Moskva 5 - The Lowdown

[starvingjack]

An experience with a cheap Russian folder.



Recently purchased this Russian beauty out of curiosity (whether it's quality can match up the ziess ikon series, as the moskva was inspired (if not cloned) from its german counterparts.

I love the coupled rangefinder, saves me alot of time and thou the rf window is small, it is just nice. Viewfinder is right next to it, ensuring smooth transition from RF to VF for fast action. One thing that was awkward was that the shutter button's on the left hand side, im a right hander so it takes some time to adapt to it.



My moskva 5 comes with a 6X6 mask and its a joy to be able to use 6X6 and 6X9 on one camera(non interchangeable during shooting). On the right of the chrome top, it has a switch to change your VF into either 6X6 or 6X7 format, very useful (althou the VF does not show the actual crop, just a guide).



Lens is a Industar-24, 3.5/105mm. shutter speed from B to 200. Im crazy over the lens..not only does it looks good, it takes great photos as well..shutter is a moment-24C.

My copy was made in 1957 and still going strong. One of the best russian camera i've ever used. Looks like they can build good cameras afterall~

[starvingjack]

Provia 400X / i love what this lens can do with a slide...

[starvingjack]

Reala 100 / some colour negs to test it as well...

[starvingjack]

Kodak TX / currently my favourite b/w film..

[merelyok]

Great stuff.

The shots look great.

How do you meter?

[starvingjack]

thanks merelok... i meter via a gossen luna pro..the batteries are driving me nuts thou..haha..

[merelyok]

Originally Posted by starvingjack thanks merelok... i meter via a gossen luna pro..the batteries are driving me nuts thou..haha..

Thanks! I've got a Sekonic 208 and it's really crap. The readings are off (almost always!)

[J-Chan]

the 6x9 format is interesting..

[spacerman]

Great shots! Medium format sure looks fun

[ten10]

very very nice!

[ndroo]

Nice work. Beautiful cam too!