M39 Zenit

blockend · Mar 12, 2018

I have a few M39 screw thread SLR lenses (note: not rangefinder M39) but no body to put them on.

Can anyone tell me the appropriate Zenit body to look for so I can try them out?

Ko.Fe. · Mar 12, 2018

Zenit, Zenit-C, Zenit-3, Zenit-3M, Crystall and Zenit-E KMZ made before 1967.

M39×1/45,2
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Резьбовое_соединение_M39×1
" Рабочий отрезок 45,2 мм. Стандарт для однообъективных зеркальных фотоаппаратов «Зенит», «Зенит-С», «Зенит-3», «Зенит-3М», «Кристалл», «Зенит-Е» ранних выпусков.

Однообъективные зеркальные фотоаппараты, выпущенные КМЗ до 1967 года, имели резьбовое соединение M39×1...."

blockend · Mar 12, 2018

Ko.Fe. said:
Zenit, Zenit-C, Zenit-3, Zenit-3M, Crystall and Zenit-E KMZ made before 1967.

M39×1/45,2
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Резьбовое_соединение_M39×1
" Рабочий отрезок 45,2 мм. Стандарт для однообъективных зеркальных фотоаппаратов «Зенит», «Зенит-С», «Зенит-3», «Зенит-3М», «Кристалл», «Зенит-Е» ранних выпусков.

Однообъективные зеркальные фотоаппараты, выпущенные КМЗ до 1967 года, имели резьбовое соединение M39×1...."

Unfortunately I don't speak Russian, but I can look at the pictures! I think the old Zenit E is what I'm looking for. I asked because a surprising number of people, including sellers, do not know such a camera or lens exists. They'll send an M42 Zenit assuming I've made a mistake, and think all M39 lenses are rangefinder fit, which is why I need an unambiguous camera model to ask for.

BMbikerider · Mar 12, 2018

Also the rarer camera called 'Start' A bit like a cross between an Exacta and a Zenith, so long as it has the M39 adapter because otherwise the fitting is a unique bayonet. Another Krasnagorsk model. I had one a few years ago, well many years ago and I shall make no other comment except to say it was an 'experience'. I have actually seen a few of them on E Bay recently and seem to mostly come from French sellers. Better built or should I say more refined, that is if you can refine a house brick! F2 58mm lens and a full range of shutter speeds, plus auto diaphragm on the lens

BMbikerider · Mar 12, 2018

Here is am image of the Start camera as described above Mine wasn't as nice looking as this!

Ian Grant · Mar 12, 2018

The Zenit C is a nice odd looking camera, it's clearly a brother to the Zorki C with a mirror box added. Nikon's SP and F are similar in that respect. Later Cosina removed the Mirror box from their SLRs to make range-finder cameras again.

Ian

AgX · Mar 12, 2018

blockend said:
I think the old Zenit E is what I'm looking for. I asked because a surprising number of people, including sellers, do not know such a camera or lens exists.

The Zenit E is so much known as classic M42 camera, that only experts or people with a good memory on details know that. (I myself wondered about Ko.Fe.'s remark)
With many millions of Zenit E M42 samples built, one cannot expect many people to know about some early M39 series.

Ko.Fe. · Mar 12, 2018

blockend said:
Unfortunately I don't speak Russian, but I can look at the pictures! I think the old Zenit E is what I'm looking for. I asked because a surprising number of people, including sellers, do not know such a camera or lens exists. They'll send an M42 Zenit assuming I've made a mistake, and think all M39 lenses are rangefinder fit, which is why I need an unambiguous camera model to ask for.

This is why I put this in very first line, just in case :
Zenit, Zenit-C, Zenit-3, Zenit-3M, Crystall and Zenit-E KMZ made before 1967.

M39 Zenit

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