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Krasnogorsk-3

The Krasnogorsk cameras were one of the more popular cine cameras in the Eastern European motion picture scene.  They were a solidly-built camera, put on the market at budget prices.  The cameras are fairly basic, in terms of their available features, all of which gave these cameras a reputation as a great student camera.  The Krasnogorsk-3 uses the standard 100' spools of 16mm film, though it is common to see them modified for Super 16 as well.  They have adjustable frame rates from 8-48 fps - though our research suggested that if you turn the dial past 48 you can sometimes get a frame rate as high as 60 fps.  The camera is a spring-wound mechanical motor that, at full tension and 24 fps, gives you about 25 seconds of filming time. ⁣⠀


The stock lens for this camera was the 17-69mm f/1.9, but it is the mount of that lens we found the most interesting.  Most Krasnogorsk-3 cameras use the M42 thread mount - although few use a very specific Russian bayonet mount - which means that you can mount all your Pentax screw-mount lenses to this camera!  This does give the intrepid film-maker an interesting variety of options, but it is worth pointing out that it also makes it more difficult to find a focal length wider than the 17mm that comes in the stock zoom lens.  And before you ask, no, you cannot put this 17-69mm on your Spotmatic as the rear optic in this lens extends too far back to fit into those camera bodies.⁣

za/sd

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