Back to topic

Zenit-122 Special Edition

Printed from: USSRPhoto Forums

Topic URL: http://localhost:8088/modern/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=594

Printed on: 5/8/2026 9:25:54 AM


Topic

Topic author: nightphoto

Posted on: 20080429192213


Hello everyone,

I just added a list of serial numbers that I had to this entry. If you have a Zenit 122 Special Edition Titanium "50th Anniversary" camera, please add it to the list.

Regards, Bill

Replies

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080429193036

Added mine but i have no 50 prefix.

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080429205236

Vlad, That is weird! What is the lens serial number?

Regards, Bill

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080429205447

It didn't have original lens... I can take photos and post them here if you're interested.

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080429205653

Ok... it is supposed to have the 50 before the number, so let's see a photo of the serial number if you can.

Regards, Bill

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080429210536

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2528.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2528.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2529.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2529.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2530.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2530.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2531.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2531.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2532.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2532.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2533.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2533.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2534.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/IMG_2534.JPG

Two things I notice right off the bet - white "122" and Made in USSR (not Russia)... weird..

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080429211702

I have a theory maybe Zoom can confirm it.. my camera is one of the original 300 that were made in 92, and the ones you guys all got are from 93 and 94, they got 50 prefix because they did not want to put 93 or 94 prefix and mine has the original year prefix... thus the older die (Made in USSR)...

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20080429232331

Mine is 50920415 and a boxed original 1992.

Smena rules

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080429232651

Well then I either have a very early one or a fake one [:D].

Reply author: Guido

Replied on: 20080429234838

Hello Vlad

I don't know if it's a fake but maybe a sort of "first try" or so ... ;->

It's remarkable that the painted logo of your version has a little fault in it, maybe a problem with the stamp.

For the serial numbers given by KMZ one little remark: There are *not* production datas, but datas of the delivery of the items. This is also noted in the list pubished by KMZ. So I'm not so shure that all the 5092xxxx s/n are not produced in 1992. Maybe this special edition was put in stock because the price was higher than for other Zenit 122 models and so the selling goes over the next two years? It's only an idea about this ...

Best wishes - Guido

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080429235741

All of the ones on the list have a 50 and then start with 92xxxx, so I think they are from 1992. I don't see any from 1993 or 1994 ? Yours doesn't look fake.

# 50920415 lens - # 92562130 Helios 44M-6 (Juhani Halmeenmaki collection)
# 50922670 lens - # 93298293 Helios 44M-6 (Sean Smith collection)
# 50922704 lens - # 93289857 Helios-44M-6 (okynek)
# 50923326 lens - # 984006 MC Zenitar-M2 (SovietCams collection)
# 50923533 lens - # 93219371 Helios 44M-6 (Tom Tiger collection)
# 50923558 lens - # 87017834 MIR 1-b (Bill Parkinson collection)
# 50923660 lens - # 91488802 Helios 44M-6 (SovietCams collection)
# 50925123 lens - # 93281843 Helios 44M-6 (Bill Parkinson collection)
# 50925693 lens - Helios 44M-6 (Illustrated in Princelle Book)
# 50926482 lens - # 89182898 Helios 44M-4 (Bill Parkinson collection)
# 50926935 lens - # 91159562 Helios 44M-6 (Mirfoto collection)
# 50928004 lens - # 93357880 Helios 44M-6 (Steve Berkowitz collection)
# 50925117l lens - # 90072043 Helios 44M-4 (AlexPhoto- on Ebay 2007)
# 92316563 Vladislav Kern Collection

And ... after the 92 yours has six more numbers, but the others have only four numbers after the 5092.... Your theory is interesting, but I'm not sure why anyone thinks that they were made after 1992 ? The lenses don't seem to be a reliable way to tell as they are all over the place and were probably often switched and interchanged.

We have had a discussion before at the ZCG, including Zoom, who has said records show that there were something like 6000 of these made, but compared to other cameras that were made in quantities of 6000, these don't show up very often (I think ???).


Regards, Bill

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080430000429

I'm puzzled at the fact that mine says USSR and all yours say Russia... really weird.. in terms of these show up often or not, I've seen maybe around 4 or 5 of these for sale for past year...

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080430000506

Guido, what fault in logo are you talking about? Some paint may have chipped with the age...

Reply author: Guido

Replied on: 20080430001217

Hello Vlad

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Vlad</i>
<br />Guido, what fault in logo are you talking about? Some paint may have chipped with the age...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, you're maybe right. I've taken a closer look now and it could well be that some paint is missing after all this years.

Best wishes - Guido

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080430005717

Juhani has the earliest serial number on the list which begins with "50" maybe he can look and see if his camera says "Made In USSR" or "Made In Russia". Since this was the time of the change in government, maybe this camera falls right in the change. So, maybe Vlad's example is the earliest on the list and the "50" was added when the country name was changed.

Also, the cameras with "50" have the serial number on the bottom and Vlad's has it on the upper back. But I have no doubt that Vlad's is not a fake as all of the logos appear to be exactly the same as my three examples.

Regards, Bill

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080430011818

would you like to see another version of Zenit-122 SE camera? [:)]

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/295539694_1.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/295539694_1.jpg

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20080430074251

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by nightphoto</i>
<br />Juhani has the earliest serial number on the list which begins with "50" maybe he can look and see if his camera says "Made In USSR" or "Made In Russia". Since this was the time of the change in government, maybe this camera falls right in the change. So, maybe Vlad's example is the earliest on the list and the "50" was added when the country name was changed.

Also, the cameras with "50" have the serial number on the bottom and Vlad's has it on the upper back. But I have no doubt that Vlad's is not a fake as all of the logos appear to be exactly the same as my three examples.

Regards, Bill
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Mine is made in Russia.
And a propable explanation for Vlad's serial is that it is a normal 122-serial. Maybe the top was broken & exchanged to a spare parts top, and painted to the SE-looks as the rest of the camera was that.

Smena rules

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20080430074652

Mine shows prod date 12 1992:


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/Zenit122_KMZ50y1.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/Zenit122_KMZ50y1.jpg



http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/Zenit122_KMZ50y2.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/Zenit122_KMZ50y2.jpg



http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/Zenit122_KMZ50y3.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/Zenit122_KMZ50y3.jpg


According to KMZ-webiste: 300 in 1992, 5993 in 1993 & 248 in 1994 making total of 6541

Smena rules

Reply author: Zoom

Replied on: 20080430081726

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Vlad</i>
<br />Added mine but i have no 50 prefix.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Your camera was made in 1992.
http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/zenit-12/index.html#zenit-122-50

Reply author: mermoz37

Replied on: 20080430085607

hello,
mine is made in Russia ,
number 50 924892
and lense is 93 178377.

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080430093910

Zoom,

thank you for confirming my theory!! Everyone, the article says exactly what I thought! [:D]. 300 made in 92 (with 92 prefix), the rest with 50 prefix are made 93 and 94. I should be hereby known as a Theoretical Collectionist! [:D]. $10 a theory! [;)].

Bill, thank you for starting this topic, I have discovered yet another gem in my collection thanks to you! [:)]

Vlad

Reply author: nightphoto

Replied on: 20080430105338


OK Vlad, congratulations on your early example and correct theory! I have relocated your serial number at the top of the list and I added Alain's camera as well. Thanks Zoom for pointing at the informational page. As I looked through Princelle for other cameras with a production of about 6,000- 8,000 I see that these cameras are about as rare and show up about as often as this Special Edition Zenit.

One other thing I noticed was that Juhani's camera also has the serial number on the back instead of the bottom!


Regards, Bill

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080430180134

I added my images to the wiki entry

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20080501023912

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Vlad</i>
<br />Zoom,

thank you for confirming my theory!! Everyone, the article says exactly what I thought! [:D]. 300 made in 92 (with 92 prefix), the rest with 50 prefix are made 93 and 94. I should be hereby known as a Theoretical Collectionist! [:D]. $10 a theory! [;)].

Bill, thank you for starting this topic, I have discovered yet another gem in my collection thanks to you! [:)]

Vlad
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

IMPOSSIBLE!

Please look at my pictures, "Date of production 12 92" and 5092-starting number...

Or exception to this rule: SOME 5092-xxxx were produced & delivered already in the end of 1992...

Smena rules

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080501092416

I supposed it's possible the second batch started production still in the end of '92... my theory relied primarily that there was 2 batches, one original of 300 units with numbers without 50 prefix(of which I believed my camera was) and one additional with the 50 prefix.

Reply author: fotodk

Replied on: 20101225030823

i have this camera, just body without strap or lens. because i buy from 3rd hand.
where can i buy strap or other accesory original?
my serial body #50929705
ligth meter not function

dwikurniawan

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/25122010_Photo on 2010-12-25 at 13.35.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/25122010_Photo on 2010-12-25 at 13.35.jpg

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20101225115547

Hello Dwi,

As far as I know the only "anniversary" piece is the camera body itself, the rest you can just get a regular Zenit 122 accessories/lens (lens preferably with serial # that stats with 92 or 93 ) and substitute it. Those are fairly freely available on eBay.

Regards,
Vlad

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20101225115754

Well correction - except for the box that is special anniversary. but the accessories should be standard

Reply author: fotodk

Replied on: 20101225120705

nice. info sir,
i'm sorry my english not good, :D
maybe this camera for my collection,

dwikurniawan

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20101225135325

Yes, lens and case and strap is normal Zenit ones, so easy to get. The box is special, but I wonder how many really do value the box? From my experience a box and passport is higly undervalued!

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: fotodk

Replied on: 20110102033304

oh my god, after i test my camera.
have trouble. in shutter,

dwikurniawan

Reply author: Fred_L

Replied on: 20110110133940

I have 4 different units of this camera

50923238 with Helios 44M-4 2/58mm 834132. I think the lens is not the original one.
50921713 with Helios 44M-6 2/58mm 9346841. Full set boxed but cover on the box is missing.
50927286 with Helios 44M-6 2/58mm 93361246. Full set boxed
50922428 with Helios 44M-5 2/58mm 93309210. Full set boxed

I also have 2 other 122 I think they are fake (but nice!!)

One is Zenit 122a in light brown: 92162741 with Helios 2,8/28mm 6030668
The other is Zenit 122m military green: 99023900 with Industar-50-2 3,5/50mm 80080680

If interrested, I can make picture of these 2 cameras....

Fred








Reply author: fotodk

Replied on: 20110122084619

oh god, i has check my camera.
a circuit light meter not function. somebody can give me advice???
thanks = terima kasih (indonesian languages)

dwikurniawan

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20110228121747

Can this be "body only":

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2822011_122_50y.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2822011_122_50y.jpg

Serial is 50924979.

Best regards,
Juhani

Reply author: Omega

Replied on: 20110301081410

I wanted to buy this camera, but was last registered in HUUTO too, and I was late a few hours :-((

<div align="right"> <font color="red">I do not speak English, I use Google Language Tools </font id="red"> </div id="right">

Reply author: ThanasisP

Replied on: 20110322195926

Hi there everyone.
I also have an 122 50special edition.
On the bottom says: Made in Russia

Code:50924907

Lens code:93253954

Can you tell me the year of production?
-Great job everyone.

Reply author: Guido

Replied on: 20110322200705


Hello

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by ThanasisP</i>
<br />Code:50924907<br />
Lens code:93253954
Can you tell me the year of production?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Body: 1992
Lens: 1993

Best wishes - Guido

Reply author: okynek

Replied on: 20110325133107

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Can this be "body only":<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
As far as I know all 50 years cameras sold only in very nice box and with lens.
This is most likely a "kotleta" quote

Reply author: regipix

Replied on: 20111111081309

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="MS Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by nightphoto</i>
<br />
Hello everyone,

I just added a list of serial numbers that I had to this entry. If you have a Zenit 122 Special Edition Titanium "50th Anniversary" camera, please add it to the list.

Regards, Bill


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Reply author: regipix

Replied on: 20111111081725

Hello all
thought I would add my 122 50th to your list;
No 50926929, Lens 9339252.
best wishes
Regipix.

Reply author: Candelman

Replied on: 20120828095509

Hello. I have a Zenit 122K riding a MC HELIOS 44k-4.

From the pictures I've seen could be limited edition 50th Anniversary, but seems to have erased the logo.
Serial number is 95012616 body and lens 9520062

I would ask if you can help me identify it.
thanks