johnd83
Contributing Member
Posts: 10 
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Post by johnd83 on Aug 9, 2013 2:06:04 GMT -5
Good morning all,
A couple of weeks ago I picked up one of these from a local for the price of £2. I have I found it hard to find any information regarding this camera.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Aug 9, 2013 6:04:08 GMT -5
Used to sell these in the 1970's, especially to impoverished Students at the local Art College for Photographic classes and courses, and in their hands they did grand work, the all glass lens is basic, but is quite sharp at the smaller apertures. I cannot quite remember the original 1970's price exactly, but about £9.99 to £12.00 or so, and it had a reasonable case with it, not charging extra, as with other inexpensive cameras, including Kodak.......
The lens sharpness is just about acceptable at maximum aperture, but suits colour portraiture. Landscapes at smallest apertures are good, even for modest enlargements.
The devil is in the detail though, as usual you have to rely on finding a decent one, but TOE(Ltd), did claim that they thoroughly tested out all the UK supplied ones, and indeed, we very rarely had returns under the guarantee. We sold a lot secondhand, as most students changes to a Practica as soon as the courses ended.
A lot of Student Nurses at the local Hospital had them as well, often keeping them for many years, and we saw a lot of the results, which for normal colour print sizes were absolutely fine.
On other than the UK market, including Russia, the quality control was downright awful, which was why TOE(Ltd)., insisted to us, via the TOE(Ltd)., company directors, that testing was always done........we did not really believe them completely!
Stephen.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Aug 9, 2013 6:16:32 GMT -5
 The older alternative Cosmic 35, same 3 element lens etc. The name Cosmic was unique to the UK market, TOE(ltd)., claimed copyright on the mane for cameras, at one point the Zenit reflex was to be re-named for the UK market, but they did not go ahead. Stephen. |
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Aug 9, 2013 6:30:47 GMT -5
Better sit down first.......!! Lomo Photographies shop have brand new Smena Cameras available for sale..at $99 each.........they average about £10 or less on Ebay..........
Stephen.
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