New Toy: Iskra

T

Todd.Hanz

Guest
I just picked up an Iskra from a fellow RFFer, pretty cool camera and my first folder as well. Anyone have any tips or a link to an online manual for this Russian Beauty?

Todd
 
It's a sweet camera. I bought a translated manual on ebay from a Russian, forget the name, because the only one online is in Russian (and Russian bablefishes badly). But it's pretty straight forward.

Put the film in, loop it through the take up spool and turn it once or twice to be sure it's taken hold. Then replace the cover and turn the knob gently until it stops. It will get a bit stiffer turning near the end as the film and backing paper comes under the sprocket on the right hand side. When it stops, the counter will be at one.

Open the front door, using you hand to keep it from slamming open. The apeture and shutter speeds are linked together as part of the EV system popular in the early '60s. Turn them together to the desired shutter speed then pull the outer ring out a bit to turn it to the desired apeture. Focus with the rear most silver knob - the RF patch is nice and bright for a folder. Then cock the shutter and use the body release to take the shot. Turn the knob until it stops and the counter shows 2. Repeat until roll done and then turn till the knob turns very freely as then the film is all on the takeup spool and you can change film. Push the focus back to infinity before closing - there is a stop that will prevent you from closing the camera if it is not.

The film mechanism and double exposure prevention mechanism require a roll of film in it to function.

It's got, to my eyes, one of the finest Tessars ever made by anyone. It does a spectacular job with film like Plus-X, Tri-X or Reala CS.

If you like yours even half as much as I like mine, you'll be quite happy with it.

William
 
Thanks guys,

Willam, I figured out the infinity focus trick when it wouldn't close and I thought I had done something wrong ;) , feels like a well built camera.
 
If you think that now, just wait till you see that first roll of film :D

William
 
Good luck with the Iskra, Todd.

One thing when loading the film - keep a light finger pressure on the supply spool as you do your initial wind to make sure the film is tensioned right. This applies really to any old folder. If you ever have a problem winding on after taking your shot, make sure you fully depress the shutter. If the film winding is blocked, cock the shutter and press and hold the shutter. While holding the shutter down, wind the film wind knob about half a turn, release the shutter and then continue winding.

It is a lovely camera to use, with a decent VF, & sharp lens that is quite resistant to flare. You should be able to handhold it down to quite slow speeds too. If you want to use series filters, I put a quick document together on the Russian Camera forum over on Beststuff.

See http://pch.fotopic.net/c528057.html and http://pch.fotopic.net/c150836.html for some Iskra I and II examples (using a variety of B+W, colour neg and solour slide).
 
PC,
great samples on your site...thanks for the advice and links!


Todd
 
I need some clarification, does the film go under the roller bar when loading or over it. The bar that I am speaking of is the one near the film on the left side. I loaded the film under it yesterday and I have some faint scratch that runs the length of the film, I did so thinking the film "sensor" was similar to a Rolleiflex.......but I guess not :), live and learn!

Todd
 
Over the rollers. The sensor in this camera is the sprocket on the left side (as you look at the opened back).

William
 
thanks William, thats what I figured but not what I did!

Todd
 
Er right side on that sprocket. (The "other left" yeah, that's it)... :eek:

William
 
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