Smena-6

Smena-6 is an entry-level Soviet scale-focusing camera produced by the LOMO association from 1961 to 1969.

In the early 60s, GOMZ began to simultaneously produce three versions of the Smena camera. These were Smena 5, Smena-6, and Smena 7, which differed in equipment.

Smena-6 Specifications

Type: 35mm viewfinder camera
Manufacturer: LOMO plant
Production period: from 1961 to 1969
Format: 24x36cm on 135 film
Lens mount: fixed lens
Lens: T-43 f4/40
Shutter: leaf shutter with speeds from 1/15 to 1/250 sec.
Viewfinder: optical viewfinder
Lighmeter: none
Flash synchronisation: sync socket “X”,
Selftimer: mechanical
Weight: 350 grams

Smena-6 was considered the medium model in the series and was a pretty good camera for really little money.

The camera is still made of high-quality plastic, but the design is different from the very first models. Over the years, many microscopic design changes have been made to this camera. We will not consider them all since they are all only cosmetic in nature.

Of course, there are many “rare” and “collectible” versions of this camera, but the team of Sovietcameras.org believes that the main task of the camera is to take pictures, and the colors of buttons or the design of inscriptions is not so important.

The Smena-6 was equipped with a triplet T-43 4/40 non-replaceable lens. Like the previous models, the camera had a leaf shutter with shutter speeds of 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, and B. The camera also had a self-timer and a flash sync port.

Focusing is done using the distance scale, but supplementing the camera with a removable range finder, you greatly simplify your task and will get into focus with greater ease.

The camera is very convenient in that it has a very large film advance knob. Sufficiently comfortable and ergonomic (for the 60s) the shape of the body slightly simplifies the process of photographing.

On top of the camera is a frame counter with a reminder of the sensitivity of the film, a shutter button, and a cold shoe for attaching additional devices.

The back cover is completely removable, in contrast to the later and more famous Smena 8m, in which the back cover opens like a door.

The camera has a very bright viewfinder, but due to parallax, photos do not always come out the way you see them in this very viewfinder.

Most of the camera controls are located around the lens, and in style, it reminds of the good old large-format cameras or Lubitel cameras produced at the same factory.

Camera Smena-6 practically does not differ from all other cameras of this brand. It has the same set of shutter speeds, almost the same lens as on other models. The camera is very interesting not only as a collectible item but also as a great tool for creating beautiful photographs.