ARFO-4

The ARFO-4 is a 6.5×9 folding plate camera, a continuation of the ARFO-3, featuring a smaller format along with design and functionality improvements.

The ARFO-4 is similar in design to the ARFO-3, but built for a smaller format.

In practice, it is closer to a medium-format camera, as the most common frame size for medium-format cameras of that period was 6.5×9. The ARFO-4 was produced from 1935 to 1938.

ARFO-4 Specifications

Type: 6.5×9 folding camera
Manufacturer: Foto-Trud
Production period: 1935–1938
Format: 6.5×9 cm
Lens mount: fixed
Lens: ARFO anastigmat f/4.5 135mm
Shutter: Leaf shutter with speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 seconds, plus B and T
Viewfinder: Ground glass
Light meter: None
Flash synchronization: None
Self-timer: None
Weight: 1,000 g

ARFO-4 front standard with a lens and shutter

Large format Soviet camera brilliant viewfinder

Handle of the Soviet large format plate camera

ARFO-4 Overview

The camera features a double bellows extension and includes a mechanism for vertical and horizontal movement of the lens panel. In addition, a diamond-type viewfinder was added, which simplified framing.

The ARFO-4 is fitted with a central inter-lens ARFO shutter offering speeds of 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B, and T, and an Anastigmat ARFO lens (f/4.5, 135 mm) of the Tessar type.

It is worth noting that the ARFO-4 is easier to find in good condition compared to the EFTE or earlier models. The lens provides adequate quality, and the camera produces photographs with a distinctly classic look.

arfo 4 front standard and film plate holders

ARFO-4 Lens

The ARFO-4 was equipped with an Anastigmat ARFO lens with an aperture of f/4.5 and a focal length of 120 mm, although some sources indicate that a 105 mm lens was also used.

The lens followed a triplet optical design, with the diaphragm positioned behind the second lens element.

The aperture range extended from f/4.5 to f/25, providing sufficient flexibility for different lighting conditions and depth of field control.

As was typical for lenses of this period, it was uncoated, which often resulted in lower contrast and susceptibility to flare in strong lighting.

Nevertheless, the lens delivered solid performance for a 6.5×9 format folding camera and was well suited to its intended applications.

arfo 4 front standard with a lens, shutter, and lever

ARFO-4 Shutter

The ARFO-4 was fitted with a central leaf shutter offering speeds of 1/25, 1/50, and 1/100 seconds, as well as B (bulb) and T (time) modes.

The shutter was entirely manual, requiring the user to set the desired speed using a mechanical selector. While the design was functional, later production runs introduced slight modifications to the shutter speed selector to improve usability.

Reports from surviving examples suggest that age and wear could cause issues with the shutter mechanism, such as difficulty in maintaining selected speeds.

However, when in proper working condition, the shutter paired effectively with the lens to produce high-quality images.

arfo-4 camera lens and shutter in ready to shoot position

Soviet large format camera from the back

ARFO-4 Body

The ARFO-4 is a folding plate camera in the 6.5×9 format, offering a more refined build quality compared to earlier models in the ARFO series.

It features a double-extension bellows, allowing a greater focusing range and making it suitable for close-up photography.

The lens panel is equipped with vertical and horizontal movement mechanisms, enabling perspective correction and more precise framing.

The camera includes both a ground glass focusing screen for accurate composition and a folding frame-type viewfinder for quicker shooting.

The body is constructed of metal and leather, though in surviving examples issues such as damaged bellows or unreliable mechanisms are common due to age. Later models also featured minor modifications to the front panel around the shutter housing.

Large format Soviet camera from the back

The body of the large format Soviet camera in closed position

Ease of Use

The ARFO-4 provides two focusing options: ground glass for precise adjustments or a distance scale for faster operation. Both methods require manual setting of the aperture and shutter speed.

The double-extension bellows and the ability to move the lens panel horizontally and vertically add flexibility but make the camera slightly more complex to operate.

The uncoated lens and fully manual settings require careful handling and knowledge to achieve optimal results. Despite the uncommon 6.5×9 format, which makes finding compatible film difficult today, the ARFO-4 delivers a distinctive shooting experience.

This rare plate camera is valued for its historical significance and remains a compelling choice for collectors and enthusiasts of Soviet photographic equipment.

Conclusion

So what about personal feelings? Like all other cameras of this type, the ARFO-4 provides a unique experience with old classic photo equipment.

But the format is quite unusual, and now it’s hard to find a 6.5 x 9 film. So if you want a camera of a similar format, you can buy a Moskva 6×9 rangefinder camera. This format is something between the medium and large format.

And like most of the cameras created in the Soviet Union, this large format camera is a kind of clone of German cameras of the early 20th century. Therefore, using similar conscience cameras you are more likely to gain experience working with German cameras.

What is your favorite Soviet camera? Do you have Soviet cameras? If so, which ones? If not, do you want to buy a Soviet camera? Write to us about this in the comments on this article.