Start

Старт (=Старт = Start) (logo stamped as Italics) means Start

Manufactured by KMZ ( Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod = Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk), near Moscov, USSR

Model: 1963 Type 4c, ( produced between 1962-64)

All Start produced between 1958-64. Quantity: 76.503 units. There are 10 types

as to Alexandr Komarov

35 mm film SLR camera

Lens: KMZ Helios-44 (ГЕЛИОС) 58mm f//2, special bayonet mount, interchangeable; Serial no.0139286

Aperture: f/2-f/16, automatic diaphragm, DOF preview is possible by rotating the shutter release plunger on the lens

Focus range: 0.7- 20m +inf.

Focusing: by Fresnel matte glass screen with split-image rangefinder, focus ring and scale on the lens, w/DOF scale

Shutter: focal-plane shutter, horizontally run double rubberized silk curtain,

speeds: 1 - 1/1000 +B

Shutter release: knob on the right front of the camera, w/cable release socket

**Shutter can be released by a plunger on the lens also

Cocking lever: also winds the film, short stroke, on the right of the top plate

Frame counter: additive type, manual reset, on the winding lever knob

Viewfinder: SLR pentaprism, matte glass with split-image rangefinder in the central focusing area, 100% frame coverage, finder and screen are interchangeable, there is a waist level finder

Viewfinder release: by a small knob on the back of the top plate

Mirror: note instant return

Re-wind knob: on the left of the top plate, also used for multiple exposures

Re-wind release: small knob near the winding lever

Memory dial: on the rewind knob

Self timer: activates by a small silver knob over the self timer lever

Flash PC sockets: two, for X and M, on the left front of the top plate, synch: 1/30s, separate on the speeds dial

Back cover: detachable with the bottom plate, with a film pressure plate made of black glass,

opens by two pop-up levers on the bottom plate

Film loading: removable take-up spool, there is also a special receiving cartridge

Film-cutting knife: handle on the left of the top plate

Strap lugs

Tripod socket: old type 3/8''

Serial no. 6300258 (first two digits of the serial number indicate the production year)

As with other Soviet-era rangefinders, the 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.

The Start is a very well made and interesting system SLR camera, and entirely mechanical. It was aimed at the professional market. At its era there is no other system camera in the Soviet Union.

It was often referred to as the "Russian Exakta". At that time Start was the only competition to the Exakta available within the Soviet Union and the Soviet-dominated part of Europe. It was at least in principle, the only other system camera, providing not only interchangeable lenses, but also finders and viewing screens.

Helios-44 58 mm f/2 is similar to the Zeiss Biotar. But unfortunately this is the Start system's only manufactured lens. There is an adapter for M39 screw mount Zenith lenses, but this was not an attractive option, as such lenses did not have automatic aperture system.

more info:

Fotoua by Alexandr Komarov, SovietCams, Wrotniaknet by Andrzej Wrotniak, Communist Cameras by Nathan Dayton, Cameras by Alfred Klomp, Btinternet by Stephen Rotery

Photos by the camera

Done