V.E.F. RIGA (1937-1944)
THE RIGA EXPERIENCE
(top)
The first thing you notice
when you handle a Riga is the weight. At a 130g/4.6oz it easily outweighs
even the stout model C (102g/3.6oz). This is not to its detriment, rather
you feel as though you are holding a precision machine. The stainless
steel from which the body is made has a slightly dimpled appearance, with
the areas on the top and bottom panels done in a matte finish.
The numbers are all lightly
inscribed and painted black. The only color visible on the camera is the
red frame indicator dot. The knurling of the knobs is similar to the postwar
models, if a bit deeper. The four meter (12ft) mark that is so common
on later models has not made it's debut yet, but the arc that indicates
depth of field is present.
When
you are turning the shutter speed dial the camera sounds very different
from the later models. Where the later models have a soft watch-like sound,
the Riga creates a very satisfying clockwork sound. This is the mechanism
adjusting to the speed that you are dialing in.
On
the back you are greeted with the Minox "maus" logo nicely milled
into the matte portion of the back. Breaking the line at the top of the
logo are the letters VEF,
with the word RIGA under the logo. The logo as a whole carries a bit of
the art-deco feel that was so fashionable at the time. At the bottom the
phrase "Made in Latvia", proudly proclaims the camera's heritage.
One
final look at the front of the camera shows the camera's technical information.
It says "F=15, Minostigmat, 1:3.5." In plain words; a Minostigmat
lens was used in the camera. The lens has a focal distance of 15mm, and
the aperture is set at a fixed 3.5.
When you grasp
the camera from both ends and pull it open the product of your effort
is a very satisfying "click" that lets you know it is fully
extended. This action exposes the viewfinder and lens.
Two things stand
out at this point. First, most likely you will first notice the eyepiece
for the viewfinder. This "porthole" design was changed in postwar
models. It is tiny, but effective.
***A
note here: Do NOT clean the lens or viewfinder with harsh chemicals! The
outer parts employed a form of plastic that can be fogged, or in extreme
cases destroyed by some of the solvents commonly used to clean the exterior.
These are difficult, if not impossible to replace with original parts.
That is, short of cannibalizing another Riga.***
The other thing that can throw
you off is that the circle that indicates the shutter is cocked, a standard
feature on later models, is not present. This is normal. In fact, the
Riga had the opposite configuration of the later models. In the Riga's
case a blank shutter indicates "ready to shoot", the circle
indicates the shutter has been tripped. If you actually use your Riga
(and many people do) keep this in mind.
Even in this early model, the
parallax correction is employed. This is evident when you turn the front
of the camera towards you, and while watching the viewfinder window, turn
the focus dial. When you do this you should notice the lens moving in
unison with the dial. Right when the camera is focusing towards infinity,
to the left when focusing towards the 20cm (8") mark.
Above the viewfinder is some
knurling. If you place your finger on it and pull to the left, two things
happen. You will see a yellow filter go over the primary optic, and you
will also see "2x" magically appear on the end of the knurled
rod. The 2x is to remind you that when you have the filter in place, you
need to increase exposure times by 2 stops. This is due to the effect
of the filter which in the process of doing it's job lets less light thorough.
Filter open.
Filter in place.
The inclusion of a yellow filter
was both ingenious and unique. Rather than having to carry around bulky
disks to attach to the front of the lens, Herr Zapp included it in the
design of the camera. Since black and white was the only film available
at the time, the camera was designed with that in mind. The yellow filter
is used to take advantage of some of the qualities of B&W film, helping
increase contrast and smoothing skin tones.
Turning
the camera up side down again, a new phrase is visible. In the previously
concealed portion of the back the term "Patented" appears. In
some of the very early models of the Riga, you may see the phrase "Pat.
App.". These were made while the patent was still in process.
You will also see the crescent
back release button. By placing your thumb or finger nail in the groove
and gently pressing in, the camera can be opened to expose the interior.
The interior is painted black, with the serial numbers both engraved and
filled with white. Count the number of teeth on the take-up sprocket.
Most Riga's have three teeth. In some of the more rare models twelve and
six toothed cylinders were used. Most of these were replaced when the
camera was serviced, thus the rarity of those models.
Otherwise, the interior is
already quite familiar to a veteran Minoxer. The film cartridges are interchangeable.
This means that the film you buy today will function in your Riga. Conversely,
if you happened to have a Riga film cassette for reloading (which is NOT
recommended due to the collectability of these cassettes!) it would work
nicely in a modern Minox. Even loading the film takes that familiar 1/8th
inch push, slightly closing the camera, to spread the pressure plate from
the lens housing so that the film can be easily placed and removed.
While not for every Minox collector,
obtaining a Riga is a worthy goal. This mechanical marvel is a pleasure
to behold, a joy to use and a fascinating piece of history. To look at
the technology and craftsmanship that went into this camera, it becomes
difficult to believe that production was begun in 1937. Were it invented
today the "Wow" factor would be just as great.
TECHNICAL STATS
(top)
YEAR
|
SER
#
|
LENS
|
DIMENSIONS
|
WEIGHT
|
SHUTTER
|
1938-1943
|
1000-
18,000
|
Minostigmat
3 element
3 group
15mm/3.5
|
80 x 27
x 16 mm
3-1/8
x 1-1/8 x 5/8"
|
130g
4.6 oz
|
1/1000
- 1/2 B,T
|
KNOWN VARIATIONS
(top)
Below are some of the notable
variations from the reference model used in this study that might be seen.
MARKINGS |
- Decorative Engraving
- Lens Markings on Diagonal
or Parallell With Body
- Made in USSR (with
"RIGA" obliterated)
- Nazi Military Markings
- Pat. App. vs. Patented
|
TAKE-UP SPOOL |
|
CASES |
- Snap case (similar
to old coin purses)
- Zipper case, often
with logo
|
SCREWS ON
INTERIOR END |
- 2 screws (versus 1
on the reference camera)
|
ATTACHMENTS |
- Loop welded to body
for strap
|
THE
"RUSSIAN STASH" |
- Partially assembled
models
- Sometimes with serial
number matched production box
- Usually in un-issued
condition
|
SOURCES AND SITES WITH
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (top)
Minox-Marvel in Miniature,
Young, D. Scott, ISBN:
1587210681
Minox-Variations in 8x11, Heckman, Hubert E., ISBN:
3889841538
http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/8595/minox.html
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=002dPt
http://inventions.lza.lv/eng/izgudrojumi/minox.asp
http://www.minoxography.org/specs.html
If you find any inaccuracies,
questionable items, or omissions, please contact the webmaster.
|