An FSU Challenge?

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Nomad Z

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Just wondering if there might be any interest in a fun challenge...

For those that aren't aware, FSU is short for Former Soviet Union, and denotes photographic gear made there during the Soviet era, so Zorki, Fed, Lubitel, etc.

The idea is quite simply to take photos using only FSU gear. I would suggest having it open for a good few months, perhaps with a closing date that's significant in Soviet terms, like the 7th of November - the date that Lenin led the October revolution, which, coincidentally, happens to have been 100 years ago in 1917 (it was called the October revolution because they were still using the Julian calendar at the time - it's 7th Nov in the Gregorian calendar). In other words, the idea is to have plenty of time to load a roll or two of film and get out now and then to take a few photos when it suits. Also gives people time acquire kit if they don't have it already (around £25 or less should get you a Zorki and a lens).

Not looking to make it too strict or serious - it's more about having some fun with old gear that may or may not be a bit flaky (not unlike the Box Brownie challenge). I would say that the cameras and lenses should be FSU, while accessories can be anything (but extra kudos for using Leningrad meters, etc).

I think it would be good to have a theme, or themes, especially if they encourage a 'Soviet pictorialism'. For example...

Machinery & Industry
The Workers
Propaganda
Anything Goes

If there were themes, then I would suggest a max of one entry per theme, and that you can enter any and all themes that take your fancy.

Thoughts?
 
Well I have some east German lenses....but IMO you wont see much difference compared to say "an only use Canon gear challenge" :grumpy:
 
Nomad Z said:
Just wondering if there might be any interest in a fun challenge...

For those that aren't aware, FSU is short for Former Soviet Union, and denotes photographic gear made there during the Soviet era, so Zorki, Fed, Lubitel, etc.

The idea is quite simply to take photos using only FSU gear. I would suggest having it open for a good few months, perhaps with a closing date that's significant in Soviet terms, like the 7th of November - the date that Lenin led the October revolution, which, coincidentally, happens to have been 100 years ago in 1917 (it was called the October revolution because they were still using the Julian calendar at the time - it's 7th Nov in the Gregorian calendar). In other words, the idea is to have plenty of time to load a roll or two of film and get out now and then to take a few photos when it suits. Also gives people time acquire kit if they don't have it already (around £25 or less should get you a Zorki and a lens).

Not looking to make it too strict or serious - it's more about having some fun with old gear that may or may not be a bit flaky (not unlike the Box Brownie challenge). I would say that the cameras and lenses should be FSU, while accessories can be anything (but extra kudos for using Leningrad meters, etc).

I think it would be good to have a theme, or themes, especially if they encourage a 'Soviet pictorialism'. For example...

Machinery & Industry
The Workers
Propaganda
Anything Goes

If there were themes, then I would suggest a max of one entry per theme, and that you can enter any and all themes that take your fancy.

Thoughts?
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I should be up for this, I like the idea of the themes it gives it a sense of unity and communist purpose.
excalibur2 said:
Well I have some east German lenses....but IMO you wont see much difference compared to say "an only use Canon gear challenge" :grumpy:
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You could always start an ugly camera competition Brian.
 
Are any of the current lomography brand cameras made in the right place to be eligible?
 
All of the LOMO brand cameras are originally FSU classics (although I'm not sure if they're still made there, more likely China now).
 
I would be up for this.

I have five FSU cameras: Zorki 4, Fed 4, Kiev 4, Zenit E and Zenit EM and would probably use the Zorki as it is my favourite.
 
Time to dust off my Zorki...
 
Yay!

I have a Zenit I have yet to used.

Is there any FSU film?

Actually, how about Foma?
 
I was hoping the lomo fish eye thing might be ok or their strange action camera thingy that takes 4 shots on one frame at once might be eligible. Both are interesting and cheap enough to make me want to strain the camera shelf again...
 
Suz, I'd have to say that the kit has to be pukka FSU stuff (the Soviet Union ended in 1991).
 
I've got a Zenit and a Zorki I haven't put a roll through yet. A good excuse to try one out! (or both)
I'm up for it!
 
simon ess said:
Yay!

I have a Zenit I have yet to used.

Is there any FSU film?

Actually, how about Foma?
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Fomapan is made in the Czech Republic, not the Former Soviet Union.
 
I've got a couple of Zenit bodies and a lens or two somewhere, haven't had film in them for about 3 decades but could be fun for a roll or two

BTW I like the idea of the themes you suggest, gives it a bit more interest I think
 
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srichards said:
Drat. I'm out unless I see something in a charity shop :)
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I'm sure I've got a spare Zorki, Fed or Zenith somewhere if you want to borrow one?
 
sirch said:
I've got a couple of Zenit bodies and a lens or two somewhere, haven't had film in them for about 3 decades but could be fun for a roll or two

BTW I like the idea of the themes you suggest, gives it a bit more interest I think
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All the eastern European countries were under the thumb of SU, Warsaw pact and economic union etc so even a Praktica might scrape in for this challenge ;)
 
Great idea, I am definitely up for this. I think the idea of themes with a Soviet twist is a great idea. Off to look at some Ignatovich and Rodchenko for inspiration!
 
srichards said:
Ooh. That would be good. Anything me proof and idiot proof :)
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I'm not sure anything is idiot proof to a sufficiently talented idiot.
 
Good to see lots of interest. :)

Here's a draft of the criteria...

This is an FSU challenge. There are no prizes other than the adulation of the collective.
The closing date is November the 7th, 2017 - exactly 100 years from the start of the October Revolution.
Cameras and lenses used for the challenge must have been made in the former Soviet Union in the period 1917 to 1991 inclusive.
All other equipment can be anything you like.
No restrictions on type, make or amount of film you use.
If you think you can influence votes by using additional FSU kit or, indeed, Svema film, then go for it (and don't be shy about making it known).

There are four themes...
Machinery & Industry
The Workers
Propaganda
Anything Goes

Participants may enter a maximum of one photo per theme, and may enter as many themes as they like.
Each category may be approached as the photographer sees fit.

Registration for the challenge to be made by posting your intention to participate, with a photo (or photos) of your FSU gear, in a dedicated registration thread.
You may register at any time before the closing date.
Entries to be posted in separate threads for each theme, with the subject line format: FSU Challenge Voting - [theme]. Each thread will be a poll and voting will close one month after the challenge closing date - 7th December.
The winner in each category is the participant with the most votes.
The overall winner is the participant who has gained the most votes in any one category (ie, not an aggregate to ensure that all participants have a chance of winning, even if they only enter in one category).
Joint winners are possible (no tie-breaks).

How does that sound?
 
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Some questions on polls...

If I make an entry thread, can I come back months later and edit the top post to add the poll?
Is there a limit to the number of options I can create?
Can I edit the closing date after the poll has been created (to account for unforeseen circumstances)?
 
For the avoidance of doubt, are East German (GDR/DDR) made cameras going to be included or is this challenge open only to those cameras made in the FSU republics?
 
Mr Badger said:
For the avoidance of doubt, are East German (GDR/DDR) made cameras going to be included or is this challenge open only to those cameras made in the FSU republics?
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I think it has to be the FSU republics only.
 
Nomad Z said:
Some questions on polls...

If I make an entry thread, can I come back months later and edit the top post to add the poll?
Is there a limit to the number of options I can create?
Can I edit the closing date after the poll has been created (to account for unforeseen circumstances)?
Click to expand...

You can definitely add a poll well after a thread is opened (see the other challenge entries threads for examples).

There may be a limit on the number of options (presumably one for each entry) but we haven't reached it yet, so don't worry about it!

Not sure about changing the closing date, or other features such as how many votes each person gets etc. Might need a mod for that?
 
I reckon I'm up for this... got one or two (ahem) bits of kit that fall into this category
 
I remembered I bought and used ORWO film when I worked in Bulgaria in the 60s, but turns out that was made in the GDR rather than FSU...
 
ChrisR said:
You can definitely add a poll well after a thread is opened (see the other challenge entries threads for examples).

There may be a limit on the number of options (presumably one for each entry) but we haven't reached it yet, so don't worry about it!

Not sure about changing the closing date, or other features such as how many votes each person gets etc. Might need a mod for that?
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Thanks Chris - I assumed I'd be able to add a poll later, but wanted to check. I did try making a draft poll and got fed up adding options after about 30. A change of closing date is unlikely, but could be handy.


I'll see what I can do to post the registration thread today.
 
Nomad Z said:
I think it has to be the FSU republics only.
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Well, the GDR was not part of the FSU Republics in the theory and books but it was in all the other ways, if not included in this challenge, maybe could be the next one. There were a lot of good cameras and lenses made in the GDR, it could be a German challenge (east and west), for sure there are a lot of options there. Just an idea.
 
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