Zorki
Krasnogorski Mekhanicheskii Zavod (KMZ)
Krasnogorsk - USSR

KMZ were, and are, situated just nothwest of Moscow in the town of Krasnogorsk, and were founded 1941/42. During the II World War they were the primary manufacturer and supplier of optical equipment such as binoculars, artillery rangefinders etc. to the soviet armed forces.  The factories were evacuated not long before the german army advanced to a position so close to Moscow, that the germans could actually see the city in the distance. However they never advanced any further, and both Krasnogorsk and Moscow were saved mainly by the russian winter which froze the advancing german army to a total halt and subsequently to retreat. After the war KMZ received some of the dismantled factories from Germany, and with the help of german engineers and technicians they were ready to begin production around 1946. The first models produced by KMZ were Leica II copies of which over 70000 pcs were manufactured. One of the most succesful Zorki models were the Zorki 4 which were manufactured from 1956 to 1973 and over 1,7 million Zorki 4's were manufactured and sold. It is estimated that KMZ have manufactured a total af 4,5 million cameras and over 6 million standard lenses over the years. KMZ also did the development of cameras and components for other russian factories, preparing components for massproduction, and testing by running "0-series" etc.

(Lenses from left to right: Jupiter 12, Industar 22, Jupiter 8, Industar 26M)

Zorki 4b  (1961) RF
Serial nr.: 614802
Format:  24 x 36 on 35 mm film (135)
Optics:  Jupiter 8  1:2,0   50mm
Shutter: Focal plane B + 1/4 sec. => 1/1000 sec. and selftimer
Accs.: Industar 26M  1:2,8  50mm
Industar 22 1:3,5  50mm collapsible
Jupiter 12 1:2,8  35mm (mounted on photo)
Viewfinder 35 mm (mounted on photo)
Misc.: coupled rangefinder

It would be so tempting to compare the Zorki 4 with Leica, and some people do. However I don't think this fair at all to the russian warhorse. It would be like comparing a Lada with a Mercedes Benz, and theres is really no point in that. Both a Lada and a Mercedes Benz are capable of transporting 4 people from A to B; they both do the job, allthough not with the same style, quality or comfort. The Zorki are also capable of doing the job, but it's NOT a Leica, apart from being a rangefinder with focal plane shutter. A Zorki is a Zorki, a FED is a FED and a Leica is a Leica, allthough it can not be denied that both Zorki and FED are Leica copies. You should not be concerned or worried about buying a Zorki as long as it is in perfect working condition, but what you should be concerned about, are believing that you are buying a Leica (and paying the price) that is in fact a Zorki from one of those crooks out there, who, without any second thoughts, moral or scrupples claim that they are selling original Leicas allthough it is obvious that the cameras are fake. I have bought both lenses and cameras from trustworthy sellers in Russia and Ukraine that have been honest, friendly and delivered the items fast. On the other hand I have experienced sellers, operating within the EU in f.e. Germany or Austria that are not at all honest or trustworthy, and who think we are all stupid when they're trying to tell us that thousands of "Luftwaffe-Leica's" have survived the war. Geeeez....

I got my Zorki 4 from a friend in the Czech Republic, and I had it totally CLA'ed after arrival. The Zorki 4 may not be very beautiful, but what it lacks in beauty it offers in rugged solidity. The viewfinder is big and bright, and features a diopter adjustment. The wind and rewind knobs a the old fashioned type, and if you want a rapid wind lever you should go for the later model 4K. The entire camera back comes off for film loading and should I mention one thing that I don't feel comfortable with on the Zorki 4, it would be the shutter release button, which should have been placed to the front of the top cover rather than to the back. The M39 thread mount litterally opens up a universe of possibilities when it comes to choice of lenses, both the vast range of russian lenses, but also Leica, Steinheil and Voigtländer lenses. The russian lenses are known to be of very inconsistent quality, and finding a superb russian lens involves some element of luck also. But let's be fair; there are some very good russian lenses. The Jupiter 12 - 35mm lens, which is a Biogon copy, are one of the few cheap alternatives to the much more expensive Zeiss and Leica lenses, and it performs quite well too. On the photo above I have chosen to show some of the choices of standard lenses allthough the Industars are not original Zorki lenses, but original FED. Only Jupiter lenses are original on Zorki. But who cares anyway ;-). If you need a really nice 35mm accessory viewfinder, the KMZ shown above would be a very good choice. The Zorki can be a a lot of fun, and you can collect a nice little outfit at the fraction of the cost of f.e. a Leica, and it's good value for money if it's in full working order. If you are considering buying a Zorki, I would personally recommend that you look for either the "original" Leica copy, Zorki 1, or the later models Zorki 4 or 4K, and skip the models in between. If you have a choice of standard lens, go for the Jupiter 8 or the rigid Industar 61LD, the latter being my own personal choice. If kept well, the Zorki will serve you well for many years and will provide wonderful photos, just as long as you remember that it's a Zorki ;-).

 There are one very important thing to remember when handling a Zorki: NEVER change the shutter speed setting without cocking the shutter/advancing the film first !. If you do, it will almost certainly damage the shutter mecanism! This is by the way a good rule when handling any russian camera.