Leningrad RF - Manual? Advice? Tips?

[Coldkennels]

So I did something potentially quite stupid. Normally, I wouldn't spend this kind of money on ebay, but this auction was too tempting:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220945374399?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I've been curious about the Leningrad for a while, and getting a Jupiter 3 in the deal (and a Jupiter 11 to sell) kind of encouraged me to finally take the leap. I'm aware of some of its... eccentricities, but want to know what exactly I should expect.

For example, I know that dry-firing is not recommended, that RF adjustment should be the same as a Fed, but what about the self-timer? I've heard lots of mention of how it can lock up the camera if used improperly, but I can't find any instructions as to how to actually use it.

Ideally, I'd like a manual, but can't seem to find one anywhere. Could anyone help me out?

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Not the manual you seek but there's a bit of information on how it operates and some "do's and dont's" here - http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Leningrad
And here - http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/leningrad/leningrad.html
And here - http://photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/Leningrad.html

And you might locate a manual here - http://www.oldtimercameras.com/manuals/leningrad-camera-manual.asp

How hard did you look?

 

[Coldkennels]

Already found all of the above, searched RFF, Flickr and a Yahoo user group for Soviet cameras. I wouldn't have made a topic without having done all those first.

It seems that people generally just go "oh, THAT thing? you plan on ACTUALLY USING IT? Didn't you know the body will split, the spring will break, disassembly will maim you and everything will jam up? Oh, and lenses won't mount, but we won't tell you which ones. HAVE FUN." (all of which I read in a rather lengthy search last night.)

Seriously, useful discussion of this camera seems to be at a minimum - especially actual concrete instructions as to how that self-timer should be used - so I thought I'd ask, and failing any kind of actual response, thought I'd at least put my observations here when I eventually get the camera so that other people with similarly idiotic ideas can find them.

 

[KoNickon]

...And I'd like to fid out who, if anyone, works on these cameras these days. I got one for essentially nothing and would love it put right.

 

[wolves3012]

Nice win, Coldkennels! There is some quirk with the self-timer and until someone who knows chips in, I'd suggest leaving it alone. The logical thing would be to prime the motor, wind up the timer and press the release...but who knows if logic applies to the Leningrad!

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Already found all of the above, searched RFF, Flickr and a Yahoo user group for Soviet cameras. I wouldn't have made a topic without having done all those first.
Seriously, useful discussion of this camera seems to be at a minimum - especially actual concrete instructions as to how that self-timer should be used - so I thought I'd ask,

Fair enough, but did you try contacting the person depicted at the bottom of the "corsopolaris" website. It seems to me he might have the answers you're looking for.
This is the email address that comes up when you click on his face - maxbertacchi2000@yahoo.it

 

[Roger Hicks]

I had one, but in pre-Internet days, so I never heard the ones about the self-timer, or the lenses that wouldn't mount: I recall using a modest range of lenses without problems. They were however notorious for cracked chassis, which is why, after playing with mine for a while, I sold it.

Well, that and the fact that there's no film-sprocket counting, just a large-diameter take-up spool, so film spacing varies greatly, and the wind-on has a kick like a mule. If you put it on a hard flat surface and release it with the self-timer (something of a party piece, which is why I was surprised to read about the self timer 'problem'), you can see the camera jump. It's a surprisingly good finder, but all in all, the camera was more 'interesting' than useful.

Have fun with it!

Cheers,

R.

 

[john341]

Leningrad xx

Leningrad xx

I have one - had it serviced by Oleg Khalyavin and it is now working really well - even the timer! I have used it a few times and find it entertaining to use, but it is heavy. I think that for their time they were so far ahead...just love that view/range finder! Enjoy using it and don't worry about the film spacing

 

[Coldkennels]

Nice win, Coldkennels! There is some quirk with the self-timer and until someone who knows chips in, I'd suggest leaving it alone. The logical thing would be to prime the motor, wind up the timer and press the release...but who knows if logic applies to the Leningrad!

Thanks, Wolves. I'm hoping it is the steal of the decade that it seems. If it comes and the J3 is full o' scratches and the Leningrad won't even fire, I'm going to be pretty pissed off. So yeah, here's hoping.

Roger & John: just to clarify, what is correct procedure with the self-timer? Is it like Wolves suggests - simply make sure the spring motor still has some tension, set the timer and fire? If so, how can people be doing it wrong?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Roger & John: just to clarify, what is correct procedure with the self-timer? Is it like Wolves suggests - simply make sure the spring motor still has some tension, set the timer and fire? If so, how can people be doing it wrong?

Dear Tony,

As I never had (or heard of) a problem, I guess that running the winder spring out of tension must be the only way to screw up the self timer; which, as you say, leaves a puzzle as to how they could get it wrong.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ray*j*gun]

You might try Fedka.com for advice and/or service if you need it.

 

[wolves3012]

Dear Tony,

As I never had (or heard of) a problem, I guess that running the winder spring out of tension must be the only way to screw up the self timer; which, as you say, leaves a puzzle as to how they could get it wrong.

Cheers,

R.

I'm only basing it on a memory of seeing something (possibly on here) that doing it wrongly can break things. Hopefully I'm completely wrong but I'd rather be told that than see a post on "how do I fix my Leningrad"! I think it may relate to setting the timer before priming the spring.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'm only basing it on a memory of seeing something (possibly on here) that doing it wrongly can break things. Hopefully I'm completely wrong but I'd rather be told that than see a post on "how do I fix my Leningrad"! I think it may relate to setting the timer before priming the spring.

Could be; could be. Who can tell? You are very possibly right.

Idiot-proofing (by the manufacturer) famously underestimates the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the common idiot.

Cheers,

R.

 

[35mmdelux]

oh yes, the old Soviet Empire attempt at Leica. definitively unique...I wonder what Pres Putin shoots given that he does everything else?

 

[rbiemer]

Some general info here:
http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?-584898753
I may have a manual for this one. But I am not at home right now. I will be in the next few hours and I will look through what I have on my computer. If I've got it I will let you know. (Well, I will let you know in either case!)
Rob

 

[Zorkiiglaza]

I have two of them- one now out of commission.
I seem to recall using the self timer and placing the camera on the table. The camera jumped a few inches off the table as it fired and advanced the film.
I see them as more of a curiosity rather than a useful camera. They are rather heavy.
Also why use the self timer to begin with- isn't the point of the camera its rapid advance ?

 

[rbiemer]

Well, I searched through all the camera manuals I've accumulated and, no I don't have the Leningrad manual.
But, I did find this old French version of the manual here:http://web.archive.org/web/20080327052015/http://82.227.206.98/leningrad%20page.htm.
Unfortunately, the pictures aren't there anymore.
Good luck with the camera!
Rob

 

[Coldkennels]

Thanks, Rob. I'll run that through Google translate (German was my language of choice at school; my French skills are beyond abysmal) and see what I can figure out.

The Leningrad left NYC yesterday. I've never been so eager for Monday to arrive!

 

[Coldkennels]

A-ha! Google translate provides the following:

"The mechanism provides a delay-timer of at least 10 sec. To put it into action to turn the lever to the end of the timer and press the release valve.
We must arm the timer mechanism only after adjusting the shutter speed."

Mystery solved.

But also there is this wonderful translation further down:

"Remove dust from the lens with a clean soft brush squirrel."

I like that recommendation a lot. In future, all my lenses will be cleaned with squirrels. I'll pack one in my camera bag every time I leave the house. 🙂

 

[wolves3012]

A-ha! Google translate provides the following:

"The mechanism provides a delay-timer of at least 10 sec. To put it into action to turn the lever to the end of the timer and press the release valve.
We must arm the timer mechanism only after adjusting the shutter speed."

Mystery solved.

Glad that's cleared up. I'd guess you won't often be using the self-timer though but worth knowing.

But also there is this wonderful translation further down:

"Remove dust from the lens with a clean soft brush squirrel."

I like that recommendation a lot. In future, all my lenses will be cleaned with squirrels. I'll pack one in my camera bag every time I leave the house. 🙂

Every camera bag should have one, clearly! 😀