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478Kiev Arsenal SKD Space CameraKiev Arsenal SKD Space Camera, No. 6900008, developed by Arsenal, Kiev, for the Soviet lunar space programme, circa 1968%u201369, with two detachable 70 mm film magazines, Nos. 6900008A and 6900008B, bothmatching the camera serial number. The SKD is a highly specialised single-lens reflex camera designed forperforated 70%u2009mm film, producing 50%u2009%u00d7%u200950%u2009mm negatives. Each magazine accommodates approximately 100 exposures, or up to 180 when loaded with special thin-base film. A polished glass pressure plate ensuresprecise film flatness.The offered set includes three interchangeable Arsenallenses in the special breech-lock bayonet: Vega-12S 4/90 mm, No. 69010 Mir-3S 3.5/65 mm, No. 69012 Tair-33 5.6/300 mm, No. 68003 Also included are the original cable shutter release and the original rubberprotective rings for the lenses. These rings allowed the front of the lens to be placed directly against the spacecraft window, protecting both the optics and the window while helping to stabilise the camera and reduce unwanted reflections during photography. A foldablepointing sight is mounted above the reflex finder.The focal-plane shutter provides speeds from 1/2 to1/1000 second, plus B. The offered camera remains fullyoperational in manual mode, with all shutter speedsrunning accurately and consistently. One of the SKD%u2019s most remarkable features is its integrated data-recording system. Four small optical windows around the image frame imprint technical information directly onto the film, including the exact time of exposure from aminiature battery-powered analogue clock, the selectedcolour filter, aperture and shutter speed.The offered camera still retains its original miniatureanalogue clock, housed in an apparently solid-gold case, a delicate component often missing from surviving examples. The SKD type is closely associated with the Soviet Zond 7 circumlunar mission of August 1969. An SKD camera aboard the spacecraft was used to photograph both the Earth and the Moon during the historic flight around the Moon, with Zond 7 returningsafely to Earth on 14 August 1969. An exceptionally rare and unusually complete example of one of the most important specialised cameras developed for the Soviet lunar programme.Starting price: %u20ac 50.000*Estimate: %u20ac 90.000%u2013 100.000Serial no.: 6900008Year of production: 1969Condition: A/B