Zenit -E first Images

[Tom hicks]

Went to our local Camera show with Will (shadowfox) and picked up a very very nice working Zenit -E. The Meter even works . The lens on camera was the Helios 44 58mm f2 lens . Paid 35 $ for it . As we walked around I found another just as clean but with film advance problems , same lens was on it as well . Paid 18 $ for that one . I think this one is going to need a lens hood .

 

[Gid]

Just shows that you don't need to spend a lot of money.

 

[Kenj8246]

Pretty darned nice for $35 but I think you're right about the hood.

 

[zuikologist]

Lovely tones. There does seem to be a little flare, but is the Helios 44 a medium contrast lens in any case?

 

[xayraa33]

That Helios 44 is a great lens, it is a copy of the Zeiss Biotar and it can produce nice OOF areas at the large apertures. Too bad it has a manual stop down aperture.

I picked up a Zenit E with the Helios lens for 5 dollars 14 years ago at the camera show.

 

[Jan Pedersen]

A Zenith E with the 58 Helios was my first SLR back in 1972 Clunky but otherwise a good camera. Have fun with the camera.

 

[Muggins]

I was given a later Zenit - a 12cd - last year, and was startled by how nice to use it was (apart from the light meter, of which least said soonest mended). Despite their boat anchor reputation it weighs less than my Nikkormat EL!

Anyway, despite my best efforts, I too was very impressed by the Heliar.

Adrian

 

[tunalegs]

I have a 12XP, but it doesn't work. I have had a couple of Helios 44M lenses and have not been particularly impressed, though I would not complain either for the price.

 

[Livesteamer]

One of my first cameras in 1970 was a Zenit B. Just like the Zenit E but without the meter. By every standard an inferior camera and yet it worked well and and I've always liked those cameras. Enjoy. Joe

 

[farlymac]

Picked up my E for two dollars, but then it was wrecked. Someone tried taking the timer lever off, and broke the screw off in the shaft, And the shutter curtains need repair, as it looks like one of them has broken a ribbon. I thought it would be fun to work on, but haven't managed to get around to it yet. I saw where one enterprising gentleman took the silicon cell out of a desktop calculator to replace the meter cell in his E. Other than the busted shutter, I ws impressed by the build quality of mine. The topside reminded me of something Zeiss would have designed, with beautiful chrome dials on the meter and frame counter. And I like the feel of the coverings, and the way it fits my hands. I could do without the barrel distortion in the viewfinder though.

PF

 

[Sid836]

I love these cameras. They just keep going with nothing for you to worry about. I have the Zenit-B with the Industar-50-2 lens on it.

Zenit-B by Nikos.K., on Flickr

 

[pomozwi]

That was my first SLR with the Industar 50-2 lens in 1973. I had good results with only a couple of niggles:
1) Keep a close eye on the back door catch if you are using a case. Mine tended to rub against the case and slide itself up with the result that the camera door would spring open and I would get partial fogging on every frameuntil I notice it and closed the door properly. At one stage I would wrap a large rubber band around the right side of the camera to keep the door closed.
2) After a couple of years the flash sync started to play up where the flash wouldn't fire every time. Was very annoying having to re-shoot when the flas didn't fire first time. (It wasn't the fault of the flash unit).

 

[Sid836]

Many thanks for the tips. The back door catch on mine is so firm that makes removing the film a real pain. I will keep an eye though on it as the least that I'd like is to end up with a fogged film. As for the flash, I am of those that just hate flash photography 🙂

 

[Tom hicks]

I love these cameras. They just keep going with nothing for you to worry about. I have the Zenit-B with the Industar-50-2 lens on it.

Zenit-B by Nikos.K., on Flickr

Wow what a nice looking camera I may have to find one of those .

 

[Tom hicks]

Thanks everyone , I am also very impressed with the camera , seems to be made pretty well , the fit and finish on mine is wonderful , every thing is very tight.

Here are a few shot with Arista P 400

An old school bus someone was using on a hunting lease.

 

[Tom hicks]

Few more from the roll

 

[pvdhaar]

The Zenith-E.. that brings back good memories. First camera I had was an E, with the 58mm/f2 Helios. A real workhorse camera; did 20 years of shooting without a single glitch. Highly recommended.