Moskva

This text was taken from a Moskali site and translated into Singlish. So you need to understand that it was written by someone from behind the fence.

"Moscow"

-- this is not just a camera, it is a self-sufficient era... There was the Stone Age, then the Bronze Age, there was the Italian Renaissance and the Italian Risorgimento -- everything was there. There was also a time when in the southern part of our country, everyone was photographed with "Moscow" cameras. Yes, these cameras raised the first post-war generation of all "photobombers" of the Soviet Union.
Open family albums. Among the photos from the 60s, you will almost certainly find frames taken with this camera. And if you carefully look at a good contact print 6x9, made on the old good "Unibrom" from the same old and good "Panchrom", then, I kindly ask you, suppress the natural urge to disdainfully take another electro-optical monstrosity or something like that and throw it in the trash. It does not deserve it.

The maiden name -- "Carl Zeiss Super-Ikonta" ("Zeiss Super Ikonta C 6x9 Folder"), models A, C, in the "Moscow-5" model, there is a strong noble influence of Voigtländer. The "three" model is not considered, as it is a camera for plates. It represents value as a collectible item, but for those specific shoots (e.g., still lifes or interiors) that are really conveniently performed with plate cameras with a ground glass, the lens of the camera lacks mobility. We won’t discuss it, as well as other non-film cameras, any further.

Camera features. The main disadvantage common to all "Moscow" cameras is the lack of parallelism between the lens plane and the film plane. The defect increases with the camera's wear. Some claim this happened due to not entirely accurate copying of the Zeiss node. There is some truth to this, but only a part. The larger part, in my opinion, is that I haven't seen a "Super-Ikonta" in such a worn-out condition as is often found in commission stores for "Moscow" type cameras. I have seen a 1929 "Ikonta" in such a worn condition, still functional -- its lens was wobbling, as you can imagine where. Treatment measure: ideally -- a good technician capable of adjusting the system by adding shims. More often -- it is usually enough to very carefully open the camera, adjusting the position of the rails by hand. Furthermore: some lens movements -- this, as it is fashionable to say now, is not a bug but a feature (that’s not a bug, that’s a feature). Because you can, by tilting the lens, achieve the fashionable and useful means of changing perspective under the clever Western name "tilt". Only it is better to release the shutter not with a button but with a lever on the shutter body. This lever can also be used to achieve the currently fashionable multiple exposure.

Now a very important feature -- the lens. It is installed according to the absolutely outdated "Tessar" scheme and generally simple lenses developed from the triplet. Roughly speaking, focusing is achieved by moving only the front lens with a change in the air gap between components. This is "not very good". But not all is lost: the range of possible deterioration in resolution and contrast varies from "very good" to "just decent", and compared to 35mm cameras -- from "excellent" to "very good". But remember: the maximum capability of your lens is the hyperfocal distance at the red points (marked on the frame), distance at the red point, aperture at the red point -- and you have everything sharp from 4.5 meters to infinity. In general, the most solid fixed-focus compact camera in the world. And for those who prefer shooting from close distances, it is better to look for another camera. This is not the "Moscow" role. Closer than three meters to the object, focus or not focus with the rangefinder -- the quality of the picture decreases. Not fatal, of course, it is still better than any shot taken with a mass-produced 35mm camera, but worse than the image provided by this same "Industar", say from 5 -- 6 meters. However, if you print manually with an enlarger, you have a huge margin for cropping, and IMHO (but this is really IMHO) it is better to have a subject half-frame from four meters than a full frame from two. Starting from ten meters, you can generally forget about this feature.
The lenses of the cameras are very sharp, contrasty, but do not like backlight, they just organically cannot handle it. Side light is not as frightening as on cameras with a bellows. The mechanics -- the best means to catch solar "bunnies" in the camera. Although a lens hood has never hindered any "Tessar".
Well, that's probably it for specific camera models.

"Moscow", also known as "Moscow-1"

A camera in the pristine idea of a photo camera. That is, it has everything you need, but nothing that would in any way make life easier (and who has it easy now?).

There is no rangefinder. And do you need one? If you, for example, are shooting landscapes. Indeed, landscape work seems to be the best thing that "Moscow" can do; it is simply a classic landscape camera. Only a bubble level is missing (although you can buy a Voigtländer one for 30...35 USD on a clamp or attach a high one so that the horizon line is strictly parallel to the edge of the frame).

The lens of the camera -- a clone of the "Tessar" called "Industar-23" -- 110 mm at 1:4.5, equipped with simply wonderful single-layer coating of phosphate film. On such a lens, as "Tessar", it looks much more natural, in my opinion, than any modern composition. The color tint of a well-preserved lens (it is also mounted on "Moscow-2", "3", "4" cameras) is slightly cool. It seems to me that this is excellent for landscapes. If you are going to shoot a color portrait -- use Kodak film, its cheerful colors will not be spoiled by any lens.

The shutter can be of three types (applies to "Moscow" and "Moscow-2", possibly also to "Moscow-3", but I haven't seen it): domestic "Temp", which is practically "Moment-1" (B, 1--1/250 sec), or imported (only on early production cameras) trophy "Compur" (the "father" of our "Temp" shutter) or "Compur-Rapid" (this one is significantly better, more accurate and had a speed of 1/400 or 1/500 sec, but such cameras are extremely rare, if not completely gone. I saw an extremely interesting "Moscow" in RSU photo workshops with a "native" "Tessar" from Zeiss and "Compur-Rapid". Its price was not divine at all). Self-timer may or may not be present.

If you correctly determine the exposure and distance to the object (for example -- with a tape measure if you doubt your eye, for instance, Polaroid used to equip its cameras with built-in tape measures, -- perfect accuracy, the Dodan wedges are resting). The distance scale -- accurate, focus on infinity -- the lens is indeed at infinity. The camera may just have some degree of wear, and if it is heavily worn -- it may be non-functional. And also: check the condition of the camera’s mechanics, if needed -- carefully glue it, the procedure is described in manuals.

Oh, I almost forgot: multiple exposure is achieved using the lever on the body of the shutter itself, with a finger. This applies to all "Moscow" cameras (except "Moscow-3") and "Iskra".

Moscow-2

All the same as in the first model, but with the addition of a decent rangefinder. The rangefinder is combined with the lens, it is of old proven design with a compensating wedge, but here are two "buts". First: do not forget to retract the rangefinder compensator when opening the camera. Second: do not forget to fold the compensator after shooting, otherwise, one unfortunate movement – and, at best, you will need to calibrate the rangefinder again. Detailed calibration procedure is provided in the "Short Photographic Guide" for 1953. The procedure applies to "Moscow-2" cameras and any cameras with a rangefinder, but you will need to do it in the factory way, like in a good repair shop.

The lens may be the same as the one on the "Moscow" camera (it is actually on early production cameras, with the same coating, sometimes has a "Tessar" inscription, but the factory markings have changed). In some cases, the lens can be replaced by "Industar-22" -- the same as on "Moscow-3" camera. The shutter also remains the same as on the "Moscow" camera, but the factory could put the "Compur-Rapid" in the late production cameras, although I personally have not seen it.

Many models have the right to be considered highly collectible, but there are still cameras in poor condition that are suitable for some kind of reportage shooting. Collectors and repairmen (sometimes combined in one person) are ready to give a good price for cameras in good condition, especially if they have all the necessary documents, a case, a lens hood, and a self-timer. The truth is -- with a good appearance and a functional shutter, it is a very good camera.

Moscow-3

This is a camera that, according to the manufacturer's declaration, is the best among all cameras of this type. In terms of the basic design, the camera was seriously altered and improved; it has a new 6x9 viewfinder, a new type of rangefinder, with a well-made distance scale on the camera, a new type of shutter with a long shutter speed of up to 1/500 sec (at least that is what the factory has stated). There are cameras with different types of shutters: domestic "Temp" and imported "Compur-Rapid". Also, the lens has been improved. Instead of a well-known "Tessar", the camera features a new "Industar-22", which is a modernized and very good analog of the "Tessar". The lens may also be installed as "Industar-23" or "Industar-24", but this is a rarity.

The camera is very good and suitable for serious work, but for those who prefer professional studio cameras or something like that, it is not suitable -- it is a camera for "photo amateurs" (as stated in the manuals). Unfortunately, the repair of this camera is not a trivial task, although repair shops can be found. Sometimes these cameras are seen in very good condition at flea markets and antique stores.

Moscow-4

The "Moscow-4" camera can be considered as a combination of the features of the "Moscow-3" and "Moscow-2" cameras, without significant improvements. It has the same viewfinder and rangefinder as the "Moscow-3", a similar shutter with a speed of up to 1/500 sec, a similar lens. In terms of design, it is very similar to the "Moscow-3", but the factory added some details and made a few adjustments. Some say that this model is a transition to the next phase of development of "Moscow" cameras, but from the point of view of practical use, it does not have any particular advantages.

The most important feature of the "Moscow-4" camera is that it is generally considered to be an improved version of the "Moscow-3", but it does not have any revolutionary changes. The camera is still suitable for "amateurs", but it does not bring any new advancements in functionality or quality compared to the "Moscow-3".

Moscow-5

The "Moscow-5" camera represents a more advanced stage in the development of "Moscow" cameras. It features significant improvements over previous models, including a better rangefinder, a new type of shutter with a faster speed of up to 1/1000 sec, and an improved lens system. This model is often considered to be the peak of the "Moscow" camera series, providing excellent performance and image quality.

The camera also has better build quality and more advanced mechanics compared to its predecessors. It is suitable for both amateur and more serious photographic work. However, it is important to note that the "Moscow-5" can be quite rare and might be harder to find in good condition compared to earlier models.

In summary, the "Moscow" cameras, from the "Moscow-1" to the "Moscow-5", represent a range of photographic tools with varying features and capabilities. Each model has its own strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different types of photography and different levels of expertise. Collectors and enthusiasts may find value in any of these models, depending on their specific needs and interests.