Author Topic: Does anyone still use Zenit SLRs? (Read 4001 times)

chris667 · « **on:** May 11, 2017, 11:00:44 AM »

I have a friend, who used to work for a government department as a technician servicing measurement equipment. He is very, very knowledgeable about cameras.

We were chatting the other day, and he started telling me why he liked Zenit SLRs. He has used them extensively.

I had a flashback to being a kid. When I was young and poor, I never managed to get a Zenit to work properly for more than a couple of months. He told me they were really simple to service. So I have picked one up to experiment on.

Do any of you still have Zenit SLRs? Do you use them?

jojonas~ · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2017, 02:38:09 PM »

I've had one and thought it was charming but in the end I gave it to a friend as they'd use it more. I might get another one though.

I do enjoy the Kiev 6C I got from Ezzie though! it lends itself well for tinkering on

Bryan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2017, 04:02:29 PM »

I have a Zenit B that I still use occasionally, it has never given me any problems. I have several M42 lenses so it will get some use. It's the most basic SLR that I own but I'm ok with that.

Zenit-B by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Crosley Hood Ornament by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Miles · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2017, 06:37:44 PM »

My first real camera after a friend had one. I still use them and when I see them for a few euros in France I ALWAYS buy them, must have about 8.

Get a good M42 Pinhole body cap and they make a grand PH that you can flip back to being an Std SLR anytime.

With a role of FP4 and the lovely Prime Std lens it's probably my fave combo still.

Love em :-)

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2017, 11:12:05 AM »

I have two Zenit-E that arrived as rear lens caps, and they've just been sitting in a box. Never thought they would even be worth the postage to anyone, though I may be wrong about that.

AJShepherd · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2017, 01:15:01 PM »

My first SLR was a Zenit EM which I had for years the first time I got into photography. Only had the one problem after dropping it when it made a grinding noise winding on and had the local camera shop fix it.
I still have all those slides of long past family holidays shot with it like this archetypal British seaside shot...

The Great British Seaside Holiday by Antony Shepherd, on Flickr

After a while though I lost interest and traded it for one of the new autofocus compacts (Ricoh AF2). Was only after I came back to photography that I picked up another Zenit EM for nostalgia reasons. Reminds me it's high time I gave it another outing.

chris667 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2017, 02:32:52 PM »

Quote from: Sandeha Lynch on May 12, 2017, 11:12:05 AM

I have two Zenit-E that arrived as rear lens caps, and they've just been sitting in a box. Never thought they would even be worth the postage to anyone, though I may be wrong about that.

Are they dead? I have been told how to sort out the shutters now, which is the reason I got rid of my old ones. I'm going to experiment on my new one on Tuesday. If it is as easy a fix as my friend said, I will post pictures and instructions.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2017, 06:10:36 PM »

They are mechanically fine. The meter needles move but I haven't tested them for accuracy. View screens are clear, too.

chris667 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2017, 07:14:51 PM »

Oh, give 'em a whirl! They are great fun, and capable of superb results.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2017, 07:57:27 PM »

Quote from: chris667 on May 12, 2017, 07:14:51 PM

Oh, give 'em a whirl! They are great fun, and capable of superb results.

Perhaps they are, but they are definitely at the back of the queue and I can't see them moving forwards any time soon.

Bryan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2017, 08:11:24 PM »

Quote from: Sandeha Lynch on May 12, 2017, 07:57:27 PM

Quote from: chris667 on May 12, 2017, 07:14:51 PM
Oh, give 'em a whirl! They are great fun, and capable of superb results.

Perhaps they are, but they are definitely at the back of the queue and I can't see them moving forwards any time soon.

Sounds like it's time for another "Share the Love" gear exchange.

Francois · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2017, 08:48:13 PM »

We haven't done one of those in ages!

Miles · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2017, 09:28:25 PM »

The passing round of CCCP Cold War bricks ? Have I entered Socialist utopia :-)

They can do anything, I have E's XP's and EM's I think. Will have a root and see what's what for sharing, think some have mucky viewfinders.

https://flic.kr/p/872KCY

https://flic.kr/p/872JSY

https://flic.kr/p/M4CbUm

https://flic.kr/p/bFywqg

astrobeck · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2017, 10:22:01 PM »

they sound intriguing, and the photos posted so far are nice...may have to try one...

chris667 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2017, 10:55:26 AM »

A friend has sent me all the service manuals for them!

I will find somewhere online to store them if you like.

astrobeck · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2017, 06:15:18 PM »

you guys are bad influences.....

I found a nice Helios 44m lens with a TTL Zenit attached as a rear lens cap.
The camera and lens look to be in good shape and they should be here just in time for some summertime shooting.

It's going to be a fun summer!!!

chris667 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2017, 07:36:19 PM »

Well, I was taking these beauties out for a walk earlier!

First thoughts are they are lovely, mindful cameras which work well. You have to really pay attention. Stop down before you take the picture, and of course work out what readings you need.

Viewfinders not up to 1970s Japanese SLR brightness, but better than most old cameras. Nearly as good as my Spotmatics.

I think they are great! From what I've seen so far, I think I could have one as my only camera.

Francois · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2017, 09:16:05 PM »

Quote from: astrobeck on May 16, 2017, 06:15:18 PM

you guys are bad influences.....

chris667 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2017, 04:00:54 PM »

Well, I've sent some rolls of film off for developing.

Watch this space!

Kayos · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2017, 11:23:42 PM »

I have several, never really gelled with them

astrobeck · « **Reply #20 on:** May 19, 2017, 11:26:14 PM »

Yippie!

My Zenit TTL arrived today and it looks pretty good..
Do I need to take heed with changing the shutter speed after advancing the shutter like some others from Russia?

This will be my weekend camera...

Miles · « **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2017, 12:36:59 PM »

A TTL OoooooooooooO get you Fancey Kecks

No it's not like a Zorki but I think there is a "thing" about going from one of the lower speeds in the right direction

Hope you enjoy it, I really do think they are great.

chris667 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2017, 01:02:36 PM »

I have the manual for it! I will sort out a way to make it available next week if you remind me.

chris667 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 20, 2017, 01:10:50 PM »

Test results are in. These are workable little cameras, capable of good results.

I enjoyed going out and guesstimating exposures. And I'm not worried about breaking them. I call that a win.

I am pleased.

More pictures soon.

johnha · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2017, 01:11:30 PM »

This post reminds me that I have a Zenit EM 'Moscow Olympics' somewhere. I have always been reluctant to use it in case it requires the correct sequence for shutter speed & shutter cocking. The selenium cell responds (gradually) to different light levels but that's all I can say about it.

I had a Zorki 4K which was so painful to cock the shutter I had to stop after a few frames.

John.

AJShepherd · « **Reply #25 on:** May 22, 2017, 01:36:46 PM »

I've got the same model of EM and I can vouch that it doesn't matter if you change the shutter speed before or after winding on. Though as I broke my Fed 5 by getting that wrong I can understand why you'd be wary!

Limit is you can't go between B and 500, so if you're changing from 30th to a 500th you have to go the long way round.

astrobeck · « **Reply #26 on:** May 31, 2017, 09:17:28 PM »

A few scans from the first roll through the TTL.
I like the clunky devil...
Agfa Precisa cross processed. A good fit I think...

Harvey · « **Reply #27 on:** May 31, 2017, 10:06:38 PM »

Love the slippery steps Becky. A good fit I'd agree.

astrobeck · « **Reply #28 on:** June 02, 2017, 07:33:37 PM »

maybe my camera does not work afterall....

When rewinding the film for the first roll that I posted photos of earlier, I had to put the thing in a dark bag to get the film out.
The little collar that you turn, ( and I did) to release the film did not release the film for rewinding.
I thought I was not doing it right, thus the dark bag trick.
So the second roll is finished, and again, turning the collar does not release the film....acck!

I also noticed that the collar does not reset itself ( as some online instructions indicated) when I close the film door.

Should I give it up, or is there some little trick I don't know about that collar???
Please help. I like this clumky devil of a camera and don't want to carry a dark bag everywhere just to unload the thing.

Thanks,
Beck

Francois · « **Reply #29 on:** June 02, 2017, 10:12:56 PM »

probably in need of a drop of oil in the rewind mechanism.
I must admit that rewinding was not one of the Russian's strong points when making cameras. I had a Cosmic 35 that I nicknamed the thumb grinder!
Also, a lot of their cameras were designed for spool to spool operation as most 35mm stock didn't come in a cassette in the old Soviet days. Film was just wrapped in aluminum foil.

chris667 · « **Reply #30 on:** June 02, 2017, 10:17:20 PM »

On my Zenit E, B and 3M, you have to hold down the button next to the shutter speed dial to rewind.

Which one do you have? I probably have the manual.

chris667 · « **Reply #31 on:** June 02, 2017, 10:27:21 PM »

Actually, even without being asked, I thought I'd upload them.

Every Russian camera manual I have.

Hope it is useful to someone!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hm22ofk44ejyygr/AACev7WwKGAk5QaZ2sLB1ocTa?dl=0

astrobeck · « **Reply #32 on:** June 03, 2017, 05:26:57 PM »

Thanks!
The trick to the rewind is turning the collar thing and depressing the shutter button!
Yay!

Onward!