David Silver
Contributing Member
"Will work for antique cameras..."
Posts: 20
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Post by David Silver on Oct 2, 2005 23:09:48 GMT -5
For those of you who have never seen one, here's a picture of my Iskra that I mentioned in an earlier message: Highly recommended, although the previous noted caveats (regarding the film advance mechanism) still apply. A superb little camera for 6 x 6 cm exposures on #120 roll film. Dave
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Post by kamera on Oct 3, 2005 20:24:51 GMT -5
Dave,
Must have missed your other reference to this camera. And yours is a beauty.
Where was it made? I have never heard of, or seen one before.
Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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David Silver
Contributing Member
"Will work for antique cameras..."
Posts: 20
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Post by David Silver on Oct 3, 2005 21:11:12 GMT -5
Hey Ron,
This "My Favorites" thread got popular and is on its second page now! My earlier post, where I first mentioned the Iskra, is buried in the first page.
The Iskra is a high quality copy of the 1950's Agfa Super Isolette (another superb, but pricey camera!), made by Krasnogorsk of the USSR in the early 1960's, for 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 inch exposures on #120 roll film. Very compact and intuitive design. Great coupled rangefinder, and the Industar-58 75mm f3.5 lens is outstanding. The only problem is a manufacturing issue with the film advance and exposure registration. You MUST check these functions before buying an Iskra. It's not something that pops up later, but happens right out of the box. Find a winner like mine, and you'll love this camera forever! Last time I paid attention there were plenty of these on eBay going for $75 and less, including ones that were "new" in the box. An original Agfa Super Isolette would cost at least three times as much!
Dave
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Post by kiev4a on Oct 6, 2005 9:19:47 GMT -5
Just thought I would add a picture of my neat old Mamiya-6! Next to the Super Ikonta, the Mamiya 6 would be my next choice for a MF folder. The Six has a nice clean look to it.
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Post by herron on Oct 7, 2005 0:38:03 GMT -5
I love my Mamiya-6!
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kdwall
Contributing Member
"And what does THIS little button do...?"
Posts: 23
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Post by kdwall on Oct 7, 2005 9:40:32 GMT -5
I've used a Mamiya 6 and had a great time with it! The moving film plane was a kick. I understand there was quite a series of these from Mamiya. The one I had was brought back from Japan in 1949 by a man in the navy who claimed he bought it new. I don't recall the exact model, but it had an Olympus lens and was marked "Made in Occupied Japan". I think my favorite medium format folder right now (and I admit I haven't had near as much experience with medium format as with 35mm) was the Moskva 5 I got off ebay last year. I got lucky with a snipe bid, bought it cheap, and primarily wanted the experience of 6 x 9 shooting. All I can say is I got one hell of a deal relative to what I paid. The camera was great! But I traded it away eventaully to pick up more Canon rangefinder stuff. Have yet to use one of those Super Ikontas, but they're on my "must do" list. And that Iskra does look cool.
KD
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Post by herron on Oct 7, 2005 14:49:01 GMT -5
Mamiya started manufacturing the Mamiya-6 in May 1940. The "MIOJ" labeling was used in the time period from 1945 (after World War II) through, I believe, April 1952. A lot of cameras were sold to US military personnel stationed there during that time.
I don't have any ready examples, but I understand you can also find items from the other side of the world marked "Occupied Germany."
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Oct 7, 2005 18:58:26 GMT -5
Ron,
The 'occupied Japan' and 'occupied Germany' labelling in the years following WWII was the Allies' somewhat unsubtle way of emphasising that though they wanted, and indeed helped, Japanese and German industry to rebuild itself, they were still the bossmen. They were entitled to insist on this in Germany following 'unconditional surrender' in 1945 till 1955 when both the GDR, or German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and the FRG, or Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) became independent, but it was relaxed in 1952 when Japan regained independence.
Peter
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Post by byuphoto on Dec 31, 2005 21:06:51 GMT -5
I use the Moskva 5 and am waiting on my Ansco Super speedex to arrive. I am looking for a good Iskra and already have a Kodak Retina II A and an Agfa karat 36. The Moskva takes some getting used to but I just love the big 6x9 negs
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Post by byuphoto on Dec 31, 2005 21:11:41 GMT -5
My favorite photo with the Moskva 5
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
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Post by PeterW on Jan 1, 2006 14:32:15 GMT -5
This is a lovely picture. I've never seen that completely auburn colour over a whole landscape before. I like the way the path (road?) curves round to take your eye into the tunnel under the trees.
I just wondered if I would have tried a second shot taken from a few paces to the left to bring the bottom of the road further over into the picture, but looking at the scene again that might have made the lamposts too obtrusive. As it is they blend in nicely.
Peter
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Post by byuphoto on Jan 1, 2006 15:38:47 GMT -5
Thanks, Peter. It is an old RR bed converted to walking path so the area to the left is occupied by buildings. This was as good as I could get.. It was taken very early in the morning last week. The film was Fuji Reala
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Post by byuphoto on Jan 15, 2006 8:47:32 GMT -5
here is my 1957 Moskva 5 with my Norwood Director meter model C, from the same era, and my favorite mug filled with New Orleans blend Community coffee
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Post by byuphoto on Jan 15, 2006 8:48:16 GMT -5
This was taken with my Mamiya C330. It was the first roll I ran through it and I am impressed
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