History and review of Zorkiy cameras

In Soviet times, almost every family owned a Zorky camera. The device, equipped with a rangefinder camera, was used for amateur, reporter and technical filming.

The Soviet camera "Zorkiy" was very popular among amateur photographers in the post-war years. It had a solid die-cast body, a reliable camera, and interchangeable lenses. The camera is easy to operate. Production was launched at the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (KMZ) in 1948.

The first modification is an absolute analogue of the Kharkov camera "FED". This is explained by the fact that at the end of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, the technical documentation was sent to the mechanical plant in Krasnogorsk, since the Kharkov enterprise destroyed during the Great Patriotic War needed time to recover. Prior to that, the Krasnogorsk company produced only binoculars, stereoscopes, sights and other military equipment.

The year of manufacture by the number can only be found for models manufactured after 1954. Since that time, when marking cameras in the serial number, the year in which a particular device was produced is recorded. In case of year-by-year sequential numbering, the first 2 digits indicate the last two digits of the year of manufacture of the item. Until that time, continuous serial numbering was used.

The first modifications included a shutter speed of 1 / 1000th of a second. Since 1955, the production of devices with a shutter speed of 1/20 of a second has been adjusted. Usually the devices were equipped with standard lenses: Industar-22, Industar-26M, Industar-50 and ZK-2/50, ZK-1.5 / 50. Their feature is the ability to fold. The lens is attached using a special thread M39x1. In working order, the focus of the lens is 28.8 mm. The tripod socket has a 3/8 '' thread.

Nowadays the Zorkiy-3K lens is in demand. A 35mm perforated film, placed in a standard cassette, is inserted into the bottom of the camera. The time-consuming process of replacing film requires a special skill from the photographer. Equipping the body with a removable cover facilitates the procedure of replacing the cassette in the camera.

The very first modification of the small-format rangefinder was manufactured from 1948 to 1956. In it, the optical viewfinder was not yet combined with the rangefinder. There is no sync contact. Shutter speed and aperture were set manually.

This device was produced for a short time - from 1954 to 1956. It was equipped with a 2.8 / 50 lens and a self-timer. The model did not have a sync contact.

The device was produced from 1955 to 1958. It differed from the previous modifications by the release key, the ability to rewind the film and the addition of a sync contact. The shutter speeds used (1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500 and "B") can be adjusted before and after the shutter is cocked. The adjustable lead time contributed to the increase in model height as the top cover was redesigned.

This photographic device was produced from 1956 to 1960. There is a self-timer and synchrocontact. Since 1959, automatic shutter speeds have been consistent with international standards: 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500. There are 2 round eyes on the back wall of the model.The right eye is the viewfinder and the left is the rangefinder.

The camera was manufactured from 1951 to 1956. The camera is equipped with an adjustable diopter viewfinder. Combination of the viewfinder with the rangefinder is provided. The device is equipped with two holding heads. One of them, with the possibility of setting the shutter speed from 1/1000 to 1/25 seconds and "B" (by hand), is located on the top cover, the other (shutter speeds from 1/25 to 1 second and "D") - on the front panel cameras. One of the heads must be set for 1/25 s.

The technical characteristics coincide with the parameters of the Zorkiy-3 apparatus. Unlike the previous modification, this model has a reliable and uncomplicated holding mechanism. It is located under the top cover. There are no exposure heads on the front of the camera.

The technically improved small format camera was in the greatest demand among the population. The model was produced from 1956 to 1973. The metal case has a removable back cover. The use of interchangeable lenses is provided.

The shutter speeds are provided by a separate retarder mechanism. Longer exposure is regulated by anticipating the actuation of the sync contact. The large, bright viewfinder has a 1: 1 scale.

The most recent model of the Zorkiy-4 camera was endowed with a camera with a cocked shutter, therefore, the letter "K" was added to the name. The model was mass produced from 1972 to 1978. A small batch of parts remaining in the warehouse was produced in 1980.

This camera differed from other models by the lenses of the Zenith type. The device was produced from 1958 to 1959. It had minor external differences, the logo was depicted in a different way. The model provides 2 sync contacts "X" and "M". They are designed for electronic and chemical flash photography. There is no self-timer.

The model was published from 1959 to 1966. The rangefinder camera was equipped with a self-timer, the mechanism for cocking the shutter and scrolling the film was slightly changed. The rest of the parameters are identical to the technical parameters of the Zorkiy-5 device.

The small-format device "Zorky-7" was produced from 1960 to 1962. It is known under the name "Friend". The design of the model was distinguished by some technical innovations. The camera has been improved. A retractable lever appeared, which was pulled out from the bottom of the device. It was required to press on it with the finger of the left hand. At this time, it was impossible to take your eyes off the viewfinder.

The platoon was adapted for continuous shooting at a speed of 3 frames per second. The model had a mechanical self-timer with a delay of 9-20 seconds, a metal die-cast body with a hinged back cover.

The production of this modification was carried out from 1964 to 1977. The device differed from the previous models by the fixed lens "Industar-63". Frames were limited by the sparkling frames of the optical viewfinder. The inner frame was designed to correct the parallax at the time of shooting from a short distance - up to one and a half meters.

The production of this modification was established from 1964 to 1967. The technical characteristics of the automatic dial camera are fully consistent with the parameters of the previous model. But This device does not include a rangefinder.

The device is the first automatic semi-format scale device. It was produced from 1967 to 1968. The device used a Rapid cassette charger, which did not need rewinding. The cassette clip held 12 frames of film.

Before using any technical device, you must read the instructions. A detailed description of the device is attached to each model of the "Sharp" family. The instructions also give advice on how to cock the bolt and what to do if it jams.how to press a button when taking a photo. The actions that should be performed at the end of the work cycle are outlined.

The instructions describe the steps to take when charging the camera., setting the film sensitivity until the sensitivity value appears in the window.

For an overview of the Zorkiy camera, see the next video.