Zenit 122K SLR Camera - Opinions?

[4season]

I purchased one of those 122Ks from Lomography in the spring of 2016, and here's what I received:

Gotta love the no-frills packaging! Camera and lens serial numbers indicate 2002 production, but the QC seal on the packaging indicated that it received final factory QC in late 2015! As received, the glossy surfaces of the camera body was a bit scuffed, but the optics were nice and clean. Compared to my older USSR-made Zenit 12SD, the 122K has a lot more visible plastic, but the finder is much brighter, while the MC Zenitar 50/2 is smaller and lighter than the old Helios-44, and it focuses closer (0.35M).

 

[mehguy]

I purchased one of those 122Ks from Lomography in the spring of 2016, and here's what I received:

Gotta love the no-frills packaging! Camera and lens serial numbers indicate 2002 production, but the QC seal on the packaging indicated that it received final factory QC in late 2015! As received, the glossy surfaces of the camera body was a bit scuffed, but the optics were nice and clean. Compared to my older USSR-made Zenit 12SD, the 122K has a lot more visible plastic, but the finder is much brighter, while the MC Zenitar 50/2 is smaller and lighter than the old Helios-44, and it focuses closer (0.35M).

Is lomography selling NOS of this stuff?

 

[4season]

Is lomography selling NOS of this stuff?

Actually, it's KMZ themselves who are selling NOS items, film camera production having ceased in 2005.

 

[Huss]

I purchased one of those 122Ks from Lomography in the spring of 2016, and here's what I received:

Gotta love the no-frills packaging! Camera and lens serial numbers indicate 2002 production, but the QC seal on the packaging indicated that it received final factory QC in late 2015! As received, the glossy surfaces of the camera body was a bit scuffed, but the optics were nice and clean. Compared to my older USSR-made Zenit 12SD, the 122K has a lot more visible plastic, but the finder is much brighter, while the MC Zenitar 50/2 is smaller and lighter than the old Helios-44, and it focuses closer (0.35M).

Looks cool. You've had it for about 6 months now, how is it to use, has it been reliable, how are the images?

 

[4season]

Looks cool. You've had it for about 6 months now, how is it to use, has it been reliable, how are the images?

Not my most-used film camera but it works pretty good. Feels a lot lighter than an older brass-and-chrome Zenit with the Heliar-44, partly because they've molded in grips into the front and rear. Be sure to cock it fully else it will misfilre (shutter fires but doesn't actually open). My older Zenit 12SD and 122 (non-K) behave exactly the same way. Fortunately you can tell right away by the sound it makes.

It's kind of a neat bit of history. Not really competitive with what was being offered by the likes of Canon at the time, but you can certainly take good pictures with it and it's got no shortage of personality. I've been meaning to try that 50/2 Zenitar with my Micro 4/3 outfit.