Cosmic 35m Is this over exposed or just limitations of the Camera ?

Hello All,

I've noticed when taking photos in relativeley low light the camera seems to be baffled by contrast in the image (sky to darker objects). I have only been using the camera using the symbols rather than a light meter and the ASA setting is set as near as possible rather than exact. I'm using 200 ASA film and have set the ASA speed on the camera to just over 160 the settings being 20/40/80/160/320, the aperture is fixed by the ASA. Should I try altering the ASA/apeture settings or do you think this is just down to the limitations of the Camera ? That said I have had some really nice photos on bright days where there is less contrast.Here is an example but noT really the worst.

I think the glowing highlights indicates a limitation of the lens, rather than a problem with exposure. Is the lens made out of plastic or glass?

Looks like a problem with flare. Is the lens cloudy, dirty or fungus filled?

I must admit I have no clue on the lens material but I'm guessing glass with it being made in the early 1970's, It seems clean but I will have another look. Other photos have turned out well as long as they don't have the contrast, I will bare this in mind in the future and in low light try to avoid too much sky, Here's one of the good ones on the same day. It seems to have done quite well considering the conditions.

It looks like lens flare to me.

It does look like lens flare. Using a lens hood when shooting your next roll may improve things.

BADGER.BRAD said:

I must admit I have no clue on the lens material but I'm guessing glass with it being made in the early 1970's, It seems clean but I will have another look. Other photos have turned out well as long as they don't have the contrast, I will bare this in mind in the future and in low light try to avoid too much sky, Here's one of the good ones on the same day. It seems to have done quite well considering the conditions.
View attachment 179627

Click to expand...

There is flare visible in this photo as well - you can see it around the relatively small area of very bright sky near the top.
The sky isn't the problem - it is the big difference between the bright sky and the foreground which is essentially in the shade.
If you were to turn around and take a photo with the sun behind you, you wouldn't see the flare because everything would be more evenly lit. Of course in this circumstance you wouldn't see the train either!
The lens may be dirty, damaged or may just be prone to flare.
One of the features of more expensive high end lenses is that they are designed and coated to minimize flare in situations like this.
Once you know it is there and under what circumstances it appears, you can use flare to your benefit. Think beautiful, soft slightly backlit or sidelit portraits.

The problem is lack of contrast, which suggests dirt or fungus, and I'd check for those before anything else. Most Cosmic Symbol cameras were supplied with a T43 triplet or 40mm Industar type lens, both of which should resolve clearly.

I have given the Lens a good clean, I must admit although it looked O.k I had not cleaned the inside of the lens at all and when I did I realised the inside of the camera was quite dirty ! I will also try to avoid high contrast shots, Although I may try the same shot agian from the same place should I go there just to see if the cleaning has helped. I of course realise the camera is not the best in the world but am working towards getting the best out of it that I can.

Again thanks all.

Still at it Brad, keep it up.

You are doing well with a basic Soviet camera, the lens is glass I believe and pretty good, although the body is all plastic from what I remember!

Cosmic/Smena8 lens is all glass and well coated. Like any FSU lens it is not the prone to fungus. Just might flare, which is common for FSU lenses.

But Cosmic/Smena8 cameras in particular are plastic cameras themselves. With shiny black plastic inside. It might cause the reducing of contrast and flare from inside parts of the camera. Flare is actually common for Cosmic/Smena8 due to shiny black plastic inside.

I like the picture with the Class 31 locomotive. Keep up the good work Bradley.