Leningrad (camera)

The Soviet booth with photographic equipment, which included Leningrad, received the Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Brussels in 1958 ^[1] .

The main design feature of the camera is the presence of a spring vinder , which allows serial shooting with a frequency of up to 3 frames per second (depends on the speed at which the shutter button will be pressed) and 2 to 12 frames per factory (without a film - 20-25 frames ) There were factory prototypes that were designed specifically for serial shooting at a speed of 6 to 3 frames per second. Because of the high-speed broach, only two-cylinder cartridges with a drop-out slot are suitable for charging the film ^[1] . On the basis of Leningrad, several cameras were created for working in space ^[2] .

Photographic shutter curtain-slotted, with horizontal movement of cloth curtains.

A telescopic viewfinder combined with a rangefinder . The base of the rangefinder is 57 mm, diopter correction ± 2D. In the viewfinder's field of view, constant frames are applied, respectively, to interchangeable lenses of 50 mm, 85 mm and 135 mm, there is an automatic parallax correction in the horizontal plane ^[3] . The total visible field of the viewfinder corresponds to the field of view of the lens with a focal length of 35 mm. The main feature of the sight is the lack of a dual-image spot more familiar to rangefinder cameras. Instead, the so-called. “Mirror image pad”, which, thanks to the overall brightness of the viewfinder, makes it easy to focus even in very low light.

The camera was equipped with a standard lens “ Jupiter-8 ” 2/50 mm or “ Jupiter-3 ” 1.5 / 50 mm. Interchangeable optics have an M39 × 1 thread and a working length of 28.8 mm (identical to the Leica , FED , Zorkiy cameras). However, due to the structural protrusion of the housing directly under the top cover of the camera, it is not possible to use folding Soviet lenses with a leash ( Industar-22 , etc.).

Three serial releases are conventionally distinguished, differing in the number of screws on the front of the camera, a number of shutter speeds, and some other details:

• the first issue ( 1956 - 1958 ) - with the "old" series of shutter speeds, a more complex design of the rewind head. Two screws to the left of the lens, so-called "Twin screw". Simplified design of the rangefinder frame.
• the second issue ( 1959 - 1961 ) - with the "old" series of extracts. Four screws on the front panel, two to the right and left of the lens. The design of the rewind head is simplified. The design of the rangefinder frame is improved.
• third edition ( 1961 - 1968 ) - with a “new” series of excerpts. Four screws, the inscriptions on the rewind head are painted. Since 1964, the GOMZ emblem has been replaced by the LOMO emblem.

In the literature you can find the image and description of the prototype of a 1953 camera with a cocked cocking shutter , a metal shutter and other differences. This camera was developed in the early 50s at the GOI and has nothing to do with the serial “Leningrad” except the name.

Due to its high cost and low reliability, some nodes are not widely used. Now "Leningrad" is of great interest to collectors .

• LOMO-135

• Andrey Sheklein. “Leningrad” - a window to Europe (Russian) // “Photo shop”: magazine. - 2001. - No. 3 . - S. 114, 115 . - ISSN 1029-609-3 .

• E.A. Iophis . Photokinotechnics / I. Yu. Shebalin. - M.,: “Soviet Encyclopedia”, 1981. - S. 165. - 447 p.

• Fridman V.M. Photography black and white, color, stereoscopic. Ed. 2nd corrected. - M.: State Publishing House of Local Industry of the RSFSR, 1957

• Syrov A.A. The path of the camera. - M .: Art, 1954

• Jean Loup Princelle. Made in USSR. The Authentic Guide To Russian And Soviet Cameras. - Le Reve Edition, 2004.

• Stages of development of domestic camera manufacturing. Leningrad
• Review of the Leningrad camera in the club "Rangefinder"
• Detailed images at nightphoto.com
• Instructions for Leningrad