A 35mm SLR system created on the basis of Pentax developments and produced by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (USSR).
THE CAMERAS:
- Zenit-Avtomat - basic model with electronically controlled horizontal travel focal plane shutter with speeds ranging from 1 to 1/1000th of a second, electronic self-timer, instant-return mirror, TTL open-aperture CdS exposure metering with 2 LED indicators in the viewfinder, aperture-priority auto exposure mode (without manual override), and the classic Pentax K bayonet mount;
- Zenit-14 - as the Avtomat, but with manual exposure mode and semi-automatic exposure metering;
- Zenit-AM - as the Avtomat, but with 3 LED indicators in the viewfinder, support for external power supply, and a new vertical travel focal plane shutter with metal blades, which made it possible to reduce noise and vibration during operation. Without a battery, the shutter could mechanically operate at 1/125 sec ("X") and "B";
- Zenit-AM2 - as the AM, but without the electronic self-timer;
- Zenit-AM3 - as the AM2, but without mechanical shutter speeds;
- Zenit-APK - as the AM, but with a new Copal-type shutter with top speed of 1/2000th of a second (but without mechanical shutter speeds), and manual exposure mode (with semi-automatic exposure control) in addition to the aperture-priority auto exposure mode;
- Zenit-122K - as the 122, but with the Pentax K bayonet mount;
- Zenit-212k - as the 122K, but with a plastic body of a new design and slow shutter speed of 1/8th of a second;
- Zenit-km - similar in technical specifications to the APK, but with a plastic body of a new design, slow speed of 16 seconds, built-in electric motor drive and support for DX-coded ISO 50-3200 films.
THE LENSES:
Both the screw-mount and bayonet-mount Zenits shared an almost identical range of optics.