new USSR/DDR camera hobbyist from Finland

jaeae

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Joined
Jun 15, 2019
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69
Location
Finland
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Hybrid
Hello!

Russia is our neighbour and I've only now found out that they actually made decent cameras I really like the simplicity of the designs. Been collecting some Zenits and DDR cameras also for something like one year now. Previously I had some Olympus and Minolta film cameras but I hated repairing them since everything is so brittle and complicated. I've also started a Youtube channel for some disassembly videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_misH3rrMke2QhkAHcBBag

Next thing I should do is repair one Zenit 12 that has it's shutter curtain starting to go awry. So I registered here and start reading all the threads about shutter curtain repairs
 

AgX

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Apr 5, 2007
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Germany
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jaeae said:
Russia is our neighbour and I've only now found out that they actually made decent cameras I really like the simplicity of the designs.
Click to expand...

Welcome to Apug!

Actually they made more models commonly know, some quite innovative.
The widely known models as from the Zenit range were designed for economic production which necassitated a simple design.
 

BSP

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Aug 25, 2019
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332
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The Netherlands
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35mm
Good evening @jaeae, nice to hear from you.

I have recently aquired a Zenith-E which now is in need of serious CLA-ing as the film winder is stuck and before that the shutter curtains stopped moving as intended. It is a shame as the few rolls I did manage to shoot with it gave me some really nice pictures and it was also enjoyable. Nothing like a smooth running Leica but nice in it's own rough way. A real blast from the past as they say.

But hey! These at least these classics also look good as a display piece.

Bill
 

4season

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Jul 13, 2015
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Plastic Cameras
Hi jaeae.

I was fortunate in being able to purchase brand-new Zenit cameras while Lomography was still selling them. I haven't needed to disassemble my 122K as much as you have.

Current repair project is a Praktisix II which needs new shutter curtains.
 

Ko.Fe.

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Apr 29, 2014
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MiltON.ONtario
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Digital
Awesome gear to collect and disassemble. Made in millions.
I was travelling Moscow-Helsinki-Moscow monthly for some years.
Was learning the West style of living. A.k.a. Civilization.
I still think Finland is best country on Earth. And as anything great it is not massive.
But some of my remote relatives and ex customers are where. “Russian are coming”....
 

4season

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Jul 13, 2015
Messages
1,984
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Plastic Cameras
mohmad khatab said:
You made it yourself for yourself.
We in Egypt have 5,000 Zenit cameras that need curtains.
This is my opinion.
How much is one price?
Click to expand...

Sorry I misunderstood you: I am not a manufacturer, only a hobbyist.
 

AgX

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Apr 5, 2007
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Germany
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Member Jon Goodman advised to "rubberize" silk-like cloth by spreading a certain black textile paint over it by means of a ruler.
 
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