GOMZ Malyutka Camera

My GOMZ Malyutka camera

It wasn't until later in my camera-collecting career that I developed an interest in miniature and subminiature cameras. It was the more unusual or the odder looking camera items like the pen-shaped Stylophot,  or the round Petal camera, the Twin Lens style miniature cameras like the Gemflex camera, or the miniature cameras which resemble small rangefinder or SLR cameras like the Golden Ricoh 16, where I really enjoyed having them in my collection. They are very unique cameras and items that stand out because they are so different from the larger box, folding, or view cameras. A real advantage of having miniature and subminiature cameras in your collection is the amount of display space they save. You can display many more items and accessories in a much smaller area.

 The GOMZ Malyutka is a camera I purchased around 10 years ago, and I didn't start researching it until about a year ago, when I found out it was pretty rare. I didn't even have it in my display of miniature or subminiature cameras until that time.

 This is another camera I purchase in a group or "lot" of camera in a fairly unknown auction of camera. My real prize and the main item I was bidding on was an early Nikon F body, and tucked in the background was an early Nikon 5cm f2 tick mark lens, which, due to the angle of the lens and the low visibility of people looking, not many people bid on the "Lot", so luckily it was one that I won. There were also other items within the "lot" that I had minimal interest in, but the Tick Mark lens and early Nikon F body were the prize.

Back side of GOMZ Malyutka camera

 Once I received the items from the auction, I noticed this really nice brown bakelite camera with Russian Cyrillic writing on the back. As I've mentioned before, I have a love for colored cameras, so when I saw this Gomz Malutka, I thought it was a nice little camera. I put it away, not really giving the camera much thought until about a year ago when I was going through a box of photo items for a local camera show that was selling at. I pulled the Gomz Malutka from the box, and was ready to add it to the items for the sale. Then, as I was inspecting the camera again, I thought it might be a fun camera to write about sometime in the future. I set the camera aside.

 After the camera show, as I returned to my office, I noticed the Gomz Malutka on my desk and started making some basic inquiries about the camera. At this point, I began to see that the camera is indeed somewhat rare, so let's write about it for my blog.

History:

 The history of GOMZ (Gosudarstvennyi Optiko-Mekhanicheskii Zavod), the State Optical-Mechanical Plant, reflects Russia's tumultuous and innovative 20th-century history. Located in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), the factory was the cradle of the Soviet optical industry, responsible for producing the nation's first mass-market cameras and pioneering designs that predated Western equivalents.

Cover of Sovetskoe Foto (Soviet Photo) Magazine

 The facility began life in 1914 as a French-Russian joint venture to produce optical sights for the military during World War I. Following the 1917 Revolution, the factory was nationalized and underwent several reorganizations before officially adopting the GOMZ acronym in 1932. While it continued to produce military optics, the Soviet leadership demanded a domestic photographic industry to reduce reliance on German imports, pushing GOMZ toward consumer cameras.

 The 1930s marked GOMZ's golden era of innovation. Its first major success was the Fotokor-1 (1930–1941), a 9x12cm folding plate camera. Based on German designs, the Fotokor-1 became the first mass-produced Soviet camera, with over one million units manufactured. It effectively democratized photography in the USSR, serving as the primary tool for documenting the Soviet state's industrialization.

Even more technically significant was the Sport (1937), a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. Historians often debate whether the GOMZ Sport or the German Kine Exakta was the world's first proper 35mm SLR. Regardless of the title, the Sport was a marvel of engineering for its time, featuring a vertical metal shutter and a reflex viewfinder that allowed photographers to see exactly what the lens saw—a standard feature today, but revolutionary in the 1930s.

Logo of Gomz camera

 During World War II, the factory suffered heavily during the Siege of Leningrad. Production shifted entirely to military needs, such as sights for tanks and artillery. After the war, GOMZ pivoted back to consumer goods, focusing on affordable, simple cameras for the recovering population.

This post-war period gave rise to the legendary Lubitel series (starting in 1949). Based on the German Voigtländer Brilliant, the Lubitel was a twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera made of Bakelite and later plastic. It was cheap, durable, and capable of producing excellent medium-format images, introducing millions of amateurs to photography. Similarly, the Smena series provided a simple, viewfinder alternative that became a staple in Soviet households.

 In 1965, GOMZ underwent a final restructuring, becoming the Leningrad Optical-Mechanical Association (LOMO). Under this new name, the factory would later produce the LOMO LC-A, the camera that accidentally sparked the global "Lomography" art movement in the 1990s. However, the foundation of this success was laid during the GOMZ era, which transformed a military optics plant into a titan of Soviet creativity and engineering.

My Camera:

 My GOMZ Malyutka is small, measuring  2" wide, by 1.5" tall and 1.5" deep from the front of the lens to the rear of the camera, and it weighs only 2.3 ounces without film. The Gomz Malutka is based on the SIDA camera from Sida GmbH, Berlin, Germany, which was made in the mid-1930s and came in both metal and Bakelite. "Malyutka" (малютка) is a Russian word that means "baby," "little one," or "tiny thing". It is also very similar to a camera made by Gomz,  Liliput camera.

 The camera's controls are very straightforward. There is only the shutter release at the bottom of the camera, along with the shutter control on the right side next to the lens. The shutter control consists of two settings: "M" (moment) for normal shutter speed, generally around 1/50 sec, and "B" for time exposures. Sliding a bar out from the side of the camera makes these settings. Sliding the shutter release under the lens takes the photo. 

 To open the back of the camera to load film, there are clips on either side that you move to the down position to remove the back. The camera takes Boltax film, a special 35mm film that produces a 24 mm x 24 mm negative. You load the camera similarly to any roll film camera: put the empty spool on the take-up reel side and the fresh film on the opposite side. Bring the leader to the slot on the take-up spool and start winding. Put the back on the camera and slide up the clips to lock it in place. Wind the film and advance it to the first frame.

 There is a small viewfinder at the top of the camera to frame your photo, and a tripod socket at the bottom to steady the camera during long exposures. Also at the top is a small, round metal disk that rotates as the film moves within the camera. Since the camera doesn’t have a red window on the back of the film door, you need to watch the disk rotate a few times to make sure the film is moving inside the camera.

Results:

 Since I don't have any Boltax film, I wasn't able to take photos with the Malutka camera, but possibly in the future, I'll try and use some paper backing I have from a few rolls of 828 film and run some film through it using 35mm to see how the camera performs.

 

Conclusion:

 The Gomz Malyutka is an excellent small camera that I enjoy having in my collection. It's in fantastic condition and is another color camera that sits proudly amongst the other miniature and subminiature cameras on my shelf.

 Thank you for taking the time to learn about this small, odd Russian camera. 

 I'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with me if you have questions, concerns, or comments.

 Here's a link to my other Camera Reviews.

 Cuny's Camera and Photo has many cameras I've reviewed for sale, along with other camera and photo oddities. If interested in any items, email me, and I'll offer a nice discount as a friend of the family.

 Until next week, please be safe.

 

Photax 1 camera

My Photax camera

This summer, as my wife and I visited Barcelona on a day when my wife was working, I decided to go to the local flea market to look for photo items to add to my collection. Attending local flea markets is something I look forward to, especially when we visit new cities and countries. My main objective was to find a camera built in Spain, which I accomplished by purchasing the Captain camera, which I reviewed earlier this year.

 Strolling the stalls at the flea market, I came across a very large Bakelite camera, which intrigued me. It was a Photax 1 camera made by MIOM in France. What I liked about the camera was its large size, and that came with the original fitted case. As I pulled out the camera to examine it, I noticed a very familiar twist-out style lens, and the shutter was working, which gave me confidence in my purchase. Talking to the person at Stoll about pricing for the camera, I offered a reasonably low price, which they rejected. However, they came back with a counteroffer, which I needed to consider for a while.

 As I spent more time examining different stalls and cameras. Still, my mind kept returning to the Photax 1 camera, which is the large camera with the untwisting lens. Before I left the flea market, I went back to the stall and renegotiated the price with the camera owner, coming to an agreeable price and purchasing the camera.

 This camera was one that I wanted to write about. It's an unusual-shaped camera made of Bakelite and is quite large. When I opened the back of the camera, I noticed that it was a 6 x 9 cm format, which intrigued me. Many of the cameras made by 

MIOM we're a smaller format, generally 6 x 4.5 cm.

 Let me tell you a little bit about the company.

History:

 MIOM (Manufacture d'Instruments d'Optique et de Mécanique) was a French company known for producing optical and mechanical instruments in the mid-20th century, particularly cameras. The firm operated mainly from the post-World War II era into the 1960s, a time when France was striving to rebuild its industrial base and compete in the rapidly evolving consumer goods market.

French Photax ad

 MIOM's roots were in precision engineering, and the company initially focused on optical devices before expanding into the field of photographic equipment. Its location in France allowed it to tap into a tradition of fine optical craftsmanship, drawing on expertise that had developed in Paris and other industrial centers since the 19th century.

 In the camera field, MIOM was best known for manufacturing compact and affordable models aimed at the amateur photography market. Among their most recognizable products was the MIOM Photax series—a line of simple, durable cameras using roll film. The Photax models often featured Bakelite bodies, a lightweight and inexpensive molded plastic popular in mid-century camera production. These cameras were designed for ease of use, appealing to the growing middle class and to families seeking to document their lives without investing in complex photographic gear.

 The Photax range evolved over the years, with various iterations accommodating different film formats, primarily 6×9 cm images on 120 roll film, and later 4.5×6 cm formats. Some models incorporated basic focusing and exposure controls, while others remained strictly fixed-focus, point-and-shoot devices. Though not technically advanced compared to contemporary offerings from Germany or Japan, MIOM's cameras were reliable, affordable, and accessible, helping to democratize photography in France.

 MIOM also ventured into specialized cameras, including stereo models, reflecting the brief postwar enthusiasm for 3D photography. Their designs maintained the company's hallmark of straightforward construction and modest pricing.

By the late 1960s, increasing competition from Japanese manufacturers, whose products offered superior optics and more advanced features at competitive prices, had eroded MIOM's market position. The brand gradually faded, and production ceased as the company either closed or shifted away from photographic equipment.

 Today, MIOM's cameras—especially the early Bakelite Photax models—are collected for their retro aesthetic and as examples of France's postwar consumer design. While they may never have rivaled the technical prowess of major brands, MIOM's work remains an essential chapter in the history of accessible, everyday photography.

 Below is a timeline outlining the evolution of MIOM's Photax camera series.

 1937 – Photax I- MIOM launches its photographic division with several models, including the original Photax (also branded as Camera 77, Loisirs), all of which use 120 film for 6×9 cm images. The Photax I is recognizable by its centrally positioned shutter button and Guillotine shutter, which offers two speeds. 

1938 – Photax II (and Blindé variant)- Introduced in 1938, the Photax II adopts the Boyer Serie VIII meniscus lens and maintains the simple two-speed shutter design. A "blindé" version appears—with a protective Bakelite lens cover that also shields the shutter release. 

1947 – Photax III- Following World War II, MIOM debuts the Photax III, featuring a threaded shutter release and leveraging the same Boyer Serie VIII lens. It introduces additional shutter settings (1/25 sec, 1/100 sec, and T) and continues to use the 620 film format. 

1951 – Photax IV (and IV F)- The Photax IV arrives with a Boyer Rexar meniscus lens and identical shutter options as the III, with enhanced flash synchronization. The IV F variant includes flash sync capabilities via a RIM shutter. 

1955 – Photax V- A stylish redesign marks the launch of Photax V in 1955. It features a modernized Bakelite aesthetic, bi-format capability (6×9 and 6×6 cm), and upgrades to an Angénieux Heanar Type V lens with full flash sync via RIM shutter 

1960–1962 – Photax VI -The final model in the Photax lineage, produced between 1960 and 1962, transitions from Bakelite to molded plastic, featuring a sleek, streamlined design. It's a square-format 6×6 medium-format camera that utilizes an Angénieux Heanar Type VI lens and RIM shutter with flash synchronization.

 

My Camera:

 My camera is 6 1/2 inches wide by 4 1/2 inches tall by 4 inches deep when the lens is unscrewed. In its closed position, the lens is 3 1/4 inches long. Without the case, my camera weighs 1 pound, 2.7 ounces.  The lens on the camera is a Boyer, Series VII lens.

The Photax 1 was produced for approximately one to two years, from 1939 to 1940. The Photax 1 camera uses 120 film, a departure from MIOM's earlier cameras, which used 127 film. As I mentioned earlier, this is a 6 x 9 cm format camera. The Photax 1 was sold with a film mask that allowed the photographer to shoot in the 6 x 4.5 cm format. Unfortunately, when I purchased this camera, the mask was missing, so my camera is only compatible with the 6 x 9 format.

 To extend the lines, there is a chrome ring around the lens with a knob at its top. Twist the ring clockwise, and the lens, which is on a helical screw, unscrews and moves into the taking position. The camera's controls are fundamental. There are only two shutter settings. One is "INST", which is for normal snapshots, and "POSE", which is for time exposures. These are changed by a little switch between the two settings. To control the aperture. There is a similar switch beneath the lens. One setting is the larger aperture, which is number one, and the second setting is for a smaller aperture.

There is no lock on the back of the camera to secure the back to the front of the camera body. To open the camera, on the right side, is a little foam plate that you pull away from the camera body, and the back of the camera comes off. To load the camera, follow a process similar to loading a 120 format or 120 film-style camera. The first thing you would do is to take the take-up spool from the right side of the camera and place it on the left side, under the film, and under the film advance knob. Place a fresh roll of film on the right-hand side and bring the leader over the shutter area. Insert the leader into the slot of the take-up spool and begin winding, ensuring the film advances smoothly. You turn the advance knob until you see "start" on the film's paper backing. At this point, put the back on the camera by just pressing it onto the camera‘s body.

At this point, wind the film advance knob until you see the number 1 in the first window, which is designated for the 6x9cm format. For the 6 x 4.5 format, you would wind until you see the number one in the number one window. After you take the picture, wind until you see the number one in the number two window. You repeat the steps through number eight, which would be the end of the roll of film. For 6 x 9 cm format images, you get eight images per roll. For 6 x 4.5 cm format, you get 16 pictures per roll of film. 

Fitted case for Photax 1 camera. Note the large plastic front cover.

 IMPORTANT: Be sure to turn the chrome ring so that your lenses are in the taking position before you start taking photographs. Failure to do this will result in your pictures being incredibly out of focus. On other MIOM cameras, if the lens is in the transport position, the shutter will not work. Unfortunately, with this camera, the shutter works when the lens is in the retracted or transporting position.

 The viewfinder on top of the camera is tiny, making it difficult to view your subject when framing your photograph. To take your photograph, the shutter release is located in the upper right-hand corner of the lens. Press the shutter button to take your picture. My camera has a cable release socket, and on the bottom of the camera, there is a tripod socket as well.

My Results:

 I cleaned the lens on the camera, loaded a fresh roll of 120 film, and took a walk around the neighborhood to see how this camera would perform.

 For 100% transparency. I broke my arm two days before I took these photographs. It was challenging to hold the camera while taking the photos, so some of the blur or out-of-focus images may have been caused by camera movement.

 Here are the results.

Conclusion:

 The images produced by the camera were disappointing. I'm not sure if the blur in the

photo was caused by my lack of holding the camera still. According to the information on the back of the camera, the minimum focus distance is approximately 1 m. Many of the photographs I took, I tried to be more than 1 m away from the subject.

 Due to the sunny situation, having only one shutter speed to work with, and using the smallest aperture, the photographs are unimpressive. At this point, I'm not sure I'll use this camera again due to the quality of the images, which I found disappointing, especially considering it's a 6x9 format camera.

 Thank you for taking the time to read about this interesting Camera from France, built in the late 1930s. 

 If you're interested in seeing other camera reviews, click the link.

 I also have a store on eBay where I sell some of the cameras reviewed, along with a host of other photo items, Cuny's Camera & Photo.

 Until next time, please be safe.