Filling in the gaps: The LOMO Smena SL (1968-77)

Filling in the gaps: The LOMO Smena SL (1968-77)

I know, I know, I said I'm done getting any more cameras, but I have needs, and sometimes  those needs must be satisfied with ... another Rapid format camera. Actually, what happened is that I want a second Rapid format camera to go with the Golden Wonder, so that I can have a bit of fun with full-frame Rapid photography and not be limited to half frame. Yes, I have a load of Agfa Iso-Rapid IFs, and the Ricoh 35K Rapid (though I'm l convinced the wind-on mechanism is not working properly), but I'm looking for something a little more advanced. And that's where the Lomo Smena SL comes in.

It all started with a random website search. I was looking for information on Rapid films, how long they are (turns out to be 60cm, that's 24 inches in old money) and one of the search results was a reference to the Lomo Smena Rapid. The what, I thought. It turns out that the last of the Lomo Smena range, the Soviet era consumer 35mm cameras, was a Rapid film camera.

There were two models, the first generation 'Smena Rapid', made from 1968-70, and the second generation 'Smena SL', from 1970-77. They were both parts of the Smena range, which includes my beloved Smena 8M and the Smena Symbol, and all featured the classic Triplet T-43 4/40 lens and a range of shutter speeds from 1/15s to 1/250s (plus B). Now that certainly had appeal, since it would give me a Smena 8M equivalent camera that takes Rapid film. Just what I was looking for. 

The next issue was tracking one down, and I suspected that it would not be an easy job to source one of these beasties, since using 35mm film in Rapid cameras seems like a bit of a niche subject, given the sheer volume of 35mm cameras available. So I started a search for 'Lomo Smena Rapid', and the first Google result was for a 'Máquina fotográfica LOMO Smena SL (1968-77)' from my local camera store, Cano Amerelo, in Porto.

I couldn't believe it. Was it that easy? The camera was described as, 'fully functional and in good condition with slight signs of use, especially superficial scratches on the outer body. Clean, scratch-free optics'. Well that was good news. Looking at the images of the camera it did seem a little beat up, and certainly well used. But if the lens was sound and the shutter speeds and aperture were working, that's good enough for me. 

The only caveat was that, 'film cartridges are not included. You will need 2 that accept a maximum of 35mm film up to 12 exposures, therefore it is not convenient for use but only for decoration'. But I have plenty of Rapid canisters now, so that certainly wasn't an obstacle. 

When it arrived it was exactly as expected, though the body was really worn. The shutter and wind-on lever worked as expected, and the shutter open and closed with a pleasing 'click'. Now all I have to do is test it with film. The weather is a little unsettled this week, with storm Garoe pouring rain upon us for most of time. But I found some Lomography ISO 100 colour film in the cupboard (expired 2022, I reckon) so I'll take some of that and decant 60cm or so into a Rapid canister when the weather improves. 

If you are on Mastodon, you can now follow this blog directly. Just go to Mastodon and follow my WordPress account at @keithdevereux.wordpress.com@keithdevereux.wordpress.com. All new posts will be automatically updated to your timeline on Mastodon.

#SmenaSL, #Cmeha, #Vintage, #Lomo, #Russia, #RussianCamera, #Retro, #Agfa, #Rapid, #AgfaRapid, #RapidFilm, #Experimental,