Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Aug 30, 2012 5:06:38 GMT -5
I think the "gentlemen " from the Russian Embassy would have expected the full return of the special display from what I heard. The photo trade referred, jokingly, to TOE, the importer, as the KGB Camera Company, they were run directly from Moscow, the UK being a large market for the Zenit cameras. But they were totally non commercial, only delivering what was permitted, not to demand as a normal company would operate. The Camera shop I worked with ordered two Kiev 6x6 reflexes, and it took 2 years for the order to be filled!! Then at other times crates of the Zenits would turn up out of the blue. By the 70's all they supplied in rangefinders to the UK was the 4K, we could have sold the earlier Leica clones far more easily. Earlier FEDs where never officially imported to the UK, the post war restrictions stopped Russian stuff till the 1960's. Some was brought in by non manufacturers importers for direct sales, mainly in London shops. The only shop to get unusual items from was the Holborn (London), shop run by TOE, they did occasionally get small batches of items like the Start Reflex, or 16mm Cameras etc., but it was never advertised, they sold quickly to enthusiasts.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Aug 30, 2012 11:37:17 GMT -5
Taken on a Vega 2 16mm sub miniature just bought from UK Ebay, £7.00's worth, tested today with a cut piece of 35 Ilford film, (no cassette in the camera). Shows the Russians could make decent equipment when they wanted. Made by Kiev Arsenal in the 1960's, uses Minolta 16mm film. it was cheap, as three tiny holes have been add to the case, must have been for a bracket. I'll cover it with a tiny brass red star Soviet cap badge!, the Russians used to do this as well, the badges showed it belonged to the Embassy. Focusing lens on this model, three speeds and apertures,and takes Minolta filters!....I wonder why.....I know, they copied the whole camera, but actually improved it. Got to find a couple of cassettes, and a can of 16mm B/W Stephen.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Aug 30, 2012 12:03:29 GMT -5
Forgot the picture of the camera! Stephen.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
|
Post by Stephen on Aug 30, 2012 12:05:16 GMT -5
With Kiev camera open, no cassette! I have a Minolta 16 with a spare for the time being. Stephen.
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daveh
Lifetime Member
Posts: 4,696
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Post by daveh on Aug 30, 2012 12:49:39 GMT -5
Good stuff, Stephen.
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