iskra 1/2 users....info needed

[xcapekey]

hey all....in my search for a 6x6 folder, i've come along many links about the iskra....what do you users think? worth it or not? i've been offered an iskra 2 for about $175 that is suppose to be in excellent condition? good deal/bad deal?

overall, what have your experiences been with the camera? how would you compare it to either folders like the super ikontas and isolettes

thanks

 

[wlewisiii]

If it really is in good shape, then grab it and run like a bat out of you know where. Good ones are starting to get scarce as people have begun to recognise that it's one of the finest folders ever made. And there were only about 30k Iskra I's made and about 7k Iskra IIs. However, assume that the meter will either be inop or inaccurate; that style of selenium just doesn't seem to survive very well.

I paid $170 for mine from Fedka and consider it a bargan. It's a excellent camera that takes glorious shots. Most of the 6x6 in my gallery were shot with it. There is a very good article here http://www.reportajes-jmserrano.com/@2j.m.serrano.htm that describes it better than I can.

I don't have any experiance with the Supers to directly compare. It is about a light year beyond my other folders though. The lens alone is worth the price of admission. I do tend to be gentle while winding the film due to the reputation for fragility, but OTOH, I carry the camera with me constantly and the only real problem I had was when I messed up loading the roll (still salvaged 3 shots off of it )

Hope this helps,

William

 

[doubs43]

hey all....in my search for a 6x6 folder, i've come along many links about the iskra....what do you users think? worth it or not? i've been offered an iskra 2 for about $175 that is suppose to be in excellent condition? good deal/bad deal? overall, what have your experiences been with the camera? how would you compare it to either folders like the super ikontas and isolettes thanks

I've used my Iskra 2 with good success and it's capable of excellent pictures. IMO it's not quite as smooth as my Ikontas but then few other folders are.

A good Iskra is very good indeed. I haven't kept up with Iskra prices recently so can't comment on whether $175 for an Iskra 2 in excellent condition is a good price or not. The Iskra 2 was made in much smaller numbers than the original Iskra so will bring a slight premium.

The attached image was taken with my Iskra 2.

Walker

 

[pshinkaw]

I paid $90 for my Iskra 1 about 3 years ago. The comparable Isolette costs much more than $175 if you can even find one. My Avatar on the left was shot with it. A larger version is in my Gallery.

-Paul

 

[Gerry M]

I bought my Iskra 1 off eBay about 2 mos ago. Paid $80 + shipping. Very happy with it. I also have Isolette and Isolette III, plus SLR, TLR and Ikonta 521A in MF. The Iskra is my favorite.
Good luck, Gerry

 

[taffer]

I've been shooting with my Iskra quite a bit in the last week. Mine is a Iskra 1, retrofitted with a red window as the auto counter mechanism gave up (seems to be a weak point). I only paid $40 for it as it was also quite beaten up but shutter was working perfectly and came with Oleg's warranty.

Another weak point (IMHO) seems to be the speed/aperture coupler. Both rings are linked via a metal tab which seems to require some care. In fact mine broke and now I adjust both rings separately (which indeed I prefer).

That said, one has to come to know the quirks on this beast, and if done, and the camera keeps the correct lens panel alignment, you can expect the results that its Tessar type lens promises, with a sweet spot in the 8-11 range.

$175 is already some money. If you're decided to get a folding camera, I'd also consider having a look at Super Ikontas and maybe some serviced Bessa II or Perkeo II with the 4 elements lens and see what you can find. There are also some 'forgotten' ones like the Franka Potente er.. I mean, Solida and the Ensigns, and then there are TLRs as well, yes, folding cameras are smaller, but only when folded...

If you have the option, see if you can get a test period to see if it's really what you're looking for, just my 2 cents...