Obsidian Urbex Photography

It is happening! I am starting to use my grandad's camera, it's been unused for 35 years, so wish me luck 🍀.

This chunky Soviet beast is a Prinzflex 500E, a UK version of the popular Zenit E badged for distribution by the now defunct high street chain Dixons.

Starting off with #KentmerePan400 black and white #film to get started and figure out if this old camera even works! Picked up a Leningrad 4 light meter as well.

Let's do this! 📷🤟

#believeinfim #photography #zenit #zenite #kentmere

Dec 6, 2022 at 10:30pmWeb
Show threadJon PinterDec 6, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex have fun
Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 6, 2022
@pinskal super excited 🖤
Show threadRayVisnesky312Dec 6, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex Total old school.😀
Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 6, 2022
@RayVisnesky312 I know right! Looks like brick and I suspect it is going to handle like one 🤣
Show threadCendrine Marrouat - PhotosDec 6, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex Hope you have tons of fun!
Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 6, 2022
@haikushack exciting times, I have no idea what I am doing and that is such a wonderful feeling ♥️
Show threadCendrine Marrouat - PhotosDec 6, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex Film photography is awesome. Imperfections take a whole new meaning. ;-)
Show threadTom SculptorDec 6, 2022

@ObsidianUrbex

Have fun 👍 But I am certain you will!

However, you might be prepared to spend a wee bit of money for servicing, adjustment and lubrication - and some time for finding some oldster craftsperson to do this properly.

Although these old mechanical successfully transport the impression to be happy driving nails through a concrete block, they like to be handled with TLC.

I just had my #Kyiv88 returned from service and she's back (from Kyiv, no less!), working like a charm again.

Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 6, 2022
@TomSculptor sadly my grandad passed away before he was able to use this too much. It's been sat in a box for so long, the other 2 lenses have fungus in. Luckily the camera and attached Helios lens appear to be fungus free. A service does sound like a good idea as it's been sat for so many decades, after my test rolls this is a great idea. Just gotta find someone who can take a look at this poor thing 😻
Show threadTV_Photography_Dec 6, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex That thing will be built like a tank!
Have a blast!
I love the light meter too!
Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 6, 2022
@TV_Photography_ I am very much enjoying playing with the light meter and making silly "beep, boop" noises. The novelty might take a while to wear off 🤣
Show threadTV_Photography_Dec 7, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex I hope that novelty never wears off haha
Show threadRev MookDec 7, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex my mom had that meter, or one that looked just like it when I was a kid. I played with it all the time.
Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 7, 2022
@rev_mook I can see why! They are interesting little boxes of mystery!
Show threadFrankDec 7, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex I think my brother has the Zenit now, but my dad taught me photography with it when I was a kid. Good memories! Have fun 👍
Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 7, 2022
@fschaap awww those must have been wonderful memories with your dad 💙
Show threadmichaelDec 7, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex Zenits are great. I bought one last year, then another, then another...I now have a collection of Zenits and other old cameras, many of them Soviet or from the DDR. Some of them even work
Show threadmichaelDec 7, 2022
@ObsidianUrbex https://photog.social/@michael/106391840019130251
michael (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image It's like an illness.

Social 📸 Photography
Show threadArek Bekiersz de KornyátDec 18, 2022

@ObsidianUrbex You will not be dissapointed. I love(d) these cameras. We still got an East German (DDR) Practica, left by my late stepfather, w/ ~55 mm lens. The quality of manufacture, cold touch of metal, beautiful lack of electronics (except a battery-operated spot lightning sensor). The photo quality..

There is even a 20 cm lanyard, to be screwed into the shutter button, of similar, exceptional quality (i.e. braided with a black cotton wrap), for long-exposure / night photography

Jeaulous😍

Show threadObsidian Urbex PhotographyDec 19, 2022
@bekieark oh I bet you had a lot of nice memories with that camera. I agree the cold metal, and that it is angular and quite uncomfortable to hold is actually a lot of the fun 🥰
Show threadArek Bekiersz de KornyátDec 19, 2022

@ObsidianUrbex Yeah, like „damn, it keeps sliding out of my nervously-sweating-as-I-may-drop-it hands” and „why is it so bulbous and full of straight edges”😁

The black plastic, with a “fake skin” texture is so nice.

I love it. I remember I used to have a special natural fiber brush, just to clean its lens. And I remember my first screw-on photography filter (it was a transparent UV filter, removed a lot of blur from my photos). Who remembers all of these thingy-s in the 📱 era..