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

[vinbon63]

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

[Xia_Ke]

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

[vinbon63]

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

[Xia_Ke]

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.

[vinbon63]

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

[jgredline]

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

[SmartWombat]

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 !!

[vinbon63]

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!

[SmartWombat]

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

[SmartWombat]

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

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.

[Xia_Ke]

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

[SmartWombat]

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

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?