Posted 12 years ago
Henry
(56 items)
Russian 35mm KMZ Zenit B was produced from 1968-73. An all mechanical 35mm and when built KMZ was under the assumption that "simple is better". Zenit bodies are somewhat common and are quite cheap on the market today yet the two lens turret is virtually non-existant. Though I have tried numerous times to search only in vain for info that seems to simply not exist. If anyone has any info please share. This I do know. In 1980 there was a turret lens Zenit that was produced for the sport photographers to be used in the Moscow Olympics. This two lens turret is one of the only two examples I have seen, and supposedly where made for, the Zenit B and E. The E model is the same as the B in every way except it has a built in light meter which turned out to be somewhat of a disaster for leaking light into the body. The craftsmanship on the turret assembly is professional precision therefore I believe it was made by the factory at the time of production of this model. The two lenses are legendary known lenses that came with this model originally--Helios 44-2 58mm, Mir-1B 37mm. Also there is the original eye cup on the view finder. (notice the photographer in the lens reflection pic #3, oops...)
The way the turret works is the bracket that holds the two lenses is attach by a swivel plate that rotates one lens to the other's position by a spring for a quick lens change while protecting the back of the second lens that is not in use. Therefore you always have two lenses on the camera that can be use quickly. Brilliant idea, I think, although it makes handling a bit difficult. Ergonomically challenging.