Zorki 5 body USSR rangefinder 35mm film camera KMZ M39 LTM mount late type
Quantity
Zorki-5, vintage rangefinder film camera
35 mm, M39 (LTM) mount, s/n 58932498
Krasnogorsky Mechanical Plant (KMZ), Krasnogorsk, USSR, 1958
For parts (sold as not working). Shutter can be cocked, but when pushing the release button the curtains move very lazy and can get stuck. Rangefinder and dioptric adjustment work properly. Body has signs of age and use. Bottom cover does not have a lock, so bottom cover is not fixed at the body. Lens and take-up spool are not included, body only.
History of the camera
Since 1956 KMZ produced a very successful rangefinder camera "Zorki-4". Being the best KMZ rangefinder and of high demand it was a deficit camera. So KMZ decided to start a line of simple rangefinders to satisfy the amateur photographers to replace "Zorki", "Zorki-C", "Zorki-2", "Zorki-2C".
KMZ was producing SLR cameras, so it was decided to unify both SLR and rangefinder in maximum way to decrease the price.
In that time a new SLR "Zenit-3" was under design, so "Zorki-5" was created on the base on SLR.
It was easier to make a simple rangefinder than compicated SLR, so "Zorki-5" was produced in 1958 and 1959, and its base "Zenit-3" - since 1960 till 1962.
Totally 236 502 pieces of "Zorki-5" were made.
"Zenit-3" had some drawbacks and was stopped in production, so "Zorki-5" was cancelled too. New camera "Zenit-3m" became a base for next rangefinder "Zorki-6".
Although "Zorki-5" and "Zorki-6" are very similar, technologically they are completely different.
"Zorki-5" inherited many parts from first "Zorki" - for example, the lower part of the body, bottom covers are interchangeable.
Two types of "Zorki-5" are known: early (with square left window of a rangefinder and painted name) and late (with round left window of a rangefinder and name on the mounted plate). Here I offer late variant, which is considered to be more reliable.
Default lenses are "Industar-50" (3.5/50) and "Jupiter-8" (2/50). Of course, all lenses with M39 (LTM) mount fit that camera.
Shutter is cloth, curtains move horizontally. Shutter speeds available: 1/25 (or 1/30 at late type), 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 and B.
Shutter is cocked with lever.
Camera has synchrocontact "X" for electronic flashes and "M" for disposable flashes. Camera has a cold shoe.
Rangefinder base is 65 mm.
Bottom cover is removable with one lock. There is a tripod socket with 3/8".
Characteristics:
S/number - 58932498
Frame size - 24x36.
Shutter speeds - 1-1/500, B.
Type of thread - M39x1/28.8
Body - aluminium.
Dimensions (mm): 145*81*34
Mass - 491 g