Еликон 4 и 35СМ

Helikon 35CM and Helikon 4 test.

Two Helikon Camera's, Erwin's 35CM and my model 4. The first one automatic with exposure meter or manual, the second one simple, no metering, just one shutterspeed with an adjustable aperture. Distance can be set by symbol or distance. There is some sort of focaldepth indicator, based on the aperture, so the camera can be used as point and shoot. No shutter lag! Both with built in flash, and both do work! So time to test these camera's.
First, pictures with the model 4. I loaded a Fomapan 400 B&W film. Loading is easy, no problems at all. I discovered that the image counter is stuck on fram 36, so a bit of a gamble,how many pictures one made. Or, always bring a spare film, which is a good idea anyway, but loading @ -35° will be a challenge!
So I played the tourist during this trip. Verdict: A nice camera, a joy to work with. It has some flaws, frames do sometimes overlap, so be careful with the filmtransport and counter does not work. One has to get a feeling for the aperture setting, and one should not forget to remove the lenscap!!!!

to compare, this picture by Erwin  

O, and here a picture with flash

(Erwin:) I had 1969 Ilford in my Еликон, this very old film ± 80 ASA produced some fog, but sharp (Индустар-95) images.

The CM is automatic, lucky me (I couldn't understand the Еликон 4's depth-of-field cum cloud/sun ehhhrm - whatever...). In fact the meter/shutter is totally unreliable, over 60% blank negs, but it's the thought that counts....

Учебник

A real boost to learn the language: a (children's) book about a passion. This one is in Ukrainian, but that's almost Russian (well, kind of...)
I will at least understand the pictures!



And now look below (label: Photography) at the post В Кассете.
The first thing I find is... how to load the cassette. Wòw!

And my first camera on the front. Yes, I always tell that I still own one, alas not the original bakelite one, and no, this is not me, but I can see this мальчик felt just like I did, a lifetime ago.

какой объектив

I love wide-angle lenses. The Distagon 40mm provides a beautiful wide view on the world, but she is bulky. So today I took the 50mm on a short stroll. Less weight and probably better for general use in Сибирь.

Баидура (2)

Yes, I should give you a little more information about the Bandoura I showed you yesterday.
You can see the two parts of the instrument. The right is for melody, the left for accompaniment, roughly.
On the run-of-the-mill, mostly black "Anton Karas" Zither are six defined 4-string chords; the more sophisticated, often brown ones (like these two) have a "guitar-neck" so you can combine your own chords.

C romapryst

Бандура

 I did promise you some really Russian music, but you'll have to wait a bit, my music-store has a problem.
But: I received some film from Украiна, and that's not Russia of course, but better than Lehar (below).
On the stamps a Bandoura, never heard of it, looks like a Zither to me. The band is called Дзвiнга (Swing!)(?)
and look what Luciano Carvari's photographer did to her!

Вопрос / Question

Are there any Russian observers at European elections?

в кассете!

As I told you elsewhere, in the 19th century everyone did the photographic stuff him- (or her-!) self. And then came Kodak. But not in the CCCP. The amateurs (Lubitel!) refilled the cassettes that came with the 135camera, and developed at home, in the closet, under a blanket, in the standard drum.
But: in the nineties you could buy film in cassette, very modern. (And 20 kopeke more.)
I opened a box yesterday and what a surprise: no fancy metal throw-away, but a reloadable plastic cassette! 
How very sensible, and "environmental".
(Below: the old metal cassettes)