Just Bought an Iskra

M

martinsmith99

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I have been looking for one of these for a while as it's based on the Agfa I have enjoyed using over the last few months.

Being a Russian camera I am expecting a few quirks, but is there anything I should be aware of in general use to avoid breaking it. I read a thread on here about someone that changed the flash sync without winding it on first and this jammed the shutter. Also I guess you have to adjust the shutter speed before winding?

It already has the red window mod, so no worries there.
 
the shutter and the film advance are completely unrelated. I have fooled around with both the Iskra and Iskra 2 with mixed results. I was also lucky enough to get a couple of filters and the every ready cases. I need time to really sit down and so some systematic tests with them.
 
The shutter is a copy of Synchro Compur MXV. It differs from earlier Compurs in that it doesn't use a separate booster spring for 1/500th. So I believe you can change shutter speeds whenever you want. And yes you need to cock the shutter before using the self timer, I don't remember about the flash sync.
 
I had an Iskra which had been butchered to produce 6 x 4.5 negs. Unfortunately the butcher forgot to tell the Iskra what he had done so the camera stopped advancing film at 12 exp. Major problem was light leaks. Negs were sharp on the plus side.
 
If you want a copy of the manual in English I have a 24 page pdf which I copied from the
Zenit.istra.ru site which seems to be no longer available
 
I had one I enjoyed for a number of years. Excellent camera if you have one in working condition. Many seem to develop a weird light leak. It will appear as a solid stationary strip sometimes the left, sometimes the right on the negative/print. Sometime it only effected a couple frames per roll, other times 1/2 the roll. It was impossible to find - until an RFF poster found it, and found a simple fix. Read this thread carefully for if/when your camera develops this same light leak. It appears to effect many Iskras:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58597&highlight=iskra+light+leak
 
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