MFK spy camera (Lot) *

unique sophisticated Russian clandestine camera “MFK” in three stages of development: 1. dummy, no serial number or engraving, no lens or shutter, body milled from solid steel, simple finder, weight 300grs., made probably for training purposes. 2. “No. 1981”, same shape and dimensions as the dummy, but once probably at least partially functional, lamellary shutter ( B and 1/2 to 1/250, blocked), coated lens f/2,5 f=15mm (?), clockwork motor, simple finder, weight 250 grs. 3. “No. 1982”, a further step in design and now a working example with build-in clockwork for automatic film transport, body and lens unchanged, the viewfinder is now a parallax-corrected true-projected bright lines finder, negative format probably 10x10mm, with a 11mm-screw-in yellow filter and a dedicated sturdy cable release/tripod adapter all in all these three impressively well made prototypes illustrate how a highly sophisticated clandestine camera can be made from scratch (the design is unique to this camera) by a highly specialized workshop (probably at KMZ of Krasnogorsk near Moscow). Although the shape and size (not the weight!) of the prototypes are somewhat reminiscent of a Minox, the whole mechanism is entirely different and much more complicated. There are no records of the MFK-camera among collectors and the camera was completely unknown to us up to now.