Iskra: the greatest Russian RF?

Todd.Hanz · 08-17-2005

I have been "baptized" into Russian rangefinderdom this week with the arrival of an Iskra and soon to be Kiev 4am. My Iskra arrived the other day and the Kiev is soon to follow, both were purchased here from RFF members (it's good to keep them in the family

).

The Iskra is a well built medium format camera, 6x6 with coupled rangefinder. It is my first folder so it has taken me a couple of days to get used to the operation. The lens is a Tessar copy, some say it is the same Zeiss lens on the Ikonta, either way it's a very sharp 75/3.5. Here are a couple examples, nothing stunning as the weather has been bad here lately.

Film was Tri-X and Rodinal:

back alley · 08-17-2005

i sure do like square.

well done todd.

joe

Iskra 2 · 08-17-2005

Never used any of the German folders so can't compare with the Iskra. I do know that Iskra's are "tough" cameras with outstanding glass.

Anybody had any experiences with the German folders?

wlewisiii · 08-17-2005

I've used a Zeiss Ikonta and currently have a Balda, but I'll say that my Iskra is one of the finest cameras I've ever used. As commented, it's a tough old bird with a delightful lens. There's a nice piece on the camera here: http://www.reportajes-jmserrano.com/@2j.m.serrano.htm In it he claims that the Soviets used the last batch of actual Zeiss glass from war repatriations to make the Iskra's lens. I can't say if that's true, but it is one heck of a lens.

I love both of my FSU folders.

William

Chaser · 08-17-2005

very nice... i like the square as well.

brians · 08-17-2005

Wow awesome pictures Todd. Glad you're enjoying your Iskra. But way to give me GAS.

chenick · 08-17-2005

I've been toying with the idea of an Iskra for a while now!! Post some more pics when you can please!!

Cheers
Nick

Nickfed · 08-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iskra 2

Anybody had any experiences with the German folders?

I had an Agfa folder at school. It had a Compur Rapid shutter and I used it for sports with that new HPS film. It was a good camera but nothing so fancy as the Iskra.

In the end the hinges corroded. I took the lens off and put it in a Pentax body cap. This went on a bellows, which went on a Zorki-6. Thus it transformed into a very rare beast - a 35mm with front and back shutters, surely the first and probably the last LTM Zorki that flash synched at 1/500.

Fedzilla_Bob · 08-17-2005

I think that the Iskra has performed beatifully mainly due to Todd's eye.

Still, I have lusted after them for a while now.

Bob H

rover · 08-18-2005

I knew that camera was bound for greatness. It just needed to be in the right hands.

P C Headland · 08-18-2005

Nice results there Todd.

Now try some slow speed film, like Delta 100 or Efke 25, and also a roll of Velvia!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iskra 2

Never used any of the German folders so can't compare with the Iskra. I do know that Iskra's are "tough" cameras with outstanding glass.

Anybody had any experiences with the German folders?

I have a couple of German folders (6x9), and while the smoothness of the controls is maybe a little nicer, the Iskra is stilla lovely camera. Way better finished than the Moskva 5, and nice "sssnick" to the shutter. The last of the Super Ikontas is nice, but I still prefer the Iskra.

Paul

Mike Kovacs · 08-18-2005

If anyone has a spare Iskra, I can compare it to my 6x6 Ikonta and 6x6 Super Ikonta

What is the minimum focus distance on the Iskra? Its a little long on the Super Ikonta at 5 feet.

wlewisiii · 08-18-2005

Minimum focus is 1 meter on the Iskra. That comes in very handy at times.

William

Iskra 2 · 08-18-2005

[quote=wlewisiii]Minimum focus is 1 meter on the Iskra./QUOTE]

And it is a unit focus system, the entire lens assembly moves.

........... and the exposure meter is pretty neat and fairly accurate on the Iskra 2

....... and the film advance is cool

.......... and........ enough... enough

Roman · 08-18-2005

Yeah, the Iskra only has two downsides - the weight and the weird filter size; the rest is about as perfect as a folder can be...

Roman

wlewisiii · 08-18-2005

I found that a 30mm to Series V adaptor could be made to work as a slip-in - pushing the legs outward to fit on the inside of the filter ring. It seems to work well enough for my k2 and a hood.

I actually consider the weight to be a positive. Makes it easier to handhold at slow speeds.

William

Iskra 2 · 08-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roman

Yeah, the Iskra only has two downsides - the weight and the weird filter size; the rest is about as perfect as a folder can be...

Always used color film and haven't needed a filter. There are filters that screw into the inner threads of the lens and you can close the camera with the filter on. One of mine had a yellow filter when purchased.

PC Headland has some interesting info on Iskra filters.

The real problem with the Iskra is the attention it gets around people

Hard to concentrate.

Mike Kovacs · 08-19-2005

Without starting too heated a discussion, I've always regarded unit focus vs front cell focus on folders a tradeoff of optics vs mechanical rigidity. A TLR, now that is a good unit focus platform.

Roman · 08-19-2005

Mike,
I'd say you might have problems with rigidity if you do unit focussing on a folder by moving the whole lens board back and forth (like the Bessas do, and they are notorious for problems with front standard rigidity); the Iskra is different here, though: the lens simply sits in a helical that is mounted on a rigid lens board, and is connected via an arm to the coupled rangefinder - this is just as solid and rigid as a front-cell-focussing construction would be...

Roman

Iskra 2 · 08-19-2005

In theory, unit focusing with the helical is a good idea. This is why the Iskra can get down to one meter while the others are usually in the 1.5 to 2 meter range.

The old FSU grease is tough to motivate sometimes after a long rest so you must "exercise" the helical assy regularly. I've "worked" some synthetic gun oil into mine which seems to keep everything "loose", even at low temps. Regards.

satbunny · 08-24-2005

There is a modified 645 version on ebay right now.. http://tinyurl.com/buz96

How much do you think a working Iskra is worth?

wlewisiii · 08-24-2005

I got mine for $165, but I bought it from http://www.fedka.com/catalog/ He costs more, but the camera was tested and guaranteed. That's worth the extra money to me.

On ebay, between 120 - 150 seems to be the going rate for the best ones. The first one listed (6x4.5) has alot of problems. Max of $30 and assume complete overhaul needed.

William

pshinkaw · 08-24-2005

Probably hasn't been unused for quite that long. That is a plastic take-up spool in the camera. I think film manufacturers started using them in the 70's.

In the US, I agree that 80-100 dollars is an acceptable price. Remember that transaction costs, if you are buying it from Ukraine or Russia, will add another 15-20 dollars.

Altogether, that is much better than Agfa model it is based on, if you can even find one.

-Paul

P C Headland · 08-24-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by satbunny

There is a modified 645 version on ebay right now.. http://tinyurl.com/buz96

How much do you think a working Iskra is worth?

I'd stick to a proper one - 6x6.

As to value, while you can get lucky and get them cheaper, bank on $80-120 on ebay, or $100-250 from an online seller, the higher end prices should be CLA'ed.

BTW, a series V double sided retaining ring or series 5 stepup (to series 6) will screw in to the Iskra's filter threads, but the thread pitch is different so you have to be careful not to screw it in to tight and screw things up

Best bet is the series 6 35mm push on adapter, as it fits properly and is quicker to put on and take off.

Paul

satbunny · 08-25-2005

Sorry but what is CLA? It must be a USA phrase since you don't here it here in the UK.