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Zorki slow speed

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Printed on: 5/7/2026 2:41:30 PM


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Topic author: Francesco

Posted on: 20180916095950

Zorki N°160039, army green volcanite, lens Industar 22 N°522792 with slow speed selector.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 001.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 001.JPG
This camera is a Zorki(c) model, with the rice-grain volcanite and two painted rims separating the body from upper and lower covers; rough black paint inside bottom part. According to the serial number and to the first two figures of the lens number this camera was made in 1952.



The most interesting part is the slow speed button on the front of the camera. Setting the button speed on the top at 1/20(painted in red), allows to use the slow speeds from the front button, which are; T; 1sec.; 1/2 sec.; 1/4 sec.; 1/8 sec. and 1/20 sec.I think that not only the slow speed button but the whole slow speed device are from a Fed B

The shutter box bottom is obviously modified with a second spring and a leica-like device.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 005.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 005.JPG
The repairmen that made the CLA some time ago said that the camera is original from the factory, not a sample modified by some forger,there are no signs of tampering or tool marks, nor signs of later work done on the camera. He said also that the small rod that goes to the bottom of the camera and engages the slow speed gear has been repaired, and he thinks that the repair was made in a factory.
The bag is a pre-war Fed B bag.

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 006.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 006.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/resize/resize_image.aspx?ImgWd=800&IptFl=/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 007.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/1692018_zorki1 007.JPG

My opinion: a KMZ worker bought a 'number' of a camera from the factory, then went to the army section and borrowed some army green volcanite and paint, took an old Fed B slow speed gear from the scrap box, repaired it and made a camera according to his own taste, maybe for himself, maybe to sell or gift. Who ever worked in a mechanical factory knows this is not so strange, because it is(was) normal for workers to do a little something for themselves. I think this is why the Zorkis slow speed anre not in KMZ files as special models, because were made by workers in a not official way.

Replies

Reply author: geoffox23

Replied on: 20180917015716

The slow speed dial appears to be from a Leica llla.

Reply author: Francesco

Replied on: 20180917032717

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by geoffox23</i>
<br />The slow speed dial appears to be from a Leica llla.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Geoff, it's similar, but the button curlings are different.

Reply author: Jacques M.

Replied on: 20180917051042


Many thanks for sharing, Francesco![:)]

A very interesting Zorki "slow speeds", for sure!
I think too that it is very probably an "ordinary" Zorki 1c upgraded with Fed B parts. Really very well made by a specialist, not a DIY work. Some other Zorki slow speeds were only made with Leica parts (some Fed B fakes too...)

OK too about the milling of the dial: parallel stripes for the Fed B (and Zorki 3; that one without visible central screw) and diamond ones for the Leicas.

A beautiful camera...

Amitiés. Jacques.