ZENIT 412LS

[Spindleshanks]

I was just wondering if anyone here has ever used a ZENIT 412LS are they any good as i was considering purchasing one....

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

I was just wondering if anyone here has ever used a ZENIT 412LS are they any good as i was considering purchasing one....

I haven't used that particular model, but what do you mean by "any good"?

 

[srs5694]

I've not used that particular camera, but I do own several other Zenits. Broadly speaking, Zenits are mechanically simple, which means that they can be relatively easy to fix and they're robust against certain types of problems, such as dead batteries. (Your meter won't work, but you can still guesstimate exposure and keep shooting.) OTOH, Zenits aren't known for good quality control. The chances of your getting a brand-new camera with at least one defect are very high. If you're buying from a Russian Internet retailer and you're located somewhere else, plan on a long wait when you return your first camera or two before getting a good one.

Once you've got a working Zenit, it'll probably get the job done. A used Pentax, Fuji, Praktica, or other M42 camera will probably be more reliable and have more features than a new Zenit, though. Overall I'd only recommend buying a Zenit if you want such a camera for its novelty value or if you enjoy using relatively simple -- even klunky -- cameras.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Look at the recent "Best M42 camera ever made" thread....

Is there any particular reason you want that Zenit?

A Pentax Spotmatic can be had very cheaply and is one of the best M42 (screw mount) cameras ever.

With luck a Zenit might be "good" - that is, a box capable of taking good pictures - but nowhere close to a Spotmatic in decent shape as far as reliability and ergonomics are concerned.