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V.E.F. RIGA (1937-1944)

John Watson

THE RIGA EXPERIENCE - TECHNICAL STATS -
KNOWN VARIATIONS - SOURCES AND SITES WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Top of Riga

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.

VEF MINOX RIGAWhen 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.

Made in LatviaOn 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.

F=15 Minostigmat 1:3.5One 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.

The porthole viewfinder***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 open.

Filter in place
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.

Reverse of the RigaTurning 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.

Interior of the Riga

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
  • 12 teeth
  • 6 teeth
  • 3 teeth
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

 

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Last updated March 20, 2003. minox club society organization historical history museum group company association