Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
One of these very strange cameras is for sale on ebay again, sadly at a price not compatible with my budget.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/110991817442?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
The story behind this Kiev/FED hybrid is interesting, but the camera itself makes no sense.
http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1556498228
The camera is basically a Kiev focusing mount grafted onto a specially-made FED body, and is considered a great collector's prize. That's as may be, but the camera itself has severe limitations. The Contax/Kiev mount has no external bayonet, and can therefore only be used with 50mm lenses. What could possibly be the thinking behind a very special premium camera with interchangeable lenses, but only one focal length??? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Dez
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/110991817442?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
The story behind this Kiev/FED hybrid is interesting, but the camera itself makes no sense.
http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1556498228
The camera is basically a Kiev focusing mount grafted onto a specially-made FED body, and is considered a great collector's prize. That's as may be, but the camera itself has severe limitations. The Contax/Kiev mount has no external bayonet, and can therefore only be used with 50mm lenses. What could possibly be the thinking behind a very special premium camera with interchangeable lenses, but only one focal length??? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Dez
pdexposures
Well-known
Wow, this is truly bizarre. But $2,500? Call me crazy but I've never thought the USSR camera market to have anything that valuable. Aside from maybe one of the 50mm f1.1 prototypes.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
My money's on it being made purely to take advantage of the Zeiss lenses, simple as that. Soviets took the old Zeiss plant north and probably had quite a nice stash of the Contax RF lenses that went with it. Quite why they never put an external bayonet on the TSVVS is beyond me, though.
outfitter
Well-known
Would have been cheaper and easier to convert to LTM as so many lenses were in Germany immediately after the war.
It was made for the Red Air Force typographical service meaning that they had specialized needs and probably required custom made equipment. I had a Fed with a coated 50mm F2 lens that came in a case bearing the TSVVS logo so I guess they had all sorts of goodies made for them.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
As did everyone. A friend was the official Kremlin photographer in the 80s. His 'Sinarski' was one of five 4x5 inch monorails built so that Pure Soviet Photographers wouldn't have to use filthy decadent capitalist cameras. Funnily enough, he was never a Party member.
Cheers,
R.
farlymac
PF McFarland
This is a least the second time around for that camera (or maybe they got the photos from the first listing). I don't remember who had it for sale before, but the file names haven't changed. Anyway, for that much money, you'd think they could include the take-up spool. Still, it would be great to have one of these in the bag.
PF
PF
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
Thanks for posting
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
This vendor has had this camera up for sale for a long time now, relisting in ebay. They seem to be extremely scarce, so maybe, if he hangs in long enough, he will get his price.
Cheers
Dez
