Topic
Topic author: ChrisS
Posted on: 20130416151352
Hi all
Do we have any information concerning the annual numbers of early Zorki-3 made before the year code was added to the serial number? The earliest year code seems to be 54 when the s/n was in the 5000's - can we be more precise about the actual date of introduction of the year code, perhaps from known passports?
SovietCams website lists under PM1260 a camera with two serial numbers, an old one without year prefix on the R/F housing and a new s/n on the body top plate with prefix - however the two camera numbers are different. This seems strange to me as I would expect the two numbers to correspond. Are any more examples like this known, or could this camera simply have had an earlier R/F housing fitted as a replacement, perhaps for a damaged one?
There also seem to be some transitional cameras corresponding to PM1245 (slow speed detent and large V/F window), but with later year-marked serial numbers. I have one in my collection with s/n 547248, and I have recorded several others with numbers in the 7, 8 and 9xxx serial range of 1954. There seems to be a considerable transitional overlap of features at this time, but when?
I also have an early camera in the late 03xxx serial range corresponding to PM1235 fitted with a 1953 Jupiter-8 lens. Both camera body and lens are in a similar well-used condition and everything functions very smoothly - perhaps that's why it has been well used! One of the locking catches on the baseplate, the one below the wind-on, is of a type I have not seen before, but seems to be original - it has a separate small central section (perhaps intended to be detachable or spring-loaded?) but seems to operate normally - is this just an early version?
Any answers to these queries gratefully received.
ATB Chris.
Do we have any information concerning the annual numbers of early Zorki-3 made before the year code was added to the serial number? The earliest year code seems to be 54 when the s/n was in the 5000's - can we be more precise about the actual date of introduction of the year code, perhaps from known passports?
SovietCams website lists under PM1260 a camera with two serial numbers, an old one without year prefix on the R/F housing and a new s/n on the body top plate with prefix - however the two camera numbers are different. This seems strange to me as I would expect the two numbers to correspond. Are any more examples like this known, or could this camera simply have had an earlier R/F housing fitted as a replacement, perhaps for a damaged one?
There also seem to be some transitional cameras corresponding to PM1245 (slow speed detent and large V/F window), but with later year-marked serial numbers. I have one in my collection with s/n 547248, and I have recorded several others with numbers in the 7, 8 and 9xxx serial range of 1954. There seems to be a considerable transitional overlap of features at this time, but when?
I also have an early camera in the late 03xxx serial range corresponding to PM1235 fitted with a 1953 Jupiter-8 lens. Both camera body and lens are in a similar well-used condition and everything functions very smoothly - perhaps that's why it has been well used! One of the locking catches on the baseplate, the one below the wind-on, is of a type I have not seen before, but seems to be original - it has a separate small central section (perhaps intended to be detachable or spring-loaded?) but seems to operate normally - is this just an early version?
Any answers to these queries gratefully received.
ATB Chris.