Kinor 35H 35mm Motion Picture Camera
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- Created on Monday, 02 June 2008 21:00
- Last Updated on Friday, 14 December 2012 20:15
- Written by Patrick Steele
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(and Kinor 35H MKA 35mm Motion Picture Camera)

Photo by Steve Morton
Russia's modern sync camera--design obviously inspired by the Moviecam/SuperAmerica (or was it the other way around? Hmmmmmm......) Designed to be a quiet, versatile package that could meet the demands of filmmaking in the 1980's. Some of the earlier models were plauged with bad electronics, making them somewhat unreliable at times.
They are relatively rare in eastern Europe these days, but packages can still be found for sale, ranging from $4000 to $15,000 USD depending on the condition and completeness of the packages.
The lenses available for the the Kinor 35H 35mm Motion Picture Camera were impressive: you can still find Russian lenses that have speeds of F/1.2 and full sets of anamorphics...inexpensively.
I have heard that with a modification to keep the weight down, these cameras are GREAT for Steadicam work.
If you find yourself lucky enough to find and buy a Kinor 35H 35mm Motion Picture Camera, keep these two helpful items from Anders Banke in mind:
"All Kinor 35 lenses fit the 2M, but not all 2M lenses fit the Kinor. The flange focal distance is exactly the same. However, on the Kinor 35 the angle between the mirror and the mount isn't 45 degrees as is the standard in most cameras (including the 2M), but less than that, some 2M lens backs will make unwanted contact with the mirror. To avoid this, the Kinor 35 mount is designed not to accept these lenses. Most 2M lenses between 22mm and 75mm will fit a Kinor, whereas a 150mm lens will not. The newer the lens, the more likely it is to fit both cameras."> Also, does the Kinor 35 require any mod to shoot Kodak film?
"Yes, it needs to be modified for Kodak neg perfs."
SPECIFICATIONS
LENS MOUNT: |
OCT-19 (can be modified to BNC) |
SHUTTER: |
Rotating Mirror--180 degress |
FRAME RATES: |
8-32 fps in .1 fps increments w/speed control; crystal 24fps |
MOVEMENT: |
Single pulldown claw and single registration pin |
FORMAT: |
35mm; 1.66, 1.33 ground glasses; modified 1.85 |
SOUND LEVEL: |
24-32db depending on version/age |
WEIGHT: |
Hand-held: 28lbs w/500ft. magazine and prime lens |
MAGAZINES: |
500' (150m) and 1000' (300m) w/built-in torque takeup motor system |
MAGAZINE MOUNTING: |
Rear of camera; lowered/raised positions, depending on mode |
MAG DRIVE: |
All electronic via multipin interface |
FINDER: |
Fully orientable; projection from camera side is adjustable |
FOLLOW FOCUS: |
Single knob on camera and double knob on base plate rods |
BASE PLATE + RODS: |
Fully sliding dovetail; quick release |
SIDE RODS: |
On camera mounting; swing away |
POWER: |
14-21 volts dc; 16 optimal |


Photo by Viktor Nikityuk
Four Photos representing the profile of the Kinor 35H 35mm Motion Picture Camera

Photos provided by Olexandr Kalynychenko
Shot with motor housing removed. Blade of mirror shutter seen to right; the belt drive on the rear of the motor takes many crazy dog-leg turns behind the motor! I'll post a diagram soon.

A bad scan from a Kinor 35H MKA brochure featuring a representation of a full Kinor 35H 35mm Motion Picture Camera kit.