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Just Bought an Iskra
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 6:09 am    Post subject: Just Bought an Iskra Reply with quote
I have been looking for one of these for a while as it's based on the Agfa I have enjoyed using over the last few months.

Being a Russian camera I am expecting a few quirks, but is there anything I should be aware of in general use to avoid breaking it. I read a thread on the Rangefinder forum about someone that changed the flash sync without winding it on first and this jammed the shutter. I guess you have to adjust the shutter speed before winding?

It already has the red window mod, so no worries there.


PostPosted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 6:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great camera if works well, here is my experience with an Iskra-2.

http://forum.mflenses.com/kmz-iskra-2-6x6-industar-58-3-5-75-t30921,highlight,+iskra.html

and an extract from above thread posted by me.

Code:
 First roll was disappointment I forgot the rule first knock shutter and transport only after, I guess I made only one or two good frame... when I got home I did put one old roll and start to learn how it works. Lesson was successful in my room. I worry a bit film transport perhaps works fine only with old films where material is thicker than new ones. Let we see...

One B&W Ilford HP4 ISO 125 went throw successfully on camera today, quite hysterical camera need to keep right order other ways easy to lost a frame. I found proper order is load film and rotate until counter stand on '1'
 adjust distance , aperture , shutter time and knock shutter , fire... don't collapse camera until you rotate counter to next frame '2' now you can shoot or collapse camera until next frame. If you collapse camera before rotate film to next frame next time when you open it can't move film to next frame just if you knock shutter and fire. With proper usage seems a very nice handy camera an pretty in my opinion.


PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I see you had a few issues with it last year. D

o you still have the camera or was it too frustrating to use?


PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
I see you had a few issues with it last year. D

o you still have the camera or was it too frustrating to use?


After when I did learn how to use it was trouble free and fine camera I did like it, but I have so many camera I did sell it to earn some money.


PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Attila wrote:
martinsmith99 wrote:
I see you had a few issues with it last year. D

o you still have the camera or was it too frustrating to use?


After when I did learn how to use it was trouble free and fine camera I did like it, but I have so many camera I did sell it to earn some money.

I know that feeling. I have bought so much stuff in the time I've been here. A lot was bought for for collecting's sake (Zenits and other FSU stuff mainly). I really should offload some of it now.


PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Buy , try are great fun , sell is not, but neccessary. Great hobby to know more about them we are in lucky ages we have so many opportunity to try hundred of cameras and lenses and make some fun. If we can get enough followers I hope our kids have same opportunity. Not just try newest Canon or Nikon digital and nothing else.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well, it arrived today from eBay seller, Photobuc. It looks like the photos of it were accurate, but it is filthy. Why can't some sellers clean things?

Everything works; it looks like it focuses a little past infinity (is that usual? Also, bulb mode doesn't seem to operate as the shutter opens and closes instantly. That's not too much of an issue as I doubt I'll use it.

Anyway, this one is a trial. If I like the camera, I'll look for a better one from Fedka or similar.


PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
Well, it arrived today from eBay seller, Photobuc. It looks like the photos of it were accurate, but it is filthy. Why can't some sellers clean things?

Everything works; it looks like it focuses a little past infinity (is that usual? Also, bulb mode doesn't seem to operate as the shutter opens and closes instantly. That's not too much of an issue as I doubt I'll use it.

Anyway, this one is a trial. If I like the camera, I'll look for a better one from Fedka or similar.


Past infinity quiet usual all repair man , adapter maker like to set rather past infinity than exact. Reason is how far is infinity ? If he set for 50m , and not reach 350m , buyer will bring it back. If he set into past infinity, most buyer accept it. Usually very easy to adjust RF in cameras just look a good target in so far from you and adjust it. Looks fine, let see film transport if works also you are set , don't forget to meassure shutter speeds , many of them slow especially above 1/50. (This is true for most folders not only for Iskras)


PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Unfortunately, on closer inspection, I see there is a spring missing on the left side of the bellows meaning that the lens comes out slightly skewed. The RF adjuster is also seized

It looks like this one may be going back.


PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pretty sad if it has issue what you can fix it simple, send it back.
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