About the Zorki 3

A Zorki 3 more, here. So, I thought it could be a good idea to list the different variations which lead to the usual cameras we know, with my s/n 00707, 01656 and 05357

First, about the place of the serial number.





Number on the cover for the first one (on my s/n 01656 too), and on the rear of the upper plate for the last one. The s/n 00707 and the 05357 still have roman characters. Italic ones with a prefix for the date will be the rule soon after this s/n 05357. Note that we have the same succession -roman, then italic- for the Zorki 1 and the Zenit.

Then, about the front of the camera, and especially the VF/RF windows.



Two large RF/VF on the 00707. No screw on the left of the VF.



On the 01656, the two windows are slightly smaller and the VF one has a screw included in the rim.



No difference on the 05357, except the screw under the RF window which is slightly more on the right.

No change after, as far as I know. The researches concerning the cover and the place of the different VF/RF seem to have been long at KMZ's.

Not too that these three early Zoki 3 have the lock on the slow speed dial.

And concerning the top of the cover:



On the s/n 00707, no trace of screws to fix the accessory clip which is fastened by the inside.



Four screws on this s/n 01656, and on the 05357. The rest of the production has this four screws too.

It's a long time since I have kept an eye on the Zorki 3 and its variations. Really a fascinating and modern camera, at the beginning of the fifties, even if the lack of reliability of slow speeds was certainly puzzling. This problem will be corrected with the 3M.

For me, it is necessary to complete this thread by other distinctive variations: absence of lock for slow speeds, shape of baseplate, and all that I don't know. Thanks!

Amitiйs. Jacques.

Hello Jacques,

I like that camera - to me it's the 'deluxe' Zorki 3.

I also own three. Same s/n range : 1884, 2102 and 2323.