Zorki Camera: Original 1950s USSR Vintage Collectible with Industar 22 Lens, Leather Case, and Enduring Charm

The camera is in good condition, all mechanisms work. The shutter speed works, the lens is free of fungus and dirt. The rangefinder does not work correctly. The camera was not tested with film

The roots of Zorki cameras lie in the FED line of Leica copies. In 1948, when the FED factory was falling behind its production goals, the KMZ factory was geared up to produce FED cameras. By 1949, KMZ had made some design changes and started manufacturing the FED-Zorki, which later became known as the Zorki 1.

The Zorki 1 was the first Zorki-branded body produced at the KMZ factory. Some later models have “Zorki” engraved in Cyrillic and in Latin; these are for export and are often referred to as “Zorki-Zorki” bodies.

There are 5 different body types of Zorki-1:
– Type 1a: a direct descendant of the Fed-Zorki.
– Type 1b: a different collar around the shutter release, allowing for a threaded cable.
– Type 1c: molded body parts and can be identified by black trims just below the top plate and above the bottom plate.
– Type 1d: the black trim extends to envelop the lens mount.
– Type 1e: newer shutter speeds of 1/50s and 1/25s, instead of the 1/60s, 1/40s, 1/30s, and 1/20s found in previous types.

The Zorki-1 offered various lenses, including the Industar -22 (50mm f/3.5) and Industar -50 (50mm f/3.5), Jupiter -3 (50mm f/1.5), and Jupiter -8 (50mm f/2).

This camera is a testament to the rich history of photography and Soviet-era craftsmanship. It’s a perfect addition to any vintage camera collection or a great starting point for new collectors. Experience the magic of film photography with this classic Zorki 1 Camera.