LUNA by LOMO, Lubitel 2
I recently bought my first medium camera from the flea market for an undisclosed , dirt-cheap price. The lucky camera that i saved from oblivion was named LUNA, I immediately understood it was a USSR LOMO made Lubitel 2. Since I had never encountered that brand, I did a little research and found out it is the 4th edition of the Lubitel 2, built somewhere around 1975-1977.
“It is identified as PK1455. Camera identical to PK1420 “No-Name” version , but under export name “LUNA”. Intended for Greece market. Very uncommon to find.” source
It was in good condition with its original leather case. I really like this little camera and I’m looking forward on testing it.
LUNA by LOMO, Lubitel 2
LUNA by LOMO, Lubitel 2
LUNA by LOMO, Lubitel 2
LUNA by LOMO, Lubitel 2
LUNA by LOMO, Lubitel 2
Some data on the camera specs.
The Lubitel-2
After one million three hundred thousand Lubitels produced, GOMZ re-evaluated the design and decided to add a self-timer and a flash sync. This redesign was done by G. Barkovski, according to Princelle, thus creating the Lubitel-2.
The literature claims that the Lubitel-2 came in two shutters: a ZT-5 with speeds of 1/10s to 1/200s, and a ZT-8 with 1/15s to 1/250s. I don’t know what to make of this: I think the difference in speeds is probably an artefact of labeling rather than anything technical, and is the result of the postwar introduction of the new power-of-two shutter speed system: 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 (noted as 1/15), 1/32 (noted as 1/30), 1/64 (noted as 1/60), 1/128 (noted as 1/125), 1/256 (noted as 1/250), 1/512 (noted as 1/500), 1/1024 (noted as 1/1000), and so on, that took the place of the earlier decimal system that counted 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, et cetera. Converting to the newer system simply means writing 1/60 instead of 1/50, and assuming the difference to be within your margin of error. Info from Alfreds Camera Place
Here is an Excerpt from the 1971 book/brochure “Discover Rewarding Photography” by Ronald Spillman A.I.I.P:
“Lubitel-2
An extremely versatile 6×6cm twin-lens focusing reflex taking twelve pictures on 120 roll film. Although this camera is priced at the lower end of the scale, it incorporates most features required by the keen beginner and yet has a performance that will satisfy the critical user.
The lens is a 75mm coated f/4.5, which focuses down to 4′. The leaf shutter is behind the lens, has five speeds from 1/15th to 1/250th second, and is synchronized for flash.
The Lubitel-2 is a camera without frills. You wind on the film by means of an ordinary knob and there is a window to show you the frame numbering on the back paper. There is a clever helical screw mount to the taking lens. As this is rotated it turns the upper, viewing lens to similar focus. Viewing is by means of an always-in-focus convex lens giving a brilliant image. A circular ground-glass spot at the center is used for focusing. There is a folding magnifier and a flip-up direct vision viewfinder incorporated in the folding hood. The camera contains a filter compartment, has a delayed action device built into the shutter, and is supplied with ever-ready case.”
Info from Alfreds Camera Place
Digital Film Revolution 