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ray_g
Guest
Anyone know if there are any instructions for the Iskra II available online?
Instruction Manual for Iskra
- Thread starter ray_g
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W
wlewisiii
Guest
Only in russian from the KMZ website. Babelfish does ... strange things to it.
William
William
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ray_g
Guest
Thanks, William. Would it be worth looking for a manual for the Agfa Super Isolette?
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wlewisiii
Guest
I'm not sure because I've never seen it. The camera is pretty straight forward though - do you have a specific question?
William
William
R
Roman
Guest
There's really nothing special about operating the Iskra - look here, too:
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DXkK
Just ask what you want to know (can't help you with operating the lightmeter, though, since I have the meter-less original Iskra).
Roman
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DXkK
Just ask what you want to know (can't help you with operating the lightmeter, though, since I have the meter-less original Iskra).
Roman
R
ray_g
Guest
Mostly about loading. I scanned the photo.net link, Roman, and it looks like that was covered. I'll read it more carefully later tonight, and will let you guys know if I have any specific problems. Thanks!
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Roman
Guest
Loading is really easy - just put the fresh film in on the left, and the empty spool on the right (you have to turn those little wheels on the bottom, but it is still a bit fidgety to get the spools in), thread the backing paper into the empty spool, make one or two turns with the knob so that it is winding securely, close the back, and wind on until the knob can't be turned any more , and you see '1' on the frame counter - the camera detects the beginning of the film, like a Rolleiflex Automat - no need to line up 'start' marks....
Roman
Roman
Apostata
Significant Other
Hey there,
I just received an Iskra I purchased on eBay - trying to test it out and verify the "exc" condition the seller promised. The fact that the back plate doesn't seem to close perfectly scares me a little.
My first question is: how do you adjust the shutter speed? I know it's linked to the aperature, but I've no clue how to unlink/readjust it. I've gone to the KMZ site, but babelfish and PROMT don't do the wording much justice.
Any help appreciated.
M
I just received an Iskra I purchased on eBay - trying to test it out and verify the "exc" condition the seller promised. The fact that the back plate doesn't seem to close perfectly scares me a little.
My first question is: how do you adjust the shutter speed? I know it's linked to the aperature, but I've no clue how to unlink/readjust it. I've gone to the KMZ site, but babelfish and PROMT don't do the wording much justice.
Any help appreciated.
M
Joao
Negativistic forever
Hi, no problem with mine, I just hold the speed dial and turn the aperture ring as I want.
A very comprehensive text here. Not exactly a manual, but you may find it useful. I hope it helps.
http://www.reportajes-jmserrano.com/iskra.htm
Best regards
Joao
NickTrop
Veteran
Couple tips you won't find in the manual...
1. If you get a light leak that looks like a solid strip on the left (or sometimes right) side of the print that appears in 2 or 3 frames per roll, always in the same place... before you drive yourself crazy trying to find it/fix it, read this thread for a simple no-cost fix. This light leak is quite common:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58597
2. If you're using a flash be sure that the camera is set securely to "X". If the selector is not resting perfectly on the X, your flash synch will be off. It can look like it's properly set but upon inspection be off by a nudge.
A fully functional Iskra is a treasure imo. Enjoy.
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1. If you get a light leak that looks like a solid strip on the left (or sometimes right) side of the print that appears in 2 or 3 frames per roll, always in the same place... before you drive yourself crazy trying to find it/fix it, read this thread for a simple no-cost fix. This light leak is quite common:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58597
2. If you're using a flash be sure that the camera is set securely to "X". If the selector is not resting perfectly on the X, your flash synch will be off. It can look like it's properly set but upon inspection be off by a nudge.
A fully functional Iskra is a treasure imo. Enjoy.
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W
wlewisiii
Guest
Apostata
Significant Other
Thanks for the replies, folks. I've managed to figure out the speed/aperature settings. Now I just have to clean it. The action on the aperature ring is a little "crusty".
Apostata
Significant Other
Next question: do I have to manually lift (or pull) the shutter release button back up after taking an exposure? I was expecting it to pop back up after taking a shot, but it didn't, and when I wound the roll further it just kept winding (thus I've lost some exposures). It was only when I manually pulled the shutter release button back up did it behave normally. Any advice appreciated.
M
M
Apostata
Significant Other
Okay - now I'm doubly confused. I checked out this response on the RFF, regarding another Iskra question about the shutter release.
I feel like an idiot asking this, but how do I take a picture? What role does the "shutter winder" (the lever on the top/left part of the lens, between the shutter/aperature rings and the focus ring) have? Do I need to press down on the lever in order to take the next shot?
Sorry for the questions, but between the Russian->English translations of manuals and the related-but-not-quite-what-I'm-experiencing threads elsewhere I can't find an answer.
I feel like an idiot asking this, but how do I take a picture? What role does the "shutter winder" (the lever on the top/left part of the lens, between the shutter/aperature rings and the focus ring) have? Do I need to press down on the lever in order to take the next shot?
Sorry for the questions, but between the Russian->English translations of manuals and the related-but-not-quite-what-I'm-experiencing threads elsewhere I can't find an answer.
julio1fer
Well-known
The Iskra is supposed to be a copy of the Agfa Super Isolette. You can get a manual of the Super Isolette here.
These cameras do not load the shutter spring when winding film, as many 35 mm cameras do. You have to cock the shutter yourself with the "shutter winder". So taking a picture is a two-step procedure: wind film, load shutter, then you can release.
If you want to try the shutter without film, open the back, look at the very sharp teeth of the counting wheel at top right, move them in the film direction carefully until it clicks. This will liberate the double exposure lock, then you can cock the shutter and release. You'll have to do this 12 times, since the counter has to go full cycle.
These cameras do not load the shutter spring when winding film, as many 35 mm cameras do. You have to cock the shutter yourself with the "shutter winder". So taking a picture is a two-step procedure: wind film, load shutter, then you can release.
If you want to try the shutter without film, open the back, look at the very sharp teeth of the counting wheel at top right, move them in the film direction carefully until it clicks. This will liberate the double exposure lock, then you can cock the shutter and release. You'll have to do this 12 times, since the counter has to go full cycle.
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RichC
Well-known
I've got an Iskra arriving next week. As I've never used 120 film let alone an ancient folding totally manual camera, I really wanted some instructions.
The only manual available on the web is the one in Russian on KMZ's website - but online translators do horrible things to it! So, I've just about finished putting together a draft English translation, piecing it together using assorted online translators:
Download English manual
If anyone spots any mistakes, do let me know...
It's for the Iskra not Iskra-2, but apart from the light meter and a few cosmetic details I believe they are identical.
Like many manuals, the original wasn't particularly well organised or written (ignoring the Russian!), so although the translation's reasonably faithful to the original, I have edited it (seeing as I'm an editor!) to (hopefully) improve it!
I've also included an addendum of useful tips.
The only manual available on the web is the one in Russian on KMZ's website - but online translators do horrible things to it! So, I've just about finished putting together a draft English translation, piecing it together using assorted online translators:
Download English manual
If anyone spots any mistakes, do let me know...
It's for the Iskra not Iskra-2, but apart from the light meter and a few cosmetic details I believe they are identical.
Like many manuals, the original wasn't particularly well organised or written (ignoring the Russian!), so although the translation's reasonably faithful to the original, I have edited it (seeing as I'm an editor!) to (hopefully) improve it!
I've also included an addendum of useful tips.
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Joao
Negativistic forever
Apostata
Significant Other
julio1fer:
No luck in this - I turn the tooth-wheel but it never clicks.
RichC - I think I see in your document what I'm doing wrong. I will have to get a new roll of 120 and try it out. Like you, I've never used 120, or a fold-out camera, so this is all new to me as well.
No luck in this - I turn the tooth-wheel but it never clicks.
RichC - I think I see in your document what I'm doing wrong. I will have to get a new roll of 120 and try it out. Like you, I've never used 120, or a fold-out camera, so this is all new to me as well.
john341
camera user
Iskra Camera
Iskra Camera
The instructions may not help you overcome the problem which arises if the camera has been altered to do 16 exposures. My Iskra had been butchered and the camera's film advance stopped at he 12th exposure. The solution was to go to the black bag, remove the back and allow the exposure counter to reset and carry on. Beautiful lens. This was one of the best to come from the USSR. Good luck
Iskra Camera
The instructions may not help you overcome the problem which arises if the camera has been altered to do 16 exposures. My Iskra had been butchered and the camera's film advance stopped at he 12th exposure. The solution was to go to the black bag, remove the back and allow the exposure counter to reset and carry on. Beautiful lens. This was one of the best to come from the USSR. Good luck
Apostata
Significant Other
I just can't figure it out...as per RichC's manual:
1) I cock the shutter with the lever on the lens (item #19 in Figure 2 of the manual), turning it until it stops.
2) I turn the film advance knob to the next exposure.
3) When I press the shutter release button, the shutter does not release and the shutter release button stays pressed (it does not come back up).
I know the shutter works, because I can trip the shutter release on the shutter assembly - so why doesn't the shutter release button work? Even after releasing the shutter this way, the shutter release button stays pressed down - if I don't lift it up, the film advance will allow me to wind until the entire roll is used up. Is this normal??
This just depresses me. I don't know if the camera's broke or if I'm just totally missing something.
1) I cock the shutter with the lever on the lens (item #19 in Figure 2 of the manual), turning it until it stops.
2) I turn the film advance knob to the next exposure.
3) When I press the shutter release button, the shutter does not release and the shutter release button stays pressed (it does not come back up).
I know the shutter works, because I can trip the shutter release on the shutter assembly - so why doesn't the shutter release button work? Even after releasing the shutter this way, the shutter release button stays pressed down - if I don't lift it up, the film advance will allow me to wind until the entire roll is used up. Is this normal??
This just depresses me. I don't know if the camera's broke or if I'm just totally missing something.