Its name means "falcon" in Russian. The Sokol is a program-controlled 35 mm automatic camera using standard magazines. A first version (1966) has six CdS cells, and newer version (1969) only 3 cells. The metering system requires a PX625 (or equivalent) battery. The first Sokol has quite some functions up its sleeve. For starters, it had an automatic exposure mode that made things dramatically simpler for the amateur photographer - you push the button, the Sokol does the rest. Manual control was, of course, still an option. The Sokol also had parallax correction and a quite nice one at that: as you focus closer, the framelines shift to the lower right corner. Much better than the usual set of framelines for infinity and close-up. Other features include a large rangefinder base (72mm), a good lens, a Copal-licensed shutter and flash sync at all speeds.   Also, the Sokol can be used as a point-and-shoot automatic camera, when set to the 'A' position. A system of luminescent arrows in the viewfinder indicate when the light conditions are suitable to take a picture. The Sokol-2 has a precise rangefinder with a very large base (72mm) and a teintless viewfinder.   This camera is a modern one on many respects, and the designers had certainly taken a look at modern Japanese cameras. For example, placing a film is very standard: just drop the cassette in on the left, pull the film lip out, feed it over the sprocket and into the take-up spool, wind on the film a bit, close the back, take three false exposures with the back shut, and the camera's ready for operation. Similarly standard is rewinding a film: when the film is fully exposed, press the sprocket release button underneath the camera, and rewind the film with the rewind crank. The crank is on the left hand side of the body, and is placed under a 90 degree angle.   The standard features include a 2.8/50mm "Industar-70" lens, a front compensator for focusing by the rangefinder built integrally with the finder, a five-speed petal-type between-the-lens shutter with a speed range of 1/30 to 1/500 sec and infinite exposure setting, an iris diaphragm with range of from 1:2,8 to 1:16, and electronic and conventional flash synchronizing contacts.   The rangefinder shows a luminous frame which moves automatically to correct the parallax by focusing. The exposure time and diaphragm setting will be obtained under the given lightning conditions are revealed by partly depressing the release knob. The exposure meter uses a cadmium-sulphide photographic resistor. Provision is made for non-automatic exposure and diaphragm setting. The wind lever takes care of film movement, shutter setting, and picture counting.   The electronics are simple, battery feeds the cells, those are the 3 little holes on front of the lens. Cells turn the metercoil inside, metercoil works the mechanics for the shutter aperture and viewfinder. If there is not enough light a red block will appear in the viewfinder and the shutter is blocked. You can set the maximum speed yourself in automode. So it has a speed priority mode. When there isn't enough light it will adjust the speed itself independent from the controls on the lens.   On right side of the top deck is what appears to be a film reminder dial. It is actually the battery compartment cover. Next to it is a socket for cable release and directly behind it on the back of the camera is a button for battery check. Although large and heavy by modern standards, Sokol-Automat camera is very capable. For its class, it's a very heavy camera. To blame are the materials of which it's made: pressed aluminium plate for the top, and cast iron for the carcass. All this metal gives the camera a reassuring solidity, but also contributes to its plumpness.   On the right side of the lens is a small chromed lever for changing apertures and setting automatic function. It only functions when the camera is wound.   A sinking rewinding knob is standard. The Sokol camera incorporates a number of novel technical and structural features, has an elegant appearance and an efficient arrangement of parts.                       This last picture is taken from the LOMOgraphy Society's website. It shows a LOMO employee calibrating a Sokol's rangefinder. He's focusing on a test card through a set of lenses of different magnitude. The Sokol is held firmly in place by a heavy base.   Sokol 2 Owner's Manual (russian) Sokol 2 Owner's Manual (english, automatic translation)