Zenith Camera

Zenith is the trademark of a number of samples of the photographic equipment made in 1952-2005. The Krasnogorsk mechanical plant (nowadays — the Krasnogorsk plant of S.A. Zverev) in the city of Krasnogorsk of the Moscow region.

2019: Beginning of sales

On June 4, 2019 sales of the first camera under the revived brand Zenit began. The range-metering model Zenit M is developed based on Leica of M (Type 240) using hi-tech domestic optics, TASS with reference to the press release received from Rostec reports.

The released camera allows to change photosensitivity in the range from 100 to 6 of 400 and to conduct serial shooting with a speed of three frames per second. Zenit M is equipped with the lens of new generation Zenitar of 35 mm of f/1.0 executed of metal and glass. The lens helps to create the images which are not requiring additional processing.

Legendary Zenit cameras returned on the market

Though the basis of innovation was formed by the camera of Leica of M (Type 240), but devices differ in both component base, and the software. Zenit M is completely developed in Russia and for 100% is made of domestic components and materials.

For us it is difficult to revaluate value of this event. Long work, beginning from an idea of the camera and finishing it with the embodiment, at last, led to the main thing — a possibility of its acquisition which appeared at a huge number of admirers of Zenit and photographers worldwide. I think, it something more large-scale, than the beginning of sales of one camera — essentially new round in the history of all brand — the CEO of the Krasnogorsk plant of S.A. Zverev (KMZ, enters in Schwab — holding of Rostec state corporation) Vadim Kalyugin (the quote by RIA Novosti).[1]

The size of the first batch of Zenit M cameras made 500 copies. Almost all of them were bought up according to preorders. Rostec notes great interest to a product as in Russia, and abroad. The chief executive of Rostec Oleg Yevtushenko  reported that demand indicates success of the joint project with Leica on revival of a legendary domestic brand.

2018

Dmitry Medvedev's visit on production of Zenit

The production site of the developer enterprise of the domestic Zenit brand an official visit was paid by the chairman Governments of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev where he personally got acquainted with the first serial copy of the digital range-metering camera Zenit M, reported TAdviser on October 5, 2018 in state corporation "Rostec". The camera with an appearance of legendary cameras of the Zenit and Zorky family is created for photographing in different conditions.

Also showed to the prime minister how at the Krasnogorsk plant of S.A. Zverev (enters a guidance loop of Schwabe holding) the lens Zenitar 35 mm f/1.0 is made of the Russian components and materials.

Zenith comes to a new segment of the market of photography equipment. Thanks to the unique optics created in Russia, the modern full-scale camera Zenit M exceeds analogs. As well as many years ago, a lens Zenit is for 100% a domestic product, and we are glad to show features of its production to the country leaders — the First Deputy CEO Schwab Sergey Popov said.

According to the CEO of Rostec Sergey Chemezov, revival of production of the Russian photography equipment of such level — a milestone event for the industry of our country. The camera and lenses — the first-class quality and design, and perspective on export of a product — optimistic, the head of state corporation assured.

Presentation of Zenit M and return of a legendary brand

At the end of September, 2018 the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (KMP) of S.A. Zverev entering into Schwabe holding, and the German company Leica provided the Zenit digital camera. This product announced within the international exhibition in the field of the photoindustry of Photokina 2018 in Cologne, developers return a legendary brand Zenit on the Russian market of cameras.

The camera Zenit M is created based on model of Leica of M (Type 240), but has some differences in components and the software. Innovation repeats an appearance of the well-known cameras of the Zenit and Zorky family. The design is developed on KMZ in cooperation with studio of industrial design SmirnovDesign.

The digital range-metering camera Zenit M with a lens of new generation

The Zenit M model is equipped with the lens Zenitar 35 mm f/1.0 executed of metal and glass. It is completely developed and manufactured in Russia, 100% of components and materials in its structure — the Russian production. The lens creates the image which is not requiring processing with unique a side and effect software focus.

Users, purchasing the camera and a lens, will receive not the just high-quality device with the thought-over ergonomic design and high optical characteristics, and really "smart" camera which will provide a high image quality — the head of KMZ Vadim Kalyugin said.

New Zenit will go on sale in the European market in December, 2018. In Russia it can be purchased, since January of the 2019th, in corporate online store and some shops of photography equipment.

Zenit M is developed based on the camera of Leica of M (Type 240)

The representative of KMZ in a conversation of RIA Novosti told that in Russia and Europe only 500 copies of Zenit M with the lenses Zenitar 35 mm f/1.0 will be available. On the basis of the got experience of the company will decide that to release further — the reflex camera or new range-metering.

The Krasnogorsk plant also submitted the wide list of the lenses "Zenitar" and "Helios". Among them — the optical systems developed especially for new Zenit.

2017: Revival of Zenit

On August 18 it became known that the Krasnogorsk plant of S.A. Zverev intends to revive production of legendary Zenit cameras. According to Igor Sergeyev, the head of the department of development of civil instrument making Schwab, work on the project will be conducted together with the world developer of electronics whose name does not reveal.^[2]

It is supposed that the Krasnogorsk plant will be engaged in creation of infrastructure under production of optics for cameras. In turn, electronics will be manufactured abroad. The road map of the project assumes an output of the first products to the market in 2018, Igor Sergeyev said.

According to him, in the revived option the camera will save traditional color and features of Zenit — characteristic contours, ergonomics, lines of the camera, but, at the same time, it will be upgraded. In finishing of the device it is going to use leather and other high-quality materials. Products in two color schemes will be issued: in dark and light. The full non-reflex digital camera of the brand Zenit "more expensively than the good smartphone" will cost at the same time.

As the representative of the Krasnogorsk plant explained, it is not going to compete with the famous producers of the photoequipment, however there is a task "rather widely to come with this product on world and domestic market to provide it on all marketplaces".

We revive the brand Zenit as in due time it already made success as in Russia, and abroad — Sergeyev concluded.

2000: Compact Zenit cameras

Low-format compact cameras were made by the Krasnogorsk plant together with Taiwanese company of Toptronic from 2000 to 2002. The line of devices included models Zenit−510, −520, −610, −620 and the SKINA line received the name. Devices were issued in the plastic body of besfutlyarny construction. The lock platoon, rewind of a film and back wind were performed by the built-in electric drive, input of values of photosensitivity of a film — the DX code. Also there was a built-in flashlight with automatic or forced switch-on.

Low-format compact "Zenit-610" camera

1952: Start of production of legendary low-format Zenit

In 1952 the mirror low-format amateur Zenit camera which became widely known and became the ancestor of the whole generation of mirror cameras which were improved every year was put in production. In 2005 the camera was laid off.

In the USSR Zenit enjoyed wide popularity. In Soviet period it was sold not only in domestic market, but also exported to many countries, including Germany, Italy and France.

Single-lens mirror "Zenit-EAT" camera. Photo: photar.ru

More than 40 production models of the Zenit cameras which mostly are original developments of the Krasnogorsk plant are known. All of them are expected application of a film of type 135 and provide use of interchangeable lens. The majority of models are supplied with a focal lock with blinds made of cloth or metal lamels. Devices of the family "Zenit-4", "Zenit-5", "Zenit-6" have the central lock.

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