Zenit-18 + MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7/50 Square Diamond Bokeh VERY RARE Bokehmonster

Product Information

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.

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.

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See my other items to save shipping costs. This is a used item and may have traces of usage.

Questions have to be asked before the bid. All information in the listing are not binding and without guarantee. Errors, misprints and prior sale expressly reserved.
If you have any issues with your purchase please contact me before leaving a feedback. I value my customers and all problems can be solved.
Purchasing old equipment please make sure that it is compatible with your new cameras, lenses etc. you are going to use it with. 

Usual shipping time(with tracking) to EU 7-21 days, USA and Canada  10-35 days, other world  15-45 days. In very rare cases it may be longer due to the customs issues or holiday delays. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.