Difference between revisions of "KMZ"
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In 1945 KMZ began manufacturing photographic lenses based on specifications obtained from the [[Carl Zeiss]] factory in Jena when it was captured by the Red army. In 1946 the KMZ factory began making cameras, starting with the [[Moskva]] folding camera. In 1948 they began producing [[FED]] cameras to offset slow production from the FED factory, and by 1949 they made some design changes and thus production of the [[Zorki]] began. In 1952, KMZ created an [[SLR]] based on some modifications of the Zorki, and thus the [[Zenit]] was born. | In 1945 KMZ began manufacturing photographic lenses based on specifications obtained from the [[Carl Zeiss]] factory in Jena when it was captured by the Red army. In 1946 the KMZ factory began making cameras, starting with the [[Moskva]] folding camera. In 1948 they began producing [[FED]] cameras to offset slow production from the FED factory, and by 1949 they made some design changes and thus production of the [[Zorki]] began. In 1952, KMZ created an [[SLR]] based on some modifications of the Zorki, and thus the [[Zenit]] was born. | ||
− | During the next decades KMZ focused on mass production of existing designs while also expanding into military optoelectronics and other miliary production. In 1993 KMZ became the | + | During the next decades KMZ focused on mass production of existing designs while also expanding into military optoelectronics and other miliary production. In 1993 KMZ was privatized and became the Krasnogorsky Zavod, SA Zverev (Krasnogorsky Plant, JSC stock company). In 2005 KMZ closed its camera division but continued production of the Horizon panoramic cameras, which were based on military artillery optics. Recently, KMZ has started selling the Zenith branded cameras once again. |
Revision as of 05:31, 27 February 2011
Krasnogorski Mekhanicheskii Zavod (Красногорский механический завод) – Kransnogrosk Mechanical Works or KMZ was founded in 1942 in Krasnogorsk, a western suburb of Moscow optical-mechanical plant that had been evacuated after the German invasion of the Soviet Union, in order to produce scopes, binoculars, and other optical equipment for the Soviet army.
In 1945 KMZ began manufacturing photographic lenses based on specifications obtained from the Carl Zeiss factory in Jena when it was captured by the Red army. In 1946 the KMZ factory began making cameras, starting with the Moskva folding camera. In 1948 they began producing FED cameras to offset slow production from the FED factory, and by 1949 they made some design changes and thus production of the Zorki began. In 1952, KMZ created an SLR based on some modifications of the Zorki, and thus the Zenit was born.
During the next decades KMZ focused on mass production of existing designs while also expanding into military optoelectronics and other miliary production. In 1993 KMZ was privatized and became the Krasnogorsky Zavod, SA Zverev (Krasnogorsky Plant, JSC stock company). In 2005 KMZ closed its camera division but continued production of the Horizon panoramic cameras, which were based on military artillery optics. Recently, KMZ has started selling the Zenith branded cameras once again.
KMZ logo image by driesvandeneizen (Image rights) |
Contents
35mm
Zenit 3M image by Squonk11 (Image rights) |
SLR
Rangefinder
Zorki 2C image by bottledog (Image rights) |
Compact
- 510, 520, 610, 620
Panoramic
Horizont 35mm Panoramic image by skagman (Image rights) |
- Horizont
- Horizon 202
- Horizon 205 pc
- Horizon S3pro
- Panofot
Stereo
- Astra
120 film
folding
Subminiature
Instant
Lens Brands
KMZ manufactured lenses under a bewildering variety of brand names[1]
Helios 44M-4 58mm f2 image by brian395 (Image rights) |
- Altair
- Amber
- Beam
- Carat
- Centaur
- Gelionar
- Granite
- Helios
- Industar
Jupiter 3 50mm f1.5 image by siimvahur (Image rights) |
- Jupiter
- Lanthanum
- Leningrad
- Maisons
- Meteor
- Mercury
- Minitar
- Mir
- Orchid
Tair 11-a 135mm f2.8 image by Purple Puppy (Image rights) |
- Orion
- Pentar
- Rubin
- Roussarie
- Signal
- Sputnik
- Tahir
- Tair
- Telemar
- Teletair
Zenitar 16mm f2.8 fisheye image by mr. Wood (Image rights) |
- Telezenitar
- Uran
- Uranium
- Variogoir
- Variozenitar
- Vega
- Zenitar
- ZM
- Zodiac
Bibliography
- Princelle, Jean-Loup. The Authentic Guide to Russian and Soviet Cameras. Hove Foto Books, 2nd edition, 1995. 200 pages. ISBN 1874031630.
References
Links
- KMZ Company Website (in Russian)
- Introduction to KMZ at Alfred's Camera Page
- KMZ page at Collection G. Even's site
- KMZ R&D Center homepage
- KMZ cameras and User manuals at www.collection-appareils.fr
- USSRPhoto.com KMZ wiki page at USSRPhoto.com