BelOMO Etyud (Etude)

Etyud -- this is a simple for use plastic camera. One of the few plastic 120 type cameras in the USSR of a 60's and 70's. Faded colors, angular body -- the soviet people know with this type of design. But shoot this camera is very nice.

Of course it's a toy camera, in soviet description -- children camera. Made at BELOMO(BELorusskoe Optiko-Mekhanicheskoe Ob'edinenie) from 1969 to 1984. The camera can be called big brother of "Shkolnik". Produced more than 1.5 million units, but now it's a rare camera. It has plastic body and lens (1:11/60) without focusing (sharpness from 4 meters to infinity). There are two switches for installation exposures (1/60 and B) and apertures (11, 16 22) in front of the camera. Side of the camera has a film rewind knob, on the top of the body -- the viewfinder, at the bottom -- tripod mount. Also there is a cold shoe, but no contact to synchronization -- it's a strange constructive solution or I don't understand it. The camera shoots a 120 type film, but the 135 type gets into it very well. In general, the technical description is not unusual.

I got my copy with big luck -- someone put up for auction on molotok("hammer", russian analogue ebay) this camera without a signature at 100 rub (about $ 3). I bought this camera and, as addition, bought a "Lubitel-1" from this seller.

After some time I decided to try this camera and the results I was pleasantly surprised: the camera image clear and sharp, shooting nice and easy, sweet vignette and vivid colors. The camera performed well in low light ("B" exposure): there is no blur and smearing as with some other cameras. Most often, I shot the nature of this camera, it's my favorite topic. I also photographed one roll of 135 film: the results also be good.

If you have the opportunity to buy this camera, especially cheap -- I advise you to take it.
My friend once described this camera as a "Soviet "Diana":http://shop.lomography.com/cameras/diana-f-cameras" and I think he is somewhat right.

written by mcrstar on 2011-01-02 #gear #120 #review #soviet #belomo #4x6 #etyud #ussr