TSVVS / VTS-VS Camera Discussion

I had forgotten DVD's site on which there are some very interesting pictures... As the more there are also pictures of Zorki 1949 which allow precise comparisons.
No doubt: almost all is different. Even the spring for release shutter has a strange and original curve. It looks as if TSVVS were inspired by Leicas, not being exactly copies as Fed and Zorki can be.

Amitiйs. Jacques.

I think that it would be very interesting to see the kind of comparison that was done on DVDTECH, only between a Leica and TSVVS. I don't have the knowledge to take the cameras apart (or more precisely, to put them back together) or I would do it. A comparison like that might possibly lead to some answers as to where TSVVS was made.

I also think that probably the Russian military officers were using German cameras as a preference before and during the war (just as many Russian professional photographers did ... for example Rodchenko used a Leica), and so they wanted something more like the Leica and Contax for their own use ... better quality build and appearance, but with Soviet insignias ... to make it a Soviet camera! What could be better than to have the defeated Germans make them the TSVVS to the high standards of both Contax and Leica!

Regards, Bill

quote:

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Originally posted by Zoom


I'm only think that "the East German version" is the most probable, but I havn't facts. :(

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Or this plant: http://www.106eomz.ru/ (106-й экспериментальный оптико-механический завод -- 106-d experimental optical-mechanical plant), located in Moscow, founded in 1941, and 60 years has been producing equipment for the Topographical service of Armed Forces.

This is very interesting and may be a real possibility. Maybe someone who knows Russian could write an e-mail to them and ask if anyone there remembers if they were making any 35mm cameras in 1949 - 1950. If the e-mail link will work!

Regards, Bill

the Pismo(contact) and Karta saite (Index) icons do not work!
LP

quote:

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Originally posted by nightphoto

If the e-mail link will work!

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I found only this address: 106eomz@ip.sitek.net

Well .. for what it is worth, I have sent an e-mail in English to that e-mail address asking if anyone there has information about the camera. I included two photos of one of my own TSVVS cameras in the e-mail.

I will post it here if there is any response at all!

Regards, Bill

You may write in English They will answer. Why not use the opportunity also to ask about TSVVS2 (or whatelse it could be)?
Regards
LP

Hi Luiz,

First let's see if they are responsive about TSVVS. If so then we will know more. Then if the answer is that they have made TSVVS, maybe we can ask about other camera production that they may be responsible for!

Regards, Bill

Bill, I can also follow up in Russian if needed. Let me know.

Thanks,
Vlad.

I allow me to recall this old topic because of my last fund.
This camera was sold as "Leica replica or prototype", but it is definetly TSVVS. Very interesting is the "virgin" top plate without any engraving and the lens CZJ Tessar 3,5/50. The lether case has also no name.
What could it be? Really a TSVVS prototype or a camera for some special case? Nevertheless I think it is a very interesting example.
















Regards, Alexander

What a beautiful TSVVS, Alexander! All my congratulations!
This one is "blind", without inscriptions. Some are known to be so, but they are very rare. Yours seems original (= no erasure)

I think that this one is a 1949 one by the "angular" corner of the cover just above the central screw.

Concerning the lens, this Tessar was delivered the 12th of january 1948, by Thiele. To compare with many TSVVS equipped with a Sonnar from the 4th of december 1947 (batch 3089501 to 900).

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Leningrad was the city of new prototype cameras after the war.
The GOI, Leningrad FCH, why not the TSVVS?
LOMO already had all VOOMP tools and skilled technicians... It was needed only to adapt Zeiss Contax normal lenses.
Regards
LP

Great find, Alexander! Congratulations! I've seen this camera before once, it's quite rare!

By the way, seeing this thread reminded me: I did contact Zeiss Historical society but never got an answer from them... too bad.

Cheers,
Vlad