Difference between revisions of "Kristall (KMZ)"

Latest revision as of 21:38, 13 September 2023

Kristall type 1 (1962)
image by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

The Kristall is a 35mm film SLR camera, made by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod (KMZ) , (Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk), Moscow, former USSR, between 1961-62 with quantity 65,433. Кристалл (Кристалл = Kristall), means Crystal, (on the front of the camera Kristall is engraved in Cyrillic italics). The Kristall belongs to the Zenit series of 35mm SLR cameras. It was developed by Nikolaj Michailowitsh Marenkov. It is the successor to the Zenit 3. It is the first in the Zenit series to have a back door for easy film loading--all prior Zenits were bottom-loading like Leicas. It is the oddball of the early Zenit series, having both a different finish and a different name.

The top plate of the camera is painted in a hammered finish. The ribs on top of the prism are for stiffness, or maybe to suggest art deco styling. The design of the Kristall was not popular; some people called it tractor-like. Because of this, or perhaps for reasons of cost, it stayed in production for only about a year, and was replaced with the Zenit 3M, an almost identical camera with different exterior design and plain chrome-plated top finish.

There are three types of the Kristall: with the hammered grey-paint top plate; with green-painted top and body (very rare); and with a white top plate without enamel covering.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]


Kristall type 1, with Helios-40 (left) and with Industar-50. images by Siim Vahur (Image rights)

Specifications

Lens: Industar-50 50mm f/3.5, coated, filter thread 33mm
Mount: 39mm screw mount ^[5]
- Aperture: f/3.5-f/16
- Focus range: 0.65-20m +inf.
Focusing: Fresnel ground-glass screen in pentaprism viewfinder (no microprism focus-aids)
Shutter: focal plane shutter with rubberized silk double cloth curtains, traveling horizontally
- Speeds: 1/30 - 1/500 + 'B' ^[6]
Film advance: right-hand, short-stroke lever; also cocks the shutter
Film rewind: knob on left of top plate; rewind release button on the right (easily mistaken for a shutter release)
Frame counter: advance type, manual setting
Mirror: not instant return
Memory dial: displays GOST numbers and for color film type red engravings of sun, lamp and Цветная word means Tsvetnaya (= Color), on the re-winding knob
Self timer: lever on front right of body; activates by a small knob above the lever
Flash PC socket: on front of the top-plate, flash setting via a selector switch beneath the speeds dial, points a flash sign or bulb sign, synchronised at 1/30 second
Back cover: hinged
Body: moulded metal, weight: 675gr
Others: Tripod socket: 3/8 inch; strap lugs
Serial no. engraved on the back of the top plate with KMZ logo, first two digits show the production year

Kristall type 1 (1962)
images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

KMZ Close-up extension ring set and Lzos green filter on Kristall
images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)

Notes

↑ According to Alexander Komarov Fotoua (archived). You can also find serial numbers for dating of the cameras in this site
↑ There is another classification by Aidas Pikiotas in Sovietcams.com
↑ Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin (archived)
↑ Discussion about clasifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in USSR Photo Forum
↑ Looks like M39 Leica mount but due to the mirror space, the rangefinder M39 mount lenses do not work properly on this camera. You can use them only the close-up focus range
↑ Speed can be set before or after cocking the shutter, unlike most of the Leica-inspired Soviet cameras.

Bibliography

In English

Princelle, Jean Loup (2004), The Authentic Guide to Russian and Soviet Cameras ('Made in USSR'), Le Reve Edition. ISBN 2952252106; or the earlier edition: Hove Foto Books, 2nd edition, 1995. 200 pages. ISBN 1874031630. Paperback.

In Russian

1200 Cameras from USSR by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin, 2009 , more info about book

Links

Zenit cameras page, archived at the Internet Archive in 2021, formerly at Communist Cameras by Nathan Dayton
in Fotoua by Alexander Komarov (archived)
in Sovietcams by Aidas Pikiotas
Von der "Kristall" zur "Zenit E" by Alexander Schulz

[1] According to Alexander Komarov Fotoua (archived). You can also find serial numbers for dating of the cameras in this site

[2] There is another classification by Aidas Pikiotas in Sovietcams.com

[3] Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin (archived)

[4] Discussion about clasifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in USSR Photo Forum

[5] Looks like M39 Leica mount but due to the mirror space, the rangefinder M39 mount lenses do not work properly on this camera. You can use them only the close-up focus range

[6] Speed can be set before or after cocking the shutter, unlike most of the Leica-inspired Soviet cameras.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

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+__NOTOC__
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 |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4944740556_4e574391e5.jpg
-|image_align= center
+|image_align= right
 |image_text= Kristall type 1 (1962)
 |image_by= Süleyman Demir
 |image_rights= with permission
 }}
-Kristall is a [[35mm film]] [[SLR]] camera, manufactured by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod ([[KMZ]]) , (Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk), Moscow, former USSR, produced between 1961-62 with quantity 65.433.
+The '''Kristall''' is a [[35mm film]] [[SLR]] camera, made by Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod ([[KMZ]]) , (Mechanical Factory of Krasnogorsk), Moscow, former USSR, between 1961-62 with quantity 65,433.
-''Кристалл''  (Кристалл = Kristall), means Crystal, (on the front of the camera Kristall logo is engraved as Cyrillic italics).
+''Кристалл''  (Кристалл = Kristall), means Crystal, (on the front of the camera Kristall is engraved in Cyrillic italics).
-Kristall belongs to the [[Zenit]] series of 35mm SLR cameras. It was developed by Nikolaj Michailowitsh Marenkov.
+The Kristall belongs to the [[Zenit]] series of 35mm SLR cameras. It was developed by Nikolaj Michailowitsh Marenkov. It is the successor to the [[Zenit 3]]. It is the first in the Zenit series to have a back door for easy film loading--all prior Zenits were bottom-loading like [[Leica]]s. It is the oddball of the early Zenit series, having both a different finish and a different name.
-Kristall is the successor of the [[Zenit 3]]. The main differences from Zenit-3 are hinged back cover and the new mechanism of cocking lever with shutter button on it and its unique top-plate design.
+<!--The Kristall has several technical features from [[Zorki 6]]. (commented out; feel free to reinstate if you know *which* features... -->
+The top plate of the camera is painted in a hammered finish. The ribs on top of the prism are for stiffness, or maybe to suggest art deco styling. The design of the Kristall was not popular; some people called it tractor-like. Because of this, or perhaps for reasons of cost, it stayed in production for only about a year, and was replaced with the [[Zenit 3M]], an almost identical camera with different exterior design and plain chrome-plated top finish.
-Kristal has several technical features of [[Zorki 6]].
+There are three types of the Kristall: with the hammered grey-paint top plate; with green-painted top and body (very rare); and with a white top plate without enamel covering.<ref>According to Alexander Komarov [https://web.archive.org/web/20160306134446/http://fotoua.com/1camera.php?rd=4&seek1=0&seek2=0&st=7&usl=4&usl1=kristall Fotoua] (archived). You can also find serial numbers for dating of the cameras in this site</ref><ref>There is another classification  by Aidas Pikiotas in [http://www.sovietcams.com/indexdb7d.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=546&_m_e_id=22&_menu_i_id=299 Sovietcams.com]</ref><ref>Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by [https://web.archive.org/web/20141224190524/http://img.inkfrog.com/click_enlarge1.php?image=IMG_3609.JPG&username=calicurg&aid=972050785 Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin] (archived)</ref><ref>Discussion about clasifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in [http://www.ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1500 USSR Photo Forum]</ref>
-Top plate of the camera hammerhead painted instead of usual chrome plating so this feature made this camera unique. The ribs on top of the prism are for stiffness or maybe artdeco.
+<br style="clear:right"/>
-Unfortunatly nobody liked the design of the Kristall, and some people called it tractor like. So the ill fated Kristall stayed only in production for about a year and then was replaced or renamed  by the [[Zenit 3M]] that with usual plain, chrome  top plate finish.
-There are three types of the Kristall that hammered grey paint top plate, green painted top and body  (very rare)  and the white top plate without enamel covering.  <ref>According to Alexander Komarov [http://www.fotoua.com/1camera.php?usl=4&usl1=kristall&st=7&rd=4&seek2=0&seek1=0 Fotoua]. You can also find serial numbers for dating of the cameras in this site</ref> <ref>There is another classification  by Aidas Pikiotas  in [http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1541696645]</ref> <ref>There are usefull books  about cameras of former USSR and have classifications also.</ref> <ref> Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by [http://img.inkfrog.com/click_enlarge1.php?image=IMG_3609.JPG&username=calicurg&aid=972050785 Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin]</ref> <ref>Discussion about clasifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in [http://www.ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1500 USSR Photo Forum]</ref>
 {|class="floatleft plainlinks"
-||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/siimvahur/2940555517/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2940555517_c937efa308.jpg]
+|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/siimvahur/2940555517/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2940555517_c937efa308.jpg]
-||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/siimvahur/2928162599/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2928162599_32e977a213.jpg]
+|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/siimvahur/2928162599/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2928162599_32e977a213.jpg]
 |-
 | colspan=2 align=center |
 {{Flickr_image_caption
-  |image_text= Kristall type 1
+  |image_text= Kristall type 1, with Helios-40 (left) and with Industar-50.
   |image_by= Siim Vahur
   |image_rights= with permission
   }}
 |}
-{{br}}
+<br style="clear:both"/>
 ==Specifications==
-*Lens: [[Industar]]-50, (ИНДУСТАР), 50mm  f/3.5,  coated, filter thread 33mm
+*Lens: [[Industar-50]] 50mm f/3.5, coated, filter thread 33mm
-*Mount: '''KMZ's ZM39''' screw mount  <ref>Looks like [[M39]] Leica mount but due to the mirror space, the rangefinder M39 mount lenses do not work properly on this camera. You can use them only the close-up focus range</ref>
+*Mount: 39mm screw mount <ref>Looks like [[M39]] Leica mount but due to the mirror space, the rangefinder M39 mount lenses do not work properly on this camera. You can use them only the close-up focus range</ref>
-**Aperture:  f/3.5-f/16,
+**Aperture:  f/3.5-f/16
-**Focus range:  0.65-20m  +inf.
+**Focus range: 0.65-20m +inf.
-*Focusing:  Fressnel ground-glass screen
+*Focusing: Fresnel ground-glass screen in pentaprism viewfinder (no microprism focus-aids)
-*Shutter: horizontal travelling focal plane, rubberized silk double cloth curtain,
+*Shutter: focal plane shutter with rubberized silk double cloth curtains, traveling horizontally
-**Speeds: 1/30 - 1/500 +B <ref>Speeds setting can be done with or without shutter cocking contrary the most of the Soviet  era cameras.</ref>
+**Speeds: 1/30 - 1/500 + 'B' <ref>Speed can be set before or after cocking the shutter, unlike most of the Leica-inspired Soviet cameras.</ref>
-*Cocking lever: also winds the film, right hand, short stroke
+*Film advance: right-hand, short-stroke lever; also cocks the shutter
+*Film rewind: knob on left of top plate; rewind release button on the right (easily mistaken for a shutter release)
 *Frame counter: advance type, manual setting
-*Viewfinder:  eye-level SLR pentaprism
 *Mirror: not instant return
-*Memory dial: displays GOST numbers and  for color film type  red engravings of sun, lamp and  Цветная  word means Tsvetnaya (= Color),  on the re-winding knob
+*Memory dial: displays [[GOST]] numbers and  for color film type  red engravings of sun, lamp and  Цветная  word means Tsvetnaya (= Color),  on the re-winding knob
-*Self timer: activates by a small knob above the lever
+*Self timer: lever on front right of body; activates by a small knob above the lever
-*Flash PC socket: on front of the top-plate, flash setting via a selector switch beneath the speeds dial,  points a flash sign or bulb sign, works only at 1/30
+*Flash PC socket: on front of the top-plate, flash setting via a selector switch beneath the speeds dial,  points a flash sign or bulb sign, synchronised at 1/30 second
 *Back cover: hinged
-*Body: moulded metal, top plate hammered grey paint; Weight: 675gr
+*Body: moulded metal, weight: 675gr
-*Others: Tripod socket: 3/8 inch; Strap lugs
+*Others: Tripod socket: 3/8 inch; strap lugs
 *Serial no. engraved on the back of the top plate with KMZ logo, first two digits show the production year
-==Notes and references==
-<references/>
-== Bibliography ==
-In English
-* Princelle, Jean Loup - Made In USSR - The Authentic Guide To Russian And Soviet Cameras, Le Reve Edition, 2004 (ISBN 2952252106 (ISBN13: 9782952252102) Paperback
-In Russian
-* 1200 Cameras from USSR by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin, 2009 , [http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=39&ParentID=4&ContentID=311&Item=1200+Cameras+from+USSR+by+Suglob%2C+Shaternik%2C+Kochergin more info about book]
 {|class=plainlinks align="center"
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+|
   {{Flickr_image
   |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/4944157193/in/pool-camerawiki/
-|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4944157193_8d22657db2_m.jpg |image_align=
+|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4944157193_8d22657db2.jpg
+ |image_align=
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   |image_by=
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   }}
-  ||
+  |
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   |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/4944740780/in/pool-camerawiki/
-  |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4944740780_3afc0f071e_m.jpg
+  |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4944740780_3afc0f071e.jpg
 |image_align=
   |image_text=
@@ Line 78: / Line 75: @@
   }}
 |-
-  |colspan=2 align="center"| Kristall  type 1 (1962) <small>Images by Süleyman Demir  {{ with permission }}</small>
+  |colspan=2 align="center"| Kristall  type 1 (1962)<br> <small>images by {{image author|Süleyman Demir}}  {{ with permission }}</small>
 |}
 {|class=plainlinks align="center"
-||
+|
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-  ||
+  |
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 |-
-  |colspan=2 align="center"| KMZ Close-up extension ring set  and [[Soviet Factory Logos|Lzos]] green filter on Kristall <small>Images by Süleyman Demir  {{ with permission }}</small>
+  |colspan=2 align="center"| KMZ Close-up extension ring set  and [[Soviet Union|Lzos]] green filter on Kristall <br><small>images by {{image author|Süleyman Demir}}  {{ with permission }}</small>
 |}
+==Notes==
+<references/>
+== Bibliography ==
+In English
+* {{Princelle USSR}}
+In Russian
+* 1200 Cameras from USSR by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin, 2009 , [http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=39&ParentID=4&ContentID=311&Item=1200+Cameras+from+USSR+by+Suglob%2C+Shaternik%2C+Kochergin more info about book]
 == Links ==
-* [http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmsinglelensreflexcameras/cameras/zenit/index.htm in Communist Cameras by Nathan Dayton]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20211128165309if_/http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmsinglelensreflexcameras/cameras/zenit/index.htm Zenit cameras] page, archived at the [https://archive.org Internet Archive] in 2021, formerly at ''Communist Cameras'' by Nathan Dayton
-* [http://www.fotoua.com/1camera.php?usl=4&usl1=kristall&st=7&rd=4&seek2=0&seek1=0 in Fotoua by Alexander Komarov]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160306134446/http://fotoua.com/1camera.php?rd=4&seek1=0&seek2=0&st=7&usl=4&usl1=kristall in Fotoua by Alexander Komarov] (archived)
-* [http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?1541696645 in Sovietcams by Aidas Pikiotas]
+* [http://www.sovietcams.com/indexdb7d.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=546&_m_e_id=22&_menu_i_id=299 in Sovietcams by Aidas Pikiotas]
-* [http://www.sovietcamera.fr/ in Sovietcamera by JM Burtscher]
+* [http://www.g-st.ch/privat/kameras/kristallzenite.html Von der "Kristall" zur "Zenit E"] by [http://www.guido-studer.ch Alexander Schulz]
-* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/krasno/html/Kristall.php Kristall] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand
-* [http://www.g-st.ch/privat/kameras/kristallzenite.html Von der "Kristall" zur "Zenit E"] by Alexander Schulz on www.guido-studer.ch
@@ Line 119: / Line 123: @@
 [[Category: 35mm SLR]]
 [[Category: 39mm screw mount]]
-[[Category: Former USSR]]
+[[Category:Soviet cameras]]
-[[Category: KMZ]]
+[[Category: KMZ|Kristall]]
 [[Category: Zenit]]
 [[Category: K]]
+[[Category:1961]]

Difference between revisions of "Kristall (KMZ)"

Latest revision as of 21:38, 13 September 2023

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