Instruction Manual for Iskra [Archive]

Roman

09-27-2005, 14:08

There's really nothing special about operating the Iskra - look here, too:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00DXkK

Just ask what you want to know (can't help you with operating the lightmeter, though, since I have the meter-less original Iskra).

Roman

ray_g

09-27-2005, 14:44

Mostly about loading. I scanned the photo.net link, Roman, and it looks like that was covered. I'll read it more carefully later tonight, and will let you guys know if I have any specific problems. Thanks!

Roman

09-27-2005, 14:51

Loading is really easy - just put the fresh film in on the left, and the empty spool on the right (you have to turn those little wheels on the bottom, but it is still a bit fidgety to get the spools in), thread the backing paper into the empty spool, make one or two turns with the knob so that it is winding securely, close the back, and wind on until the knob can't be turned any more , and you see '1' on the frame counter - the camera detects the beginning of the film, like a Rolleiflex Automat - no need to line up 'start' marks....

Roman

Apostata

07-18-2008, 06:56

Hey there,

I just received an Iskra I purchased on eBay - trying to test it out and verify the "exc" condition the seller promised. The fact that the back plate doesn't seem to close perfectly scares me a little.

My first question is: how do you adjust the shutter speed? I know it's linked to the aperature, but I've no clue how to unlink/readjust it. I've gone to the KMZ site, but babelfish and PROMT don't do the wording much justice.

Any help appreciated.

M

Joao

07-18-2008, 15:10

My first question is: how do you adjust the shutter speed? I know it's linked to the aperature, but I've no clue how to unlink/readjust it.

Hi, no problem with mine, I just hold the speed dial and turn the aperture ring as I want.
A very comprehensive text here. Not exactly a manual, but you may find it useful. I hope it helps.
http://www.reportajes-jmserrano.com/iskra.htm
Best regards
Joao

NickTrop

07-18-2008, 15:27

Couple tips you won't find in the manual...

1. If you get a light leak that looks like a solid strip on the left (or sometimes right) side of the print that appears in 2 or 3 frames per roll, always in the same place... before you drive yourself crazy trying to find it/fix it, read this thread for a simple no-cost fix. This light leak is quite common:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58597

2. If you're using a flash be sure that the camera is set securely to "X". If the selector is not resting perfectly on the X, your flash synch will be off. It can look like it's properly set but upon inspection be off by a nudge.

A fully functional Iskra is a treasure imo. Enjoy.
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wlewisiii

07-18-2008, 15:36

A fully functional Iskra is a treasure imo. Enjoy.
|

Very much so. Selling mine was a major mistake.

William

Apostata

07-19-2008, 10:32

Thanks for the replies, folks. I've managed to figure out the speed/aperature settings. Now I just have to clean it. The action on the aperature ring is a little "crusty".

Apostata

07-19-2008, 14:33

Next question: do I have to manually lift (or pull) the shutter release button back up after taking an exposure? I was expecting it to pop back up after taking a shot, but it didn't, and when I wound the roll further it just kept winding (thus I've lost some exposures). It was only when I manually pulled the shutter release button back up did it behave normally. Any advice appreciated.

M

Apostata

07-19-2008, 15:20

Okay - now I'm doubly confused. I checked out this response (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=821180&postcount=5) on the RFF, regarding another Iskra question about the shutter release.

I feel like an idiot asking this, but how do I take a picture? What role does the "shutter winder" (the lever on the top/left part of the lens, between the shutter/aperature rings and the focus ring) have? Do I need to press down on the lever in order to take the next shot?

Sorry for the questions, but between the Russian->English translations of manuals and the related-but-not-quite-what-I'm-experiencing threads elsewhere I can't find an answer.

julio1fer

07-19-2008, 18:10

The Iskra is supposed to be a copy of the Agfa Super Isolette. You can get a manual of the Super Isolette here (http://www.certo6.com/cam/superisolette.html).

These cameras do not load the shutter spring when winding film, as many 35 mm cameras do. You have to cock the shutter yourself with the "shutter winder". So taking a picture is a two-step procedure: wind film, load shutter, then you can release.

If you want to try the shutter without film, open the back, look at the very sharp teeth of the counting wheel at top right, move them in the film direction carefully until it clicks. This will liberate the double exposure lock, then you can cock the shutter and release. You'll have to do this 12 times, since the counter has to go full cycle.

RichC

07-20-2008, 01:34

I've got an Iskra arriving next week. As I've never used 120 film let alone an ancient folding totally manual camera, I really wanted some instructions.

The only manual available on the web is the one in Russian on KMZ's website - but online translators do horrible things to it! So, I've just about finished putting together a draft English translation, piecing it together using assorted online translators:

Download English manual (http://www.mediafire.com/?emzcfei2jhs)

If anyone spots any mistakes, do let me know...

It's for the Iskra not Iskra-2, but apart from the light meter and a few cosmetic details I believe they are identical.

Like many manuals, the original wasn't particularly well organised or written (ignoring the Russian!), so although the translation's reasonably faithful to the original, I have edited it (seeing as I'm an editor!) to (hopefully) improve it!

I've also included an addendum of useful tips.

Joao

07-20-2008, 09:19

So, I've just about finished putting together a draft English translation, piecing it together using assorted online translators:

Download English manual (http://www.richcutler.co.uk/_oddments/Iskra_Manual_%28English_version_2008%29.pdf)

If anyone spots any mistakes, do let me know...

It's for the Iskra not Iskra-2, but apart from the light meter and a few cosmetic details I believe they are identical.

Like many manuals, the original wasn't particularly well organised or written (ignoring the Russian!), so although the translation's reasonably faithful to the original, I have edited it (seeing as I'm an editor!) to (hopefully) improve it!

I've also included an addendum of useful tips.

Very nice work, thank you for this !
Joao

Apostata

07-20-2008, 10:02

julio1fer: If you want to try the shutter without film, open the back, look at the very sharp teeth of the counting wheel at top right, move them in the film direction carefully until it clicks.

No luck in this - I turn the tooth-wheel but it never clicks.

RichC - I think I see in your document what I'm doing wrong. I will have to get a new roll of 120 and try it out. Like you, I've never used 120, or a fold-out camera, so this is all new to me as well.

john341

07-22-2008, 16:06

The instructions may not help you overcome the problem which arises if the camera has been altered to do 16 exposures. My Iskra had been butchered and the camera's film advance stopped at he 12th exposure. The solution was to go to the black bag, remove the back and allow the exposure counter to reset and carry on. Beautiful lens. This was one of the best to come from the USSR. Good luck

Apostata

07-24-2008, 13:27

I just can't figure it out...as per RichC's manual:

1) I cock the shutter with the lever on the lens (item #19 in Figure 2 of the manual), turning it until it stops.

2) I turn the film advance knob to the next exposure.

3) When I press the shutter release button, the shutter does not release and the shutter release button stays pressed (it does not come back up).

I know the shutter works, because I can trip the shutter release on the shutter assembly - so why doesn't the shutter release button work? Even after releasing the shutter this way, the shutter release button stays pressed down - if I don't lift it up, the film advance will allow me to wind until the entire roll is used up. Is this normal??

This just depresses me. I don't know if the camera's broke or if I'm just totally missing something.

wpb

07-24-2008, 13:53

First, the shutter button should have about 1/8 of an inch play; even with the camera collapsed. It should be able to be pressed down and then return as there is a spring in the camera body. Next there is a long metal rod that runs parallel to the film plane and it has a 90 degree angle near the bottom of the camera. It is actually two pieces of metal joined by a rivet and it looks like a "L". This then lifts up on a metal bar that runs parallel with the bellows. If any part of the linkage isn't working properly you'll have a problem. One of the most common problems seems to be the last piece that is parallel to the bellows... it gets caught under the silver shutter release on the lens when the camera is opened causing it to push up (rather than down) on the shutter release. Looking from the front of the camera, the linkage should be on the left side of the silver shutter release on the lens.

Upon further review... you could also be pressing the shutter button and making the last piece of the linkage slip under the shutter release on the lens (after it has activated the shutter). You may need to rotate the lens slightly to adjust for this if it is the problem. If that is the case I can provide instructions.

RichC

07-24-2008, 13:57

Although I've managed to jam my shutter (:bang:), I know that the rest of my camera work's fine - yours is not working as intended.

This is what should happen: cock the shutter, wind on until the advance knob stops, press the shutter button all the way down. As the shutter button is pressed, you will hear two clicks, the first is the shutter releasing; the second is the double exposure lock engaging. When you release the shutter button, it returns to its raised position, ready for the shutter to be cocked again.

From your description, it sounds as if the shutter release button/linkage is not engaging the shutter lever on the shutter assembly. A related problem is the non-return of the shutter button.

I suspect that if you watch the shutter lever on the shutter assembly when pressing the shutter button after cocking, the linkage to this lever won't move or is not pressing the lever.

As to why, perhaps the linkage from the shutter button to the shutter lever is gummed up or bent - if so, you may be able to clean this yourself.

(As a side note (nothing to do with your problem, as such): if you only press the shutter just far enough to release the shutter but not further to engage the double exposure lock, you can cock the shutter and fire it with the button - so, a bit of a flaw: the double exposure protection is only partial!)

Apostata

07-26-2008, 12:58

Thanks guys - I think I may be missing the linkage from the shutter release. I will post pictures. Is this to say that the sliver shutter-release on the lens is triggered by the linkage from the shutter release button on top?

RichC

07-26-2008, 14:14

Is this to say that the sliver shutter-release on the lens is triggered by the linkage from the shutter release button on top?

Yes - a metal rod pushes the shutter lever, forcing it downwards.

Are you sure it hasn't somehow become disconnected?

Apostata

07-27-2008, 07:32

OK - I've uploaded some photos of the camera. I've tried to focus on the shutter release mechanism on the lens to show that I can't find anything attaching to it.

http://www.geocities.com/henrychinowski/DSC_0004small2.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/henrychinowski/DSC_0003small.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/henrychinowski/DSC_0002small.jpg

Basically, I can't see anything connecting from the shutter release button at the top of the camera to the trigger on the lens.

wpb

07-30-2008, 06:09

The actuating lever isn't physically attached to the silver shutter release on the lens, if it were the camera would not be able to be collapsed. When looking from the front of the camera... the black lever, that runs parallel to the lens bed, should be to the left of the silver shutter release on the lens. If the black piece is under the silver shutter release it will not push down on the shutter release. If you can push down on the silver shutter release and the lens fires your problem is, most likely, in the linkage and easily fixable.

LOOP

07-30-2008, 11:32

When you explain how you try to make it work I feel I have to help.
With the Iskra it is very important that you operate following a precise order and not 1-2-3 but 2-1-3.
First thing to do: let the film avance, if your camera is a good one, it will go to number 1,
Second: set the right EVS aperture speed combination
Third : set the lever on the lens ( do not press the trigger before doing this
if you do so, it will go wrong)
Fourth: press to shoot
After this go back to first. You'll do it 12 times after this advance the film a long, long time you cannot be wrong even if you turn for 5 minutes, but normally turning 5 times is enough. Do it a long time to be sure that when you'll open to unload it is safe and the roll is a real roll. Take care when getting the film out not to let it drop on the floor, it would be a shame.. Keep it as a tight roll. Use your tongue to wet the paper and past it tight.
Sorry for my poor english it is not my language...