Zenit-B 

Produced: 1968-1977
Name: „Зенит-B“
Producer: KMZ
Frame size: 24x36.
Lens: Industar-50 3.5/50, Industar-50-2 3.5/50 or Helios-44-2  2/58.
Shutter: 1/30s-1/500s + B.

Quantity: 889.617 units.

Zenit-B  #71071319.

The Zenit-B is similar to the Zenit-E, but does not have the built-in meter.

Opposite you can see an early first year issue Zenit-B version in Cyrillic characters. Only these cameras have engraved nameplate markings on the frontplate (silkscreened on late versions).

An early Zenit-B  #68027285.

Camera identical to Zenit-B #68027285, but with export nameplate markings already. Seems to be an earliest export version of the particular camera. An additional "Made in USSR" markings on the rear plate (see picture below).

Zenit-B  #68013718.

Very uncommon export version, under name "ZENIT-B GLOBAL" (silkscreened). Intended for Australian market. An additional "Made in USSR" markings on the rear plate. Camera fitted with Helios-44-2 2/58 mm lens. Very uncommon to find nowadays.

Zenit-B  #69080768.

Very uncommon export version of the Zenit-B camera again. Under name "Zenith-B". Metal nameplate plaque glued on the frontplate (see picture below). Released for United Kingdom market only. Very rare to find nowadays.

Camera opposite from private collection in China.

Zenit-B  #69087326.

Less common to find version of the particular camera. Unusual body coverings (see picture below). Export name markings silkscreened on the frontplate. Selftimer's lever is missing on the particular camera.

Zenit-B  #69129338.

It's funny to mention, but cameras with nameplate markings in Cyrillic characters are less common to find in comparison with export ones. KMZ logotype silkscreened on the rear plate (see picture below).

Zenit-B  #70092018.

 

Without any doubt the most common version of the particular camera. Identical to Zenit-B #70092018, but with export markings already. KMZ logotype on the bottom plate. Still easy to find everewere at cheap enough prices.

Zenit-B  #71052210.

Less common to find export version of Zenit-B camera, under name "Kalimar SR100". Was intended for United States market. Fitted with standard Industar-50-2 3.5/50 mm lens. No otherwise different.

Zenit-B  #71071319.

Less common to find export version of Zenit-B camera, under name "Revueflex-B". Intended for West Germany market. KMZ logotype and "MADE IN USSR" markings on the bottom plate (see picture below). Fitted with standard Industar-50-2 3.5/50 mm lens. No otherwise different.

Zenit-B  #71140211.

Very uncommon "totally black" version of the particular camera was released in 1972 only (unconfirmed). My black Zenit-B camera opposite is fitted with rare lens "FM-50" #0473 for Zenit-BE2 camera (see picture below). Camera opposite from Ilya Stolyar (USA) coll.

Zenit-B  #72101538.

Less common to find export version of Zenit-B camera, under name "Prinzflex-500". Was intended for United Kingdom market. Fitted with standard Helios-44-2 2/58 mm lens. No otherwise different.

Zenit-B  #73022572.

Seems to be the latest version of Zenit-B camera. A limited quantity of 2.150 units released by KMZ in 1977. Name markings in Cyrillic characters again. Different design of shutter advance lever, slightly different markings on the top plate. Rare to find nowadays.

Zenit-B  #77002613.

Zenit-BM

Based on the Zenit-B, but with new controls: on the Zenit-BM the shutter release takes the place of the rewind selector, while the diaphragm selection funcion is taken care of automatically. The lenses are therefore designated with an "M", as with the Helios-44M. These cameras are the precursors of a great new family of Zenit-EM, TTL, ET, 10, 11, 12 ... [3].

Produced: 1972-1973
Name: „Зенит-BM“
Producer: KMZ
Frame size: 24x36.
Lens: Helios-44M  2/58.
Shutter: 1/30s-1/500s + B.

Quantity: 1.239 units.

Camera opposite from Ilya Stolyar (USA) collection. 

Zenit-BM  #72002789.

Zenit BE-2

This very uncommon camera is based on popular Zenit-B body. Originally was to be used for taking endoscopical images. At least 3 versions of Zenit-BE existing - Zenit-BE, Zenit-BE2 and Zenit-BE3.

Produced: 1972-1985
Name: „Зенит BЭ-2“
Producer: KMZ
Frame size: 24x36.
Lens: Industar-50-2  3.5/50.
Shutter: 1/30s-1/500s + B.

Quantity: 1.506 units (all versions of Zenit BE).

Zenit-BE2  #83000127.