Zenit E, with 58mm f2 Helios lens |
Zenit-E is a 35mm film SLR made by KMZ and produced between 1965-86 with quantity of 3.334.540 units. Зенит = Zenit means Zenith, a point in the sky that appears directly above the observer.
The main differences from Zenit 3M is added light meter, mechanism of mirror and cocking lever were changed. The Zenit E does not have aperture automation, and therefore must be used with manual diaphragm/preset lenses or auto diaphragm lenses with an auto/manual switch.
There are many types during its production period. [1]
The Zenit range was quite popular since it was priced moderately and it was offered under several other trademarks or brands as Kalimar, Revueflex, Prinzflex, Photokina, Spiraflex, Cosmorex.
Specifications
- Lens: Helios-44-2 58mm f/2, M42 screw mount, filter thread: 41mm
- This is the standard lens, the other standard lens was Industar-50-2 3.5/50
- The lens mount was KMZ M39 screw type before 1967 (although it is possible to find M39 within the 1968 models).
- Lens release: simply turn to anti-clockwise
- Aperture: up to f/16
- Focus range: 0.5-20m +inf
- Focusing: Fresnel matte glass screen; ring, distance scale and DOF scale on the lens
- Shutter: Horizontally traveling, cloth focal-plane shutter, speeds 1/30 - 1/500 +B,
- Shutter release: on the winding knob, w/cable release socket. For long exposure in B mode, the shutter release will lock down when pressed and turned ccw.
- Cocking lever: also winds the film, long stroke, on the right of the top plate
- Frame counter: on the winding knob, additive type, manual reset
- Viewfinder: SLR pentaprism
- Exposure meter: Selenium cell meter
- Film speed range: ASA 16-500 setting: dial on the exposure setting ring, left of the top plate
- Exposure setting: Match the needles in the window by turning the setting ring, then read out the speed and aperture
- Re-wind knob: on the center of the exposure setting dial, press and turn, it will pop-up
- Re-wind release: a small knob beside the cocking lever
- Flash PC socket: on front of the top-plate, X sync 1/30
- Cold-shoe
- Self-timer: activates by pressing the small button above the lever
- Back cover: hinged, opens by a latch on the left side of the camera
- Engraving on the bottom plate: Made in USSR and KMZ logo
- Tripod socket: ¼"
- Strap lugs: none
- Body: metal; Weight: 916g
- Serial no. first two digits show the production year, on the back of the top plate
Some features of Prinzflex 500E
as Prinzflex 500E |
- Type: SLR body
- Manufacturer: KMZ
- Film: 35mm, with speeds 16 to 500 ASA
- Lens mount: M42 screw mount without aperture release shifter
- Shutter: focal plane textile shutter, speeds 1/30 up to 1/500 sec. + B, switchable to flash synchro-mode (1/30s)
- Viewfinder: pentaprism finder, little round diopter correction lens mountable
- film advance: film advance lever, hidden rewind knob extends out from meter control
- Dimensions:137×92×53 mm
- Self-timer: with own release button and 15 sec. delay-time
as Revueflex E |
Notes and references
- ↑ Typing is as to Alexander Komarov
Links
- Zenit E review by Zorki Photo
- Zenit-E Review by BKSPicture
- in Sovietcams by Aidas Pikiotas
- in Cameras by Alfred Klomp
- in Wikipedia
- on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- User manuals for Zenit E at Michael Butkus Jr.'s
- Revueflex E (Olympic Games 1980) at Kurt Tauber's
- French user manual at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr
- Zenit E on rus-camera.com
- JM Burtscher sovietcamera website : Sovietcamera french website
- Zenit Collector by Luciano Belviso