Broken Film

This is what my film from my first round of Chaika shots looked like. Actually, it was much worse as Marc wasn't paying attention as he wound the film. I dropped it off and when I went back to pick up the photos, I was told that they could not be developed. That's fine because when I looked at the half-eaten strip, only about 10 pictures came out. So, now I'm onto roll #2 and will need to snap 72 more shots of randomness to see if "The Russian" (as my friends have labeled it) really works. At least, now I know, it half-works. = )

Half-frame anyone?

Someone else in the world has to be an owner of one of these Chaika III half-frame cameras. I got mine in the mail yesterday after waiting patiently for 3 weeks. Shipped straight from Ukraine, I immediately ripped the package open only to find nothing but the packing slip and the camera itself. I should've confirmed with the seller as to whether or not a manual would come with it. So I sent him a message and was told that the manual only comes in Russian and so he thought it wouldn't be any help to me. Well, he's right. After hours of scouring the Internet and YouTube for any tutorial/instruction I could find, I decided to just play around with it. I stuck a roll of expired film and I've been clicking away since last night. The film is winding as I see the counter change from time-to-time. However, what are all the other buttons used for?! Am I using it correctly?

I'm hoping someone out there reads this post and helps a camera-obsessed girl in figuring out how to work the latest addition to her collection.