Digital Zenit? 5 to 7K USD? You gotta be kidding me...

[Kino]

https://zenit.camera/

I have a lot of fun with my Russian film cameras, but I asking me to shell-out 5 to 7K USD for a Russian Digital Camera?

Nyet!

 

[removed account4]

cheaper than a leica and comes with a noctalux !

 

[Paul Howell]

Over the past few years I read that there was a Russian digital camera in the works, not a Leica knock off, a budget priced full frame SLR with Nikon MF mount, projected price was said to be around $800 U.S. Wonder who makes the Sensor? What with the sanctions wonder if it can imported to the U.S?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have no idea why it was decided to call outdated Leica digital RF model as Zenit.
As I could see it is confusing SLR crowd.

 

[Eric Hiss]

A bit of a late reply, but the Zenit-M and 35/1.0 are pretty neat camera kits that come with a special lens . Definitely some checks with Sanctions and had some trouble importing to the US while the OFAC checked to see if Zenit KMZ are on an black lists (they aren't) The cameras are built by Leica. the lens from Russia. You end up with a collectible kit with a lower priced Leica M240 and fast wide thats a lot cheaper than a noctilux. I've been shooting a lot with the lens and it's really quite nice and fun to shoot. The Zenit-M does in camera corrections for the 35/1.0 and also for the 50/1.0 and 21/2.8 (which aren't available yet. I'm using the 35/1.0 Zenitar also on a Sony A7r IV with the techart adapter which is also cool. Full disclosure - I import and sell the Rolleiflex and Zenit items under Rolleiflex USA LLC, and on two websites Rolleiflex.us and Zenit.store

 

[Martin Singleton]

Surely it should be a Zorki if it's a KMZ rangefinder?

 

[Eric Hiss]

Martin, Interesting point, but in this case the camera is totally made, calibrated and checked by Leica with only design cues and software changes by Zenit KMZ. And if I am being precise, I would say Krasnogorsky Zavod PJSC since that's the name of the public joint stock company. The lens in the kit, 35mm f/1.0 Zenitar is 100% Russian designed and produced.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I wouldn't mind having one of those Vodkaluxes. On their website they say a 50 1.0 was coming in 2019. Wonder where that is....

 

[Martin Singleton]

Martin, Interesting point, but in this case the camera is totally made, calibrated and checked by Leica with only design cues and software changes by Zenit KMZ. And if I am being precise, I would say Krasnogorsky Zavod PJSC since that's the name of the public joint stock company. The lens in the kit, 35mm f/1.0 Zenitar is 100% Russian designed and produced.

Strange repeating of camera history, the original FED cameras being copies of the Leica I. IIRC manufacture of FED cameras was moved to Krasnogorsk (KMZ) during WWII (or Great Patriotic War) where the model was rebranded as Zorki. The basic shutter and body was adapted into the Zenit series of SLRs. One of the interesting things about collecting Soviet cameras is ending up with a little piece of social and political history.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I own some Jupiter lenses and both my 35mm and 85mm Jupiter are Leica copies. They have quirks like not having click f stops, but they're not bad.

 

[Eric Hiss]

I wouldn't mind having one of those Vodkaluxes. On their website they say a 50 1.0 was coming in 2019. Wonder where that is....

Patrick, the 50/1.0 and 21/2.8 in M mount are still on the way, and last I was told will be available for me to order for US sales early next year. I still don't have exact pricing however I'll share that as soon as I know it.

 

[mshchem]

Fascinating.