Soviet "Fotosnaiper"

[ArmchairSamurai]

Hello all.

I am sure some of you have heard of the "Fotosnaiper", but for those who have not: The State Optical Institute (GOI) developed the FS-2/3 camera-gun hybrid during the siege of Leningrad and it was considered "top secret". The FS-3 was supposedly used by the Soviet Baltic Navy, whereas the FS-2 was used by the Red Army. Later production of the FS-2 fell under KMZ based in Moscow. As far as I can find, there is a predecessor type, the FS-1, which dates to 1937. There is little substantial information on these three cameras that I can dig up other than a few auction pages and a wiki or two. That being said, the auction site for the FS-3 did have a the only known historical photo of it in use, so that is a plus. I am under the impression the FS-3 may be a prototype, and the FS-2 is the production model, though who knows for sure--the naming conventions certainly do not line up if that were the case. What I do know is of the few FS-2s sold at auction, they all date to 1943-45, where as the FS-3 is dated to 1943 and is only the one to have surfaced on the market.

Post-war the Zenit brand was born out of the wartime acquisitions of German assets by KMZ. The Zenit FS-3 and subsequent FS-12 were the civilian version of the "fotosnaiper." They were quite popular, having many variations and being produced for decades.


http://www.photohistory.ru/1658488129164189.html

http://www.photohistory.ru/1207248179841091.html

https://ussrphoto.com/wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=19&ParentID=1&ContentID=1565

https://www.leitz-auction.com/de/GOI-Russian-Marine-Rifle-Camera-FS-3-prototype/AI-38-39062

https://pravin73.wixsite.com/camera-sly/single-post/2017/12/16/wwii-voomp-goi-fs-2

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twl-bIaoDZY

 

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[SeaslugMk2]

Although I haven’t used it for years I still have my Zenith PhotoSniper; when I buy a decent DSLR it will have to be compatible with manual lenses with the Pentax thread as I’ll want to use my Russian lenses.

SRJ

 

[ArmchairSamurai]

Although I haven’t used it for years I still have my Zenith PhotoSniper; when I buy a decent DSLR it will have to be compatible with manual lenses with the Pentax thread as I’ll want to use my Russian lenses.

SRJ

I have one too! I see videos every now and again about converting the photosniper platform to digital. Would be neat! I intend to either 3D print or carve a good stock to replace the actual one. I want to more emulate the FS-2. A extension for the viewfinder would be nice, but I do not know if anyone makes custom lens anymore.

 

[SeaslugMk2]

I have one too! I see videos every now and again about converting the photosniper platform to digital. Would be neat! I intend to either 3D print or carve a good stock to replace the actual one. I want to more emulate the FS-2. A extension for the viewfinder would be nice, but I do not know if anyone makes custom lens anymore.

I did look at one called ‘Back to 35’ but apparently it’s so clunky it makes a Zenith look quick* and efficient. There is quite a delay between pressing the shutter release and the picture actually being taken.

*For those who don’t know the Zenith cameras, the shutter is mechanical; no electrics involved at all. And yes, it does feel as if it has been made of recycled tank parts. But I loved it.

SRJ