How serial number counts down?

[Keykey]

Hey guys,

I own a Zorki 4 and am happy with it so far.

It may seem like a dumb question but I wonder how the serial number counts. Do big numbers always translate into a younger age? Mine's an 8-digit number.

I don't have the original in-box info with me. Is it possible to check the manufacturer and DOB for my camera?

BTW, it always brings me more attention from around compared to hanging out with my 20D. I really love the classy taste of Zorki 4.

Cheer,

Keykey

 

[pshinkaw]

On the later model Zorkis (including the Zorki-4, but not necessarily Feds) the first two digits of the SN indicate the year of manufacture. Two of My Zorki-4's start with with 61 and 64 respectively, indicating the likely year of manufacure.

However, I have a Zorki-4 with a SN starting with 21. I doubt that it was made in 1921, but have no explnation for how that number got there.

The lenses are are more reliable, and also follow the first two digit rule. Since the 50's were usually supplied with the camera, the lens it has may be a more reliable indicator of year of manufactuire than the body itself. It is within expectation to find the lens dated plus/minus one year of the body.

-Paul

 

[peter_n]

Paul is right about the lenses being fairly reliable with respect to date. However some of them start with a zero (I think mostly those made in the FED plant near Kyiv) and there doesn't seem to be any guideline you can follow with those lenses.

BTW welcome to the forum Keykey! 🙂

 

[Keykey]

Thanks guys.

So mine's likely produced in 1967.

BTW, Hi you all in this forum.

 

[reagan]

Yep, a lot of the Zorki 4s I've seen have lens numbers really close to the body number. However (my luck) I have a 70xxxxxx Zorki 4 that came with a J-8 that is 63xxxxx. And it's pretty obvious the lens has had more miles on it than the body, though I'm happy with both.

So lens numbers... I have a J-12 that begins with "N 52xxxxx". Is the "N" short for "No" which is on other Jupiter lenses? Therefore I could assume this lens is approx. a 1952 model? And yeah, I've read this before, but this J-12 just doesn't look that old, so since we're on the subject, thought I'd ask.

Thanks sports fans!!

<<edit>> Oh yeah, WELCOME ABOARD Keykey!

 

[peter_n]

I think you can assume that N is the number. A 1952 sample could have spent a good deal of its life on a shelf. My 1961 J-11 is pristine and came with its original certificate of manufacture and testing!