MOSKVA

Moskva is a series of medium-format 6×9 and 6×6 clap cameras produced in the USSR in 1946-1960 by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (KMZ). Moskva-1 and -3 were scale-focus cameras, and -2, -4 and -5 were rangefinders.

Like the vast majority of Soviet cameras, the Moskva family cameras were clones of German cameras, in this case they were clones of Ikonta cameras from the German company Zeiss Ikon.

But as in the case of Kiev cameras, Moskva were not just clones. After the end of World War II, equipment, technical documentation and even some of the parts were transported from Germany to the USSR, so these cameras are little more than just clones of German originals.

All models of this series were folding cameras for 120 film and had a fixed lens Industar-23 f4.5/110 or Industar-24 f3.5/105 and shutter speeds from 1 sec to 1/250 sec.

Focusing was carried out by turning the front lens. The lens has quite good sharpness and very beautiful blurring of the background.

All cameras in this series have two tripod sockets, one for shooting in a vertical format and the second in a horizontal format.

These cameras were made of aluminum alloy, covered with very nice leatherette and had very high quality leather cases.

These cameras were very common among professional photographers due to the large size of the negative, good lens sharpness and very good photo detail.

Then this series of cameras was replaced by the Iskra, which was a much more advanced series, although it could only take pictures in 6×6 format, and then professional photographers completely changed medium format cameras to 35mm SLRs and rangefinders.

Nowadays, these cameras are quite easy to find in good condition and at a good price. We do not advise you to look for other models than the 4th or 5th, since these last two models are the most advanced and in our time they can be found in the best condition.