Improved Soviet spy camera designed to shoot through walls goes up for auction: Digital photography review

We’ve seen the majority of weird and impressive cameras put up for auction over the years, but this latest one might just be one of the most interesting cameras we’ve come across. On Catawiki, an online auction market, there is a Auction List for the KMZ Krasnogorsk Zorki 4 ‘reflex’ camera C166 (NIMFA-3), a Soviet spy camera designed to take pictures through tiny holes drilled in the wall to capture incredible images.

As Discovered Kosmo Photo, a modified 35mm rangefinder camera with a special lens assembly, decorated with hidden black, that adds a reflector-type prism to the rangefinder camera. The kit for sale also includes various extensions to change the length of the lens. The spy camera is listed as in ‘good’ condition.

Image credit: Catawiki

So far, no bids have been placed on the camera. Prices start at €2,400 ($2,710 USD), excluding shipping and auction fees. Catawiki’s ‘expert estimate’, as determined by Frederic Loquin, states that the camera kit is worth between €5,000-7,000 ($5,647-7,906).

Image credit: Catawiki

The Nimfa-3 spy camera isn’t the only dedicated rangefinder camera designed for spycraft. Many Soviet and Soviet spy and security agencies used various specialized cameras for their work. Guardians Written About many Cold War-era spy cameras were auctioned off in 2018. Cameras include some hidden in pockets, umbrellas, cigarette cases and more. Clandestine’s activism has spawned some truly wild cameras.

Image credit: Catawiki

It’s hard to tell how rare the modified Zorki-4 rangefinder is. The core, however, is the rangefinder camera mass-produced by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod near Moscow in the former Soviet Union from 1956-73. Each Camerapedia, the Zorki-4 was the first Zorki camera to be exported in large quantities to Western countries. The Zorki-4 is sold with the Jupiter-8’s 50mm F2 prime or the Industar 50mm F3.5 lens. The camera has an M39 screw mount.