"The word "Smena" (Cmeha) is roughly translated into "Young Generation" in English. True to its name, the Smena line of cameras were designed to provide inexpensive, accessible, and excellent photography tools to the hard-working young Soviets of the time. Manfactured by the legendary LOMO production house of St. Petersburg." Lomography Society International

Smena

Smena 8

The Lomo Compact Automat (or LC-A for short), is a small Russian-made 35mm camera that has become very cult and popular. Smena is also produced by "Lomo" and my opinion is that it is also suitable for "Lomography". I am not completely aware of what that term actually keeps inside but one rule is that you should never know what kind of photos you'll get when you shoot a picture with a "Lomo".

Smena 8 is not like Lomo LCA a fully automatic (exept focusing) 35mm camera. You have to "do" something to get the picture. It is against a rule "Shoot before you think" but the rule could be bypassed by thinking "not too much". Like mthis you maintain the creativity and the randomness.

First camera in the Smena 35mm Series was introduced in 1953. Smena 8 was made in 1963 -1971. It is fitted with T-43, f4,0 coated lens. Shutter speeds are B, - 1/15, 1/30,1/60, 1/125, 1/250sec. It has a self-timer and a cocking is not integrated to film advance wheel. Camera material is plastic.


LOMO factory is situated in the city of St. Petersburg. Since 90 years LOMO has designed and manufactured optical devices for various applications. Beginning with its foundation in 1914 LOMO was largest optical device manufacturer for Russian Army. Times have changed and now LOMO works not only for military and space programs but also for science and industry and for t he consumer products market.

Smena 8M

"Smena 8 M is an up to date miniature camera intended for broad circle of photo amateurs.The camera incorporates a hard coated lens, life-size wiewfiner (one to one viewing ratio), distance symbol scale, X flash synchronized diaphgram shutter,... assures the widest choice of needle-sharp full-toned negatives both black and white and in full colour.
Weather symbol and film sensitivity scales faciliate exposure settings ensures good shooting outdoors even for any unskilled amateur.
Film rewind mechanism makes it possible to use one cassette. The design ensures operation with two cassettes also.
Foolproof and trouble-free operation, modern appearance plus other attractive features of Smena 8M never cease amazing and the admired beginners and top-notch amateurs alike." Smena 8M is produced by "LOMO" since 1970 . Body is made of plastic. The lens is T-43

(English Manual) on Alfreds Smena 8M page: http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/smena8m/manual/index.htm

Smena Symbol

Smena Symbol was produced from 1973 to 1993 by LOMO in Leningrad (Today again St. Petersburg). It is a simple plastic 35mm camera without rangefinder. The lens is 40 mm f/4 T-43 and like in Smena 8M distance and shutter speed settings are made according the symbols which allow an easy way to correct settings.

Smena Symbol still for sale at
Lomography Society International

Vilia (also called Orion & Siluet)

Vilia is produced by "BeLOMO" in  1973. It´s features and appearance, though a bit more sophisticated, has much common with the Smena 8M.
The lens is Triplet 69-3 , 4/40mm and the shutter speeds are B, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 and 1/250sec. The body material is plastic.

Chaika 3

Somebody was wondering would a Seagull be a proper name for a camera or not? I did some "googling" and found out, that Seagull is a name for a Tupolev bomber, a brave dobermann, several hotels and restaurants and a rowing boat. Only the first and the last have some connection to that seabird, why not then name a camera as a Seagull.
It is also the play of by Anton Chekhov and this would be the best connection for an appellation, art and presentation.

Chaika-3 cameras were produced by BeLOMO Belarus Optiko Mechanichesckoye Obyedinenie (Belarus Optical & Mechanical Enterprise) since 1971 up to 1973. It is a rather extraordinary camera. The frame size is 18x24mm, so it is a "half frame". Lens is Industar-69. 28mm f/2,8 triplet. Shutter speeds are 1/30s, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250s. Size: 117x87x53mm and weight ca. 400g. Extraordinary ? Yes, the wind lever is on the bottom (Roll the image over by putting the cursor on it.) and the shutter release knob is on the front and the lens is changeable but there is no lens on the earth to cange with, except another similar Chaika lens. It has a 42mm thread but othervise it is not a M42 standard.