Snejinka ???

[traveller]

To me the camera looks like being built for the use with protective gear including a mask and thick gloves (just look at the big knobs).

I wouldn't consider rough arctic conditions because the body is not isolated, use in radioactive enviroments with a metal body (doesn't seem to be lead) wouldn't be such a good idea. Would be interesting to know if there are gastight seals inside.

I'm leaning on the idea that this camera was build for research purposes where people have to wear protective gear or for groups like firefighters to make documentations

just my 2 cents

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

The thread lives!

 

[Jocko]

We've got to keep it going until after the Belarus elections - then Varjag can stop photographing stuff and tell us what this damn thing is! 😀

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Varjag may well know.

 

[Jocko]

Varjag may well know.

It's a glimmer of hope in a sleepless weekend. 😕 😀

 

[reagan]

It's a glimmer of hope in a sleepless weekend. 😕 😀

LOL!! Somebody get Varjag on the cell... I can't get any work done here!

 

[Jocko]

I go to bed tonight, confident that before I wake the great minds of the Western Hemisphere will resolve this enigma. Ladies and Gentleman of the New World, The task is yours!

Rangefinder Forum - an empire of the imagination upon which the sun never sets!

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I go to bed tonight, confident that before I wake thegreat minds of the Western Hemisphere will resolve this enigma. Ladiesand Gentleman of the New World, The task is yours!

Rangefinder Forum - an empire of the imagination upon which the sun never sets!

Hey, we tried last night, and failed. We await Varjag!

 

[rbiemer]

Here is my guess:
It was made to be part of some document copying system. Not clandestine--beaurocratic maybe--and made for somebody mostly clueless about photography. The lens doesn't have to be original so the Snowflake could've had almost anything on it when being used.
The "knob" with the arrow may be a switch that actuates a motor drive. I am making up the following but can imagine it very clearly(I have relatives who worked in the Dept of Motor Vehicles all their careers...)
"Put the papers on this stage.
line the numbers up(the numbers on the lens surround and some other part of the "system".)
Push the button.
Turn the knob.
Repeat until you retire."
Frustrated in your clerks job? Go ahead and beat on this thing, you'll only hurt your hand...
I just got done watching the movie BRAZIL so I'm thinking in that kind of mode.
Just my mildly insane idea about this thing.
Rob

 

[Jocko]

Rob, I wouldn't be remotely surprised if you were right. I certainly think the context is correct - that this is an bullet and idiot-proof camera, built to record or copy something as part of a process, whatever that might be, bureaucratic, industrial, scientific - who knows? It would really fit wonderfully well in Brazil!

Today I got to wondering about a wipe-clean camera for taking police mug-shots of nauseous drunks! I think that was possily a tiny bit too specialised...

Night Night! Ian

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Well the Muscovites drink lots of Vodka. Don't they?

 

[reagan]

I know nothing about this, so still just brainstorming...

"document copying"

Possibly... hmmm... but.... wouldn't that take some pretty precise focusing capabilities? This hunk of clunk has NONE - no RF [that I can see]. Pure 'n simple guesstimate or infinity. The most important adjustment on it seems to be it's capability to rotate horizontal to [past] vertical.


Holy Crap!! It sold! Okay, which one of yuz guyz stole this mystery beauty!!

 

[varjag]

Hello 🙂

I think it's a traffic recording camera.

 

[reagan]

I think it's a traffic recording camera.

varjag has spoken.

Well, IMO, "traffic recording camera" knocks "rare collectible" right in the head. Have a good life little snowflake. :angel:

 

[Jocko]

So I did see one on E-bay and i ain't agoin' mad!

Now people will believe me about them flying saucers!

😀

 

[dll927]

Someone mentioned a camera with no viewfinder. The Leica M-1 has no viewfinder, but it's a specialized camera intended for lab work with a reflex housing - something that has long been available for Leicas but how many have or ever use them. There was a reflex housing available (I forget the name) even for the LTM-mount Leicas, so they go back a long way.

 

[dll927]

Woops, I stand corrected on some of my last posting. It's not the M-1 that has no viewfinder, but there is such a model, whatever its designation is.

 

[santino]

it has to be pronounced "snyezhinka" and that means snow flake, btw. it looks like a toaster with watch 😀

 

[dll927]

To set the record sraight, I did a little searching, and it turns out I had the first syllable wrong. It's no RANGEFINDER for the Leica M-1. I originaly said "viewfinder', which is not true. But the fact remains it's used primarily for lab work.

 

[Jocko]

If it's any comfort, I too believed that the M-1 didn't have a viewfinder. Unfortunately the only time I have ever seen a Leica was in a shop window and I was too busy licking the glass to get a good view...