Zenit C

The Zenit C was one of the first Russian SLR cameras, it has a basic set of shutter speeds and a lens mount based on the Leica L39 but extended to allow for a reflex housing.

The Mirror is not of an instant return type, when you wind on it is pulled down into place by a string, the viewfinder is rather average with no focusing aids. The camera itself is very small and compact and rather good looking, however it is not a very good camera, it has plenty of flaws, such as it’s small viewfinder, non-instant return mirror, and the lens mount which limits the lenses available.

The lenses available for the Zenit M39 mount are all Russian lenses, such as the Industar-50, Helios 44, Mir-1 and other lenses, these lenses are all of good quality and are generally made of a brushed aluminium finish which tarnishes rather quickly, but the glass is normally very good.  The shutter speeds are the standard for a Zenit, 1/25^th-1/500^th and B following the older scale rather than the international scale.

This is a good camera for a collector but not for most users, as it is just awkward in use.