Difference between revisions of "Zenit Photosniper"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(Added short bullet list of some of the Photosnipers designed or prototyped but not made in quantity)
m (minor cat)
(10 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
 
}}
 
}}
 
</div>
 
</div>
The '''Photosniper''' [[SLR]]-"guns" were made first by [[GOI]] and later by [[KMZ]], originally for military use. Later models were made for sale and export. <!-- (Commenting this sentence out; it seems from the rest of the article that the purpose the camera is plainly military reconnaissance; the style is a bit flowery too - Dustin McAmera 5 Jan 2012) Maybe the conception behind these "shooters" was to give photographers who were gunmen a tool for shooting tele-exposures with a more quiet hand.-->
+
The '''Photosniper''' [[SLR]]-"gun" was made first by [[GOI]] and later by [[KMZ]], originally for military use. <!-- (Commenting this sentence out; it seems from the rest of the article that the purpose the camera is plainly military reconnaissance; the style is a bit flowery too - Dustin McAmera 5 Jan 2012) Maybe the conception behind these "shooters" was to give photographers who were gunmen a tool for shooting tele-exposures with a more quiet hand.--> Probably its original purpose was to use the quiet hands of good soldiers to shoot reconnaissance photos out of their emplacements. Later models were freely available as cameras for amateurs, nature photographers, spys and press ''Paparazzi''.
 +
 
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/masfoto/7647223198/in/p
 +
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7647223198_c0ef0648ba_n.jpg
 +
|image_align= center
 +
|image_text=
 +
|image_by= MAS FOTO
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
 
  
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
Line 16: Line 27:
  
 
==Photosniper FS-2==
 
==Photosniper FS-2==
The '''Photosniper  FS-2''' was made in 1943-5,<ref name=WGOI>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=2414479&_ssl=off#2414479 1943 GOI FS-2], serial no. 1364, based on FED NKVD body no. 169400, presented by GOI to A.E. Dobrovolsky, director of the Kiev optical plant, who oversaw the transfer of the captured Contax plant to Kiev. The camera outfit, including an instruction book dated 19434, was sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=2402217&acat=2402217&lang=3 November 2012 Westlicht Photographica Auction] in Vienna.</ref> and was for military use by the Soviet forces. The first cameras of this model were made by [[GOI]] in Leningrad, and later ones by KMZ.<ref name=WKMZ>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=2414918&_ssl=off#2414918 1945 KMZ FS-2], serial no. 1369, based on FED NKVD body no. 170511, also sold at the November 2012 Westlicht auction.</ref> The FS-2 comprises a modified [[FED 1]] on a wooden rifle stock incorporating a reflex viewfinder housing. The lens is a Tair-2 300 mm f/4.5, also made first by GOI and later by KMZ,<ref name=WKMZ/> in a special version (since the camera body plus the added reflex viewfinder has a unique film-to-flange depth). The FS-2 was based on a similar camera (the FS-1) made shortly before the War by GOI.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p552.</ref> McKeown estimates that less than 300 of the KMZ FS-2 cameras were made.
+
The '''Photosniper  FS-2''' was made in 1943-5,<ref name=WGOI>[http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=22&inO=368 1943 GOI FS-2], serial no. 1364, based on FED NKVD body no. 169400, presented by GOI to A.E. Dobrovolsky, director of the Kiev optical plant, who oversaw the transfer of the captured Contax plant to Kiev. The camera outfit, including an instruction book dated 19434, was sold at the [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=22 22nd Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 24 November 2012.</ref> and was for military use by the Soviet forces. The first cameras of this model were made by [[GOI]] in Leningrad, and later ones by KMZ.<ref name=WKMZ>[http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=22&inO=369 1945 KMZ FS-2], serial no. 1369, based on FED NKVD body no. 170511, also sold at the November 2012 Westlicht auction.</ref> The FS-2 comprises a modified [[FED 1]] on a wooden rifle stock incorporating a reflex viewfinder housing. The lens is a Tair-2 300 mm f/4.5, also made first by GOI and later by KMZ,<ref name=WKMZ/> in a special version (since the camera body plus the added reflex viewfinder has a unique film-to-flange depth). The FS-2 was based on a similar camera (the FS-1) made shortly before the War by GOI.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p552.</ref> McKeown estimates that less than 300 of the KMZ FS-2 cameras were made.
 
<br style="clear:both;"/>
 
<br style="clear:both;"/>
  
Line 39: Line 50:
 
* The camera body: a '''Zenit ES''' (a [[Zenit E]] with an extra shutter release in the base)
 
* The camera body: a '''Zenit ES''' (a [[Zenit E]] with an extra shutter release in the base)
 
* Helios-44 58mm f/2 lens
 
* 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)
+
* Tair-3AS 300mm f/4.5 lens, a modified version of the [[Tair-3]], with a focus control added on the underside
 
* Two yellow filters, 2× and 1.4×
 
* Two yellow filters, 2× and 1.4×
 
* UV filter
 
* UV filter
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/siimvahur/21996868961/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/654/21996868961_517b4fbc61.jpg
 +
|image_align= right
 +
|image_text=
 +
|image_by= Siim Vahur
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 
* Orange filter
 
* Orange filter
 
* Green filter
 
* Green filter
Line 66: Line 85:
  
 
==Photosniper FS-12==
 
==Photosniper FS-12==
The '''FS-12''' is a very similar kit to the FS-3, with updated components. The camera body is a [[Zenit 12|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.  
+
The '''FS-12''' is a very similar kit to the FS-3, with updated components. The camera body is a [[Zenit 12|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.
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/6093920081/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6191/6093920081_a600241e43_m_d.jpg
 +
|image2_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/6094462088/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image2= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6086/6094462088_332e696584_m_d.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text=
 +
|image_by= Tony Kemplen
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/147962026@N03/32837198515/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/674/32837198515_751517d924_m_d.jpg
 +
|image_align= left
 +
|image_text=
 +
|image_by= Ben Yurchenko
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
  
 +
 +
{{br}}
  
 
==Other models==
 
==Other models==
A number of other Photosniper models were made as prototypes. The KMZ Archive website (now closed) shows photographs or sketches of some of these.
+
A number of other Photosniper models were made as prototypes. The KMZ Archive website (now closed) shows photographs or sketches of some of these.<ref name=KMZArch>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080828033610/http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/fs/index.html Notes on the KMZ Photosniper] models previously at the KMZ Archive website (<nowiki>http://www.zenitcamera.com</nowiki>), and archived at the [http://wayback.archive.org/web/ Internet Archive 'Wayback Machine'] in August 2008.</ref>
 +
* FS-3SMS
 
* '''FS-Zorki''' (late 1970s); the reflex housing incorporates a direct viewfinder with a wider view than the lens; the same eyepiece switches between through-the-lens reflex finding and the direct finder.
 
* '''FS-Zorki''' (late 1970s); the reflex housing incorporates a direct viewfinder with a wider view than the lens; the same eyepiece switches between through-the-lens reflex finding and the direct finder.
 
* '''FS-4''', (early 1980s) an update of the FS-3 based on a Zenit-16
 
* '''FS-4''', (early 1980s) an update of the FS-3 based on a Zenit-16
 
* '''FS-4M''', very similar to the FS-4 but based on a Zenit-19.
 
* '''FS-4M''', very similar to the FS-4 but based on a Zenit-19.
 +
* FS-4M-2
 
* '''FS-5'''; a Photosniper using a planned modular 35 mm camera (a copy of the [[Rolleiflex SL2000F]])
 
* '''FS-5'''; a Photosniper using a planned modular 35 mm camera (a copy of the [[Rolleiflex SL2000F]])
 
* '''FS-Zenit'''; a vertically-oriented 35 mm camera, shaped rather like a cine camera, and with only a pistol grip, not a stock.
 
* '''FS-Zenit'''; a vertically-oriented 35 mm camera, shaped rather like a cine camera, and with only a pistol grip, not a stock.
 
* '''FS-5''' (confusingly, reusing the designation of the modular camera project above);  another updated version of the familiar stock-mounted 35 mm SLR Photosniper.
 
* '''FS-5''' (confusingly, reusing the designation of the modular camera project above);  another updated version of the familiar stock-mounted 35 mm SLR Photosniper.
 
+
* FS-12sds
 +
* FS-12xps
 +
* FS-14
 +
* FS-122
 +
* FS-122-2
 +
* FS-122-3
 +
* FS-122M
 +
* FS-122 Souvenirny (850th Moscow Anniversary)
 +
* FS-122kt
 +
* FS-312kt
 +
* FS-412
 +
* FS-APO
 +
* FS-NV
  
 
<br style="clear:both;"/>
 
<br style="clear:both;"/>
 +
<!-- commenting out this picture; the flash stops it being very informative. Feel free to undo if you disagree! Dustin McAmera Jan 2012
 
<div class=floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 10px 15px;">
 
<div class=floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 10px 15px;">
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
Line 90: Line 144:
 
}}
 
}}
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
-->
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/guylordat/7943380826/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/7943380826_89aee5fa82_n_d.jpg
 +
|image_align= right
 +
|image_text= FS-12
 +
|image_by=camera1739
 +
|image_rights= wp
 +
}}
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
 
* [http://www.photohistory.ru/1207248179841091.html Notes on the FS-2] (in Russian) with pictures of FS-2 serial no. 1054, dated to 1944 (interestingly inconsistent with the two examples at Westlicht cited above, both 13xx); at Georgi Abramov's [http://www.photohistory.ru/1208091119011489.html Photohistory]
 
* [http://www.photohistory.ru/1207248179841091.html Notes on the FS-2] (in Russian) with pictures of FS-2 serial no. 1054, dated to 1944 (interestingly inconsistent with the two examples at Westlicht cited above, both 13xx); at Georgi Abramov's [http://www.photohistory.ru/1208091119011489.html Photohistory]
* [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=236073&_ssl=off#236073 Photosniper FS-2] based on a FED 1d, sold (for €9600) in November 2011 by [http://www.westlicht-auction.com Westlicht Photographica Auction] in Vienna.
+
* [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=20&inO=380 Photosniper FS-2] based on a FED 1d serial no. 159500, sold (for €9600) at the [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=20 20th Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 1 November 2011.
 
* [http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmsinglelensreflexcameras/cameras/photosniper/index.htm Photosniper series] at [http://www.commiecameras.com Communist Cameras]
 
* [http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmsinglelensreflexcameras/cameras/photosniper/index.htm Photosniper series] at [http://www.commiecameras.com Communist Cameras]
 
* [http://www.kameramuseum.de/0-fotokameras/russisch/zenit/photosniper/photo-sniper-1.html Photosniper FS-12] at [http://www.kameramuseum.de Kurt Tauber's Kamera Museum]
 
* [http://www.kameramuseum.de/0-fotokameras/russisch/zenit/photosniper/photo-sniper-1.html Photosniper FS-12] at [http://www.kameramuseum.de Kurt Tauber's Kamera Museum]
* Pages previously at the KMZ Archive website (<nowiki>http://www.zenitcamera.com</nowiki>):
+
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20080511170434/http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/fs-12/fs-12.html FS-12 user's manual], in Russian, previously at the KMZ Archive website (<nowiki>http://www.zenitcamera.com</nowiki>) and archived at the 'Wayback Machine' in May 2008.
** [http://web.archive.org/web/20080828033610/http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/fs/index.html Notes on the KMZ Photosniper] models, archived at the [http://wayback.archive.org/web/ Internet Archive 'Wayback Machine'] in August 2008.
 
** [http://web.archive.org/web/20080511170434/http://www.zenitcamera.com/mans/fs-12/fs-12.html FS-12 user's manual], in Russian, archived at the 'Wayback Machine' in May 2008.
 
  
 
[[Category:Zenit|Photosniper]]
 
[[Category:Zenit|Photosniper]]
[[Category:Rifle shape]]
+
[[Category:Gun shape]]
 
[[Category:35mm SLR]]
 
[[Category:35mm SLR]]

Revision as of 15:55, 2 August 2017

The Photosniper SLR-"gun" was made first by GOI and later by KMZ, originally for military use. Probably its original purpose was to use the quiet hands of good soldiers to shoot reconnaissance photos out of their emplacements. Later models were freely available as cameras for amateurs, nature photographers, spys and press Paparazzi.




Photosniper FS-2

The Photosniper FS-2 was made in 1943-5,[1] and was for military use by the Soviet forces. The first cameras of this model were made by GOI in Leningrad, and later ones by KMZ.[2] The FS-2 comprises a modified FED 1 on a wooden rifle stock incorporating a reflex viewfinder housing. The lens is a Tair-2 300 mm f/4.5, also made first by GOI and later by KMZ,[2] in a special version (since the camera body plus the added reflex viewfinder has a unique film-to-flange depth). The FS-2 was based on a similar camera (the FS-1) made shortly before the War by GOI.[3] McKeown estimates that less than 300 of the KMZ FS-2 cameras were made.



Photosniper FS-3

The FS-3 is a redesign of the Photosniper idea for civilian sales and export, now based on a true SLR camera and with a metal stock. Produced in 1965-69, the FS-3 was supplied as a complete kit, including both telephoto and standard lenses, housed in a steel carrying case. Individual components are fastened to the case by screws, bolts and clips. In later versions the steel container was replaced by a canvas bag.

The kit comprises:

  • 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, 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

The FS-12 is a very similar kit to the FS-3, 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.



Other models

A number of other Photosniper models were made as prototypes. The KMZ Archive website (now closed) shows photographs or sketches of some of these.[4]

  • FS-3SMS
  • FS-Zorki (late 1970s); the reflex housing incorporates a direct viewfinder with a wider view than the lens; the same eyepiece switches between through-the-lens reflex finding and the direct finder.
  • FS-4, (early 1980s) an update of the FS-3 based on a Zenit-16
  • FS-4M, very similar to the FS-4 but based on a Zenit-19.
  • FS-4M-2
  • FS-5; a Photosniper using a planned modular 35 mm camera (a copy of the Rolleiflex SL2000F)
  • FS-Zenit; a vertically-oriented 35 mm camera, shaped rather like a cine camera, and with only a pistol grip, not a stock.
  • FS-5 (confusingly, reusing the designation of the modular camera project above); another updated version of the familiar stock-mounted 35 mm SLR Photosniper.
  • FS-12sds
  • FS-12xps
  • FS-14
  • FS-122
  • FS-122-2
  • FS-122-3
  • FS-122M
  • FS-122 Souvenirny (850th Moscow Anniversary)
  • FS-122kt
  • FS-312kt
  • FS-412
  • FS-APO
  • FS-NV


Notes

  1. 1943 GOI FS-2, serial no. 1364, based on FED NKVD body no. 169400, presented by GOI to A.E. Dobrovolsky, director of the Kiev optical plant, who oversaw the transfer of the captured Contax plant to Kiev. The camera outfit, including an instruction book dated 19434, was sold at the 22nd Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 24 November 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 1945 KMZ FS-2, serial no. 1369, based on FED NKVD body no. 170511, also sold at the November 2012 Westlicht auction.
  3. 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.
  4. Notes on the KMZ Photosniper models previously at the KMZ Archive website (http://www.zenitcamera.com), and archived at the Internet Archive 'Wayback Machine' in August 2008.

Links