Serial numbers on Zenit 18

Hi all!

I wonder why some Zenit 18 bodies have a 8 digit serial number, and other have only 7 digits.
For example with my cameras:
83000436
83000635
8600140
8601105
Does someone has an explanation please?

Thank you very much

Fred

Added my 860xxxx serials to Wiki (http://www.ussrphoto.com/Wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=69&ParentID=1&ContentID=590&Item=Zenit+18)

Best regards,
Juhani

I think that KMZ probably dropped the extra zero and reduced the digits from eight to seven when they realised that they were not goiing to produce so many Zenit-18s. Were all Zenit-18s manufactured in 1983 and 1986? Does anyone have a Zenit-18 manufactured in any other year?

David.

I have just added my Zenit-18 to the Wiki Catalog and noticed that there is a 1985 camera listed.

David.

My camera is also 8601687!

David's explanation is certainly the good one.

KMZ had already had these problems. For example, with ZK lenses. In 1947-48, they had 6 numbers (ex: 1948-003963). They suppressed a number for 1949 (ex: 4903637). The explanation: the totalization was additive for the years 1947 and 1948, it became year by year from 1949.

On the contrary, they jumped to 8 numbers for their Zorki 1 in 1955 and 1956. That time, the first two numbers marking the date...

There are probably other examples...

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Well, I got one from 1981. #81000469

Cheers,
Vlad.

OK, thank you all...
It seems that models from 1980 to 1983 have 8 digits, and after 1984?, only 7 digits.
What is sure is that all models i have seen from 1986 and later have only 7 digits..

I have had mine to wiki too...

Fred

Hello Fred

The s/n's of 1984 have 8 digits too.

Best wishes - Guido

Hi Guido

I was not sure for 1984...

Thank you very much!!

Fred