Retail Film Camera 35mm Smena 8M LOMO Point and Shoot scale working condition photographer gift retro collectable cameras old USSR

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A scale camera is a camera that focuses on a distance scale. The distance to the subject is determined visually or with the help of external devices. Further, by turning the lens focusing ring, it is necessary to combine the required distance on the scale with a special line.

In the USSR, many models of scale cameras were produced. Inexpensive, reliable, easy-to-use models were in strong demand.

Smena-8M
My first camera was Smena-8M. Therefore, I will start the cycle of reviews with her.

The Smen family in different indices is perhaps the most famous scale in the Union. Shifts with indexes 8 and 8M were produced 21 million units. This fact is included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Change-8M was carried out at LOMO (Leningrad Optical and Mechanical Association) in 1970-1995.

Smena-8M device is compact and very lightweight. My copy weighs 227 grams.

The design is minimalistic, but not devoid of style for those times. Black plastic body with aluminum insert in front and aluminum lens. The inscriptions on the insert are in red paint.
Non-replaceable lens T-43 4/40 (three lenses in three groups). Enlightened.

Focusing on a distance scale, supplemented with pictograms corresponding to the most common scenes. Portrait, group portraits, architecture.
A full rotation of the focusing ring is almost 360 degrees.

In general, focusing, setting aperture and shutter speed are made as clear as possible for the most inexperienced users.

A 40mm lens focal length is not a very common option. In my opinion, this is much better than 50 or 58 mm, which were the standard for a stock lens in the Union. But it would be even better, after all, something about 32 mm.

The lens is not very fast. Supported aperture values ​​4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. But for the entry-level wide-angle aperture is not needed. The diaphragm is exposed with a small ribbed ring around the lens itself. It is very uncomfortable. However, according to the intention of the designers, an inexperienced amateur photographer will set the aperture based on the sensitivity of the charged film. For this, the aperture scale is duplicated with indication of sensitivity options according to two GOST / ISO and DIN standards. Accordingly, the amateur had to change the aperture 1 time - when installing the film.

The lens is equipped with a M35.5 × 0.5 filter thread. Interestingly, someone in these years used light filters on the scales? The end section of the lens barrel is polished and shines very charismatically.

There are reviews on the Internet about the good quality of the T-43 lens. There are not enough stars from the sky, but there are no special complaints either.

The body of the device is covered with a mesh notch both at the front and at the back. Smena-8M is confident in the hands. To charge the film, the rear wall hinges to the right. The lock is located on the left side of the case, is made in the form of a black square slide button and looks very modern. On the back there are: a viewfinder window, a frame counter and a ribbed film rewind ring.
The lens and shutter are a single unit. The rest of the body is just plastic.

Above there is a release button, a "cold" clip for mounting a rangefinder or a flash, and a lifting head for rewinding.

Below is a plastic tripod socket, which is located strictly along the axis of the lens.

A shutter speed setting ring surrounds the base of the lens. Sema's shutter is central and that explains everything. Available excerpts: B, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250.

More than enough for an amateur camera. Thanks to the central shutter, the flash is synchronized at any shutter speed, including 1/250.

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