Gomz Sport “Спорт”

The Sport (Cyrillic: “Спорт”) stands as one of the earliest pioneers in the world of SLR (Single Lens Reflex) cameras, utilizing the innovative 35mm film format. Manufactured by the Soviet camera producer Gomz in 1937, this breakthrough marked a significant leap in camera technology. The production of the Sport was strategically timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the 1917 Russian Revolution, with its official launch scheduled for November 7th, 1937. Notably, this release followed closely after the Kine Exakta, the first officially recognized SLR, which was introduced in 1936.

Distinguished by its entirely novel and distinct design, the Sport introduced a vertically operating metal guillotine shutter mechanism, cleverly housed within the sizable superstructure. This unique construction formed the shutter’s closing blade, ingeniously crafted to withstand freezing temperatures.

Approximately 20,000 units of the Sport were meticulously crafted between the years 1937 and 1941, representing a remarkable chapter in the evolution of photography technology.