The Smena 8M is a Soviet-era 35mm film camera that was first produced in the early 1970s by LOMO, a camera manufacturer based in St. Petersburg, Russia. Despite its relatively simple design and budget price, the Smena 8M has become a popular choice among film photographers for its compact size, ease of use, and versatility.

Smena 8M

Smena 8M

One of the standout features of the Smena 8M is its size and weight. At just 120 grams, it is one of the lightest film cameras on the market, making it an ideal choice for photographers who want a compact and portable option. Despite its small size, the Smena 8M is still built with a robust metal body, providing a durable and reliable option for photographers.

Step 1: Load the film To load film into the Smena 8M, first, make sure that the camera’s back is open. Then, insert the film into the film chamber, making sure that the sprockets on the film line up with the teeth on the take-up spool. Wind the film advance lever several times to make sure that the film is properly tensioned, then close the back of the camera.

Step 2: Set the ISO The Smena 8M does not have a built-in light meter, so you will need to determine the ISO for your film. You can usually find this information on the film box or on the film’s packaging. Once you have the ISO, set the ISO dial on the top of the camera to the correct setting.

Step 3: Focus The Smena 8M has a fixed-focus lens, so you do not need to adjust the focus. The lens is set to focus at a distance of around 3 meters, so it is best suited for portraits and landscapes.

Step 4: Adjust the aperture The Smena 8M has a simple aperture control system, with two settings - f/8 and f/11. To adjust the aperture, simply rotate the aperture control ring until the desired setting is lined up with the white dot on the lens.

Smena 8M

Step 5: Take the photo Once you have set the ISO, focused, and adjusted the aperture, you are ready to take a photo. Make sure that the camera is steady, and press the shutter button to take the photo. Wind the film advance lever to the next frame, and you are ready to take another photo.

Step 6: Rewind the film When you have used up the entire roll of film, rewind the film by turning the rewind knob on the bottom of the camera. This will rewind the film back into its canister, and you can remove it from the camera.