Moskva 5 with combined RF/VF

[Abbazz]

I have a Moskva 5 with a combined rangefinder/viewfinder. I have been told that it has been modified in Russia from a standard Moskva 5 by a camera repairman named A. Kulibin in the late 50s or early 60s. The overhaul has been nicely done. Does anybody know about this camera? Is this modification frequently encountered?

Here are some pictures:

Moskva.jpg

Moskva2.jpg

Cheers,

Abbazz

[dazedgonebye]

Never seen anything like that before. My knowlege of Moskvas though is only casual.
How well does it work?
It looks like the shutter button is hard to get to.

[pshinkaw]

I' ve never seen one of those before. It looks very nicely done.

Is the combined viewfinder/rangefinder the window on the left or the right?

-Paul

[Michael I.]

Ivan Kulibin is a name of a russian ingenious inventor.It is modern slang to any local(to russia and the surrounding areas) DIY work- from faking leicas to modifiyng kiev 6 to shoot 6x4.5(a local "kulibin" did that).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Kulibin

[Abbazz]

Steve, the viewfinder is quite nice and focusing is on par with a normal Moskva/Super Ikonta. The shutter button is indeed squeezed between the rewind knob and the viewfinder cover, so it is no very easy to reach. but it's usable with a little practice.

Yes, Paul, the job is very nicely done. The combined window is on the left.

Michael, thanks for the explanation about Kulibin, ROTFL. This particular A.Kulibin (please note that this is not Ivan, maybe his brother ) seems particularly gifted anyway, as the modification is superbly done.

Cheers,

Abbazz

[dazedgonebye]

See, when I come across something designed like the Moskva 5, I think, "What a pain in the a$$!"
Others think, "I can fix that."

[wlewisiii]

Bet a tall soft release is all that shutter button needs Thank you Abbazz for sharing these photos. If I ever get another Moskva I'll have to look for this version

William