Film cameras
Iskra-2 User manual
User manual for Iskra-2. 24 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Various brands
- Model / document
- Iskra-2
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 24
- File size
- 1.5 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
ROLLFILM RANGEFINDER CAMERAS ISITRA & ISTTRA -2 IIV^S?RUCTIO.N BOOKLET donated to www.butkus.usView original page 2
Page 3 · Read text
ATTENTION
The camera olskra, is the exact and. complex mechanism.
Before to use the camerq", carefullg stttdA presented instruetion manual.
The camera works only with a film.
lens The front couer can be closed only after remouing all filters and with the
adjusted to infinitg (sgmbol a).
j TLrn on the self-timer onlg utith cocked slutter.
$ Don't install green digils at scale of slutter speeds against ttrc index.
Preserve tlrc selenium m.eter cell (aI Iskra-2 cam.era) from lorry exposition at direct
sun light, it utill diue the ell temporary weak, and results of light m.etering uill wrong.
Small diuergences behaeen the description belotu and gour camera are possible, due
to teclvical deuelopments in tle design of tle camera. J
I
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?lr:'l-i :.,--;..: i;-,. ' .!;','donated to www.butkus.usView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
INTRODUCTIOlV The Iskra camera was created in 1960 on the
basis of the camera Agfa Super Isolette. It was
After the 2nd World War the USSR, as a winner- more complex and modern camera than previous
state, took a lot of German plant equipment as Moskva, but not so reliable.
reparation for Soviet plants destroyed by Hitler's During 1960-1963 were issued 38,722 Iskra
army. Leica and Zeiss Icon equipment was also cameras.
imported for manufacturing cameras and optics, At 1961 was issued Iskra-2 camera, which had
which became the main base of "Krasnogorslgr simple light meter, which was not connected with
Mekanichesky Zavod" (Krasnogorsk Mechanical shutter and lens. Even the light meter was very
Factory), known as KMZ. KMZ factory received a simple in modern terms, it looks that KMZ had the
good experience of manufacturing folding cameras trouble with Iskra-2, and during 1961-1964 were
since production of Moskva 6x9 cm cameras, and issued only 6,118 Iskra-2 cameras.
later on began to produce Iskra 6x6 cm cameras. Most of the information presented in the
Russian word "iskra" means the "spark". "Iskra" instruction manual is true for both types of Iskra
was the first Communist party newspaper, and cameras. Several parts dedicated especially to
thus the camera was dedicated to building of a Iskra-2 camera are marked as: (for Iskra-2 only).
Communism at USSR.
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1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION shutter speeds allows making shooting at various
light exposures of objects and at their movement.
The camera Iskra is a collapsible film camera The mechanism of the self-timer allows taking
with a format of 6x6 cm and with a built-in lens, the pictures with any automatic shutter speed after 9
coated optics and central shutter. The camera is 15 seconds after pressing on the shutter release -intended for various amateur and professional button.
shootings. The mechanism of synchronization allows
The camera Iskia is supplied with the optical making shooting with expendable or pulse flash
view-finder and rangefinder combined at one units.
eyepiece. The optical viewfinder and rangefinder Iris aperture changes a relative aperture on a
with a base of 55 mm are conveniently located in uniform scale: 3.5; 4; 5.6; 8; 11; 16 &22.
the metal body of the camera. Exact focusing is In the case of the shutter is mounted four-
achieved by moving the lens with shutter. element lens with the coated optics "lndustar-58" jI
Increase of the optical view-finder is 0,74x. ("?In4ycrap-58"), with focal length 75 mm and
Central shutter "O3ru- 18C" provides ten relative aperture 1:3.5. As known, all Soviet
automatic shutter speeds (1-1/500 sec) and also Industar lenses are copies of famous Zeiss Tessar
any exposition by hand ("B"). The large range of Ii
l
I
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lens. The corner of a field of sight of the lens is photographing.
equal 55 degrees. Built-in light meter at Iskra-2 camera dont need
By turning the barrel of the lens that connected any power source, the meter cell uses sunshine
with the rangefinder, you can overlap two images ener$/ and provides receiving EV numbers to install
seen in the view window into one to bring the different pairs of "shutter speed/aperture".
chosen subject into focus. All parts of the camera are conveniently
The advantages of the Iskra camera include: arranged to manage the camera whether shooting
exact focusing, the central shutter with ten from the hands or from a support tripod. The scale
automatic shutter speeds, manually operated long { of distances, apertures, and shutter speeds, and allshutter speed "B", the mechanism for shutter parts of operation are located so that work with the { camera proceeds quickly and confidently.release by self-timer, and the synchronization
With one film loading, the camera can acceptsocket for two kinds of flash units, film rewind +\reagainst the stop, complete blocking protecting from twelve snapshots in a 6x6 cm. format.
double snapshots or the missing non-exposed To prevent shooting two snapshots on the same
frames, automatic interrelation of installation frame, the film winding knob and shutter release
shutter speeds and aperture, work with the help of button are connected by a blocking mechanism.
a light scale considerably facilitating process of The shutter release button can be pressed and the
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shutter will work only if the film has been wound to 2. NOMENCLATURT
an unexposed frame.
On the case of the camera is the nut with a 2.1. Camera
standard groove of 318 inches which allows
establishing the camera on a support. The camera The camera "Iskra" has the case made by
has straplet attachment points. molding under pressure, which makes the device
The camera is supplied with a case from a high- rigid and steady. To open the camera, it is
quality leather. The case is convenient for caring necessary to press the button 5, simultaneously
and supposes shootings from hands and on a holding a cover.
support, not taking out the camera from a case. To close the camera it is necessary to press both
Weight of the camera without a case is 850 gr. right and left levers simultaneously and,
for Iskra and 925 gr. for Iskra-2 camera. overcoming the resistance of the springs, fold the
Overall dimensions of the camera: in combined cover with a smooth movement of the fingers until
situation is 152x110x48 mm, with an open forward the closing of its lock.
cover is 152x1IOx98 mm. To close a forward cover of the camera it is
possible only at installation lens on "infinit5/.
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The camera has the rangefinder, combined with 2.3. Shutter
the view-finder 6 and connected with the help of The shutter "O3III-18C" represents the exactlever system with the lens I O.
The metering cell of Iskra-2 cameta is situated and complex mechanism and requires the careful
between windows of rangefinder and viewfinder' and attentive manipulation with it. Adjustments of shutter speeds use the ring 20,
2.2. Lens on which are engraved denominators of fractions . designating shutter speeds in seconds, for example:
15 etc. Lens "lndustar-58" is coated four-element 2, 4, 15, etc., instead of | /2, I 14, I/ gives To adjust the shutter speed it is necessary toanastigmatic with a relative aperture 1:3.5, it
the sharp image and provides high quality of turn ring 20 so that the number appropriate to the
snapshots both black-and-white, and color' chosen shutter speed has stopped against the index
Filter mount is 33XO.5 mmgroove. mark 21 on the shutter/lens casing. To carry out any of long shutter speeds it is
necessary to establish a regulating ring on "B"'
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It is necessary to mean, that at rotation of a shutter release cable when photographing from a
regulating ring 20 together with it rotates the support.
aperture ring 7 7, having internal demountable The presence of a self-release timer allows you to
connection with this ring. take photographs away from the camera, and also
For installation the aperture it is necessary to in a group or other such compositions. To operate
delay a ring 1l forward against the stop and to turn the self-timer, it is necessary to cock it by turning
isso that division appropriate necessary aperture, has lever 13 to establish it against the letter "A". It
stopped against an index 21. necessary to remember, that the cocking the self-
cocked. To make shooting, it is necessary at first to cock timer possible only when the shutter is
the shutter by smooth rotation of the lever 79 on a After pressing the shutter release button, the
course of an hour arrow against the stop. mechanism of the self-timer will work after 9-15
Release the shutter by smoothly pressing the seconds and only after that will the shutter release.
button 4 against the stoP. The contact 14 for connection of flash units is
Shutter release is possible only in the event that functional for both single (lamp flash) and pulse
the camera is charged by a film and previously the (electronic flash) type units. The contacts of the
thefilm was winded on the next frame. The button 4 synchronizatton socket turn on the flash at
has a hole with a conical groove for connecting the moment of complete opening of the shutter. The
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length of time from the moment of activating the desirable to increase depth of sharpness or when
lamp up to its completed flash varies. For example, the light exposure of the chosen shutter speed is
an electronic flash, as a rule, will flash faster than a too great. The steps of the aperture scale are
single lamp flash. Therefore, electronic flash units designed in such a manner that each step of the
can be applied with any shutter speed and with aperture changes by a factor of two (doubles or
lever 13 switched at "lightning" or "X" symbol, while reduces by one-half) the amount of light flow getting
the application of lamps is limited to longer shutter to the film.
speeds of more than I/25 seconds and lever 13 With changes of the aperture of the lens, depth
switched at symbol "lamp" or'M". of sharpness changes accordingly. The depth of
sharpness is increased with reduction of the
2.4. Aperture diameter of the aperture and with an increase of
distance from the shooting subject.
The aperture is located in the shutter between For definition of the depth of sharpness, there is
optical elements of the lens. The change of the a scale 16. When using the scale, it is necessary to
diameter of the aperture of the lens is carried out by understand that depth of sharpness is not absolute
movement of the ring 11. and identical sharpness of the image in the
It is necessary to use small apertures when it is specified borders, and the field of depth are just a
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guide for which any object will seem rather sharp. The light number represents a uniting
As usual all distances are measured from the film parameter, which at the certain brightness of object
plane of shooting and known sensitivity of a film united
The shutter has a scale of light numbers (EV all possible coordinated combinations of shutter
numbersl 12 put on a ring of aperture 11. The speed/aperture, providing thus identical density of
index of a scale of light numbers (red point) is negatives.
presented at a regulating ring 20. The light number can be determined with the
scale of light The scale of light numbers is a line of help of any light meter, having a
conditional numbers from 2 up to 18. The light numbers. Iskra-2 camera has built-in light meter
number expresses amount of the light ener5/ which provides receiving EV numbers. To establish
necessary to delaynecessary for reception of a negative for normal this number on the scale, it is
against the stop and todensity on a charged film. The change of light aperture ring 1l forward
number on one step meets to double change of turn so that necessary light number was combined
brightness of object or sensitivity of a film: the more with a red point on a regulating ring 2O. After that
brightly object or is higher sensitivity of a film, the you'11 receive necessary combinations shutter
above light number. speed/aperture according with light conditions.
Rotating both rings 11 and 20, allows establish
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The table of light numbers shows the - 2.5. Light meter (for Iskra-2 ontyf
dependence between shutter speeds, apertures and
EV light numbers. With the Iskra-2, the appropriate EV numbers
It covers all light numbers from 3 up to 18, for correct exposure can be determined through its
apertures from 4 up to 22 and shutter speeds nBr built-in exposure meter.
and from 1 up to 1/500 sec. T\rrn the film speed ring 3l so that the speed
Shutter speeds are shared diagonally into two value (|OCT or DIN) of the film in use aligns with
areas: one of them, especially important for the index marker (see figure 3). The |OCT Soviet
photographer, covers of all automatic shutter standard is almost the same as ISO/ASA. If the film
speeds, and other area covers large shutter speed in use has an exposure index not given on the
above 1 sec., which requires manual shutter speeds scale, the index can be set between two specified
possible with uBo. numbers (e.g., ISO 1OO can be set between |OCT 65
and 130).
Aim the camera towards the subject and turning
the calculator dial 32 overlap the indicator needle
34 with calculator pointer 35. After it the EV
number can be read at scale 32 against the index
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One of the reflecting sides of the rangefinder's prism automatically at the moment of opening a back
has a special covering which cause the images of cover of the camera.
the subject to appear multicolored. This facilitates The film winding is made by rotation of the knob
their overlapping. On the ring 16 of the lens is 3 on the direction of the arrow available on the
engraved the scale of distances from the shooting knob. Rotating the knob 3 against the stop defines
subject. borders of the following frame. The application of
By rotation of the lens barrel I8 connected with significant efforts after blocking the rotation can
the rangefinder wedges, you can achieve result in breakage of the mechanism.
overlapping of the two images of the subject into The back cover of the camera 22 is removable
one, thus focusing the lens on the shooting subject. The lock of the back cover 26 uses the latch 24.
If the distance up to the shooting subject is By extracting this latch the lock on the back opens
known, focusing is possible without using the the cover.
rangefinder. Just establish necessary meaning at The back cover should be held by hand during
the scale of distances 13 against an index and take opening to prevent it from dropping to the floor. For
a picture. closing the back cover, it is necessary to hook its
The camera has the frame counter 2. An bottom part to the edge of the case and to press to
(zeroD the case until the lock closes.indication of the frame counter comes to
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3. BASIC OPERATIONS empty take-up spool.
3.1. Loading the film 3. Open and cautiously remove the label, extend
the backing paper and insert its end into the
Loading and unloading the camera by a film can lengthened slot of the take-up spool.
be made at ordinary, but not too bright light. It is 4. Pull the backing paper by the knob 3 to wind
necessary to protect the spool with film from strong the film by making 1-1.5 revolutions, and while
direct light during loading and unloading of the slightly holding the spool with the film, level the film
film. between the spools so that it moves without
The sequence of loading the film is as follows: skewing between directing screws 29.
1. Remove the back cover 22. 5. Return the back cover and close it, as
2. T\rrn on the head of center 23 against a described above. The back cover should lock the
course of a hour arrow to delay the centre before bottom of centres, thus to not allow exit them from
the stop. Then insert the central hole of the spool cases of the camera.
on center 27. Combine the other end of the spool 6. Rotate the knob 3 against the stop. Thus in a
with center 25 and turn back head of center to the window of the frame counter figure n1, appears.
original position. Have the spool with the film so 7. On the scale of the knob B, put the type of the
that the end of the backing paper is directed to the film and sensitivity against the index by rotating the
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handle and disk 7. lt will help you to remember film
speed and type.
Fig. 4.
22 - Back cover
23 - Head of the centre
24 - Latch
25 - Centre
26 - Locking framework of the back cover
27 - Centre
28 - Punched ledge of the knob
29 - Directing screw
30 - Centre
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necessary, 3.2. PhotograPhlng of the lever 19 against the stop. If it is
cock the self-timer by lever 13 with establishing it
nAr. To make shooting, it is necessary to make the against the letter
following: 7. Looking in the window of the rangefinder-
1. Open the cover of the case. viewfinder, focus the lens on the subject by rotating
-18 to combine the two 2. Press the button 5 to open the front cover of the barrel of the rangefinder
the camera. multicolored images into one. Rotate the barrel /8
Simultaneously 3. Determine the exposition (or EV number, if by a finger of the left hand.
possible) with the tight meter or according with own compose the picture.
*on eye". 8. Release the shutter by smoothly pressing theexperience
4. Establish the shutter speed by turning the button 4 against the stoP.
regulatingring 20. 9. Rotate the film winding knob 3 against the
5. Establish the aperture. Before turning the stop, thus the number of the next unexposed frame
aperture ring -l I it is necessary to delay it forward appears in the window of the frame counter.
against the stop, then install the aperture meaning The knob 3 and the button 4 are connected with
against an index. a blocking mechanism, which protects against the
6. Cock the shutter by a smooth clockwise turn
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possibility of making two exposures on the same remove the empty spool from centers 24 and 25,
frame. and to rearrange it in the place of the pickup spool.
3.3. Unloading of the camera 4. CAMERA & LENS CARE TIPS
After using all frames of the film, rotate the film The camera Iskra is the complex optical device.
winding knob until the end of the paper substrate The mechanism of the central shutter is a especially
will not be wound on the take-up spool. complex, and those features requires rather care.
Now it is possible to open the back cover of the Before beginning the practical application of the
camera. By turning the head of center 23 against a camera, it is necessary to study it under the
course of a hour arrow to delay the centre, extract instruction manual.
the center against the stop. Remove the film spool Store the camera in the case intended for it, in a
and attach the end of the paper substrate to the roll dry room. The shutter and the self-timer at storage
using the provided tape, or by other means, to should be in the lowered position.
prevent unrolling of the film. Don't apply excessive efforts with the
The film can be stored in such a way for some manipulation of it. Avoid strong shocks to the
time before developing. It is recommended to camera.
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Protect the camera from dirt, moisture and dust. or cotton wool slightly moistened with pure spirit
The optical surfaces of the lens have a very thin alcohol or ether (petroleum or sulfuric).
layer (about O.lmm) of anti-reflective coating. This Any residue left by the cleaning solvent can be
coating gives the lenses a lilac or pale-blue tinge in removed with a dry napkin.
reflected light. Moisture on the coated surfaces can leave stains
The extremely thin coating can be easily and when left for long periods (i.e, during storage),
scratched with improper cleaning methods. To can completely destroy the coating.
preserve the coating, protect the lens from dirt, If the camera is brought in from a colder
dust, and oil, to reduce the necessity of cleaning or environment, do not open the case and lens caps
wiping. immediately, to prevent condensation on its
The following cleaning method is recommended: surfaces. Let it stabilize first with the ambient
Remove dust with a soft, clean brush, or wipe temperature.
very lightly with a clean flannel napkin or cotton If, through careless handling or any other
wool without pressing the surface. reason, the coating does deteriorate, the lens will
Oily smudges, finger prints, and perspiration still perform better than an uncoated lens.
marks can be removed by lightly wiping the If the camera malfunctions, take it for qualified
contaminated surfaces with a clean flannel napkin service. Do not try to repair this camera at home!
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5. COMPLETE SE"f of the CAMERA The factory makes repair to the camera free of
charge, if the latent malfunction is found out within
The complete set of the camera consists of: one year from the date of its purchase, provided
1. Camera with shutter and lens. that the device was not damaged outside of the
2. Take-up spool. factory.
3. Shutter release cable. The faulty camera is directed to one of the
4. Case with neck-strap and tripod nut. guaranteed photoworkshops of the factory or is sent
5. Removable neck-strap. by ensured parcel in the complete set with passport
(on which is written shop and date of sale) with a
6. WARRANTY list of the noticed malfunctions to the address as
marked. Krasnogorsk, Moscow area, Krasnogorsk
ITOTE: Ttris chapter is included as an example of old Mechanical Factory attn: Checking Department.
Soviet warranty forms. Such warranties will not be
honoured by KMZ an5finore.
donated to www.butkus.usView original page 24From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.