Iskra camerainstructions(English translation)

This manual has been translated and edited from the Russian original on the KMZ websitewww.zenit.istra.ru/mans/iskra/iskra.html

Contents

The Iskra – a brief description ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

Warning ................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Passport .................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

The camera kit ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4

I. Description .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

II. General notes .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

III. Basic camera information ........................................................................................................................................................ 6

IV. Camera components ............................................................................................................................................................... 8

1. The camera ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8

2. The lens .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8

3. The shutter ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10

4. The diaphragm .................................................................................................................................................................. 11

5. The rangefinder ................................................................................................................................................................. 15

6. The film mechanism .......................................................................................................................................................... 15

V. Operating instructions ........................................................................................................................................................... 16

1. Loading the camera .......................................................................................................................................................... 16

2. Taking a photograph ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

3. Unloading the camera ....................................................................................................................................................... 18

VI. Maintenance of the camera ................................................................................................................................................... 19

VII. Guarantee ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20

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Addendum 2008 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Film ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

The shutter ............................................................................................................................................................................ 22

Viewfinder inaccuracy ........................................................................................................................................................... 23

Hoods .................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Filters .................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

The film speed/type indicator ................................................................................................................................................ 24

The Iskra – a brief history ...................................................................................................................................................... 25

Buying an Iskra ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26

The Iskra – a brief description

Warning

The Iskra is a precise and complex instrument. Before using the camera, study this manual thoroughly.

The camera works only with roll film.

Set the lens to infinity focus before closing the lens cover.

Always cock the shutter before setting the self-timer.

Minor discrepancies between this manual and your camera are possible due to technical improvements.

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Passport

Iskra camera No. ...

Industar-58 lens with clear optics No. ...

Aperture – 1:3.5

Focal length – 75 mm

Camera meets technical specifications, has been inspected and passed

Controller (date 196… )

The camera equipment corresponds to that indicated in the description.

Packer (date 196… )

Store stamp …

Date of purchase (date 196… )

The camera kit

Included in the camera kit are the following:

1. Camera with shutter and lens – 1 item

2. Roll of film – 1 item

3. Cable shutter release – 1 item

4. Camera case with neck strap and tripod bush – 1 item

5. Neck strap with fastenings – 1 item

6. Packaging – 1 item

7. Manual including passport warranty, signed by a factory technician, and listing the camera and lens serial numbers, theircondition and the date of the inspection – 1 item

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I. Description

The Iskra is a folding film camera with advanced optics and a central shutter that takes 6×6 cm photographs. The camera isdesigned for both amateur and professional use.

II. General notes

The Iskra is equipped with an optical viewfinder–rangefinder combined in a single window.

Precise focus is achieved by moving the lens/shutter using the focusing lever.

The FZSH-18S central shutter has ten automatic exposure settings and also allows manually timed exposures.

The self-timer can be used at any shutter speed to delay the shutter for 9–15 seconds after pressing the shutter release button.

The camera will synchronise with single-use flash bulbs or reusable flash units.

Features of the Iskra: 12 6×6 cm photographs from one roll of film; reloading in daylight; an automatic exposure counter;rewinding of the film to the spool; prevention of multiple exposures or the skipping of unexposed frames; shooting hand-held orsupported on a tripod; user-friendly design of all camera parts; automatic combination of shutter speed and aperture –photography with the aid of the light intensity scale is considerably easier.

The viewfinder–rangefinder window shows a large, distinct image under all lighting conditions, making the camera easy tofocus.

The forward movement of the entire lens–shutter assembly, which is coupled to the rangefinder, is accomplished by moving thefocusing lever. Focus is achieved by the combination of two separate images of the subject into one in the rangefinder–viewfinder window.

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III. Basic camera information

The Iskra is a collapsible manual film camera with a rangefinder that takes 6×6 cm photographs.

Standard roll film with a width of 6 cm, for 12 photographs, is used. The camera is supplied with an FZSH-18S central shutterwith a sync socket for flash units.

The shutter has 10 shutter speed scale: 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 s automatic exposure times plusthe B facility for long exposure times.

The extensive shutter speeds makes it possible to photograph subjects under a wide range of lighting conditions and alsomoving subjects.

The iris diaphragm of the shutter changes aperture according to the scale f/3.5, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22.

The Industar-58 lens, comprising four glass elements, with a focal length of 75 mm and an aperture of 1:3.5. The field-of-view ofthe lens is 55°.

The base length of the rangefinder is 55 mm, and the viewfinder magnification is 0.74×.

The camera housing has a standard 3/8 inch tripod bush, allowing the camera to be used with a tripod. The camera has lugs fora neck strap.

The camera is supplied with a high-quality leather case with metal trim. The case is convenient for carrying the camera andallows a tripod to be used without removing the camera from the case.

Camera weight without the case: 850 g.

Camera dimensions: 152 × 110 × 48 mm (folded), 152 × 110 × 98 mm (unfolded).

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Fig. 1

1. Lens cover2. Exposure counter3. Film advance knob4. Shutter release button5. Button for opening the lens cover6. Viewfinder7. Film sensitivity indicator8. Film type indicator9. Levers for closing the lens cover

(left and right)10. Lens

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IV. Camera components

1. The camera

The Iskra housing is manufactured by injection moulding, making the camera rigid and strong.

To open the camera, press button 5 while holding the lens cover. To close the lens cover, press the two black-painted levers 9(right and left) simultaneously, and push the cover smoothly against the resistance of the springs until it locks shut. The lenscover can be closed only with the lens set to infinity (•).

The camera has a rangefinder incorporated in the viewfinder 6, which is mechanically coupled to the lens 10.

2. The lens

The Industar-58 lens is a four-element anastigmat design with a relative aperture of 1:3.5 – providing a sharp image andensuring high-quality black & white and colour photographs.

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Fig. 2

11. Aperture ring12. Light intensity (EV) scale13. Sync/self-timer lever14. Sync socket for flash15. Distance scale16. Depth of field scale17. Index mark (distance)18. Focusing lever19. Shutter cocking lever20. Shutter speed ring21. Index mark (exposure)

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3. The shutter

The FZSH-18S central shutter is a complex precision mechanism and requires care in its use.

Automatic shutter speeds and the B setting are selected using the shutter speed ring 20, which has a scale showing thedenominators of fractions that represent the shutter speeds in fractions of a second (2, 4, 8, etc., represent 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 s, etc.).

The extended scale markings in green paint (B, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60 and 125) on the shutter speed ring 20 indicate slow shutterspeeds (in whole seconds) that cannot be set automatically.

To set an automatic shutter speed, turn the shutter speed ring 20 so that the engraved shutter speed number aligns with theindex mark 21.

To use slow shutter speeds, set the control ring to B.

Note: when the shutter speed ring is rotated, the aperture ring 11 turns with it, as both rings are connected.

To change the aperture, pull the aperture ring 11 outwards so that it can be rotated, and turn it until the desired engravedaperture number is aligned with the index mark 21.

To take a photograph, first cock the shutter by smoothly moving the cocking lever 19 clockwise all the way to its stop. Pressingthe shutter release button 4 will now fire the shutter. This is possible only when the camera is loaded with film, and the film fullywound on to a new frame.

The shutter button has a conical threaded hole into which a shutter release cable can be screwed, allowing the shutter to bereleased remotely when using a tripod to take photographs.

[Note: see Addendum 2008 – p. 22, The shutter]

The self-timer

The self-timer mechanism allows self-portraits, group photographs, etc., to be taken.

To use the self-timer, select the A setting using the sync/self-timer lever 13 (at the end of the self-timer exposure, lever 13returns to its initial position). Note: the self-timer will work only if the shutter is first cocked with the shutter cocking lever 19.Pressing the shutter release button 4 now will delay the release of the shutter for 9–15 seconds.

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Flash photography

The sync socket 14 for use with both single-use flash bulbs and electronic flash units is located on the shutter housing. Artificialflash lighting allows photography with standard film in weak illumination or even in complete darkness.

The sync mechanism ensures that both the shutter and the flash unit are synchronised, by delaying the shutter release slightly,since flash units do not provide full illumination instantaneously.

The length of time from initiation to full illumination varies for different types of flash unit: electronic flash units produce peakillumination more rapidly than single-use bulbs. Therefore, it is necessary to move the sync/self-timer lever 13 to the symbol(‘X sync’) when using electronic flash units, and to the symbol (‘M sync’) when using single-use flash bulbs (delaying therelease of the shutter for 16 milliseconds after the shutter button is pressed).

4. The diaphragm

The iris diaphragm is located in the shutter assembly between the lens elements. Changing the diameter of the diaphragm opening(the aperture) controls the amount of light passing through the lens, and is accomplished by rotating the aperture ring 11.

The aperture diameter has to be reduced when you wish to increase the depth of field, or to decrease the exposure when thelight is too bright for the selected shutter speed.

The aperture scale is calculated in such a way that changing the aperture by one division (called an ‘f stop’) doubles (one stoplarger) or halves (one stop smaller) the amount of light falling on the film. For example, the shutter speed at an aperture of f/5.6will be twice as fast as that at an aperture of f/4. Note: as the aperture diameter decreases, the f-number becomes larger.

Depth of field

Altering the aperture, without making any other changes, will affect the depth of field – that is, the distance between the closestand furthest objects in a photograph that appear sufficiently sharp.

The depth of field increases as the aperture is decreased and with an increase in the distance to the subject of a photograph.For example, if the lens is focused at 5 m at an aperture of f/16, then objects within a range of approximately 3–15 meters willappear sharp in a photograph; change the aperture to f/5.6 will decrease the depth of field, and only objects in the range ofabout 4.2–7 meters will be in focus.

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To determine the depth of field, use the scale 16, reading off the minimum and maximum limits of focus in metres on thedistance scale 15 corresponding to the two engraved aperture numbers on either side of the index mark 17 that match theaperture being used.

When using the depth of field scale, remember that sharpness within the depth of field in a photograph is not constant butdecreases towards the limits, beyond which the image is unacceptably blurred.

When using the Iskra to determine the distance to the subject of a photograph using the distance scale 15, include the distanceto the film plane, as the rangefinder is adjusted to be in focus from this plane.

Exposure – using the light intensity (EV) scale

The shutter of the Iskra has a light intensity scale 12, engraved in red on the aperture ring 11. An index mark (red dot) for usewith this scale is engraved on the shutter speed ring 20.

The light intensity scale is numbered from 1 to 18: these divisions are exposure values (EVs). The EV indicates the amount oflight energy necessary to obtain a negative of normal density after exposure. A change in the light intensity by 1 EVcorresponds to a doubling or halving (i.e. a 1 stop change) in the brightness of the object or the sensitivity of the film: thebrighter the object or the higher the sensitivity of film, the higher the EV. The EV, for a specific subject brightness and filmsensitivity, thus represents all possible combinations of shutter speed and aperture that give the same exposure, ensuring thatthe density of negatives remains constant.

The EV can be determined with the aid of an exposure meter that has an EV scale. To use this EV reading with the shutter, pullthe aperture ring 11 outwards, and turn it so that the appropriate EV aligns with the red dot on the shutter speed ring 20. It isnow possible to see the shutter speeds and their corresponding apertures for the EV. Rings 11 and 20 can then be turnedtogether, aligning the desired shutter speed or aperture with index mark 21 – and keeping the exposure unchanged.

To use the EV scale for shutter speeds longer than 1 s, rotate the shutter speed ring 20 so that the letter B is aligned with theindex mark 21, memorise the shutter speed and aperture for the required EV number, then turn the aperture ring 11 (afterdisconnecting it from ring 20) until the memorised aperture aligns with the index mark 21, and then hold the shutter button downfor the memorised shutter speed. As an example, if the EV is 5 and we want to use an aperture of f/16, memorise thecombination of shutter speed 8 s at aperture f/16, then align the B mark of the shutter speed ring 20 with the index mark 21,unhook ring 11 from ring 20 and set the aperture to f/16, and then press the shutter button for 8 s.

If the required aperture aligns with the letter B after setting the EV, this indicates a shutter speed of 2 s.

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The Iskra’s maximum aperture of f/3.5 is not part of the standard aperture scale; so, going from f/4 to f/3.5 will not double theexposure as usual but instead increase it by only about 1.5 stops. Therefore, using the EV scale with an aperture of f/3.5 is notrecommended.

The shutter design also allows exposure meters without an EV scale to be used. In this case, the exposure meter readings forshutter speed and aperture are transferred separately to the shutter – the EV aligned with the index mark (red dot) can then benoted. It is recommended that the EV thus obtained is recorded so that it can be used in future similar photographic situations.

You will notice when setting shutter speeds and apertures on rings 20 and 11 that the rotation of each ring is limited; therefore,when rings 20 and 11 are rotated combined, the rotation will be restricted for certain EVs by either the aperture or shutter speedring limits. Thus, for instance, for EV 5 the rotation of the rings is limited clockwise by the aperture ring (at f/3.5), andanticlockwise by the shutter speed ring (at B). Do not attempt to force rings 11 and 20 beyond their limits of travel as you maydamage the aperture ring 11.

The table on the next page shows the interdependence between shutter speed, aperture and EV. The table includes all possiblecombinations of shutter speeds and apertures within the EV 3 to 18 range for apertures from f/4 to f/22 and shutter speeds from60 to 1/500 s. Shutter speeds are divided diagonally into two regions: one, of particular importance to the photographer,includes all the Iskra automatic shutter speeds; the other region includes shutter speeds greater than 1 s – timed manually usingthe B setting.

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Table – Light intensity (EV)

EV scale: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Aperture: f/4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500

f/5.6 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500

f/8 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500

f/11 15 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500

f/16 30 15 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500

f/22 60 30 15 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500

Manual shutter speeds (greater than 1 s) Automatic shutter speeds

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5. The rangefinder

The rangefinder allows automatic focusing of the lens, and also the distance to the subject to be determined using the distancescale 15 on the lens.

Focusing is accomplished by moving the lens using the focusing lever 18. Two differently coloured square images of the sameobject are visible in the centre of the rangefinder–viewfinder window, and the lens is focused on the object when the two imagesoverlap and combine exactly to form a single image.

If the distance to the subject is known, the lens can be focused without using the rangefinder. To do this, move the focusinglever 18 until this distance on the distance scale 15 is aligned with the index mark 17.

[Note: see Addendum 2008 – p. 23, Rangefinder inaccuracy]

6. The film mechanism

The camera has an exposure counter 2. The counter is automatically reset when the rear cover of the camera is removed.

The film is wound on by turning the film advance knob 3 in the direction of the pointer. When the knob can no longer be rotated,the next frame of film is correctly aligned. Do not attempt to turn the knob further: excessive force can damage the mechanism.

The rear cover 22 of the camera is removable. The locking mechanism 26 for the rear cover has a catch 24, and releasing thiscatch allows the cover to be opened and removed. The cover should be held during its removal, to prevent it dropping to theground.

To close the rear cover, hook its right edge onto the camera body, press it against the body, then fasten the catch. Ensure thatthe edges of the cover fit between the upper and lower edges of the camera body.

[Note: see Addendum 2008 – p. 21, Tightly spaced or overlapping frames – Technique]

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V. Operating instructions

1. Loading the camera

Loading film into the camera, and its removal, can be done in the light (must be subdued). Unwrapped film should be protectedfrom direct light, and the roll held gently by the backing paper to prevent unfurling. Retain all the packaging, to store theexposed film in later.

To insert a roll of film:

1. Remove the rear cover 22 by releasing the catch 24.

2. Twist the knurled disc 23 anticlockwise to lower the spool peg, then place the film in the spool chamber, and locate thespool on the upper peg 27. Next, twist the knurled disc 23 turned clockwise to engage the lower peg 25 with the spool, andreturn the knurled disc to its rest position. The spool should be oriented so that the end of the backing paper is pointingright, towards the (empty) take-up spool.

3. Pull the backing paper over the film channel and to insert its tapered end into the slot in the take-up spool.

[Note: see Addendum 2008 – p. 21, Film thickness]

4. With your thumb on the backing paper of the film spool applying gentle pressure to keep the film tensioned, turn the filmadvance knob 3 for 1–1½ revolutions. Check that the backing paper is threaded correctly between the flanges of the take-up spool and passes between the four guide screws 29.

Important: not winding enough of the film onto the take-up spool will result in very closely spaced frames.

5. Replace the rear cover. The rear cover must lock the lower knurled spool discs in place, so that they can no longer bepulled outwards from the camera body.

6. Turn the film advance lever 3 anitclockwise until it stops. The number ‘1’ will appear in the exposure counter window.

7. Set the film type and sensitivity indicators 8 and 7, respectively, by turning the appropriate discs.

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Fig. 3

22. Rear cover23. Knurled disc of spool peg24. Catch25. Spool peg26. Rear cover lock27. Spool peg28. Spool peg of film advance knob29. Guide screw30. Spool peg

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2. Taking a photographTo take a photograph :

1. Open the camera case.

2. Press button 5 to unfold the camera.

3. Set the shutter speed by turning ring 20.

4. Set the aperture. To do this, pull ring 11 outwards and rotate it.

5. Push lever 19 clockwise fully to its stop to cock the shutter. If using the self-timer, the sync/self-timer lever 13 must be set tothe A position.

6. Look through the viewfinder of the rangefinder at the subject and, using one finger of the left hand, move the focusing lever18 until the two coloured squares combine to form a single image. At the same time, check that the scene is well composedin the viewfinder in relation to the frame edges.

7. Turn the film advance knob 3 until it stops and the next frame number appears in the exposure counter window.

Note: knob 3 and the shutter release button 4 are connected to the mechanism that prevents double exposures.

8. Release the shutter, by smoothly pressing the shutter release button 4 without moving the camera.

[Note: see Addendum 2008 – p. 21, Film flatness; p. 21, Tightly spaced or overlapping frames – Technique; p. 22, The shutter]

3. Unloading the camera

When all the frames on a film have been used, the film advance knob 3 is turned until the backing paper is fully wound onto thetake-up spool.

The rear cover of the camera can now be taken off (in subdued light), and the take-up spool with the film removed from thespool pegs. The film should be held firmly on the spool and secured with a piece of adhesive tape, then placed in its light-tightpackaging. The film can be stored for some time in this way before development.

Remove the empty spool from pegs 25 and 29, and place it in the other spool chamber, ensuring that it is located on pegs 28and 30 so that the film slot is facing upwards.

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VI. Maintenance of the camera

The Iskra is a complex optical instrument. The shutter mechanism is especially complex. Therefore, the camera should behandled very carefully.

When purchasing the camera in a store, check for damage to the packaging and that the manufacturer’s seal is intact.

The Iskra leaves the factory thoroughly tested and checked for defects. If the camera is used in accordance with these notes onits care, it will provide many years of reliable use.

Before using the camera, study this manual. Keep the camera clean and protect it from accidental damage, damp and widechanges in temperature..

Store the camera in its case, closed, with the shutter uncocked and the self-timer unengaged.

Moisture will attack mechanical components and the anti-reflective lens coating, so protect the camera from rain and the snowwhen using it.

When taking the camera from cold conditions into a warm building, do not open the case, and do not expose the optics, to avoidmisting. Allow the camera to warm thoroughly in the closed case.

If dust is found on the camera, clean it with a brush, and then wipe it with a cloth. The brush and cloth must be soft and clean,and should be stored in a tightly closed box.

To maintain the appearance of the camera, it must occasionally (after thorough removal of any dust) be rubbed with a ragimpregnated with a little acid-free petroleum jelly (‘Vaseline’), and then wiped with a soft, dry, clean rag.

Do not touch the surface of the lens with your fingers, as this will leave grease marks.

To clean the surface of the lens, first remove any dust using a very soft, dry brush, previously well washed in ether or purealcohol. Next, wipe the surface of the lens with a soft linen or (better) cambric cloth, slightly moistened with ether or alcohol.

Greasy marks (e.g. fingerprints) on the lens are best removed with cotton buds, moistened slightly with pure alcohol or ether (ifunavailable, cologne can be used). Clean the surface using a circular motion, moving from the centre of the lens to its edges.

Do remember when cleaning the surface of the lens that the cleaning materials can contain hard particles of dust that candamage the lens coating, and sometimes even scratch the glass. Therefore, always use a new cloth to clean the lens, and uselight pressure when cleaning the surface of the lens with a cloth or cotton bud.

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If as a result of careless handling or through other mishaps the lens coating is damaged, the Iskra lens, as it is also coated onits internal surfaces, will still transmit more light and provide higher-contrast images in comparison with similar camera lenses.

Do not dismantle the camera. If any faults are found, take the camera to the nearest workshop.

VII. Guarantee

The factory will repair the equipment free of charge if a manufacturing fault is discovered within one year from the date ofpurchase, providing that the equipment has not been dismantled other than by the factory. The defective equipment should betaken to one of the guarantee-repair photographic workshops in the Soviet Union, or the complete camera kit including thepassport (in which the store must note the date of purchase) and a description of the fault sent by insured post to:

Quality Control Department, Krasnogorskii Mechanicheskii Zavod, Krasnogorsk-1, Moscow.

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Addendum 2008

Whilst translating and editing this manual, I found some helpful tips on the web on using the Iskra. These have been included inthis addendum. Thanks to everyone who originally put them on the web.

Film

Film flatness

Do not let the lens cover spring open; instead, support it with your hand, allowing the bellows to extend smoothly and slowly. Ifthe cover is opened unsupported, the resulting suction can pull the film partially into the film chamber.

Also, develop the habit of only advancing the film just before taking a photograph, so that the film is as taught as possible – thisextra tension keeps the film flat and aids correct frame spacing, and also avoids dust collecting on the film.

Tightly spaced or overlapping frames

Film thickness

Modern 120 films are thinner than their Soviet forbears, which can result in very close frame spacing. Ensuring that frame 1 is inthe correct start position aids accurate frame spacing – do this by loading the film as described below.

Ignore the ‘start’ position arrows on the backing of modern films – they are not relevant as the Iskra automatically detects whenthe film is wound on correctly. Insert the tapered end of the backing paper into the take-up spool just sufficiently to ensuresecure attachment, bend the end of the backing paper a few millimetres inwards to help anchor the film, close the camera, andwind on the film smoothly and slowly until the film advance lever stops turning and ‘1’ is shown in the frame counter ..

Technique

The frame advance mechanism is one of the Iskra’s weak points – even in new cameras the frame spacing was erratic. Thefollowing seems to minimise over-advancement of the film:

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1. Press the shutter button smoothly and slowly.

2. After the shutter releases, continue pressing slowly, to engage the film advance mechanism.

3. Wind on the film smoothly and slowly.

To ensure that the film is under the correct tension when wound on, adavance the film just before shooting a frame. As well ashelping to keep frames correctly spaced, this keeps the film flat and avoids minimises dust on the film.

Avoid double exposures

Once the shutter button releases the shutter, continue pushing down until the the film advance mechanism (and the doubleexposure lock) is engaged (see ‘The Shutter – Film advance mechanism’, below).

The shutter

Shutter won’t release

The camera has double exposure protection – you can press the shutter release button only once after advancing the film. Thismeans that you will lose a frame if you have forgotten to cock the shutter.

To circumvent the double exposure lock, cock the shutter, then trip the shutter release on the shutter assembly (the tab belowthe green flash synch lever). The camera can then be wound on to the next frame as normal.

To avoid this situation (and for the other reasons mentioned on p. 21), advance the film only when you are ready to take a photograph.

Shutter care

Set the fastest (1/500 s) shutter speed before cocking the shutter. An additional spring is compressed when 1/500 s is selected,so cocking the shutter after setting this speed requires extra force, which stresses the mechanism, and can damage the springand gear trains over time.

Setting all shutter speeds before cocking the shutter is a good habit to develop since the mechanism is now 50 years old.

As stated in the manual, do not store the camera with the shutter cocked, especially with the self-timer engaged.

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Using the self-timer

Always cock the shutter before using the self-timer. Without cocking the shutter, forcing the sync/self-timer lever to the self-timerposition A will jam the shutter, requiring professional repair.

Film advance mechanism

The shutter button has to be pushed down further after it fires the shutter, to engage the film advance mechanism (including thedouble exposure lock) – if the film advance knob will not turn, the mechanism has not been engaged. If the shutter is nowcocked, the shutter button will release the shutter, despite the film not having been wound on – resulting in a double exposure.

So, after the shutter releases, continue pushing down further, until a click is heard, as the advance mechanism engages.

3. Viewfinder inaccuracy

Parallax error – owing to the differing positions of the viewfinder and the lens – is an increasing problem as the subject distancedecreases below 3 m (~10 feet). Some cameras (but not the Iskra) have frameines in the viewfinder to aid close focusing. Apartfrom guessing, possible solutions are:

1. Imagine two parallel lines, one projecting from the centre of the viewfinder, the other from the lens; then, move the cameratowards the upper left corner of the viewfinder so that the lens is now in the former position of the viewfinder (note: do notrotate the camera).

2. Use an auxiliary viewfinder with parallax compensation lines. Voigtländer made a 6×6 Kontur medium-format finder in the1950s. Alternatively, use a 35 mm film camera auxiliary finder for a 35 mm focal length lens. The view and framelines will notmatch the Iskra lens exactly, so shoot a test roll of film and note the results.

3. Rangefinder inaccuracy

The rangefinder focusing patch is a rather large square, and the focus can vary from left to right across it: focus correctly bycombining the multiple images in the centre of the square, ignoring any misalignment of the split images at the left and rightedges of the square.

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The rangefinder focusing patch can be made smaller, less intrusive and more accurate by making an opaque mask for therangefinder window, with a cut-out in its centre.

If you want the rangefinder patch to be brighter, place a small square of black tape in the centre of the viewfinder window (theleft window, looking at the front of the camera); the square needs to match the dimensions of the rangefinder patch –experiment with its size and position until both are correct. if opaque tape makes the rangefinder patch too bright, usesomething less opaque, e.g. frosted ‘invisible’ or ‘magic’ tape darkened with a black marker (undarkened, it is too translucent tohave much effect).

Hoods

The Iskra can be used without a lens hood – the lenses are all (single) coated, and even when shooting into a low sun,problems with lens flare are uncommon.

The thread size is 33 mm × 0.5. This is uncommon, but there are workarounds – see filters, below.

Filters

The Iskra uses uncommon 33 mm × 0.5 screw-in filters. Some alternatives are listed below (owing to differences betweenmanufacturers, not all filters/adapters of the same type will fit – some trial and error purchases may be required).

Note: filters/adapters wider than the aperture ring will prevent the aperture being changed.

1. 33 mm screw-in filters – original Soviet ones (also fit the Moskva-2 camera and Industar-50 and Industar-22 lenses) or B+W33E filters.

2. A screw-in Series V adapter with drop-in filters – the adapter thread is not a perfect match (coarser) but it’s close enough.

3. 35 mm push-on filters or a Series adapter with drop-in filters – the Kodak 35 mm (13/8 in.)/Series VI adapter fits.

4. 30 mm push-on filters for a Meopta Flexaret camera (models II to V). The filters have two small tabs designed to grip theoutside of the lens: bend these out slightly so that the filter will fit securely inside the lens ring.

5. 36 mm push-on (A36) filters – e.g. for the Soviet Industar-50 and Industar-22 lenses.

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The film speed/type indicator

The rotary film speed and type indicator shows the film speed in GOST and film type as panchromatic, isopanchromatic and colour.

The indicator can be made more useful by inserting the flat aluminium ISO disc from an unwanted camera (e.g. dismantle an oldPraktica MTL SLR) into the indicator: undo the central chrome screw with a rubber bung or some needle-nosed pliers, and pulloff the discs – take care when removing the second ‘cupped’ disc not to lose the tiny spring-loaded ball-bearing.

The Iskra – a brief history

The Iskra was designed by KMZ (Krasnogorskii Mechanicheskii Zavod – ‘The Krasnogorsk Mechanical Works’), located in awestern suburb of Moscow, and created in 1941 to make optical equipment for the Soviet military; after the war, the companybecame a renowned manufacturer of cameras, including the well-known Zenit SLR camera – and a Zenit is still in its product line.

The Iskra made its appearance in 1960, as a replacement for KMZ’s ageing Moskva medium format folding camera that hadbeen produced, in various guises, since 1948. The Iskra was inspired by Agfa’s Super Isolette 6×6 camera, but it was not astraight copy – KMZ’s aim was to design not only a camera of exceptional quality but an innovative one, and they succeeded:50 years on, the Iskra remains one of the most advanced folding cameras ever made.

Between 1960 and 1963, 38,722 Iskra cameras were manufactured. An improved model, the Iskra-2, identical except for a topplate incorporating an uncoupled selenium exposure meter, was sold between 1961 and 1964 (6118 units – of which all exceptabout a dozen were produced in 1963–64). Export versions were made in small quantities, with ‘Iskra’ instead of ‘Искра’engraved on the top plate. Its high production cost and the increasing dominance of 35 mm film over medium format bothcontributed to the short 4-year production run.

The Iskra was highly regarded by Soviet photographers, especially professionals, owing to its advanced design, ease of useand superb lens. Its low-volume production made it hard to get, enhancing its reputation and leading to rumours – for example,it was said that its lens (which is very good for its time) used the last of the glass taken from the Zeiss factory as warreparations, and that it was named after Lenin’s underground Marxist newspaper Iskra (Spark in English).

Unfortunately, the Iskra’s popularity among professionals has resulted in many being worn out through heavy use (a red windowadded to the camera’s back signifies, at best, a broken film advance mechanism – a common problem).

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At 100 roubles, the Iskra was an expensive item for a Soviet citizen in the early 1960s – a Zorki-4, more typical of a camera that anamateur photographer would own, cost 16 roubles (for context, a teacher or a skilled worker earned about 1000 roubles a monththen). Today, an Iskra in excellent condition, mechanically and cosmetically, can cost well over £100 – a high price for a Sovietcamera: although the Iskra remains relatively unknown, owing to its rarity, especially in the West, it remains a desirable camera.

Buying an Iskra

If buying an Iskra today, be wary of those fitted with a red frame counter window: if done properly, it will substitute for a brokenfilm advance mechanism (and provide the choice of 6×6 or 6×4.5 format, depending on where the window is placed), but therepair may indicate that the camera is worn beyond salvage. Other common problems are light leaks from the bellows andelsewhere, incorrect shutter speeds caused by a gummed up mechanism and inconsistent focusing owing to play in therangefinder–lens linkage – these faults afflict all makes of folding camera of this vintage, not just the Iskra, and all are easily fixedby a camera technician.

A complete overhaul by someone familiar with folding cameras is thus a necessity for every Iskra bought now: not only is thecamera nearly 50 years old, and possibly languished forgotten in an attic or used heavily for decades, but it may have left thefactory with manufacturing faults – the Soviet state-directed plan economy was infamous for its poorly motivated workers and anemphasis on quantity over quality of production.

The Iskra-2 is expensive owing to its rarity, and the selenium cell will have failed through age in most cameras (it can bereplaced with a new one, using some ingenuity).

However, the Iskra is a robust camera: one in good condition that has been overhauled will provide sterling, reliable service formany years.

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First published (except addendum) in Russian by KMZ, USSR, 1960. This English translation and addendum by Rich Cutler, UK, 2008. The original is not copyright under Soviet law and I waive my rights for this translation: use this material freely.

Version 3 – 16.08.08