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Zenit-S is a 35mm film SLR camera made by KMZ and produced between 1955-61 with quantity 232.949 units. Zenit (Cyrillic italics Зенит-C = Зенит-C), means Zenith, a point in the sky that appears directly above the observer. The Zenit S is a further developement of the original Zenit camera, having a sync contact added for flash. The C stands for S which is Synchronized for flash. It belongs to the long lasting Zenit series.

This model has 6 types and 3 sub-types. [1]

Zenit-C type 1a (1955) 02

image by Alexander Komarov

Some features[]

  • Embossing on the front of prism: KMZ logo
  • Lens: Industar-22 (ИНДУСТАР) 50mm f/3.5
  • Mount:KMZ's ZM39 screw mount.[2]
  • Lens release: simply screw counter clocwise
    • Aperture: f/3.5-f/16; setting: ring and scale on the lens
    • Focus range: 1-20m +inf
  • Focusing: ground-glass screen, ring and scale w/DOF scale on the lens
  • Shutter: rubberized silk double cloth curtain, horizontal focal plane
    • Speeds:
    • Before 1959: 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500 +B
    • Since 1959: 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 +B
  • Shutter release: on the top-plate
  • Cocking knob: also winds the film, on the right of the tıop plate
  • Frame counter: manual setting, on the cocking knob
  • Viewfinder: SLR pentaprism
  • Mirror: not instant return
  • Film Loading: bottom loading, removable special take up spool
  • Bottom plate opens by a folding lever on it
  • Engravings around the opening ring: ЗAКР - ОTKP (Zakr- Otkr = Close - Open). ОTKP is an abbreviation for ОТКРЫТЫЙ

Notes and references[]

  1. Typing and info are as to Alexander Komarov
  2. Looks like M39 Leica mount but due to the mirror space, the rangefinder M39 mount lenses do not work properly on this camera. You can use them only the close-up focus range.

Links[]

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