Zorki 6

The Zorki 6 is a Russian 35mm rangefinder camera, made by KMZ between 1959 and 1966. This is the sixth camera in the Zorki lineup, and the last unique model to be created. The Zorki 4K even though produced after the 6, is a re-incarnation of the 4.

The camera is based on the second version of the Zorki 5 but has these new features:

• Hinged back for easy film loading
• Mechanical self timer on the body
• The shutter is now fixed so advancing the film with no lens on causes no problems
• Uniquely to this Zorki you can change the shutter speed before or after advancing the film

The frame counter and shutter release are both on the film advance lever, the counter must be reset manually when changing films. The standard lenses offered with the camera were the rigid or collapsible Industar-50. The tripod collar is 3/8" unlike the standard 1/4" for modern 35mm cameras, adapters are still widely made. The strap lugs are also included as on the Zorki 5. There are two flash sync sockets, X and M, and a cold shoe.

Vertical adjustment for the rangefinder is done by rotating a collar in the rangefinder exiting optic. A horizontal adjustment is done by a screw hidden behind the screw holding the left of the nameplate (when looking from the front).

The nameplate is a separate metal piece screwed onto the front. There are at least three versions of nameplates, the Cyrillic, the roman, and the cursive roman, the last being the rarest. On roman models there is a stamp on the back reading 'Made in USSR', and the Russian equivalent on Cyrillic models, and on some models there is no inscription. The KMZ logo is also stamped on the back, along with the serial number from whose first two digits the year of manufacture can be deduced.

Gallery

Zorki 6 with Leitz Elmar 35/3.5 image by Paulo Moreira (Image rights)

Zorki 6 + Chrome Jupiter-8 lens image by Paulo Moreira (Image rights)

Zorki 6 (Export roman model) image by Siim Vahur (Image rights)

Links

• zorki 6, Zorki 6 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
• Zorki 5 and 6 in Wayne Cornell's photography site
• Zorki 6 on Rus-Camera.com