- Produced Sverdlovsk (?)
- Meter type reflective + incident
- Readout LED
- Cell type CdS photocell
- GOST range 6-3200 (DIN 9-36)
- f-stop range f1-32
- Shutter speed range 30s – 1/2000
- Weight 3.8oz without batteries
- Battery 3.5-4.0v (originally 3.7v)
- +1 to -1 adjustment
- flip-out incident attachment
- cine reading
- battery check light
- Close Cousins: Sverdlovsk, 2, 3, 5, 6
Overview
The unassuming Sverdlovsk-4 is a versatile little meter. Easy to read dials, easy to use, with built-in flip-out incident receptor. You hold the meter viewfinder up to your eye to frame and meter the scene. The upshot of this is that it’s essentially a poor man’s spot meter. Rather than taking in a wide swath of land and sky it meters only what you frame in the finder.
Usage
Set the film speed with the inner wheel, frame your scene in the viewfinder, then press the side button and turn the thumbwheel till the LED lights up or turns off. The incident attachment swivels and flips down to the back of the meter. Instructions (in Russian) are printed on the back as well.
Tips & Tricks
Originally took a now-obsolete 3.7v russian battery, now your best option is to tape a little stack of 1.5v SR44 silver cells together, then put a little spacer in there like a washer or something. To replace the battery unscrew the bottom thumbscrew where the strap ring is, and remove the metal plate.
Related Links
- Ah, Alfred’s Camera Page has more info than you may want to know about the Sverdlovsk-4
- commiecameras.com has some info on these and other soviet meters
