Chaika (camera)

Chaika (Russian: Чайка) was a series of Soviet 35mm half-frame cameras produced by BELOMO from 1965 to 1974.

The name came from call sign of the first woman in space - Valentina Tereshkova.

All models of the Chaika cameras have metal cases.

Chaika cameras share the following basic specifications: Flange focal distance for the lens was shorter than the standard M39 mount used by early Leica and compatible cameras - 27.5mm compared to 28.8mm for Leica - and the lens will not focus to infinity on such bodies.

The intention was to use the lens to enlarge the negatives, not interchangeability with other cameras or lenses.