KMZ Zorki 1

The KMZ Zorki 1 is a M39-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1948. Leica camera price index ↗

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General

Mount
M39
Release Year
1948
Type
Film
Model Number
Zorki, Zorki 1, Zorki-1, Зоркий, early FED-Zorki; combined collector variants 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d and 1e
Serial Range
Approximately 1 to 667231 for sequential production, followed by year-coded 55xxxxxx and 56xxxxxx serials; exact variant boundaries vary between collector classifications

Dimensions

Weight
396g
Length
50mm
Width
135mm
Height
70mm

Viewfinder & Shutter

Magnification
0.44x
Framelines
None, separate fixed optical viewfinder intended for approximately 50mm lenses
Shutter Speeds
Variant dependent; early versions use Z/B, 1/20s, 1/30s, 1/40s, 1/60s, 1/100s, 1/200s and 1/500s; late 1e versions generally use B, 1/25s, 1/50s, 1/100s, 1/250s and 1/500s
Shutter Type
Cloth

Features

Hot Shoe
No
Tripod Socket
Yes
Self Timer
No

Zorki 1

The Zorki 1 is a Soviet 35mm interchangeable-lens rangefinder camera manufactured by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Factory, commonly abbreviated KMZ, near Moscow. Production began in 1948 and continued until 1956. The camera was officially marked simply Zorki or Зоркий. The number 1 was added retrospectively by collectors and reference authors to distinguish the original model from later cameras such as the Zorki 2, Zorki 3 and Zorki 4 [1][2].

The camera uses a 39mm screw mount with an approximately 28.8mm rangefinder register. The correct database mount value is M39, following the classification used for Soviet interchangeable-lens rangefinder cameras.

Unlike some early FED cameras, the Zorki was generally manufactured around a standardized 28.8mm flange focal distance. Nevertheless, individual Soviet bodies and lenses can have calibration or production-tolerance differences, so critical rangefinder focus should be checked with the actual camera and lens combination [2][3].

The Zorki 1 follows the general construction of the Leica II and prewar FED. It has separate windows for framing and rangefinder focusing, a bottom-loading body, knob film advance, manually reset frame counter and a horizontal-travel cloth focal-plane shutter.

There are no projected framelines. The built-in optical viewfinder is intended mainly for a standard 50mm lens. Wider and longer lenses require an external accessory finder for reasonably accurate framing.

The separate rangefinder has a base length of approximately 38mm and an approximately 1.0x optical system. The ordinary viewfinder is commonly reported at approximately 0.44x magnification. Focusing and composition therefore require looking through two separate eyepieces.

History

Origins and Early FED-Zorki Production

The Zorki originated from Soviet production of Leica II-inspired cameras. Before the Second World War, FED manufactured a closely related 35mm screw-mount rangefinder in Kharkiv. Wartime disruption made restarting production difficult, and KMZ began producing cameras based on the same design after the war [1][2].

The earliest KMZ examples were marked with combinations of the FED name, KMZ emblem and Zorki name. These cameras are generally known as FED-Zorki models. They form the beginning of the Zorki 1 family but can carry a substantial collector premium over ordinary later Zorki bodies.

Because the public database combines closely related variants, early FED-Zorki cameras can remain on this page. The exact identity should still be saved as variant metadata for matching and price tracking.

Production Period

Production is generally placed between 1948 and 1956, although a few references use 1947 as the beginning of preliminary or initial manufacture. Approximately 835,000 cameras were produced across the main Zorki and FED-Zorki variations [1][2].

Early production used sequential serial numbers. Later cameras adopted date-coded numbering in which the first two digits indicate the production year. Cameras from the final years can therefore have serial numbers beginning with 55 or 56.

Published subtype boundaries differ between collectors. Serial numbers should be used together with the top engraving, body construction, shutter-speed sequence, cable-release collar and position of the serial number.

Combined Variants

The Zorki 1 is commonly divided into five principal variants:

Variant Main identifying characteristics
Zorki 1a Earliest regular Zorki version, closely related to FED-Zorki production
Zorki 1b Revised shutter-release collar, generally allowing a standard threaded cable release
Zorki 1c Die-cast internal body construction and visible black trim beneath the top cover and above the base
Zorki 1d Extended black trim surrounding more of the lens-mount area; later serial-number placement
Zorki 1e Final version, normally with revised 1/25 and 1/50 shutter-speed sequence

Some specialist references divide the camera into seven, twelve or more subtypes. These detailed classifications reflect smaller engraving, construction and production changes. They do not require separate main pages when the preference is to keep closely related cameras combined.

The variant field should still be retained because early 1a, FED-Zorki and unusual export bodies may have significantly different collector values from common 1c, 1d and 1e examples.

Shutter Variations

Earlier Zorki 1 versions normally provide:

  • Z or B
  • 1/20 second
  • 1/30 second
  • 1/40 second
  • 1/60 second
  • 1/100 second
  • 1/200 second
  • 1/500 second

Later Zorki 1e cameras generally use:

  • B
  • 1/25 second
  • 1/50 second
  • 1/100 second
  • 1/250 second
  • 1/500 second

A small number of the earliest FED-Zorki-related cameras are reported with a 1/1000-second marking. These are unusual early versions and should not define the standard Zorki 1 specification.

The shutter-speed selector rotates when the shutter is released. Shutter speeds should therefore only be changed after the shutter has been cocked. Changing the speed while the shutter is released can damage the selector mechanism.

Dimensions and Weight

A measured late body without lens is approximately:

  • Width: 135 mm
  • Height: 70 mm
  • Depth: 50 mm
  • Weight: 396 g

The original instruction manual gives approximately 135 × 70 × 70 mm and 580 g for the camera with its standard collapsible Industar-22 lens in working position.

Other references give approximately 505 to 580 g with a standard lens. These figures should not be used as body-only weight. The main specification therefore uses the measured body-only value of 396 g.

Lens Kits

The Zorki 1 was commonly supplied with an Industar-22 50mm f/3.5 collapsible lens. Later examples are also found with the Industar-50. Other period kits could include lenses such as the Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 or Jupiter-3 50mm f/1.5.

The attached lens should be stored separately as bundle or listing metadata. A Zorki 1 fitted with another compatible M39 rangefinder lens remains the same camera model.

Care is required when collapsing an Industar-22 or similar lens. The lens tube should not be forced into a body if internal clearance has not been confirmed.

Export and Engraving Variations

Some cameras were engraved in Cyrillic as Зоркий, while export examples may carry Latin Zorki lettering and a Made in USSR marking.

Cameras showing the name in both Cyrillic and Latin are often called Zorki-Zorki by collectors. This is an export or engraving variant, not a separate mechanical camera model.

Engraving variations, KMZ logos, body coverings, shutter-release collars and serial-number positions are useful for determining the production subtype.

Flash Modifications

The standard Zorki 1 has no factory flash synchronization. Many surviving cameras were later modified by repair shops or individual owners with one or more synchronization sockets.

A modified camera should remain connected to the Zorki 1 entry. The added synchronization should be recorded as a modification rather than treated as an original model feature.

The synchronized factory successor was the Zorki S, also written Zorki C due to the visual appearance of the Cyrillic letter С.

Relationship to the FED-1

The Zorki 1 should be kept separate from the FED-1. Both cameras follow the Leica II-style layout, but they were produced by different factories and have their own engravings, production histories and collector classifications.

A practical identification rule is:

  • FED-1, manufactured by FED and normally carrying FED or ФЭД engraving
  • Zorki 1, manufactured by KMZ and normally carrying Zorki, Зоркий or KMZ-related engraving
  • FED-Zorki, early transitional KMZ production carrying both identities

Relationship to the Zorki 2 and Zorki S

The Zorki 2 developed the original body by adding a mechanical self-timer and modifying the rewind mechanism.

The Zorki S was the synchronized successor to the ordinary Zorki 1 and added factory flash synchronization. Neither feature is present on a standard Zorki 1.

These models should remain separate entries because their external controls and functional specifications are reliably distinguishable.

Identification

The Zorki 1 can be identified by its:

  • Zorki, Зоркий or early FED-Zorki engraving
  • KMZ prism logo on many versions
  • M39 screw lens mount
  • Separate optical viewfinder and rangefinder windows
  • Bottom-loading body
  • Knob film advance
  • Cloth focal-plane shutter
  • Top speed of 1/500 second on normal production versions
  • Absence of a self-timer
  • Absence of factory flash synchronization
  • Cold accessory shoe
  • 3/8-inch tripod socket
  • No integral strap lugs

Common listing names include Zorki, Zorki 1, Zorki-1, Зоркий, Zorki I, FED-Zorki, Zorki 1a, Zorki 1b, Zorki 1c, Zorki 1d, Zorki 1e, Zorki-Zorki, Soviet Leica copy and Russian Leica II copy.

Collector Notes

The Zorki 1 is one of the most important Soviet Leica-inspired cameras. Ordinary later examples are relatively common, while early FED-Zorki bodies, first-production engravings and unusual export variants can be considerably more valuable.

Collectors should examine:

  • Top-plate engraving
  • KMZ or FED markings
  • Serial-number style and position
  • Shutter-speed sequence
  • Shutter-release collar
  • Body-construction variant
  • Cloth shutter curtains
  • Rangefinder alignment
  • Viewfinder clarity
  • Bottom plate and take-up spool
  • Factory originality
  • Added flash-sync sockets
  • Whether the camera has been converted into a counterfeit Leica

Because the body closely resembles a Leica II, Zorki and FED cameras have frequently been altered with false Leica engraving. An altered camera remains a Zorki mechanically and should not be catalogued as a Leica.

The Zorki 1 should be treated as one combined M39 film-camera family, with FED-Zorki and Zorki 1a through 1e saved as variants. This keeps the public database compact while preserving the information needed for identification and variant-based price tracking.

Sources

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