SMENA 19 (1985–1989)
A late-model Soviet 35mm viewfinder camera with a plastic body, a 40mm f/4.5 triplet lens and a central shutter.
Overview
The Smena 19 is a 35mm film viewfinder camera made by LOMO (Leningrad Optical Mechanical Association) from 1985 to 1989. It belongs to the long-running Smena series, which began with the Smena-2 in 1955 and grew to more than a dozen models. The Smena 19 is a late one. It keeps the series' simple, affordable design and takes structural cues from the Kodak Bantam.
Specifications
| Type | Viewfinder camera |
| Film Format | 35mm |
| Years Produced | 1985–1989 |
| Lens | 40mm f/4.5 Triplet |
| Shutter Type | Central shutter |
| Shutter Speeds | 1/10 to 1/200 second plus bulb mode |
| Body Material | Plastic |
Design
The body is plastic with an unusual waffle-like texture. The structure is inspired by the Kodak Bantam, and the camera mixes Soviet mass-production techniques with mid-century Western design influences.
Context
The Smena 19 is a late-model variant in a product line that began in 1955 with the Smena-2, so the series ran over three decades.
Market
Collectors value the Smena 19 at $50 - $60 in average condition, $70 - $80 in very good condition, and $120 - $140 in mint condition. A recorded sale on February 28, 2003, for a "B" condition unit reached $68.
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