MOSKVA-2

[anthonym3]

What is the quality of this camera? If it helps the serial number on the inside is 501494,on the lens 976101.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I can only speak for Moskva 5. Lens quality is hit or miss, can be very good. Mechanics are even more so and prey is part of the long term routine. Crudeness of production is quite apparent. This is no Zeiss and as long as expectations are in right places, it can actually (and potentially) return some great images and it all boils down to the price. In Eastern Europe or Russia you can have the 2 or 5 or whichever in between for reasonable money, in the West they seem to fetch far above their worth. I'd say if the price is more than $50, it is nothing but nostalgic value. And that would be in very good shape. Anything above $75 is a stretch of logic. $100 + ... Cuckoos Nest and Jack Nicholson come to mind.

 

[anthonym3]

I can only speak for Moskva 5. Lens quality is hit or miss, can be very good. Mechanics are even more so and prey is part of the long term routine. Crudeness of production is quite apparent. This is no Zeiss and as long as expectations are in right places, it can actually (and potentially) return some great images and it all boils down to the price. In Eastern Europe or Russia you can have the 2 or 5 or whichever in between for reasonable money, in the West they seem to fetch far above their worth. I'd say if the price is more than $50, it is nothing but nostalgic value. And that would be in very good shape. Anything above $75 is a stretch of logic. $100 + ... Cuckoos Nest and Jack Nicholson come to mind.

 

[anthonym3]

Thank you! You have no doubt saved money for me and saved me from a poor choice.

 

[xya]

I have a moskva-5 and it's pretty good. the lens is sharp, shutter and aperture are working well. picture results were on the better side. considering other 6x9 options it's quite small. if you want to read my opinion www.120folder.com/moskva_5.htm

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I have a moskva-5 and it's pretty good. the lens is sharp, shutter and aperture are working well. picture results were on the better side. considering other 6x9 options it's quite small. if you want to read my opinion www.120folder.com/moskva_5.htm

Did you mean to say Zeiss Super Ikonta in that review? Never heard of Agfa Super Ikonta, but small world one never knows, perhaps some inner connection?

It is my believe that Moskva 2 was actually better built than the follow ups and Moskva 5 showed arguably most of Soviet era production crudeness and lack of quality control . If you are happy with yours, great. One needs to hold the real thing though, the Zeiss or Voigtlander from appropriate era, to feel the difference.

Moskva is not really all that rigid. There are issues with front standard alignment, although the case with many folders of that kind. Worse though, the way these things can get bumped, it all feels solid when locked in open position, just that lens is no longer on axis as required to give even coverage of the frame. I have a few of these from Agfa, Zeiss, Frank, Voigtlander and ... that Moskva 5. IMHO, Moskva is often touted as super bargain, yet prices are high in the West and overall quality is far from Zeiss Super Ikonta and Voigtlander Bessa. And if I were to advise on a folder of that vintage, I'd probably take Bessa II over the rest, but that is not cheap. Bessa I is less, lacks rangefinder, but otherwise same great built. Always liked them more than the Super Ikontas for some reason.

 

[anthonym3]

Did you mean to say Zeiss Super Ikonta in that review? Never heard of Agfa Super Ikonta, but small world one never knows, perhaps some inner connection?

It is my believe that Moskva 2 was actually better built than the follow ups and Moskva 5 showed arguably most of Soviet era production crudeness and lack of quality control . If you are happy with yours, great. One needs to hold the real thing though, the Zeiss or Voigtlander from appropriate era, to feel the difference.

Moskva is not really all that rigid. There are issues with front standard alignment, although the case with many folders of that kind. Worse though, the way these things can get bumped, it all feels solid when locked in open position, just that lens is no longer on axis as required to give even coverage of the frame. I have a few of these from Agfa, Zeiss, Frank, Voigtlander and ... that Moskva 5. IMHO, Moskva is often touted as super bargain, yet prices are high in the West and overall quality is far from Zeiss Super Ikonta and Voigtlander Bessa. And if I were to advise on a folder of that vintage, I'd probably take Bessa II over the rest, but that is not cheap. Bessa I is less, lacks rangefinder, but otherwise same great built. Always liked them more than the Super Ikontas for some reason.

 

[anthonym3]

Thanks to all who have replied. I have decided against a MOSKVA instead I have a beautiful almost mint AGFA BILLY COMPUR with a 105 mm 4.5 SOLINAR. I have not yet put a roll of film in it,it is being clad. How about some opinions on this model?

 

[Deleted member 88956]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3767001282/

Is this the one?

Here is a link to Photrio's discussion on this model

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I had m2 and m5. They are different cameras. M5 gives next to modern coated lens.
But camera itself is bad, IMO. M2 is nothing but direct copy of Zeiss with coated lens as well.
M2 usually worn out much more than m5. Perhaps because they were more in use.
M5 is prone to light leaks with high iso film due to bad back windows construction.

 

[anthonym3]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3767001282/

Is this the one?

Here is a link to Photrio's discussion on this model

 

[anthonym3]

I cannot tell from the photos if it is a BILLY COMPUR. It is similar however mine is almost mint condition with excellent light proof bellows.

 

[xya]

Did you mean to say Zeiss Super Ikonta in that review? Never heard of Agfa Super Ikonta, but small world one never knows, perhaps some inner connection?

you are right, Zeiss. I will correct it. as you can see on my site I had several super ikontas and I think that they are good. I'm more into 6x6. at the moment my preferred is a certo super sport dolly.

 

[macfred]

MOCKBA-5 here - lens quality on mine is quite good - mechanics are unreliable.I don't use it to much.