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Zenit-S, the missing link between rangefinders and SLRs
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:35 pm    Post subject: Zenit-S, the missing link between rangefinders and SLRs Reply with quote

The Zenit-S was an evolution of the Zorki rangefinders, that were modified to receive a prism and a mirror.
To make room enough to hold the optical system, the Zorki body was modified to move the mount forward.

Some 250,000 were made. It was a very popular model.
Later on, the M39 mount was replaced by a M42 one, to avoid confusion with the lenses.

The one I keep now is working perfectly besides of it's age. It sports an Industar-50 M39 lens.









Saludos.
Jes.


Last edited by Jesito on Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:37 pm; edited 1 time in total


PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's a nice little camera, very stylish. Cool


PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lloydy wrote:
That's a nice little camera, very stylish. Cool


I like it a lot Wink

Thanks for commenting!

Jes.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quite rare here, even if we were part of 'red empire'. Congrats!


PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Attila wrote:
Quite rare here, even if we were part of 'red empire'. Congrats!


Thanks, Attila. It looks really pretty.

Jes.


PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting this Jes. I knew about the camera but I've never seen one before. It's the forerunner of my first ever SLR, the Zenit 3M. I remember the days (1950s) when early SLRs like this were winning over RF users - the thought of actually viewing what the lens is "seeing", rather than relying on the rangefinder for focussing and reading the DOF on the lens scale, was a huge innovation, for me anyway. Smile


PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I always wanted one !

Is the flash connector original, or was it added later ? I understand that a lot of these were modified after manufacture.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It looks beautiful...nice and solid, and I like how the lens symbol matches the symbol on the prism.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have one too:


The PC socket I thought was standard. I've not heard otherwise.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

peterqd wrote:
Thanks for posting this Jes. I knew about the camera but I've never seen one before. It's the forerunner of my first ever SLR, the Zenit 3M. I remember the days (1950s) when early SLRs like this were winning over RF users - the thought of actually viewing what the lens is "seeing", rather than relying on the rangefinder for focussing and reading the DOF on the lens scale, was a huge innovation, for me anyway. Smile


Thanks for your comment, Peter Smile
I also love those oldies that marked a step forward on the photography technology.

Holding them makes me feel the history...

Regards.
Jes.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

luisalegria wrote:
I always wanted one !

Is the flash connector original, or was it added later ? I understand that a lot of these were modified after manufacture.


Hi Luis,

As far as I know, the -S suffix model was taken from "synchro", because the camera did include the flash facilities.

Regards.
Jes.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

mo wrote:
It looks beautiful...nice and solid, and I like how the lens symbol matches the symbol on the prism.


Yes. it feels solid like a rock. It's like a rangefinder dressed up in SLR disguise. Smile

Regards.
Jes.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

martinsmith99 wrote:
I have one too:
...

The PC socket I thought was standard. I've not heard otherwise.


It's nice to see a cousin of mine in so well shape Wink

Regards.
Jes.


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jesito wrote:
martinsmith99 wrote:
I have one too:
...

The PC socket I thought was standard. I've not heard otherwise.


It's nice to see a cousin of mine in so well shape Wink

Regards.
Jes.

With original box too! Cool


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

martinsmith99 wrote:
Jesito wrote:
martinsmith99 wrote:
I have one too:
...

The PC socket I thought was standard. I've not heard otherwise.


It's nice to see a cousin of mine in so well shape Wink

Regards.
Jes.

With original box too! Cool


Sad Mine is unboxed...


PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jesito wrote:
Sad Mine is unboxed...

So its ready to use! Smile


PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice camera Jes, congrats. I haven't seen this one before, but the 3M is common here in the UK. I've had three 3Ms, I liked the handling and the build quality, but sadly all three didn't work properly.

The 1958 I-50 should be good, the best Tessar-type lens I have (and I have several CZJ 50mm Tessars of different vintages and several Industars) is a 1959 I-50, a really razor sharp lens with excellent contrast. If your copy is as good I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot as I do mine Smile


PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Minolfan wrote:
Jesito wrote:
Sad Mine is unboxed...

So its ready to use! Smile


Of course Wink A roll is waiting for it Smile


PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

iangreenhalgh1 wrote:
Nice camera Jes, congrats. I haven't seen this one before, but the 3M is common here in the UK. I've had three 3Ms, I liked the handling and the build quality, but sadly all three didn't work properly.

The 1958 I-50 should be good, the best Tessar-type lens I have (and I have several CZJ 50mm Tessars of different vintages and several Industars) is a 1959 I-50, a really razor sharp lens with excellent contrast. If your copy is as good I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot as I do mine Smile


Thanks, Ian. I'll have to try it also on the mirrorless cams.

Regards.
Jes.