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'''Mir''' is a 35mm rangefinder film camera, manufactured by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod ([[KMZ]]) , (=Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk), in Moscow, former USSR. Мир = Mir, means Peace.
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All Mir produced between 1959-61.
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There are 3 types and one sub-types. <ref>as to Alexander Komarov in [http://www.fotoua.com/1cameraAlltip.php?st=7&rd=4&usl=4&usl1=mir&seek1=&seek2= Fotoua]</ref>
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The Mir is slightly simplified version of the well known former Soviet Union) [[Leica]] inspired camera, the [[Zorki 4]].
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Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for internal consumption only.
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It should be noted that about 160000 MIR's were made (between 1959 and 1961), but the Zorki 4 had over 1.7 million made during its rather longer production time. It was offered with the Industar-22 50mm f/3.5, the Industar-26 50mm f/2.8, or the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2. The Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 may have been an option, most likely with the [[Zorki 3]] and 4 as an export option.
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Because the viewfinder has a true +/- 1:1 magnification, it is 25% more accurate with faster lenses like the Jupiter-8 -3 and -9 (85mm f/2). The [[FED-2]], FED-6, and [[Zorki 6]] all have a [[rangefinder base|long base]] [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] similar to the pre-war [[Contax]] - about 90mm - which offer a similar accuracy but at a lesser viewfinder magnification than the 1:1 of the Zorki-3, 4 and Mir.
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==Type 1==
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==Type 2==
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==Type 3==
 
{{Flickr_image
  
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/siimvahur/2811531610/in/pool-camerapedia
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/4793192228/in/pool-46195334@N00/
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2811531610_6b9a07898c_m.jpg
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4793192228_3485ea3caa.jpg
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|image_align= center
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|image_text=Mir type 3 (1959)<br/><small>Image by Süleyman Demir</small><br/>
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|image_by= Süleyman Demir
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|image_rights= with permission
 
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The Mir is slightly simplified version of the well known FSU (former Soviet Union) [[Leica]] copy, the [[Zorki 4]]. Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for internal consumption only. The only real difference between the Zorki 4 and the Mir is that the Mir is missing the Zorki's slow shutter speeds. Both the Zorki and MIir can be found for very little money. They are fully manual [[rangefinder camera|rangefinders]] that give you a nostalgic picture taking experience but you have to be a little careful when buying these old cameras to use. It might look vaguely like a Leica but the quality control and materials used in the Ukrainian factories did not really compare with their German counterparts.
  
   
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===Specifications===
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It should be noted that about 160,000 MIR's were made (between 1959 and 1961), but the Zorki 4 had over 1.7 million made during its (rather longer) production. It was offered with the I-22 Rigid 50mm f/3.5, the I-26 50mm f/2.8, or the Jupiter 8 50mm f/2. The Jupiter 3 50mm f/1.5 may have been an option, most likely with the [[Zorki 3]] and 4 as an export option.
  
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Data belongs to the photos in here.
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*Distinctive feature of this type: Without a frame around viewfinder's window
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*Produced between 1959-61
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*(Types 1 and 2 produced only 1959)
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*Distinctive feature of this type: Without a frame around viewfinder's window
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*Lens: Jupiter-8 (ЮРИТЕП-8), 50mm f/2, M39 Leica mount, Filter thread 40.5mm,
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**Aperture: f/2 - f/22
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**Focus range: 1-20m, + infinity
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*Focusing: Matching yellow rangefinder images
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*Shutter: Rubberized silk double cloth curtain, horizontal focal plane
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*Speeds: <ref> As with other Soviet-era rangefinders, the Mir's shutter speed selector rotates when the shutter is released, and should not be changed until after the shutter has been cocked. If you change the shutter speed without cocking the shutter first, the setting pin can be broken when you advance the film and cock the shutter</ref>
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**Slow: 1/5-1/25, setting dial under the high speeds setting dial
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**High: 1 /30 -1/500 +B, on the top plate, lift and turn to the desired speed
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*Viewfinder: Combined view/range finder, large and bright
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*Re-winding release switch: Around the shutter release, like a collar, points engravings П (P, re-wind) and Д (D, wind, red)
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*Diopter adjustment lever: Beside the re-winding knob
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*Self-timer: Activates by a small silver knob above the lever, 9 to 15 seconds delay
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*Flash PC sync socket: On the front of the top plate, flash sync at 1/30
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*Take up spool: Special, it can drop down very easily
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*Back cover: Removable with the bottom plate,
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*Others: Cold-shoe; Strap lugs; Tripod socket 3/8inch
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*Engravings on the back of the top-plate: KMZ logo and the serial no: the first two numbers show the production year
   
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Many believe that the MIR shutter gear train is more reliable because it lacks the Slow Gear Train.
  
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|-
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|colspan=3 align="center"| Mir type 3 (1959)
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<small>Images by Süleyman Demir {{ with permission }}</small>
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|}
   
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Because the viewfinder has a true +/- 1:1 magnification, it is 25% more accurate with faster lenses like the J-8 and J-3 and J-9 (85mm f/2). The [[FED 2]], FED 6, and [[Zorki 6]] all have a [[rangefinder base|long base]] [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] similar to the pre-war [[Contax]] - about 90mm - which offer a similar accuracy but at a lesser viewfinder magnification than the 1:1 of the Zorki 3, 4 and MIir.
  
   
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== Notes and references==
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<references/>
 
== Links ==
  
== Links ==
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* [http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/zorki4.html Zorki 4 Manual]
  
* [http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/zorki4.html Zorki 4 Manual]
 
* [http://www.classiccamera.org/zorki%204%20online%20manual.htm Another Zorki 4 Manual]
  
* [http://www.classiccamera.org/zorki%204%20online%20manual.htm Another Zorki 4 Manual]

Revision as of 15:49, 12 July 2011

Mir is a 35mm rangefinder film camera, manufactured by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod (KMZ) , (=Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk), in Moscow, former USSR. Мир = Mir, means Peace. All Mir produced between 1959-61. There are 3 types and one sub-types. [1]

The Mir is slightly simplified version of the well known former Soviet Union) Leica inspired camera, the Zorki 4. Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for internal consumption only.

It should be noted that about 160000 MIR's were made (between 1959 and 1961), but the Zorki 4 had over 1.7 million made during its rather longer production time. It was offered with the Industar-22 50mm f/3.5, the Industar-26 50mm f/2.8, or the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2. The Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 may have been an option, most likely with the Zorki 3 and 4 as an export option.

Because the viewfinder has a true +/- 1:1 magnification, it is 25% more accurate with faster lenses like the Jupiter-8 -3 and -9 (85mm f/2). The FED-2, FED-6, and Zorki 6 all have a long base rangefinder similar to the pre-war Contax - about 90mm - which offer a similar accuracy but at a lesser viewfinder magnification than the 1:1 of the Zorki-3, 4 and Mir.

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

4793192228_3485ea3caa.jpg
Mir type 3 (1959)
Image by Süleyman Demir
 (Image rights)

Specifications

Data belongs to the photos in here.

  • Distinctive feature of this type: Without a frame around viewfinder's window
  • Produced between 1959-61
  • (Types 1 and 2 produced only 1959)
  • Distinctive feature of this type: Without a frame around viewfinder's window
  • Lens: Jupiter-8 (ЮРИТЕП-8), 50mm f/2, M39 Leica mount, Filter thread 40.5mm,
    • Aperture: f/2 - f/22
    • Focus range: 1-20m, + infinity
  • Focusing: Matching yellow rangefinder images
  • Shutter: Rubberized silk double cloth curtain, horizontal focal plane
  • Speeds: [2]
    • Slow: 1/5-1/25, setting dial under the high speeds setting dial
    • High: 1 /30 -1/500 +B, on the top plate, lift and turn to the desired speed
  • Viewfinder: Combined view/range finder, large and bright
  • Re-winding release switch: Around the shutter release, like a collar, points engravings П (P, re-wind) and Д (D, wind, red)
  • Diopter adjustment lever: Beside the re-winding knob
  • Self-timer: Activates by a small silver knob above the lever, 9 to 15 seconds delay
  • Flash PC sync socket: On the front of the top plate, flash sync at 1/30
  • Take up spool: Special, it can drop down very easily
  • Back cover: Removable with the bottom plate,
  • Others: Cold-shoe; Strap lugs; Tripod socket 3/8inch
  • Engravings on the back of the top-plate: KMZ logo and the serial no: the first two numbers show the production year
4792558237_8ab2f4270b_m.jpg
4793192346_be8c767b25_m.jpg
4793192590_d99792b21a_m.jpg
Mir type 3 (1959)

Images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)


Notes and references

  1. ↑ as to Alexander Komarov in Fotoua
  2. ↑ As with other Soviet-era rangefinders, the Mir's shutter speed selector rotates when the shutter is released, and should not be changed until after the shutter has been cocked. If you change the shutter speed without cocking the shutter first, the setting pin can be broken when you advance the film and cock the shutter

Links


Zorki cameras
FED-Zorki | 1 | S | 2 | 2-S | 3 | 3M | 3S | 4 | 4K | Mir | 5 | 6 | 10 | 11 |35M
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