Chinese replica F21 camera, model 150

05/20/2024 11:24

05/20/2024 17:58

Hello liukai, thanks for posting this. I've just done a quick search for the f21 "kgb" camera. It's a new one to me. I also found out that its other name is "Ajax 12" and it used 21mm film (which I've never heard of) and gives 18mm x 24mm negatives. Here's a link for anyone who is interested, but who doesn't know much about it:

https://www.cryptomuseum.com/covert/camera/f21/index.htm

05/20/2024 21:29

thank seanperry

05/21/2024 10:11

Hi,
The Soviet secret service NKVD, the predecessor of the KGB, had a small observation camera developed by the OOT (Otdel Operativnoy Techniki) in the 1940s. The first model was the UFA (Universal Foto Apparatus), which was probably the first camera in the world to be equipped with an integrated electric winder in 1945. It is possible that they later switched to a spring motor like the Robot due to battery problems. The subsequent models Ajax 8 (1948), Ajax 9 (1949), Ajax 10 (1950) and Ajax 11 (1951) came closer and closer to the well-known F 21, which was built from 1952 as Ajax 12 until 1994. In contrast to the 1503, the F 21 only has three times: 1/10, 1/30, 1/100 s and B. This development is richly illustrated in “The Secret History of KGB Spy Cameras” by Keith Melton.

05/21/2024 11:18

The Chinese 1503
In the 80s, the Shanghai factory 832 built a copy of the Russian F 21, but with some modifications, so the time range was extended to Ѕ to 1/150 s and B, and there were four lenses: 2/28 mm, 2.8/28mm, 4.5/28mm and 5/40mm, all with distance adjustment. Trigger and time setting knob were modified where necessary.
Like the F 21, it has a negative format of 18 x 24 mm and can take 14 - 15 shots. 35 mm film is cut to a width of 21 mm using a film cutter and placed in special cassettes that are light-tight and can be changed in daylight.

05/21/2024 21:46

quote:
Originally posted by Detlev

The Chinese 1503
In the 80s, the Shanghai factory 832 built a copy of the Russian F 21, but with some modifications, so the time range was extended to Ѕ to 1/150 s and B, and there were four lenses: 2/28 mm, 2.8/28mm, 4.5/28mm and 5/40mm, all with distance adjustment. Trigger and time setting knob were modified where necessary.
Like the F 21, it has a negative format of 18 x 24 mm and can take 14 - 15 shots. 35 mm film is cut to a width of 21 mm using a film cutter and placed in special cassettes that are light-tight and can be changed in daylight.

only three shots