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Zenit-TTL Fotosnaiper

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Topic author: AidasCams

Posted on: 20080714110847

Hi,

it's my very first time to see the Zenit-TTL Fotosnaiper camera alive. Any comments?

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130163.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130163.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130166.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130166.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130169.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130169.JPG

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130170.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/P7130170.JPG

Thanks in advance, Aidas

Replies

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080714115924

Hmm... very interesting.. it has an identical bottom plate to my FS-12 (Zenit-12S)... do you have the rest of the kit or seen the rest of the kit? Like metal box, manual? Is it possible it's an adapted bottom plate from 12S? Usually FS series have "S" code in camera name, this one does not... just trying to cover all bases here... It would've been Zenit-TTL-S No???

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080714123650

Vlad,

I have only single camera unfortunately. But I'm absolute sure about it's authentity while having soviet literature with Zenit-TTL Fotosnaiper camera shown ...

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080714125203

I'm sure the camera exists, but the question is - is this one of them? [:)]. Have you seen the pictures of the other ones? The absence of "S" in the name makes me raise the question....

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080714130709

sure ... I have the document by "DOM OPTIKI", where Zenit-TTL camera ilustrating early version of Fotosnaiper-12 camera...

BTW if you will take close look at the top plate of particular camera, you will find it identical to your Zenit-12C camera, while the top plate of regular Zenit-TTL is a little bit different.

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080714164448

All right! [:)] I rest my case for now [:)] Very cool! Please don't be offended, I had to ask these questions. [:)]

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20080716074704

Hey all!
Zenit TTL and Zenit 12S are absolutely identical except for the internal shutter base having a cut for a lever matching the knob bottom firings. Even the TTL light meter and Zenit 12S are the same - they differ only by a shunt going to a P-3 type plug that when connected to the Tair 3 PhS, inserts a series of potenciometers (in the lens) for full aperture readings. Bodies differ slightly.
That way, I afirm that:
<font size="3"><u><b>This camera is an original 12S with a TTL cover.</b>
</u></font id="size3">
Why?
See the body. and the tripod location Differs from TTL series.
-The TTL has side tripod mount.
The self timer is also different -the lever- and do not carries the "M" plate. the shutter button and rewind clutch also differes from TTL series.
As the top cover are metalurgically and mechanically identical, this is a post factory adaptation.
Regards LP

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080716092727

Thanks to Luiz, I'm becoming great camera faker myself ... [:D][:D][:D].

Luiz, I respect your opinion, but it's only your opinion, not a final verdict yet. I'm absolutely sure it's an authentic camera, not a post factory adaptation indeed ...

(1) I can't find the proper reason for modification of particular camera yet. If I want to transform my TTL into the Snaiper camera, the easiest way to put the TTL's top on regular 12C body, right? But I have some problems here. First of all, how to modify the regular eye-cup into extended Snaiper's one? 2nd, the top plate of particular camera have silkscreened markings, which is common on Zenit-12S cameras, never on regular TTL's ... Should I silkscreen it myself? [:)] Nonsense, indeed ... So I'm back to my first question - what reason? The same problems if I cut out the "12C" markings from the top plate of the camera to put the new TTL markings instead ...

(2) is it worth to make these adaptations to get some $30 from naive camera buyer like me?

(3) we all know, that "TTL" cameras are from the same so called Zenit-12 group, although Zenit-TTL entered the market in 1977 (see camera #77000484 in my collection) and Zenit-12 - just five years after. Below you will find the proclamation of year 1983 by "DOM OPTIKI" (Optic's House), the official distributor of soviet cameras, illustrating new FS-12 set with Zenit-TTL within ... Can I raise the question of existing Zenit-TTL Fotosnaiper camera then?

Best Regards,
Aidas



Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080716092831

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/zenit-ttl_sniper.jpg


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/zenit-ttl_sniper.jpg

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080716093752

Very interesting! It shows TTL on picture but talks about 12S in text....

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20080716131040

In complement to what was said:
Two explainig pictures

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


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

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/ttl2.JPG


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/ttl2.JPG

So it is a 12 S type with TTL name
A fairy acquisition [}:)][}:)][:D][:D]

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20080716140957

Luiz,

Yes, it's Zenit-12C camera with TTL name indeed ... [:)]

Best Regards,
Aidas

Reply author: Vlad

Replied on: 20080716144932

There is currently a TTL Photosniper on eBay listed in Germany [:D], but be aware that it is a regular Zenit-TTL (no FS bottom plate) packaged with a FS-12 sniper kit, just keeping you alert in case you start searching eBay in search of this type of camera. I've communicated with seller and he had sent me detailed photos.

Vlad