KMZ Zorki S

The KMZ Zorki S is a M39-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1955. Leica camera price index ↗

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General

Mount
M39
Release Year
1955
Type
Film
Model Number
Zorki S; Зоркий-С; commonly listed as Zorki C
Serial Range
55xxxxxx-58xxxxxx, year-coded numbering, no continuous model-specific range

Dimensions

Weight
462g
Length
31mm
Width
134mm
Height
80mm

Viewfinder & Shutter

Magnification
0.44x
Framelines
None, fixed viewfinder field for approximately 50 mm
Shutter Speeds
B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500 s
Shutter Type
Cloth

Features

Hot Shoe
No
Tripod Socket
Yes
Self Timer
No
Flash Sync
1/25 s, PC connection with adjustable 0-25 ms ignition delay

Zorki S

The KMZ Zorki S is a Soviet 35mm coupled-rangefinder camera produced from 1955 to 1958. It uses an M39 × 1 screw lens mount with a nominal 28.8 mm register and retains the bottom-loading construction, separate rangefinder and framing windows, and compact horizontal-travel cloth shutter associated with the earlier Zorki cameras.[1][2]

The model name is written in Cyrillic as Зоркий-С. The Cyrillic letter С represents the sound and transliteration “S”, making Zorki S the preferred English-language name. The spelling Zorki C is nevertheless common in retailer listings, collection catalogues and auction descriptions because the Cyrillic character resembles a Latin capital C.[1][3]

Although the mount shares the nominal thread and register concept associated with Leica-thread cameras, Soviet lenses and bodies can show differences in calibration, rangefinder-cam geometry and production tolerance. Some lens and body combinations may therefore require testing or adjustment for accurate close-range focusing.

History

Development and Launch

The Zorki S was developed as the flash-synchronized successor to the basic Zorki 1. KMZ introduced it in 1955 as the entry-level model in a three-part range. The Zorki S represented the basic synchronized camera, the Zorki 2S added a self-timer, and the Zorki 3S combined synchronization with the more advanced Zorki 3M body.[1]

Installing the synchronization mechanism required more than simply adding a socket. The internal contact and adjustable ignition-delay mechanism occupied space around the shutter-speed control, leading KMZ to redesign the upper housing. The resulting camera is approximately 12 mm taller than the earlier Zorki 1 and has a flatter, more extended top assembly.[4]

Production

Serial production continued from 1955 through 1958. KMZ records list 1,211 cameras in 1955, 192,633 in 1956, 208,752 in 1957 and 70,106 in 1958, giving an official total of 472,702 units.[5]

The limited 1955 output represents the beginning of production. Most surviving examples date from 1956 and 1957, when the model was manufactured in substantially larger numbers.

Zorki S and Zorki C

Zorki S and Zorki C do not represent two separate camera models. The camera’s original marking is Зоркий-С, with the final Cyrillic character pronounced and transliterated as “S”. Zorki C is a visually based rendering regularly used by sellers and some Western reference works.[1][3]

For identification and listing matching, Zorki S should be used as the main model name. Zorki C, Зоркий-С and Zorkij S can be retained as alternative names.

Relationship to the Zorki 1

The Zorki S preserves the basic photographic layout of the late Zorki 1. Both cameras use bottom loading, an M39 screw mount, a separate coupled rangefinder, a separate fixed framing finder and a cloth focal-plane shutter.[1][2]

The principal difference is the Zorki S factory flash-synchronization system. A PC-type cable socket was installed on the front of the redesigned upper housing, while a control surrounding the shutter-speed assembly allowed the user to select an ignition lead between approximately 0 and 25 milliseconds.[4][6]

The rewind release was also changed. Instead of the earlier separate rewind control, the Zorki S uses a rotating collar around the shutter release. Its redesigned shutter-speed mechanism permits the indicated speed to be selected with the shutter either cocked or released, unlike the more restrictive control arrangement commonly associated with earlier Zorki 1 cameras.[3][4]

Relationship to the Zorki 2S

The Zorki 2S shares the taller synchronized body design and the same separate focusing and framing system. Its principal distinguishing feature is the mechanical self-timer mounted on the front of the camera. The Zorki S has no self-timer.[1][7]

The distinction should be maintained at main-model level because the self-timer is a permanent and easily identifiable mechanical difference. A listing showing a self-timer lever and release button should normally be matched to the Zorki 2S rather than the Zorki S.

Later Zorki 2S cameras can be encountered with a revised shutter sequence of 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500 second. This later sequence should not be attributed to the Zorki S, whose documented production retained B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250 and 1/500 second.[3][7]

Shutter and Flash Synchronization

The shutter uses two cloth curtains travelling horizontally across the film gate. Exposure time is controlled by changing the width of the moving slit. The documented sequence is B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/250 and 1/500 second.[3][4]

No verified regular-production Zorki S shutter-speed variant with 1/30, 1/60 or 1/125 markings has been identified. Listings showing such a sequence should be checked carefully for an incorrect model description, a replacement shutter-speed dial or confusion with a later Zorki 2S.

The flash connection is factory installed rather than an external accessory synchronizer. Electronic flash is used with the ignition delay set to zero and the shutter at 1/25 second. Longer delay settings were provided for flashbulbs requiring ignition before the shutter aperture became fully open.[4][6]

The accessory shoe has no electrical center contact. Flash units must therefore be connected through the front PC socket.

Viewfinder and Rangefinder

The framing finder and rangefinder remain separate. The photographer first uses the left rear eyepiece to align the rangefinder images and then moves to the right eyepiece to compose the photograph.[2]

The fixed framing finder corresponds approximately to a 50 mm lens and does not contain projected framelines or parallax-correction markings. The inherited Zorki optical arrangement is commonly described as providing approximately 0.44× finder magnification, while the separate rangefinder image is approximately life-size. The rangefinder has a nominal 38 mm physical base.[2][8]

Wider or longer lenses require an accessory finder or an external multi-focal-length finder fitted to the cold shoe.

Dimensions and Weight

A practical body specification gives dimensions of approximately 134 mm wide, 80 mm high and 31 mm deep without a lens.[9] Dimensions near 135 × 82 × 70 mm found in several references generally include the projection of a mounted or extended standard lens and should not be entered as body-only depth.

Weight figures also differ according to configuration. One measured Zorki S with an Industar-22 lens weighs 542 g.[6] A documented Industar-22 weighs approximately 80 g, producing an estimated body-only weight of about 462 g.[10]

Other references give 509 to 550 g without consistently explaining whether the lens, take-up spool or film cassette is included. Approximately 462 g is therefore the most defensible body-only database value, but minor differences between individual cameras, coverings and replacement parts should be expected.

Lens Kits

The Zorki S is most frequently encountered with a collapsible Industar-22 50 mm f/3.5 or an Industar-50 50 mm f/3.5. Lens type should be stored as listing metadata rather than included in the camera’s main name.[2][6]

A body with a Jupiter-8 or another M39 lens remains a Zorki S. The attached lens can substantially affect the total listing price and must be recorded separately when evaluating historical sales.

Combined Production Variants

Several production changes appeared without altering the camera’s basic operation. Early cameras have the first engraving style, line-finished control knobs and a relatively short shutter-speed knob. During 1956, a larger shutter-speed control and mixed or fully knurled knob finishes appeared.[3]

Later cameras use revised name engravings and different body coverings. Documented examples include conventional black vulcanite, black leather-like covering and less common ribbed synthetic coverings in colors such as green, light grey or white.[3][11]

Export examples may carry “Made in USSR” or “Сделано в СССР” markings. These engraving, covering and control variations should be combined under the main Zorki S page and retained as exact_variant, engraving, export_version and finish metadata.

Commemorative Editions

KMZ produced or assembled Zorki S cameras associated with the 1957 World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow. Variations include rear Festival engravings, special packaging and uncommon colored coverings.[3]

A rare version with an inscription relating to the first artificial Earth satellite is also documented. Collector references warn that counterfeit or subsequently engraved examples exist. Commemorative markings should therefore be treated as listing metadata and should only be confirmed when the engraving style, serial number and overall production characteristics are consistent.[3]

Identification

Regular cameras have a chrome upper and lower body with the name Зоркий-С on the top housing. The synchronization socket is located on the front of the taller top assembly. There is no self-timer lever beside the lens mount.

From 1955, KMZ generally used year-coded serial numbers. The first two digits indicate the year, so Zorki S serials normally begin with 55, 56, 57 or 58. A documented early production camera carries serial number 5500172.[3]

The official yearly production figures do not establish a continuous model-only serial range, because the remaining digits form an annual factory sequence. Serial identification should therefore use the year prefix, known production features and engraving style rather than a fabricated minimum-to-maximum sequence.

Collector Notes

Re-engraved Zorki S bodies are frequently offered as counterfeit Leica cameras. The tall top housing, front synchronization socket, rewind collar and shape of the shutter-speed assembly normally reveal the underlying Zorki S construction.[3][11]

Black-painted, gold-colored and brightly recovered examples should not automatically be treated as factory editions. Restoration, repainting and decorative conversion are common. Originality should be evaluated from the serial number, control style, screw positions, engraved markings and documented covering patterns.

For price tracking, recommended metadata includes exact_variant, production_period, engraving, commemorative_edition, export_version, finish, included_lens, shutter_condition, rangefinder_condition, accessories, case_included and body_only_or_kit.

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