Zenit Photosniper
Photosniper FS-3 image by Dave Dockerill (Image rights) |
The Photosniper SLR-"guns" were made by KMZ. Maybe the conception behind these "shooters" was to give photographers who were gunmen a tool for shooting tele-exposures with a more quiet hand.
Photosniper FS-2
The Photosniper FS-2 was made in 1944-5, and was for military use by the Soviet forces. It comprises a modified FED 1 on a wooden rifle stock incorporating a reflex viewfinder housing. The lens is a GOI 300 mm f/4.5, in a special version (since the camera body plus the added reflex viewfinder has a unique film-to-flange depth). It was based on similar cameras (an FS-1 and FS-2) made shortly before the War by GOI itself.[1] McKeown estimates that less than 300 of the KMZ FS-2 cameras were made.
FS-3, packed and ready to go image by Dave Dockerill (Image rights) |
Photosniper FS-3
Produced 1965-69, the FS-3 was supplied as a complete kit housed in a steel container. Individual components were fastened to the container by screws, bolts and clips. In later versions the steel container was replaced by a canvas bag.
The kit comprised:
- The camera body: a Zenit ES (a Zenit E with an extra shutter release in the base)
- Helios-44 58mm f/2 lens
- Tair-3AS 300mm f/4.5 lens (again, the Tair-3AS is a modified version of the Tair-3,with a focus control added on the underside)
- Two yellow filters, 2× and 1.4×
- UV filter
- Orange filter
- Green filter
- Two film cassette cases
- Two screwdrivers
- Lens hood
- Trigger assembly and strap
- Shoulder stock
Photosniper FS-12 image by Siim Vahur (Image rights) |
Photosniper FS-12
The Photosniper FS-12 is a very similar kit, with updated components. The camera body is a Zenit 12S; this photosniper therefore has the marked advantage over the FS-3 of through-the-lens metering. It was again supplied in an enamelled steel suitcase, with the the updated Helios 44 - a Helios-44M4 (or 44M5 or 44M6) 58 mm f/2 - and Tair-3AS 300 mm f/4.5 tele lens.
FS-12 XPS Foto Snaiper image by Mas Foto (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p552.
Links
- Photosniper FS-2 based on a FED 1d, sold (for €9600) in November 2011 by Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
- Photosniper series at Communist Cameras
- Photosniper FS-12 at Kurt Tauber's Kamera Museum
- FS-12 original Russian User manual at Zenit camera