Re: FS Friday: Almaz 103, Soviet K-mount F2 copy
Hi Bob, Almaz lenses typically won't fit or work properly on other K mount bodies. Basically, there are only two that were produced serially - Volna 50mm and Oberon 200mm. Both do fit Pentaxes without problems. All other lenses that were designed for Almaz only exist as prototypes. Leftovers were sold after the project was closed. I think the Almaz is the best built of all the Russian/Ukrainian SLR cameras. They were made for use by professional photographers. Think again. I would consider it one of the worst... I do collect russian cameras and do live in Estonia. Our country was a part of Soviet Union those days (and we are still next to Russia), so we have tons of russian cameras here. However, I see no more than couple of Almazes per year and most of 'em are nonrepairable crap. Self-timer jamming, that can happen to early variation can be repaired quite easily, compared to other, much more serious flaws. When production started, Almaz had all possible problems from desing flaws to poor assembling quality. Also, it needed materials, that were used only for military products back then. Many of those were replaced by more available ones, that resulted extremely high failure rate. During the years, quality improved, but flawlessly working Almaz right-from-the-line still was a rare beast. Most cameras needed repairs and adjustments before they could be sent out from factory. Myself, I do own a bit worn, but technically flawless Almaz-103 made at 1986. Previous owner (a russian sailor) said, that the camera has shooted about 200 rolls and was never failed or repaired). I consider myself very lucky...one of the rarest items of my collection. BR, Margus
Re: FS Friday: Almaz 103, Soviet K-mount F2 copy
Bob Shell wrote: I think your original price is fair. You just need to find someone who wants an Almaz. I never paid more than $ 75 for one, but I was buying direct from Russia. Around the St Petersburg area they are apparently relatively common. But hardly ever seen in other parts of Russia, and almost never seen outside of Russia as they were never exported. I saw a couple of them for sale in Italy over the last five years. Dario
Re: FS Friday: Almaz 103, Soviet K-mount F2 copy
On Jan 20, 2006, at 7:11 PM, Paul Ewins wrote: Thanks for the extra information Bob, that was way more than I could find with Google. I'm glad I didn't try the self-timer out! There is no sign that the leatherette has been removed so I guess it was owned by somebody who was careful (or never used self-timers). You're lucky to find one unmangled. I've only seen a few. So maybe I should be calling it a Minolta XK copy with a prism that looks like an F2 and a bayonet mount that looks like a K-mount!!! I've done a quick test with an M85/2 and K50/1.2 and both mounted and dismounted fine. I suspect the LOMO lenses have a slightly thicker flange, as I also tried a Tokina Zoom and that was a little loose. I haven't tried any AF lenses. That's likely right. I haven't tried a lot of lenses on mine, but have had a lot of reports of lenses not fitting. Interestingly the Almaz lenses have the aperture follower like on K mount that tells the meter what f-stop you have set, but the Almaz body has nothing to couple to this. Even when using the meter prism, it functioned with stopped down metering. I'd guess a more sophisticated body was planned but never made. I've had a more careful look at the body and found a couple of signs of touchups so I'll drop the price to $US160 - that'll teach me to try and assess condition under artificial light. I think your original price is fair. You just need to find someone who wants an Almaz. I never paid more than $ 75 for one, but I was buying direct from Russia. Around the St Petersburg area they are apparently relatively common. But hardly ever seen in other parts of Russia, and almost never seen outside of Russia as they were never exported. Bob
RE: FS Friday: Almaz 103, Soviet K-mount F2 copy
Thanks for the extra information Bob, that was way more than I could find with Google. I'm glad I didn't try the self-timer out! There is no sign that the leatherette has been removed so I guess it was owned by somebody who was careful (or never used self-timers). So maybe I should be calling it a Minolta XK copy with a prism that looks like an F2 and a bayonet mount that looks like a K-mount!!! I've done a quick test with an M85/2 and K50/1.2 and both mounted and dismounted fine. I suspect the LOMO lenses have a slightly thicker flange, as I also tried a Tokina Zoom and that was a little loose. I haven't tried any AF lenses. I've had a more careful look at the body and found a couple of signs of touchups so I'll drop the price to $US160 - that'll teach me to try and assess condition under artificial light. Paul
Re: FS Friday: Almaz 103, Soviet K-mount F2 copy
On Jan 20, 2006, at 2:12 AM, Paul Ewins wrote: Hi folks, I've been spending a bit too much on LF stuff recently so need to sell something. As the title says, the Almaz 103 is a Soviet copy (made by LOMO) of the Nikon F2, but using a K-mount. They are uncommon and this one is in outstanding condition, with no dings or brassing and only the faintest of scratches on the bottom plate. I collect Russian/Ukrainian cameras and have learned quite a bit about them over the years. I also own and moderate the Russian Cameras User's Group. I invite you to come join us there and post your for sale notice. you could not find a more targeted audience. You will find us here: http://www.beststuff.com/forum/index.php?f=3 I have three Almaz 103 cameras, and have bought and sold a number of them. A friend of mine in St. Petersburg finds them for me. That's where they were made, starting around 1980. The camera is NOT a copy of the Nikon F2, or for that matter any other camera. The prism shape was modeled after the Nikon F2, but the body was actually modeled after the Minolta XK. It has a Russian version of K mount that is not identical to the Pentax version. Some other K mount lenses will fit, some won't. Almaz lenses typically won't fit or work properly on other K mount bodies. The Almaz has a unique metal blade shutter somewhat like a Copal Square, but not identical in actuation. There is a motor drive coupling on the camera, but the motor never made it past prototype. There were several versions of Almaz (Diamond in Russian). All are absolutely identical except for the prism. The 103 is common and has no meter. The 102 is very rare and has two diodes to indicate exposure. There were two other meter variations, but only three or four of each were made. There were also three different focusing screens made for the camera, as well as a hot shoe adapter that slips over the rewind knob. I think the Almaz is the best built of all the Russian/Ukrainian SLR cameras. They were made for use by professional photographers. The camera has one near-fatal flaw, though. If you set and trip the self timer without first cocking the shutter the camera will lock up tight. It can only be unjammed by disassembling it. This is why most of the ones you find for sale have rumpled leatherette on the self timer side of the camera. I have seen a few with a small screw added to the front to block the self timer lever so it can't be used, and a few with the self timer lever completely removed. The prism (non-meter) is removable but I don't have any Nikon F2 prisms to check whether a meter prism would fit. Likewise, the screens are replaceable and it comes with two spare screens in the original plastic cases. The back is removable and it has connections for a motor drive but I don't know whether it is a close enough copy to use Nikon versions. Nikon prisms, screens, motor drive, etc., do not fit the Almaz. I believe that Minolta XK screens will fit. I'm yet to put a film through, but would happily do that for prospective buyers if you want it for more than shelf ornament. I had thought of putting a Nikon prism on it and then mounting my 77 limited on it to confuse Nikon shooters, but an F2 metered prism seems to cost more than the camera is worth so I have given up on that. You may find if you try that the 77 ltd won't fit properly. The mount is not identical to Pentax K. I'm asking US$170 plus postage. I live in Australia so postage will be $20 (sea-mail) or $30 (air-mail) to most destinations. That's a fair price for a good one. I've shot pictures with mine and the normal lens is first rate. Best of luck in finding a buyer. Bob
Re: FS Friday: Almaz 103, Soviet K-mount F2 copy
Op Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:12:24 +0100 schreef Paul Ewins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: I had thought of putting a Nikon prism on it and then mounting my 77 limited on it to confuse Nikon shooters, but an F2 metered prism seems to cost more than the camera is worth so I have given up on that. and the look on their faces is not worth the price of the prism? -- Regards, Lucas
FS Friday: Almaz 103, Soviet K-mount F2 copy
Hi folks, I've been spending a bit too much on LF stuff recently so need to sell something. As the title says, the Almaz 103 is a Soviet copy (made by LOMO) of the Nikon F2, but using a K-mount. They are uncommon and this one is in outstanding condition, with no dings or brassing and only the faintest of scratches on the bottom plate. The prism (non-meter) is removable but I don't have any Nikon F2 prisms to check whether a meter prism would fit. Likewise, the screens are replaceable and it comes with two spare screens in the original plastic cases. The back is removable and it has connections for a motor drive but I don't know whether it is a close enough copy to use Nikon versions. The camera includes a LOMO 50/1.8 lens which also looks great but has a little slop in the focus. There is also a LOMO branded K->M42 converter, a body cap and an ever ready case, also in excellent condition. I'm yet to put a film through, but would happily do that for prospective buyers if you want it for more than shelf ornament. I had thought of putting a Nikon prism on it and then mounting my 77 limited on it to confuse Nikon shooters, but an F2 metered prism seems to cost more than the camera is worth so I have given up on that. I'm asking US$170 plus postage. I live in Australia so postage will be $20 (sea-mail) or $30 (air-mail) to most destinations. Please contact me off-list if interested. Paul Ewins Melbourne, Australia
