13x18 FKD Reisekamera

**bolas** · 16-Nov-2011, 02:21

I took a look on PhotoHistory.ru and it's difficult to judge. As far as i understood FKD was modernisation of FK. Is it possible that my camera could be made in 30-40's ? Early lens + serial number, no plastic. Any ideas ?

More pics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/bolas19...CIGg1KmR_dnbaw

**Ash** · 16-Nov-2011, 03:26

Considering the holder style, they could be early. Mine came with a huge mechanical shutter wedged on the front though, and it looked more modern than the 40's. I know that some parts of Eastern Europe were slower to modernise their equipment though.

**Steven Tribe** · 16-Nov-2011, 04:09

I note that the Russian 13x18cm have increased the width of the sliding lens boards to accomodate larger (faster) lenses compared with original German reisekameras.
I don't think the date can be determined as the camera looked the same during the whole post WWII period. Perhaps dating the lens might give an idea?

**bolas** · 16-Nov-2011, 04:38

Is there any place on the web where can i check Industar-4 serial numbers/years ? I was trying to find something but without any luck yet... what i noticed about those cameras is that wartime cameras are made less carefully, details are more ugly. In post-war cameras since about 60-70's plastic parts starts to appear. That's why i'm thinking of early 30's or late 40's/early 50's. Maybe the date of introducing Industar-51 which replaced Industar-4 in this cameras is the key ?

**Cor** · 16-Nov-2011, 05:32

Bolas,

It's quite simple actually: mostly the first 2 digits on Russian Camera stuff are the year of production, so your lens is from 1935.. I guess your camera could be from that same period. I seem to recall that these camera's are made until in the seventies. I have the 18*24 cm version with a nice 4.5 300mm Industar (Tessar), coated,, both the camera and lens were made in the seventies I thought..

good luck,

Cor

**bolas** · 16-Nov-2011, 06:16

Cor i'm not sure if it works with Industar-4 ... on PhotoHistory.ru there is small article about this lens, and one can easy find photos of lens with three digits like No.112 or No.224 - so it's rather imposible cause this lens probably doesnt existed in 1911 or 1922. Fk cameras appeared in 1930 and were in production untill late 80's. Acording to ZenitCamera.com the first Industar-4 was made in 1931 in GOI.