Reviewing the Moskva-5 by KMZ

10

I had been looking for a camera that could take 120 film and also take 6×6 and 6×9 images. After a few bad buys. I picked up a Moskva-5 on eBay for £20.00

Image is by Andshel from Wikimedia Commons

I feared the worst as it took ages to arrive. It arrived after about 5 weeks and when I opened the box it looked fantastic! in its chunky leather case, But would it take good pictures? I have taken just one film up to now which I hand processed and I have to admit I’m pretty chuffed with the results!

The lens is an In­dus­tar-24 10.5cm f/3.5 and produces a really nice image and the range finder on the one I have works well. If you manage to get hold of one to make sure it has the frame mask for the dual format 6×6 or 6×9 frame, but if it is missing you could always make one. When the camera is folded it quite a nice size but it is quite heavy. It is also quite a looker and I had a few people stand and watch while I took the pictures and they seemed amazed that it is just over 50 years old and still taking pictures.

The film I used was for the test roll was an Ilford FP4 Plus and the results are quite good. The Moskva-5 is a fairly basic rangefinder but has some nice features and is worth checking out. The viewfinder also has a switch for the different frame sizes as well which is nice.

If you are looking for a dual format camera that’s built like a tank and can turn heads as well as take good pictures then take a look at the Moskva-5 and take the plunge!

This camera review was written by copefan. Visit the Online Shop or Gallery Stores for more analogue finds!

written by copefan on 2009-11-13 #gear #review #moskva-5 #kmz #ilford-fp4-plus

10 Comments

  1. dogma
    dogma ·

    Great camera indeed! Big canon :) i own one to still waiting for testing :D

  2. vicuna
    vicuna ·

    Great review, beautiful vintage cam! :)

  3. copefan
    copefan ·

    the more I use it the more I like this camera........... It does what it does very well...........

  4. stouf
    stouf ·

    I love this camera ! The Newton viewfinder deserves to be mentioned though... The two little circular windows in the front are giving a double image in the viewfinder. When you turn the focusing knob, these two images are moving. When they are perfectly superposed you're in focus ! It's absolutely ingenious ! Great review of a wonderful camera !

  5. nural
    nural ·

    Such noltaljic shots, they look beautiful....

  6. joel-dylan
    joel-dylan ·

    fantastic........... just waiting one to arrive in the post!

  7. x9zero
    x9zero ·

    mmmmmmmm.... interesting i want a dual format camera anyone know of any others?

  8. stickyvinny
    stickyvinny ·

    Great camera and review!

  9. eromero
    eromero ·

    Just developed my first roll but haven’t printed any pictures yet. But negatives do look good. Like the fact that it uses 120 film. Also a fun camera is the Kodak Tourist in the same format 6x9. Great fun but uses 620 film and very pricey. Some fun stuff to go my 2 Mamiyas and Bronica. I also use an old GE light meter made in 1948 but still very accurate and uses no batteries and slips right in your pocket to keep the nostalgia feeling. Fun stuff.

  10. eromero
    eromero ·

    Just printed my first prints in the darkroom with Foma FB 4 paper. Very impressed how sharp the images were. I was shooting on a bright day with 400 film so the apertures were around 16 or 22.
    Got mine for $75.00 from the Russian Federation in extremely nice condition. The case looks like brand new.

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