Cosmic 35

[david baugh]

I thought I'd finally try out a Cosmic 35 which has been sitting on my shelf for a while. Made in the USSR from 1963-71 as the Smena 8, (Global 35) in some markets it's a plastic hard plastic camera, pretty basic but a lot of fun to use. I used a roll of expired FP4+ unfortunately on an overcast day....... It's fun to use and although some of the time I missed focus I think it's capable of some decent results

 

[Dali]

No reason why you should not get decent pictures. After all, this type of camera was pretty standard 60 years ago.

I am always amazed by the results you can get from such camera as long as it is correctly assembled, light tight (no light leak), the shutter OK and the film is developed for the right contrast. Of course, these cameras have some limitations (no RF, narrow range of shutter speeds for instance) but as long as you can play with it, results are pretty decent, way above their (bad) reputation.

Enjoy!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is more than just capable for decent results. All Smena lenses are sharp and with pleasing rendering.
But been made in millions copies, some of them are misaligned. Later models also have flares from film chamber. Which is DIY fixable.

 

[wahiba]

I ran my Cosmic 35 with a roll of outdated Konica alongside a Rollie 35 LED (although LED meter has not worked for years). Both are 40mm lens and i assume Cosmic 35 is also a triplet. That the Rollie was better I am not surprised. while my first 35mm camera was a cosmic 35 (not this model) circa 1964 the Rollie 35 LED was my second 35mm camera, circa 1977. 44 years and still going strong.
All local Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Konica 100 rated at 25asa f5.6 - f8. Shutter speed 1/60

 

[AgX]

Both are 40mm lens and i assume Cosmic 35 is also a triplet.

Yes, all Smenas got a T-lens. Which one may read as Tessar-type, but it actually refers to Triplet.

 

[AgX]

But been made in millions copies.

About 30 million samples of all Smena models.
About 20 million just for the Smena-8 models.