Can anyone identify this Zenit

[Gizmo63]

Hi,
In sorting my late fathers effects I have come across his old Zenit which I recall from my childhood in the 60's.
Looking on the web they all seem to be labelled 'Zenith', 'Zenit3m' or 'Zenit3'.
This one just says 'Zenit'.
Measuring the lens thread it looks to be about 39mm diameter.
Shutter mechanism sounds OK but I notice something is missing from the front face - there used to be a piece of black tape over the hole.

Can anyone identify the model and it's age; also whether it's worth trying to sell or should be consigned to the bin.

Thank you for your help.

Apologies if this in the wrong section - I went with 'Former Soviet Union'

 

[p.giannakis]

If i am correct, it is the same as the Zenith 3M, it is just for the UK market.

 

[pschauss]

It looks like a Zenit 3m. On FSU cameras the first two digits of the serial number are usually the year it was built. The hole that was covered by the tape was probably the flash socket.

 

[littleearth]

A Zenit 3M with a damaged Flash PC socket !
The body isn't worth anything, but the silver Helios 44 is worth more than most of the later m42 black variants.

 

[ForestCap]

Zenit 3M. More info.:
http://www.sovietcams.com/index.php?-2070516641


This camera is based on Zorki-6 which I like.

 

[Gizmo63]

Thanks everyone, I'll ditch the body and give the lens a run on eBay.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Why sell the lens alone? People do collect USSR made cameras and that's an early one and anything up to 54 years old. Also it's got the 39mm threaded lenses and was the first with lever wind. And, if you've the instruction book, I'd be chasing after it, perhaps (can't remember if I've one in the heap). Selling the body for "Spares or Repairs" ought to be enough. Postage would be the same as on the lens, I guess.

Look on ebay at prices people have paid for the complete camera before you decide. I've seen them sell for eighteen or nineteen pounds.

Regards, David

 

[xayraa33]

The Helios 44 is slightly softer than the Helios 44-2 . The 44-2 version in my opinion has the best bokeh of the whole 44 series.

 

[Gizmo63]

Hi,

Why sell the lens alone? People do collect USSR made cameras and that's an early one and anything up to 54 years old. Also it's got the 39mm threaded lenses and was the first with lever wind. And, if you've the instruction book, I'd be chasing after it, perhaps (can't remember if I've one in the heap). Selling the body for "Spares or Repairs" ought to be enough. Postage would be the same as on the lens, I guess.

Fair point, no instruction book though but it does have a Zenit case which might be of interest to someone.
According to the serial number it's from 1965

 

[jimford]

I bought one exactly like that round about the same time. Looking back, it was an excellent camera. I wish I still had it now!

Jim