Albar 15

So I just picked up one of these, what is the difference between this one and the Zenit 15?

Vlad

Hi Vlad,
Well, actually the Zenit 15 is a prototype camera made by KMZ that, I believe, was never produced in series. Here is where you can find out about it and it is especially lucky that you can read Russian since the small article about it is in that language:

http://www.zenit.istra.ru/archive/zenit-16/index.html

Maybe you were referring to the Zenit 15M, which was also made by BeLomo like the Albar 15. As far as I know the difference may the name and an updated lens (Helios 44M-7).

Regards, Bill

Yes, you are right I'm sorry I meant 15M.. I do have that one as well.. I guess I'll compare the two when the Albar 15 arrives. I thought for some reason it has some extra stuff the 15M doesn't like difference in electronics..

Vlad

Vlad,
I think the Albar 15 replaced Zenit 15M when production was stopped, so you may be right about some updated electronics. Let me know what you find out.
It seems like the Albar 15 is pretty rare ... you are lucky to get one!

Regards, Bill

I definitely will! And I know I'm very excited! :)

quote:

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Originally posted by nightphoto

... actually the Zenit 15 is a prototype camera made by KMZ that, I believe, was never produced in series.

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ZENIT-15 project made by KMZ ( http://www.zenitcamera.com/archive/zenit-16/index.html ) has nothing in common with Zenit-15 camera made in Vileyka.
See also http://www.zenitcamera.com/qa/qa-nonkmz.html

Zoom,

Yes, that is what I said in my post! Right after the link to the KMZ project.

"Maybe you were referring to the Zenit 15M, which was also made by BeLomo like the Albar 15. As far as I know the difference may the name and an updated lens (Helios 44M-7)."

Regards, Bill

Hello friends,

Two reasons to start Albar-15 production: first reason - KMZ prohibited BeLomo to use patented ZENIT brand since Belarus became indipendent country, second reason - belorussians wanted to make an elite camera, so different versions of Albar-15 had shutter sequences like 1/30s-1/1000s or even 1s-1/1000s. Those cameras are extremely rare to find now. Vlad's version 1/30s-1/500s is more common, but still hard to find one ...

Regards,
Aidas

Awesome! Thank you Aidas, that's exactly what I was looking for in terms of what the differences were compared to Zenit! Now I have to make a cozy nest for it on my shelf and wait for its arrival knowing what I got :)..

And how do you know which one I bought? I haven't posted the pictures! ;) I knew the KGB was lurking around here somewhere! :) hehehe. Slip of the tongue, my friend and your cover is blown! :)

Vlad

Hi Vlad,
It's easy to answer your question indeed. Recently only one person in Belarus still suplying all of us with remains of Albar-15 cameras ...

Best Regards,
Aidas

hehehe... you gotta tell us how he gets all that stuff, especially the KGB cameras... Bill and I were discussing that the other day, that this seller keeps listing very interesting stuff all the time...

Vlad.

You should ask him if the person we are talking about still uses Ajax-12 camera for his daily needs ...

I don't know him very well, but what the heck is an Ajax-12? remind me?

It's a nickname of famous F-21 spy camera ...

ah jeez... :) that's it! the 12 confused me :).. I thought it was F-21 "Ajax".. by the way I am still to get a film cutter for it.. I got such a nice one in my collection plus I just also got a coat button attachment for it... I want to see if I can use it.. maybe when I don't have that much work I'll give it a shot... I saw one of these splicers on eBay custom adjusted for width for you shipped from China.. should probably get it. :) I still can't believe the motor in it when you hold it your hand.. it feels so very powerful!

quote:

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Originally posted by AidasCams

It's a nickname of famous F-21 spy camera ...

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Btw., it is more correct to write the name "Ajax" differently: something like "AYaCS", because this is the acronym. ;)

I guess we went with the phonetic version ;)

My notes say:

Albar-15 SLR 1993 w Helios-58/2
-A BeLomo-made 12XP/122 hybrid with 1/1000s added

Unfortunately I sold mine away, so if Aidas knows how to get one please email me...

http://www.cedricfan.sivut.ws/Juhani's%20website%20ORIGINAALIT/

Hello Juhani - my dear friend! I'm so happy to hear from you again! As I remember you had Albar-15 with an unique serial number, so if you sold it out - the lost is really big ... But no problems, we will try to find you one more (hope, not for sales anymore ... )

Best Regards,
Aidas

Thanks!
I have been very busy lately, so even my participation in ZCG has been small.
But when Vlad invited me here I just had to start commenting

http://www.cedricfan.sivut.ws/Juhani's%20website%20ORIGINAALIT/

And I'm glad you did! Good to have some decent activity and great ideas here! :) This site is becoming a frequent place to visit for hard core collectors which I am very pleased about.. not that camera users are not welcome here, but I think collectors are the primary audience and as Okynek had pointed out before, it's maybe becoming our little niche to hang out and shoot some ideas only collectors can bring up.