And now... LENINGRAD!

Carburo

Carburo

Rangefinding Architect
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Joined
Sep 6, 2004
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I'm considering about buying the Leningrad that you see in the pic.
I know Leningrads not so much. It must be the one with automatic film advance (spring).

I ask to to let me know more! :p

It seems to be my next rangefinder.

Thanks
 
I had one of these a few years ago, there are a few variations. The early ones have glass pressure plates, the later metal. Be careful not to overwind as new springs are almost impossible to get. Very good VF/RF with frames for three different lenses. Two things to watch, as the drive is sprocketless, frame spacing increases from frame one to the end. so that if sending slides for processing, ask for it to be returned uncut and unmounted. It also has a recoil like a gun, fortunately after the picture is taken. Also not all 39mm lenses will fit, as the top plate sticks out a little above the mount, so a large diameter lens will not screw on.
Have fun its an interresting camera, I sometimes wish I had not sold mine. PS you do not get a burst of shots with it.
 
John Robertson said:
I had one of these a few years ago, there are a few variations. The early ones have glass pressure plates, the later metal. Be careful not to overwind as new springs are almost impossible to get. Very good VF/RF with frames for three different lenses. Two things to watch, as the drive is sprocketless, frame spacing increases from frame one to the end. so that if sending slides for processing, ask for it to be returned uncut and unmounted. It also has a recoil like a gun, fortunately after the picture is taken. Also not all 39mm lenses will fit, as the top plate sticks out a little above the mount, so a large diameter lens will not screw on.
Have fun its an interresting camera, I sometimes wish I had not sold mine. PS you do not get a burst of shots with it.
Click to expand...

Thanks John,
can u tell me the price you consider a right price for a Leningrad like the one you see in the pic, assuming that it's fully funcional?
Thanks again!
 
They are quite expensive in the UK for a really good one, your looks in good condition. Would sell here for £175 -£200. Another nice Russian camera is the now rare DRUG (friend) with a built in trigger wind on the base. Ive tried and failed to find a nice one of these!!
 
Leningrad User's Manual?

Leningrad User's Manual?

Hello,
I just bought a Leningrad camera on eBay. Totally mint, everything works, love it. I'm wondering if anyone have a User's manual or instructions for this camera? There are a few functions I couldn't figure out yet.
Thank you,
andras
 
andras said:
Hello,
I just bought a Leningrad camera on eBay. Totally mint, everything works, love it. I'm wondering if anyone have a User's manual or instructions for this camera? There are a few functions I couldn't figure out yet.
Thank you,
andras
Click to expand...
Andras DON'T USE THE D/ACTION TILL YOU HAVE A MANUAL, USED WRONGLY IT WILL JAM THE THING SOLID, been there, done that, so be warned!!! I can't remember the correct proceedure! Sorry!!
 
D/Action

D/Action

Hi John,
Thank you, but you are giving me too much credit; have no clue what a D/Action is:eek:
An hour ago I put a roll of film through, and besides not knowing when it ended, it worked fine. The rewinding took a while too, because the thing was so smooth I couldn't hear or feel when the film slid out of the "groove" of the spool. I'll process it Monday. Besides rewinding the film, is there any other purpose the rewind "wheel" has? On the top of the camera, right front of the flash shoe there is a round thing with two small holes in it. What is that for? I must say it has the clearest viewfinder I have ever seen. I've had Contaxes, Leicas, etc, but this one is amazing! Would love to get a 105 or 135 lens for it. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your reply,
andras
 
andras said:
Hi John,
Thank you, but you are giving me too much credit; have no clue what a D/Action is:eek:
Delayed Action or Self Timer, lever to the left of the lens on the front of the camera

Besides rewinding the film, is there any other purpose the rewind "wheel" has?
not really may have a film reminder dial on top.

On the top of the camera, right front of the flash shoe there is a round thing with two small holes in it. What is that for?
Keep out!! it is for access to the rengefinder adjustment, unless you know what you are doing, leave well alone. Old saying,"if it is not broken, don't fix it!!":rolleyes:

I must say it has the clearest viewfinder I have ever seen. I've had Contaxes, Leicas, etc, but this one is amazing! Would love to get a 105 or 135 lens for it. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your reply,
andras
Click to expand...
85 f2 is good, has a frame for that.in the viewfinder.
but I repeat, Get an instrucion book, they are great cameras but they need care in use, wish I had kept mine.
John.
 
Great Andras
this will help you get the best out of a great camera.
All the best, we will look out for your masterpieces!!
Ciao

Giovanni
 
Yikes, I'm having Leningrad flashbacks!

In case anyone is interested:

Some pics and notes from my past experience with a Leningrad are here (click.)

And here is an old and rather ugly page showing a few not-very-good photos of the insides of a Leningrad: click.

There's some Leningrad info on Karen Nakamura's website (click), too.

And since someone mentioned the DRUG -- a less audacious but considerably more usable camera, in my opinion; maybe the best FSU RF, I think -- I've got another notes/pics page here (click.)

I no longer own either of these cameras, but I still remember their quirks fondly (at least somewhat.)
 
Leningrad Manual non-understanding

Leningrad Manual non-understanding

Thank yo everyone for your kind support towards my uneducated mind. Just bought a manual, if anyone needs a copy it's yours, just ask.
I have a bit of an issue with the foloowing and I quote from the manual:
""The camera has a curtain shutter. The head of the shutter speeds has a scale with marks '1000' instead of 1/1000, '500' instead of 1/500 etc.
The switch lever is intended for setting the shutter mechanism to automatic speeds 'M' and to manual speeds 'B' or 'D'. For using automatic speeds from 1/1000 up to 1 sec., the lever should be set to 'M'. To get a 'B' speed, it is necessary to set both the lever and the head to 'B' position, and to press the shutter release button. The shutter also allows you to make an exposure for a long time ('D' speed). For this purpose it is necessary to set the lever to 'M', and the head to 'B', and to press the release button."

Does this mean, that the camera has a light meter built in? Otherwise how would it be able to figure out "automatic" speeds?
I know it is me who just can't understand it, but is there a chance that something got lost in the translation from Russian to English?
Thanks again,
andras
 
I think they are telling you that normal exposures 1/1000 to 1 sec use lever at M. For B set lever at B and speed selector at B (shutter stays open until you release shutter button). For T exposure set lever at M and speed selector at B (shutter stays open without hold release down and closes when you press release a second time or perhaps mover the speed dial - I don't remember). I will check when I have a chance to pull up the official English manual I have of pdf. Sorry no built in meter.

Michael
 
My manual makes no mention of D. Indeed it only speaks of automatic (i.e. set the shutter speed and automatically the shutter opens and closes) and B (where you must close the shutter). B is achieved by lever at B and speed dial at B - you must manually close the shutter by moving the lever off the B. B is really like T on other cameras but I guess it all has to do with advancing the film a frame.

Michael
 
The "natural" or "default" position of the lever is horizontal, so I assume that is M. I love not having a built in meter but I think I got confused by the word "automatic, so I was looking for it everywhere :bang: :D
Shot 6 rolls of Tri-X, can't wait to see... Thank you again,
a
 
Carburo said:
I'm considering about buying the Leningrad that you see in the pic.
I know Leningrads not so much. It must be the one with automatic film advance (spring).

I ask to to let me know more! :p

It seems to be my next rangefinder.

Thanks
Click to expand...

IMHO, the Leningrad is more a collector's camera than a user. Its rangedinfer has very brittle metal frames that are very easy to break. The frame spacing could be very uneven due to the pulling force. However, in case the rangefinder is broken, an accessary rangefinder could be used as a remedy. Or a wide angle lens could be used for scale focusing.:(
 
zhang xk said:
IMHO, the Leningrad is more a collector's camera than a user. Its rangedinfer has very brittle metal frames that are very easy to break. The frame spacing could be very uneven due to the pulling force. However, in case the rangefinder is broken, an accessary rangefinder could be used as a remedy. Or a wide angle lens could be used for scale focusing.:(
Click to expand...

It is obvious that the Soviets tried to produce a luxury camera. The Leningrad has better finish to details than other Soviet rangefinder cameras. All those tiny parts are polished and chrome plated. The camera was made at a time when USSR launched the 1st satellite so they need a camera to demonstrate their technical edges.:rolleyes:
 

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