The Zenit-TTL camera is intended for amateur photography with color and black-and-white films. This apparatus has a semi-automatic exposure meter with the function of measuring the light that passes through the lens (this is the TTL system), a self-timer, and a synchronization mechanism designed to work with a flash lamp. Zenit-TTL allows the use of interchangeable lenses that have an M24x1 connection thread and a working distance of 45.5 mm.

The camera is used for the following types of special photography:

Reproduction works using extension rings;

Shooting small items close-up, from very short distances (this type is called "macro photography");

Using a microscope (this type is called "micro photography"), etc.

Zenit-TTL has a number of advantages:

1. Exposure metering semi-automatic device of the TTL system provides the setting of the required exposure when shooting with standard and interchangeable lenses, light filters, attachment lenses, extension rings.

2. The presence of a constant sight mirror in the Zenit-TTL camera allows continuous observation of the photographing object before and after exposure.

3. Equipped with a “jumping aperture” mechanism, which automatically closes at the moment the shutter is released (this mode is denoted by the letter “A”). A manual control mode is also provided (this mode is denoted by the letter "M").

4. The fully open aperture function in the Zenit-TTL camera provides the highest possible brightness of the image that can be seen in the viewfinder. This is very important at the time of sighting, as well as focusing.

5. The latter is carried out on a matte surface and on a micro-raster.

6. The system of fast film charging, the function of quick exposure setting, rewinding, which is performed with a fixed shutter release sleeve - all this significantly reduces the time spent on preparatory operations when photographing with the Zenit-TTL apparatus.

The manual contains the following list of technical characteristics:

1. The aspect ratio is 24x36 mm.

3. Its length is 1.65 m. The number of frames is 36.

4. Shutter speed - from 1/30 to 1/500 s, "B" and slow.

5. Standard lens of the camera - "Helios-44M":
- is 58 mm;
- aperture scale - from 2 to 16;
- distance scale - from 0.55 m to "∞";
- the maximum relative aperture is 1: 2;
- power supply of the exposure meter is provided by one RC-53 element.

6. The range of sensitivity of the films used is from 16 to 500 units. GOST.

7. Seating thread of the lens - M42 × 1.

8. The thread of the filter is M52 × 0.75.

9. The thread of the tripod socket is 1/4 ″.

10. Linear field of viewfinder image - 20 × 28 mm.

11.- 138 × 100 × 93 mm.

12. The mass of the camera is 1.01 kg.

According to the instructions, the camera must be charged and discharged in low light, avoiding direct sunlight. It is not recommended to rotate the shutter speed dial in the interval between adjacent symbols "500" and "B" and the ISO setting dial in the non-digitized range. Do not rotate the shutter-release button unnecessarily. This leads to the shutdown of the mechanism. It is always necessary to cock the bolt until it stops (preferably with two or three small turns of the lever). This excludes skipping frames on film during exposure. It is forbidden to leave the device with the shutter cocked for a long time, as this may lead to a deterioration in the operation of the latter. When shooting in frosty weather, it is not recommended to leave the unit outdoors. It is necessary to wear it, for example, under outerwear, taking it out only for the duration of work.

Zenit-TTL is an iconic camera. Stage. It reflects in the best way all the difficult situation that took place in the USSR in the mid-seventies.

Zenit-TTL for the first time among mass Soviet cameras received an in-camera exposure metering. The letters "TTL" in the name of the device, in fact, are an abbreviation for "Through the Lens" - "Through the lens".
No, Zenit-TTL was not fundamentally the first in this matter!

At least, already in 1962, there was a prototype of the Kiev-TTL rangefinder.

And already in the early seventies, Zenit-16 and Kiev-15 were even mass produced. Both devices are TTL-metering DSLRs!

But how many were released? Several tens of thousands in total. And they were complex and expensive devices. But the circulation of Zenith-TTL was measured in millions. Therefore, it was Zenit-TTL that brought all the charm of intra-camera metering to the mass Soviet amateur photographer for a reasonable price.

By the beginning of the seventies, it became finally clear that a selenium exposure meter on DSLRs was not comme il faut at all. This was especially felt in the drop in demand for export supplies.

There were devices with TTL in the USSR, but they were complicated, too expensive and not too reliable. Now it was decided to make a real workhorse.

And they did it.

They took the same concept of Zenit-E, or rather its successor, Zenit-EM, as a basis.

They made a new shutter. Firstly, it was really more accurate, and secondly, when it was cocked, the shutter speed head did not rotate.

The exposure head, in addition to actually setting the exposure, should now also close the contacts of the exposure calculation system. The rotating head was in no way suitable for such a purpose.

There was a new shutter, or rather it was, but it beat off all the same 5 exposures + V. And the synchronization was still there - at 1/30.

What to say? Even the pre-war FED-S had a shutter speed of 1/1000.

The selenium cell was replaced with a cadmium sulfide (CdS) photoresistor housed in a pentaprism.

Due to the fact that the photoresistor took a part of the light flux, it became very dark in the viewfinder of the first releases of Zenith-TTL. Much darker than selenium devices. This made focusing very difficult.

Later, place a couple of photoresistors a little differently, and the viewfinders became a little brighter.

The LED indication worked out at the Zenith-16 was abandoned. We chose something simpler - i.e. arrow in the viewfinder's field of view.

In general, the electronic part of the device, although it was not complicated, turned out to be again not reliable, critical to the accuracy of the assembler. The contacts often oxidized during use.

The body structure was made similar to the Zenith-EM. Almost complete unification. The visual difference was mainly in the absence of a selenium element window above the lens.

No changes have happened with the viewfinder's field of view. All the same 65% from the 60s.

The device turned out to be largely controversial. In some ways, his device was brought to the current world standards level, and in some ways he remained far away in the 60s.

Nevertheless, the device was warmly received by consumers in the USSR. This is because TTL is no joke to you. This is a really great thing!

Shooting with wide-angle and telephoto lenses, macro photography, shooting with light filters - all this was not just possible, it all became also easy and effortless thanks to in-camera exposure metering.

Zenit-TTL was well received in the west, and in Germany, too. Yes, in many ways the apparatus was simpler against advanced foreign technology. But for the price it was worth, the device offered quite excellent functionality.

Let's take a closer look at the camera.

Zenith-TTL

The Zenit-TTL camera was produced at KMZ and BelOMO from 1978 to 1985. In total, more than 2.5 million units of such Zenits were produced at two enterprises.

At the stage of development, the camera bore the index "12", but the first issues were decided to be named differently. The names "Zenit-electro" and "Zenit-electro-TTL" were considered.

We stopped at Zenit-TTL. Yes, that's right - in Cyrillic. The first issues went with this name, although the original meaning of the abbreviation was lost. They switched to writing TTL in Latin a little later.

Standard lens - Helios-44M 2/58.

Lens mount - M42 × 1 thread. The working distance is 45.5 mm. Blinking aperture supported.

The shutter is made of cloth, focal plane with a horizontal movement. Beats shutter speeds: 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, V.

Flash sync at 1/30.

The camera is equipped with a self-timer and a hot sync contact. On the first releases, the sync contact was only wired.

The size of the viewfinder image field is 20 × 28 mm or 65% of the frame area.

Eyepiece magnification - 5X.

Focusing screen type - frosted glass with micro-raster ring.

The weight of my copy without the lens is 700 grams.

Control elements:

Here I will make an important caveat. Today we have in our review an early and relatively rarer version of Zenith-TTL.

Therefore, the considered instance differs from most of the devices of the same name, produced later.

In those places where the differences will be noticeable, I will make an advising disclaimer.

You also need to remember that Zenits-TTL were produced at two enterprises in the country at the same time. Therefore, there may be differences in appearance associated with this. Let's remember, as an example, Zenit-ET.

Let's start with the design. The first Zenith-TTL design was similar to the Zenith-EM, i.e. had a light top. Later, their hull was unified with Zenit-ET, became black and acquired a number of additional changes. In honor of the 1980 Olympics, many vehicles carry the Olympic emblem.

There is no more selenium photocell above the Zenith-TTL lens (in this case - TTL)! The inscription "Zenith" proudly flaunts there.

On the right of the front panel, there is traditionally a socket for a wired sync contact, and under it there is a winding lever and a self-timer start button.

At the back is the viewfinder eyepiece, and to the left of it is a screw-in battery cover with a cut for a coin.

Yes, from that very moment, batteries in Zenith became a mass phenomenon.
The device is designed to operate on one RC-53 battery.

On the topic of selecting replacements for Soviet batteries

The Zenita-TTL viewfinder covers only 65% ​​of the frame area. It is quite dark and the brightness is noticeably unevenly distributed.

In later versions, the brightness of the viewfinder is better.

The arrow of the exposure meter is visible on the right.

In the center of the frosted glass there is a Fresnel lens with a microraster.

The bottom of the device is only a tripod socket. In this case, it is maximally on the right. In many later versions, the nest, like Zenit-ET, moved closer to the center.

Above the Zenith-TTL from left to right are:
- film sensitivity selector with a rewind tape placed in the center;
- "cold" bracket for flashes;
- the head of excerpts;
- rotary shutter disconnect sleeve with a shutter release button in the center;
- the head of the shutter cocking and frame transportation, equipped with a trigger and a frame counter.
The shutter speed head is large, grippy with high-quality knurling.

To change the shutter speed, the head just needs to be turned; this can be done both with the shutter cocked and with the shutter released.

When the shutter is cocked, the head does not rotate.

In later versions, the shutter head underwent cosmetic changes. The shape and color of the knurling have changed.

The film speed selector is, of course, more than just a reminder. The set value of sensitivity is used when calculating the exposure.

The selector switches with solid clicks. There are two sensitivity scales: GOST (ASA) and DIN.
The calculation of the exposure at Zenith-TTL is as follows:

1. On the selector, it is necessary to set the sensitivity of the film loaded into the apparatus.

2. It is assumed that the lens aperture control mode switch is set to "A" - "Auto control"

3. We direct the device to the object of the shooting and press the shutter button to some tangible stop, but not completely.

Here you need to practice a little so as not to release the shutter. The button must be pressed to such an extent that this movement is transmitted to the lens pusher, and the aperture closes to the lined value. But the shutter shouldn't work.

At this point, the electronic light metering and exposure calculation system is activated. The light level is measured at the working diaphragm.

4. We look at the arrow in the viewfinder.

If it is horizontal, the exposure is optimal.

If the arrow has moved up, there is a lot of light. You need to either reduce the shutter speed or cover the aperture.

If the arrow has moved down, there is little light. You need to either increase the shutter speed or open the aperture.

You can change both the shutter speed and aperture when the shutter button is half pressed, i.e. the diaphragm will change immediately in the working position, and the exposure metering will work.

All such manipulations will affect the position of the arrow, as they say, in on-line mode.

It is only necessary to take into account that the ancient photoresistors had a terrible inertia. It took them up to a minute to properly react to the changed lighting.

So, changing the shutter speed and aperture, you need to achieve the horizontal position of the arrow.

When the hand has taken a horizontal position, the exposure is not only calculated, but already entered into the camera. You can press the descent.

In general, everything is simple, functional and quite convenient. True, in a dark viewfinder, but in a dark scene, it is sometimes difficult to see the arrow. But these are already details.

To rewind the film, Zenith-TTL has a tape measure. To rewind the film, you need to fold the handle.

The lock of the back cover of the specimen in question is old, like on the Zenith-E yet. It is located outside on the left side. In later versions, the lock became internal and interlocked with a tape measure.

Attitude towards the camera.

I very highly appreciate the appearance of intra-camera exposure metering in mass Zenits. Based on this, Zenit-TTL, as already mentioned, is a stage device.

On the other hand, if until now the Soviet photographic industry simply lagged behind the Western one, then, perhaps, from that moment in the segment of mass Zeniths, complete stagnation began.

The next modernization happened along with the release of the Zenit-12SD apparatus - only 5 years later in 1983. All of the improvements were more cosmetic in nature.

In the segment of more advanced vehicles, KMZ had, of course, still quite successful solutions, for example, Zenit-19. But there were about a hundred thousand of these devices.

An ordinary amateur photographer simply did not see these cameras, and could not afford them.

On this slightly sad note, I have everything. Good luck!

If you have a Zenith-TTL camera and have a lens on it, you can use this lens on your digital camera. Both on mirrored and mirrorless. Full frame and crop.

Look for your lens in the table of contents of my site, maybe there are some subtleties that are worth knowing.

But in any case, you will need an adapter for your photo system.

The cheapest adapters are sold on Aliexpress.

The table will help you choose an adapter for your camera.

A type	Brand name	Link to adapter
Mirrors	Nikon	M42-Nikon F without lens
		M42-Nikon F with lens
	Canon	M42-Canon EF
	Sony	M42- Sony / Minolta
	Pentax	M42-pentax K
Mirrorless	Sony	M42-NEX
	Olympus / Panasonic	M42-m 4/3
	Fuji	M42-FX
	Nikon	M42-Nikon 1

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The device belongs to the 12th series of zeniths and was mass-produced from 1977 to 1985.

Ergonomics and description

Model with a TTL-lens exposure meter, exposure metering is performed at working aperture values ​​(stop-down metering). Since the light from the pentaprism simultaneously enters both the photodiodes and the eyepiece of the viewfinder, focusing becomes difficult when there is a lack of lighting (despite the presence of a focusing screen with a matte finish).

The body is made of metal, the shutter is focal, curtain. The shutter speed head allows you to set shutter speeds without cocking the shutter, it is connected to the exposure meter. The galvanometer needle displays the readings in the viewfinder when the shutter button is pressed halfway.

Exposures are standard for Zeniths of that time: from manual, to 1 \ 500 seconds, there is a self-timer. Synchronization with flashes for 1/30 sec via the sync terminal of the front panel. The ISO ring is also paired with a light meter.

Loading film under the rear opening cover. Film rewinding is manual, the rewinding knob is retracted into the camera cover. The rear cover lock is external, which causes certain inconveniences when working - it always strives to open, catching on something. The apparatus with Olympic symbols, the symbols were applied in honor of the 1980 Olympics, which took place in Moscow.

The Zenit-TTL viewfinder eyepiece is round, next to it is a connector for the RC-53 element (power supply of the exposure meter). The structural elements are protected by 4 certificates; for KMZ, these were the first serial models of a SLR camera with an off-objective exposure meter. In fact, it is a modernization of Zenit-EM, a camera with a pressure diaphragm mechanism, a selenium exposure meter and a focusing screen with a microrastr, produced from 1972 to 1984 (1988).

Conclusion

Zenith TTL for all time produced about 1.6 million copies. Later versions (from 1982) had a brighter viewfinder and center sync pin. It is found quite often on the market, it is not a problem to buy in excellent condition at a price of "less than a thousand rubles." Experiments show that with a non-working shutter it is even cheaper.

Everyone knows about the old Soviet Zenith cameras, which almost every person had.

This photographic equipment was produced from 1952 to 2005 at a mechanical plant in the city of Krasnograd near Moscow; at the optical-mechanical plant in the Belarusian town of Vileika under the KMZ trademark.

Almost all models of mirroring cameras with a single lens were developed at the base enterprise in the Moscow region, remaining today the original ideas of the manufacturer. The world saw over forty varieties of Zenit cameras, which took pictures using 135 type film using interchangeable lenses. Most of this photographic equipment was produced with focal-plane shutters with curtains made of fabric or lamellas made of metal. Central locks, with which a wide variety of mountings were used, were used at bases such as Zenit-4, Zenit-5, Zenit-6. One of the last, the Zenit-KM camera, developed in 2001, was equipped with a modern electronic shutter, lamellar; a digital system on automation for adjusting the amount of radiation for a photosensitive element, a motorized film feed.

There are especially unique in the technical solution of the brand "Zenith", which were released at different times - 1952, 1964, 1969, 1972, 1979. Some special models of devices were used in photographic guns.

At the moment they are somewhat outdated, but nevertheless many good photographers use not only modern digital cameras, but also film ones, since they have a number of advantages. In this article, you will learn about the main types of Zenith cameras, their characteristics and prices.

The first on the list is the Zenit-E camera, which had, perhaps, the most widespread distribution throughout the entire USSR. Unfortunately, some data on the beginning of the release of cameras differ, but the fact remains - they were used until 1982. The Zenit-E camera was released in a circulation of 8 million. On various forums and online stores, the price of the Zenit-E camera will be from 400 to 1000 rubles, depending on the region and the quality of the unit.

The next is the Zenit-ET camera. This camera was produced in more modest volumes than "Eshka". Its advantage is that the exposure setting is done manually using a selenium exposure meter. You can see different rates on different sites - from 200 to 1100 rubles.

A kind of hybrid between Zenit-ET and Zenit-TTL cameras. In this model, the release button and the film rewind button have been changed. This line of cameras is already much more expensive. The cost of one device with the lens "Helios-44" will be is equal to 1500 rubles at least... Better preserved copies along with documents sell for both 3000 and 4000 thousand rubles.

Zenit-11 did not have a rotating shutter speed head - it was static. The mechanism of the pressing diaphragm also takes place.

Next comes a similar small-format single-lens camera Zenit-3M. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the shutter mechanism and the film rewind mechanism were inherited from the Zorkiy-6 camera. How much does the Zenit-3M camera cost? We answer: in stores that are responsible for the quality of products, he costs about 3500 rubles, you can buy it from hands for 1000 rubles... But it is worth noting that in a camera it is not so much the camera that is valuable as the Helios 44-2 lens.

And the last Soviet one will be the Zenit-TTL camera. Zenit-EM was the prototype of this camera. This copy had a more modern lens Helios-44M. He also had a semi-automatic exposure installer. Again, as luck would have it, at that price you will buy. Some sell for 200 rubles, some for almost 2000. Naturally, it all depends on the quality of the camera.

Unfortunately, many of the above cameras ceased to be produced in the 70-90s, but still the Krasnogorsk plant named after. S.A. Zvereva produces other cameras. Only one model remained from the Zenit lineup - Zenit-KM, which is also a single-lens film camera. On the official website of the plant, you can see its cost - 3100 rubles.

Naturally, he became more innovative. All mechanisms are electrified, due to this, it has a mechanical frame counter, a motor drive, it also has not only manual exposure adjustment, but also automatic. The disadvantage is that its body is made of plastic. If you are not very careful, then it can be smashed on almost any surface.

Unfortunately, it can now be said that film cameras are a thing of the past. Digital cameras have a lot of potential. With such a camera, you do not need to develop and scan the film, they are afraid to "light up" it, etc. But, as we know that the new is the well forgotten old, so they come back into fashion.

Having brought together all the advantages of the previous Zenit models, in 1977 KMZ and BelOMO, based on Zenith EM began to produce a camera called Zenith TTL... Oh! ... This was our answer to the capitalists who have already produced cameras with off-screen light metering. In it, after the lens in the field of view, on one face of the translucent pentaprism, a cadmium sulfide photoresistor FPF-9-2, which measured the illumination in the frame and displayed information in the field of view in the form of a horizontal arrow on the right side of the frame through the viewfinder. With a pre-set shutter speed or aperture, depending on the priority, it was enough to adjust a different value until the arrow was brought to the middle position. Everything! The unit is ready to shoot! It was much more convenient than first determining the desired parameters with a light meter, and then entering them manually into the camera. True, this was done to the detriment of the brightness of the visible image in the viewfinder, but in 1983 this was partially corrected by installing two photoresistors on the rear edge of the pentaprism with a less transparent coating. The exposure meter required a battery, which was used as a mercury-zinc cell RC-53 installed under the removable cover on the back of the camera. All controls are traditionally located on the top panel of the camera. On the right, when viewed from the viewfinder, is the trigger head for cocking the shutter and transferring the film to the next frame, on its upper part is the frame counter dial. Closer to the pentaprism, the shutter speed setting head. Their values ​​are from 1/30 to 1/500 and "B". Between them is the shutter button, the outer ring of which, when turned, turns on the film rewind mode. On the left side of the panel there is a rewind knob, the outer ring of which is used to set the sensitivity value of the used film. Horizontal focal plane shutter. The clear advantage of the stock lens Helios-44M 2/58 - This " bouncing aperture". With it, sighting can be carried out with a fully open aperture and, as a result, the brightest visible image. And at the time of shooting, when you press the shutter button, the aperture blades are first compressed to the set value, and only then the shutter is released. TTL system in the camera, it is turned on when the shutter button is partially pressed and the aperture is compressed, and after adjusting the exposure, the button is released, the final framing is performed and the release is released. In older models, the final sighting was done with the exposure already set and the frame could be seen quite dark with a strong aperture. But there was also a drawback in this camera - this is the oxidation of the battery contacts and the failure of the electronics. In total, until 1985, 1,632,212 units were produced. at KMZ and about 1 million at the optical and mechanical plant BelOMO. Zenith TTL became the prototype for the release of subsequent models.