Need help...2 camera's I know nothing about.

Hello everyone, I have two camera's that my grandfather gave me several years ago at different times. I am getting more and more interested in photography and came across the two today, and since I found them, I have been trying to find information on them. The hard thing is that they are not made by common/widely known manufacturers...instead they are in another language. I originally was thinking German, Russian or something along those lines lol...and after a little hard research I found out that one of the two has a lens that is Russian made, and I think that the camera is Russian made as well. So I was hoping maybe someone on this forum could help me out and give me an idea of what kind of camera's I have or anything they may know at all. Ive attached photo's I took quickly about 15 minutes ago so everyone can see. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
-Vince

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...Picture001.jpg

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http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...Picture010.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...Picture011.jpg

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Hi Vinbon, welcome to PR :) They are both Russian cameras. The SLR is a 35mm Zenit AM-2. They have a Pentax K lens mount so you should be able to use compatible Pentax lenses. There's tons of info on these online and sell for about $120 new. Here's a link for an English manual if you don't already have one:

http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35m...it/manuals.htm

The other is an Elikon Automatic, which is an autofocus version of their 35-S model. Again, it's 35mm and from some of the reviews online, is nothing special. The Zenit though seems to have a pretty good reputation and should make for a great camera.

Now load them both up with film and get out shooting :thumbsup:

Aaron

Wow, thank you very much Xia_Ke for the fast reply. I'm really happy to know a little more about them now, just need to play around with them I guess. The Zenit needs batteries, which I discovered load in the front of the camera...I have the original's but they are dead, but it shouln't be a problem to get the appropriate batteries right? They are the little flat round ones, I have 3 but I think 4 are needed. Lastly, do you think I would be able to take a few shots with the existing lens I already have? I do plan on changing it as you mentioned, but was just wondering anyways. Once again thank you!
-Vince

Looks like it uses 4 PX625 batteries. These were mercury cell batteries which are no longer made. Just bring one of the batteries into any electronics store and they'll be able to show you a replacement battery to use. I wouldn't worry about changing the lens yet. Go out shooting with it first and see how it does, then decide.

Ok great! Thanks again for all the help, it is really appreciated!

Those are some nice looking camaras. Love the Russian markings.

The 50mm lens on the Zenit is a great lens.
Photos I took with its predecessor (Zenit-B, 42mm screw thread, no TTL meter) turned out far better than a friend's shots of the same scene with a Canon AE-1 (that dates it) and a canon kit lens !!

Wow thanks guys for the even more reassuring comments! Now I need to read and search on how to use this SLR, I am a complete newbie to all these manual settings. Anyhow I'm sure it will be fun to learn how to use it. Thankfully today I found the replacement batteries at a local walmart, so all I need to do is buy 4 of those and some film and then I guess take some trial and error shots. By the way, would anyone be able to tell me what the small/flat attachable "box" for the SLR camera is? I have no idea but there are two openings/ports I can screw it into on the SLR, as you can see in picture #7. Thanks again!

I would try it without film first.
So you can check the basic functions work.
Saves money while testing it out !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xia_Ke

Here's a link for an English manual if you don't already have one:
http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35m...it/manuals.htm

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Actually that's a manual for a FAR older series of cameras.
The Zenit B, E, and EM are manual, battery-less, and use the old Pentax 42mm screw thread lenses.
The AM2 is automatic and battery powered.

DOH! My bad :( I didn't look through the manual, I just copied and pasted the link listed as the manual from this site:

http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35m...enit/index.htm

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vinbon63

would anyone be able to tell me what the small/flat attachable "box" for the SLR camera is

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Without a better picture of the box, I can't be sure.

Strange though, the top socket is marked X, that's the one you use with a flash and the X setting on the camera.

The bottom one is marked -6V which unless it's something odd in Russian, looks like a power input or output.

Can you get a better picture of the box without the wires wrapped round it?
Is it just a box, or are there any knobs and switches on it?
It's got those big thumbscrews on it, does it open?
Can you get a picture of what's inside?

Could it be an AA battery pack to power the camera if the odd-shaped internal batteries fail?