Difference between revisions of "Zenit B"

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The '''Zenit-B''' is a 35 mm SLR, one of a series of [[Zenit|Zenit cameras]] made by the Russian maker [[KMZ]] between 1968 and 78. Sometimes marked '''ЗЕНИТ-B''', where B is the Cyrillic equivalent to the English V, the Zenit-B is a mechanical [[35mm]] [[SLR]] similar to the [[Zenit E]] but without the [[light meter]]. Like the E, it does not have an automatic diaphragm; the lens must be stopped down manually after focusing. There are also no prismatic focusing aids, just a plain ground-glass screen. It has a [[focal plane shutter]] with speeds 1/30-1/500 s, plus B.
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The '''Zenit-B''' is one of the [[Zenit]] series of 35 mm SLR cameras, made by the Russian maker [[KMZ]] between 1968 and 78. Sometimes marked '''ЗЕНИТ-B''' (where B is the Cyrillic equivalent to the roman V), the Zenit-B is an all-mechanical camera. It is very similar to the [[Zenit E]], which was made before it, but lacks the E's [[light meter]]. Both cameras are developments of the [[Kristall (KMZ)|Kristall]] and [[Zenit 3M]], and retain several of those cameras features, including the unusual shutter release mounted in the hub of the winding lever. The winding lever itself is restyled, and the camera body much squarer than the older models.
Most examples have a chrome-finished top housing, but all-black cameras also exist.
 
It was usually sold with a 50mm f/3.5 Industar (Cyrillic: Индустар) or 58mm f/2 Helios (Гелиос) 44М-4 lens.
 
  
The Zenit-B was also sold under various other brand names, including [[Kalimar]], [[Revueflex]] and [[Dixons|Prinzflex 500]].
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More importantly, the B and E have a new 42 mm lens mount (almost always: Nathan Dayton states that a few of each were made with the old 39 mm mount).<ref name=CC>[http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmsinglelensreflexcameras/cameras/zenit/index.htm Zenit cameras including the B] at Nathan Dayton's [http://www.commiecameras.com/index.htm Communist Cameras].</ref> The 'B' and 'E' also have instant-return mirrors. Neither camera has an automatic diaphragm; the lens must be stopped down manually after focusing. The camera may be found with either a 50mm f/3.5 Industar-50 (Cyrillic: Индустар), with ''fully''-manual aperture control, or a 58mm f/2 Helios (Гелиос) 44М-4 lens with [[Diaphragm#Common diaphragm types|pre-set aperture]]; the latter has the advantage that the lens can be stopped down without taking the camera from the eye. There are no prismatic focusing aids; just a plain ground-glass screen.
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Like the earlier Zenits, the camera has a [[focal plane shutter]] with speeds 1/30-1/500 s, plus 'B'. The shutter is synchronised for flash, with a [[PC socket]] on the front of the top housing, and the synchronisation delay can be set for bulb or electronic flash with a small lever mounted under the shutter-speed dial. Unlike earlier cameras, there is a flash shoe on top of the prism.
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The film is rewound with a simple knob on the left of the top plate; the rewind release is the button in front of the speed dial, easily mistaken for a shutter release.
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Most examples have a chrome-finished top housing, but all-black cameras also exist. The Zenit-B was also sold under various other brand names, including [[Kalimar]], [[Revueflex]] and [[Dixons|Prinzflex 500]].
  
 
==Other features==
 
==Other features==
* Cold accessory shoe.
 
* Flash sync for X (electronic) or M (bulbs).
 
 
* Self-timer.
 
* Self-timer.
 
* Off-centre tripod socket.
 
* Off-centre tripod socket.
 
* Usually sold with two-part black leather case.
 
* Usually sold with two-part black leather case.
 
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/7243733@N03/415744028/in/pool-camerawiki
 
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==Notes=
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<references/>
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
* [http://www.rus-camera.com/camera.php?page=zenit&camera=zenitb Zenit B] on rus-camera.com
 
* [http://www.rus-camera.com/camera.php?page=zenit&camera=zenitb Zenit B] on rus-camera.com

Revision as of 15:10, 29 September 2014

The Zenit-B is one of the Zenit series of 35 mm SLR cameras, made by the Russian maker KMZ between 1968 and 78. Sometimes marked ЗЕНИТ-B (where B is the Cyrillic equivalent to the roman V), the Zenit-B is an all-mechanical camera. It is very similar to the Zenit E, which was made before it, but lacks the E's light meter. Both cameras are developments of the Kristall and Zenit 3M, and retain several of those cameras features, including the unusual shutter release mounted in the hub of the winding lever. The winding lever itself is restyled, and the camera body much squarer than the older models.

More importantly, the B and E have a new 42 mm lens mount (almost always: Nathan Dayton states that a few of each were made with the old 39 mm mount).[1] The 'B' and 'E' also have instant-return mirrors. Neither camera has an automatic diaphragm; the lens must be stopped down manually after focusing. The camera may be found with either a 50mm f/3.5 Industar-50 (Cyrillic: Индустар), with fully-manual aperture control, or a 58mm f/2 Helios (Гелиос) 44М-4 lens with pre-set aperture; the latter has the advantage that the lens can be stopped down without taking the camera from the eye. There are no prismatic focusing aids; just a plain ground-glass screen.

Like the earlier Zenits, the camera has a focal plane shutter with speeds 1/30-1/500 s, plus 'B'. The shutter is synchronised for flash, with a PC socket on the front of the top housing, and the synchronisation delay can be set for bulb or electronic flash with a small lever mounted under the shutter-speed dial. Unlike earlier cameras, there is a flash shoe on top of the prism.

The film is rewound with a simple knob on the left of the top plate; the rewind release is the button in front of the speed dial, easily mistaken for a shutter release.

Most examples have a chrome-finished top housing, but all-black cameras also exist. The Zenit-B was also sold under various other brand names, including Kalimar, Revueflex and Prinzflex 500.

Other features

  • Self-timer.
  • Off-centre tripod socket.
  • Usually sold with two-part black leather case.


=Notes

Links