Zenit KMZ
Zenit-18 + MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7/50 Square Diamond Bokeh VERY RARE Bokehmonster
Zenit-18 + MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7/50 Square Diamond Bokeh VERY RARE Bokehmonster
Regular price
$535.99 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$535.99 USD
Unit price
per
Tax included.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Brand: Zenit KMZ
Series: Krasnogorsk
Type: 35mm
Format: 35mm
Focus Type: Manual
Color: Black
Model: Zenit-18
MPN: Does Not Apply
Series: Krasnogorsk
Type: 35mm
Format: 35mm
Focus Type: Manual
Color: Black
Model: Zenit-18
MPN: Does Not Apply
Zenit-18 + MC Zenitar-ME1 1.7/50
The Zenit-18 is a very rare SLR camera. Collector's item. It was only produced in small numbers.
Between 1980 and 1987 only 7001 Zenit-18s were made.
That is why the camera is very rare and in great demand.
Will be delivered with an even rarer Zenitar-ME1 lens (bokeh monster with square bokeh).
Condition: The Zenitar-ME1 lens is fully functional.
The camera body has not been checked, therefore only offered as a collector's item or spare parts donor.
The camera body has not been checked, therefore only offered as a collector's item or spare parts donor.
MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7/50 considered legendary soviet lens for one simple reason - it has a diaphragm device in all with two petals. When closed, the petals form square hole. There are few lenses with such an unusual aperture shape in nature.
The lens is quite rare and nowadays represents collectible value... At the same time MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7/50 was a standard lens for the rare and very expensive Zenit-18 camera, which could operate in aperture priority mode. The letter 'E' in the lens name stands for 'Electronic' (electronically controlled aperture). 'Zenith-18' could read the aperture value and, using excerpts, set the optimal exposure in automatic mode.
The diaphragm blades are made in the shape of the letter 'V', when two blades go over each other, it turns out to be a square. It may seem that there are 4 petals, but this is an optical illusion due to their specific shape.
What makes this camera so special? It was one of the first Soviet SLR cameras to have an aperture priority program, simply set the aperture and the camera calculates the speed. An impressive achievement. Especially since the programs were fairly new in the late 1970s. The Lomo was released in 1983 and the Kiev 35a only in 1984/1985, but there were also other cams with programs, let's not forget the Zorki 10, which debuted much earlier, in 1964. But by the late seventies, programming on cameras became the norm, but the 18 was special. It also carried a lens with electrical contacts, a first in Soviet M42 optics. In fact, the lens of the Zenitar ME1 1.7/50mm is even considered rarer than the camera.
The contacts are there for the camera so that the program can work with the lens wide open. Immediately the question 'Does the program work with other lenses?' appears. And I can say for sure, yes it does. But you have to stop the lens down.
-----------------------------------------------
Usual shipping time (with tracking) to EU 7-17 days, USA and Canada 9-35 days, other world 12-45 days. In very rare cases it may be due to customs issues or holiday delays.
This is a used item and may have traces of usage. Purchasing old/vintage/used equipment please make sure it is compatible with your new cameras, lenses etc. you are going to use it with.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
Return Policy
If you are not satisfied for any reason with any item you have purchased, you can return it within 14 days after receiving it.
Please, make sure the item is packed and shipped it in the same condition you have received it.
Full refund will be issued after I receive the item back. Buyers have to pay for the return shipping, except for receiving wrong or defective items. In those cases I will cover your shipping expenses (applied only for economy international shipping services).
