Smena Cameras

Smena cameras are extremely simple both in design and in use. They were the most affordable in the Soviet Union, and many soviet photographers began their photographic experience with Smena cameras.

All cameras were manufactured at the LOMO factory (located in Leningrad) or BelOMO (located in Belarus).

Smena Cameras are distinguished not only by the fact that they were produced in unimaginable quantities but also by the fact that these cameras were phenomenally constant in their features. 

These cameras were produced from the early 50s to the mid-90s. Throughout the entire production period, the Smena cameras practically did not differ in their equipment, only the appearance changed.

All cameras of this family had a plastic body and a lens made of metal and glass (with the exception of later models). Due to the fact that these cameras were produced for the mass consumer, they had the simplest characteristics. They did not have any focusing devices and of course they did not have a light meter and other details that could increase the price of the device.

But of course using third-party removable devices such as a rangefinder and light-meter (even as an app on your phone), you can greatly simplify the work with these Soviet cameras.

These cameras were equipped with triplet lenses, which give the photographs that very vintage charm, especially if you use black and white film.

But nonetheless, Smenas are not bad or toy cameras. Their low price was somehow magically inversely related to their good quality. The cameras were made of sufficiently high-quality plastic and were equipped with surprisingly good Triplet lenses that give a wonderful vintage effect in photos.