Zorki, vintage Soviet rangefinder camera
35 mm, M39 (LTM) mount, #194856
Krasnogorsky Mechanical Plant (KMZ), Krasnogorsk, USSR

Very good condition.Everything works properly. Curtain has a bend, but without light leakage. Body has small signs of age and use. Lens is not included, body only. Take-up spool is included.

History of the camera

This is the first rangefinder produced at KMZ since 1948 till 1956. Total 835 502 pieces were made.

In 1934 "FED" plant (Kharkiv, USSR) started to produce copy of German "Leica II" giving a name "FED". After the Second World war documentation was given to KMZ.

In 1948 KMZ started to produce "Zorki" which is the full copy of first "FED" which is in its turn full copy of "Leica II". Word "Zorki" can be translated as "observant", "vigilant".

In 1948-49 cameras were marked as "FED" with KMZ emblem (prism), in 1949 - "FED 1948 Zorki", since 1950 - "Zorki".

The camera offered was produced in 1956: till 1954 cameras had continious numbering, since 1954 - first 2 numerals meant year of production. So, it's a late type.

Camera has aluminium stamped (cast since 1952) body with removable bottom cover. Camera can use standard film cassetes and dual cylinder cassettes from Leica.

Shutter is with horizontal moving cloth door.

Shutter speeds were since 1948 till 1955: 1/20, 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500 and Z (the same as B). Several cameras in 1948 had also 1/1000. Since 1955 shutter speeds were 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500 and B. Some cameras had shutter speed longer than 1/20.

In contrast to pre-war "FED" flange focal distance was fixed (28,8+/-0,03 mm) thus making adjustment of every lens non-necessary.

Default lens is collapsible "Industar-22", 3.5/50 or "Industar-50", 3.5/50. Some early cameras had ZK-2/50 (Sonnar from Krasnogorsk, future "Jupiter-8") or ZK-1.5/50 (future "Jupiter-3"). Of course, all lenses with M39 (LTM) mount fit this lens.

Viewfinder and rangefinder are not united. Rangefinder base - 38mm, viewfinder magnification - 0.44x, rangefinder magnification - 1x.

Camera had neither flash synchrocontact nor self-timer. Synchrocontacts can be mounted in camera repair shops or hand-craft. External self-timers were produced.

This camera is so similar to original "Leica" (and "FED" too), that often it is a base for falsification "Leica" (which is much more expensive).

Camera had later modifications: "Zorki-2", "Zorki-C", "Zorki-2C". On its base SLR "Zenit", "Zenit-3", rangefinder "Zorki-5" were designed.

Characteristics:
S/number - 194856
Frame size - 24x36.
Shutter speeds - 1-1/500, B.
Type of thread - M39x1/28.8
Body - aluminium.
Dimensions (mm): 135*70*50
Mass - 411 g