Difference between revisions of "Mir"

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The MIR is slightly simplified version of the well known FSU (former Soviet Union) [[Leica]] copy, the [[Zorki 4]].  Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the MIR was intended for internal consumption only.  The only real difference between the Zorki 4 and the MIR is that the MIR is missing the Zorki's slow shutter speeds. Both the Zorki and MIR can be found for very little money.  They are fully manual rangefinders that give you a nostalgic picture taking experience but you have to be a little careful when buying these old cameras to use.  It might look vaguely like a Leica but the quality control and materials used in the Ukrainian factories did not really compare with their German counterparts.
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{| class="toccolours plainlinks" align= "right"  style="clear: both;  text-align: left; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;"
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|-
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! bgcolor="#A5C9EB" | Mir
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|-
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| style="font-size: 95%;" |
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/4793192228/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4793192228_877761770a_m.jpg
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|image_align= center
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|image_text=Mir type 3 (1959)
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|image_by= Süleyman Demir
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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'''Manufacturer:''' [[KMZ]]
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'''Date of Production:''' 1959-61
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'''Type of Camera:''' [[Rangefinder camera|Rangefinder]]
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----
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'''[[Film]] Type:''' 35mm
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'''[[Lens]]:''' M39 Screw mount
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'''[[Shutter]]:''' Cloth focal plane
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'''[[Shutter speed]] range:''' 1/30-1/500th + B
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|}
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'''Mir''' is a 35mm rangefinder camera, manufactured by the [[KMZ]] plant in Krasnogorsk, Moscow, USSR between 1959-61. Мир = Mir, can mean 'peace' or 'world'.
  
It should be noted that about 160,000 MIR's were made (between 1959 and 1961). But The Zorki 4 had over 1.7 million made during its production. It was offered with the I-22 Rigid 50mm f/3.5, the I-26 50mm f/2.8, and the Jupiter 8 50mm f/2..The Jupiter 3 50mm f/1.5 may have been on option..most likely with Zorki 3 and 4 as an export option.
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The Mir is a slightly simplified version of the well known Soviet [[Leica]]-inspired camera, the [[Zorki 4]], without the slow shutter-speed mechanism (it also lacks the fastest speed of 1/1000 second). Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for domestic consumption only.
  
Many believe that the MIR shutter gear train is more reliable because it lacks the Slow Gear Train.  
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Whereas about 160000 Mir's were made during a short time, over 1.7 million examples of the Zorki-4 were made during its rather longer production time. The Mir was offered with the Industar-22 50mm f/3.5, the Industar-26 50mm f/2.8, or the [[Jupiter-8]] 50mm f/2.<ref>These are the only standard lenses listed in the [http://web.archive.org/web/20081204123655/http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/mir/mir.html user's manual] (in Russian) previously reproduced at the KMZ archive website (<nowiki>http://www.zenitcamera.com</nowiki>) and archived at the [http://archive.org/web/web.php Internet archive 'Wayback Machine'] in December 2008. Owners have reported cameras with other lenses such as the rigid [[Industar-22]], mounted on an extension tube to give correct film register, or the [[Jupiter-8]], as on the example pictured here.</ref> The Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 may have been an option, most likely with the [[Zorki 3]] and [[Zorki 4]] as an export option.
  
Because the Viewfinder is a true +/- 1:1 magnification..it is 25% more accurate with Faster lenses like the J-8 and J-3 and J-9 (85mm f/2). The Fed 2, Fed 6, and Zorki 6 all have a long Base Rangefinder similar to the Pre-War Contax..About 90mm. Which offer a similar accuracy but at a lesser Viewfinder Magnification than the 1:1 Magnification of the Zorki 3, 4 and MIR.
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The viewfinder has a larger magnification than some earlier rangefinder cameras, which is said by some users to allow more accurate use of the rangefinder.
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<!-- (I have replaced the commented-out text with the sentence above; I think to try to quantify 'accuracy' like this is silly. Dustin McAmera, 10 December 2012) Because the viewfinder has a true +/- 1:1 magnification, it is 25% more accurate with faster lenses like the [[Jupiter-8]], Jupiter-3 and Jupiter-9 (85mm f/2). The [[rangefinder base|long base]] [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]] similar to the pre-war [[Contax]] (about 90mm), which offers a similar accuracy but at a lesser viewfinder magnification than the 1:1 of the [[Zorki 3]], [[Zorki 4]] and Mir.-->
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Three basic types and one sub-type can be recognised.<ref>According to Alaxander Komarov in [https://web.archive.org/web/20130127080140/http://www.fotoua.com:80/1.php?rd=&st= Fotoua] (archived). The site gave serial numbers for dating of cameras. There is another classification of former-USSR cameras by Aidas Pikiotas at [http://www.sovietcams.com/indexb0eb.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=190&_m_e_id=25&_menu_i_id=214 SovietCams]</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 of camera classifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in [http://www.ussrphoto.com/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1500 USSR Photo Forum]</ref>
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===Type 1===
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*Type 1 produced only in 1959
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*Distinctive features of this type: Early style of inscription "Mir"
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Photo in [https://web.archive.org/web/20160319215044/http://fotoua.com/1cameratip.php?seek2=&seek1=&usl=4&usl1=mir&seek3=0&rd=4&st=7 Fotoua] (archived)
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===Type 2a===
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*Type 2a produced only in 1959
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*Distinctive feature of the type: There is a frame around the viewfinder's window
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*Without stop bolt on the hot shoe
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Photo [https://web.archive.org/web/20160318162606/http://fotoua.com/1cameratip.php?seek2=&seek1=&usl=4&usl1=mir&seek3=1&rd=4&st=7 Type 2a] (archived)
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===Type 2b===
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*Type 2a produced only in 1959
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*Distinctive feature of the type: With stop bolt on the hot shoe
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Photo [https://web.archive.org/web/20160319215039/http://fotoua.com/1cameratip.php?seek2=&seek1=&usl=4&usl1=mir&seek3=2&rd=4&st=7 Type2b] (archived)
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===Type 3===
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*Type 3 produced between 1959-61
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*Distinctive feature of this type: Without a frame around viewfinder's window
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===Specifications===
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*Focusing: Matching yellow rangefinder images
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*Shutter: Rubberized silk double cloth curtain, horizontal focal plane <ref>As with other Soviet-era rangefinders, the Mir's shutter speed selector rotates when the shutter is released, and should not be changed until after the shutter has been cocked. If you change the shutter speed without cocking the shutter first, the setting pin can be broken when you advance the film and cock the shutter</ref>
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*Viewfinder: Combined view/range finder, large and bright
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*Re-winding release switch: Around the shutter release, like a collar, points engravings П (P, re-wind) and Д (D, wind, red)
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*Diopter adjustment lever: Beside the re-winding knob
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*Self-timer: Activates by a small silver knob above the lever, 9-15 seconds delay
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*Flash PC sync socket: On the front of the top plate, flash sync at 1/30
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**Variable synchronisation delay (0 - 25 ms) is possible by dial around the shutter speed control
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*Take up spool: Special, it can drop down very easily
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*Back cover: Removable with the bottom plate,
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*Others: Cold-shoe; Strap lugs; ⅜-inch tripod socket
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*Engravings on the back of the top-plate: KMZ logo and the serial no. the first two numbers show the production year
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<br clear="all" />
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== Gallery ==
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{|class=plainlinks align="left"
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|
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{{Flickr_image
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        |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/4792558237/in/pool-camerawiki/
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        |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4792558237_59eee15120_m.jpg
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      |image_align=
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        |image_text=
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        |image_by=
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        |image_rights=
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        }}
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|
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{{Flickr_image
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        |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/4793192346/in/pool-camerawiki/
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        |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4793192346_99b6d35dcd_m.jpg
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    |image_align=
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        |image_text=
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        |image_by=
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        |image_rights=
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        }}
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|
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{{Flickr_image
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        |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/s-demir/4793192590/in/pool-camerawiki/
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        |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4793192590_f9e00ed660_m.jpg
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      |image_align=
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        |image_text=
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        |image_by=
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        |image_rights=
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        }}
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|-
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|colspan=3 align="center"| Mir type 3 (1959)
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<small>Images by Süleyman Demir {{ with permission }}</small>
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|}
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{{brl}}
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== Notes and references==
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<references/>
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== Bibliography ==
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In English
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* {{Princelle USSR}}
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In Russian
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* 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 ==
 
== Links ==
{{Flickr_image
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/russian/zorki/zorki.htm Zorki 4 Manuals at the M.Butkus site]
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/garythegit/785681393/in/pool-camerapedia/
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<!--Commented out link, page no longer present/available, please remove if not returned by 12/2020 * [http://www.fotoua.com/1cameraAlltip.php?st=7&rd=4&usl=4&usl1=mir&seek1=&seek2= in Fotoua by Alexander Komarov] -->
|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1399/785681393_17e969deb0_m.jpg
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* [http://www.sovietcams.com/indexb0eb.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=190&_m_e_id=25&_menu_i_id=214 in SovietCams by Aidas Pikiotas]
|image_align= right
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* [http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmrangefindercameras/cameras/zorki/index.htm in Nathan Dayton's 'Communist Cameras' site]
|image_text=  
 
}}
 
* [http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/marine/569/rusrngfdrs/zorki4.html Zorki 4 Manual]
 
* [http://www.classiccamera.org/zorki%204%20online%20manual.htm Another Zorki 4 Manual]
 
 
* [http://www.btinternet.com/%7Estowupland/index.htm Russian Camera Collection (includes all Zorkis and the MIR)]
 
* [http://www.btinternet.com/%7Estowupland/index.htm Russian Camera Collection (includes all Zorkis and the MIR)]
 
* [http://www.buggrit.com/zorki.html Zorki Rangefinder Cameras]
 
* [http://www.buggrit.com/zorki.html Zorki Rangefinder Cameras]
* [http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/ Rangefinder Cameras of the Soviet Era (includes beautifully restored and modifies examples)]
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* [http://www.g-st.ch/privat/kameras/zorki.html Zorki Rangefinder Cameras at the site of Guido Studer (in German)]
* [http://www.theothermartintaylor.com/moveabletype/archives/cameras/000012.html The Other Martin Taylor's review of the MIR]
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* [http://www.theothermartintaylor.com/moveabletype/archives/cameras/000012.html The Other Martin Taylor's review of the Mir]
 
* [http://www.swcornell.com/camera/zorki4list.html Zorki 4, all models] in [http://www.swcornell.com/ Wayne Cornell's photography site]
 
* [http://www.swcornell.com/camera/zorki4list.html Zorki 4, all models] in [http://www.swcornell.com/ Wayne Cornell's photography site]
 
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11356 Mir] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Collection Appareils] by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
  
  
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[[Category: 39mm screw mount]]
 
[[Category: 39mm screw mount]]
[[Category: Former USSR]]
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[[Category:Soviet cameras]]
 
[[Category: KMZ]]
 
[[Category: KMZ]]
 
[[Category: Zorki]]
 
[[Category: Zorki]]
[[Category: M|Mir]]
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[[Category: Flickr image]]
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[[Category: M]]
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[[Category:1959]]
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__NOTOC__

Revision as of 07:13, 8 January 2022

Mir is a 35mm rangefinder camera, manufactured by the KMZ plant in Krasnogorsk, Moscow, USSR between 1959-61. Мир = Mir, can mean 'peace' or 'world'.

The Mir is a slightly simplified version of the well known Soviet Leica-inspired camera, the Zorki 4, without the slow shutter-speed mechanism (it also lacks the fastest speed of 1/1000 second). Whereas the Zorki 4 was released for export from behind the iron curtain, the Mir was intended for domestic consumption only.

Whereas about 160000 Mir's were made during a short time, over 1.7 million examples of the Zorki-4 were made during its rather longer production time. The Mir was offered with the Industar-22 50mm f/3.5, the Industar-26 50mm f/2.8, or the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2.[1] The Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5 may have been an option, most likely with the Zorki 3 and Zorki 4 as an export option.

The viewfinder has a larger magnification than some earlier rangefinder cameras, which is said by some users to allow more accurate use of the rangefinder.

Three basic types and one sub-type can be recognised.[2][3][4]

Type 1

  • Type 1 produced only in 1959
  • Distinctive features of this type: Early style of inscription "Mir"

Photo in Fotoua (archived)

Type 2a

  • Type 2a produced only in 1959
  • Distinctive feature of the type: There is a frame around the viewfinder's window
  • Without stop bolt on the hot shoe

Photo Type 2a (archived)

Type 2b

  • Type 2a produced only in 1959
  • Distinctive feature of the type: With stop bolt on the hot shoe

Photo Type2b (archived)

Type 3

  • Type 3 produced between 1959-61
  • Distinctive feature of this type: Without a frame around viewfinder's window

Specifications

  • Focusing: Matching yellow rangefinder images
  • Shutter: Rubberized silk double cloth curtain, horizontal focal plane [5]
  • Viewfinder: Combined view/range finder, large and bright
  • Re-winding release switch: Around the shutter release, like a collar, points engravings П (P, re-wind) and Д (D, wind, red)
  • Diopter adjustment lever: Beside the re-winding knob
  • Self-timer: Activates by a small silver knob above the lever, 9-15 seconds delay
  • Flash PC sync socket: On the front of the top plate, flash sync at 1/30
    • Variable synchronisation delay (0 - 25 ms) is possible by dial around the shutter speed control
  • Take up spool: Special, it can drop down very easily
  • Back cover: Removable with the bottom plate,
  • Others: Cold-shoe; Strap lugs; ⅜-inch tripod socket
  • Engravings on the back of the top-plate: KMZ logo and the serial no. the first two numbers show the production year


Gallery


Notes and references

  1. These are the only standard lenses listed in the user's manual (in Russian) previously reproduced at the KMZ archive website (http://www.zenitcamera.com) and archived at the Internet archive 'Wayback Machine' in December 2008. Owners have reported cameras with other lenses such as the rigid Industar-22, mounted on an extension tube to give correct film register, or the Jupiter-8, as on the example pictured here.
  2. According to Alaxander Komarov in Fotoua (archived). The site gave serial numbers for dating of cameras. There is another classification of former-USSR cameras by Aidas Pikiotas at SovietCams
  3. Pages from the the book of former USSR cameras by Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin
  4. Discussion of camera classifications in the books of Princelle and Suglob, Shaternik, Kochergin in USSR Photo Forum
  5. As with other Soviet-era rangefinders, the Mir's shutter speed selector rotates when the shutter is released, and should not be changed until after the shutter has been cocked. If you change the shutter speed without cocking the shutter first, the setting pin can be broken when you advance the film and cock the shutter

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

Links


Zorki cameras
FED-Zorki | 1 | S | 2 | 2-C (S) | 3 | 3M | 3S | 4 | 4K | Mir | 5 | 6 | 10/11 | 12 | 35M