be used.
It would certainly be possible to find another guy to make this short series?

Anyway, as already told, you can put me in, Vlad, if possible. A Zenit would be a perfect symbol of our forum, even if I have only one!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Vlad,
I asked about such fakes in the Ukraine and hope to get an answer till the end of November.
Any ideas about the possible price (max)?

Regards, Alexander

Alexander, thank you! We paid $120-150 USD in the past for such cameras.

Cheers,
Vlad

This may seem like a silly question, but are these anniversary cameras actually useable?

I don't really know why I'm asking, I probably won't be able to afford one anyway.

yeah the two they I got were totally refurbished, I usually used the 2 year one.

Many thanks for trying, Alexander.

Good morning, Vlad;

Last year I had thought about stepping up and asking to be included as a participant in the "10 year program," but it looks like that will not be possible. Admittedly, this would have just been something where it would "be nice" to do it, but it is not truly necessary. I do have my Kiev-88 and other 120 roll film cameras, and there is a Zorki-4K here that I was able to clean, relubricate, and adjust to fit my desire for a solid working 35mm film rangefinder camera. These really are good working mechanical cameras with a range of adjustments that allow taking photographs over a wide range of lighting conditions. I enjoy using mine.

Yes, when doing work for other people, now I will usually use a DSLR camera with its immediacy and availability for transferring the photographs I have taken to them at the end of the event, and usually ready for use in their newsletter or on their web site.

But with these cameras, it brings back the feelings that I experienced back in the late 1950s and the 1960s when I was beginning to use cameras and learning photography. Then a photographer was much more involved in all aspects of the picture taking process. Now with auto-exposure, auto-focusing, and wide range zoom lenses with good image quality, photography really is much easier now. Most of what is left for a photographer is the framing and composition of the photograph, and the timing of the photograph. A lot of modern photography really is a "point-and-shoot" process today. With the Kiev, Zenit, and Zorki cameras here, I can feel much more like I did back 50 or 60 years ago when taking a photograph.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Lattй Land, Washington

Hi Ralph,

good to see you back on the forum! Yes, unfortunately this project didn't take off as I still can't find anyone to do the work.. these cameras are always a great memento to have, I still cherish the 2 and 5 year anniversary ones, always great conversation pieces.. if I do run into someone who has the skills to make one, I will definitely announce it here.

Best regards,
Vlad