Having brought together all the advantages of previous Zenit models, in 1977 KMZ and BelOMO, based on Zenit EM started producing a camera called Zenit TTL. Oh!...This was our answer to the capitalists, who were already producing cameras with off-screen light metering. In it, after the lens in the field of view on one side of the translucent pentaprism, a cadmium sulphide was installed photoresistor FPF-9-2, which measured the illumination in the frame and displayed information in the field of view in the form of a horizontal arrow on the right side of the frame field through the viewfinder. With the shutter speed or aperture set in advance, depending on the priority, it was enough to adjust another value until the arrow moved to the middle position. All! The device is ready to shoot! This was much more convenient than first determining the desired parameters with an exposure meter and then entering them manually into the camera. True, this was done to the detriment of the brightness of the visible image in the viewfinder, but in 1983 this was partially corrected by installing two photoresistors on the rear edge of the pentaprism with a less transparent coating. To operate the exposure meter, a battery was required, which was a mercury-zinc cell. RC-53, installed under the removable cover on the back of the camera. All controls are traditionally located on the top panel of the camera. On the right, when viewed from the viewfinder, there is a trigger head for cocking the shutter and transferring the film to the next frame, on its upper part there is a frame counter scale disk. Closer to the pentaprism is the shutter speed setting head. Their values ​​are from 1/30 to 1/500 and "B". Between them is a shutter button, the outer ring of which, when turned, turns on the film rewind mode. On the left side of the panel there is a rewind head, the outer ring of which serves to set the sensitivity value of the film being used. Horizontal curtain-slot shutter. A clear advantage of a standard lens Helios-44M 2/58 — This " jumping aperture". With it, sighting can be done with a fully open aperture and, as a result, the brightest visible image. And at the moment of shooting, when you press the shutter button, the aperture blades are first compressed to the set value, and only then the shutter is released. TTL system in the camera it turns on when the shutter button is partially pressed and the aperture is compressed, and after adjusting the exposure the button is released, final framing is performed and the shutter is released. In older models, the final sighting was done with the exposure already set and the frame could be seen quite dark with a strong aperture. But this camera also had a drawback - oxidation of the battery contacts and failure of the electronics. A total of 1,632,212 units were produced until 1985. at KMZ and about 1 million at the BelOMO optical-mechanical plant. Zenit TTL became the prototype for the release of subsequent models.

Everyone knows about the old Soviet Zenit cameras, which almost every person had.

This photographic equipment was produced from 1952 to 2005 at a mechanical plant in the city of Krasnograd near Moscow; at the optical-mechanical plant in the Belarusian town of Vileika under the KMZ trademark.

Almost all models of mirror cameras with a single lens were developed at the base plant in the Moscow region, and today remain the original ideas of the manufacturer. The world saw over forty varieties of Zenit cameras, which produced photographs using type 135 photographic film using interchangeable photographic lenses. The majority of this photographic equipment was produced with focal length shutters with curtains made of fabric or lamellas made of metal. Central gates, with which a wide variety of fastenings were used, were used on such bases as Zenit-4, Zenit-5, Zenit-6. One of the latest, the Zenit-KM camera, developed in 2001, was equipped with a modern electronic shutter; automatic digital system for adjusting the amount of radiation for the photosensitive element, motorized film pulling.

There are particularly unique Zenit brands in their technical design, which were released at different times - 1952, 1964, 1969, 1972, 1979. Some special models of devices were used in photo guns.

At the moment they are somewhat outdated, but still many good photographers use not only modern digital cameras, but also film cameras, since they have a number of advantages. In this article you will learn about the main types of Zenit cameras, their characteristics and prices.

First on the list is the Zenit-E camera, which had perhaps the most widespread distribution throughout the entire USSR. Unfortunately, some information about the beginning of the production of cameras differs, but the fact remains that they were used until 1982. The Zenit-E camera was produced in a circulation of 8 million units. On various forums and online stores, the price of the Zenit-E camera will be from 400 to 1000 rubles, depending on the region and the quality of the unit.

Next is the Zenit-ET camera. This camera was produced in more modest quantities than the Eshka. Its advantage is that exposure setting is done manually using a selenium exposure meter. On different sites you can see different prices - from 200 to 1100 rubles.

A kind of hybrid of the Zenit-ET and Zenit-TTL cameras. In this model, the shutter release button and the film rewind button were changed. This line of cameras is already an order of magnitude more expensive. The cost of one device with a Helios-44 lens will be equal to 1500 rubles at least. More well preserved copies along with documents sell for 3000 and 4000 thousand rubles.

Zenit-11 did not have a rotating shutter speed head - it was static. The same applies to the pressing diaphragm mechanism.

Next comes a similar small-format single-lens camera Zenit-3M. Its peculiarity is that the shutter mechanism and film rewinding mechanism were inherited from the Zorki-6 camera. How much does a Zenit-3M camera cost? We answer: in stores that are responsible for product quality, it costs about 3500 rubles, you can buy it second-hand for 1000 rubles. But it’s worth noting that what’s valuable in a camera is not so much the camera as the Helios 44-2 lens.

And the last Soviet camera will be the Zenit-TTL camera. The prototype of this camera was Zenit-EM. This copy already had a more modern Helios-44M lens. It also had a semi-automatic exposure setter. Again, depending on your luck, at this price you will buy. Some sell for 200 rubles, some for almost 2000. Naturally, everything depends on the quality of the camera.

Unfortunately, many of the above cameras ceased production in the 70-90s, but still the Krasnogorsk plant named after. S.A. Zvereva produces other cameras. There is only one model left from the Zenit line - the Zenit-KM, which is also a single-lens film camera. On the official website of the plant you can see its cost - 3100 rubles.

Naturally he became more innovative. All mechanisms are electrified, due to this it has a mechanical frame counter, a motor drive, and also has not only manual exposure adjustment, but also automatic. The downside is that its body is made of plastic. If you are not very careful, it can break on almost any surface.

Unfortunately, nowadays we can say that film cameras are a thing of the past. Digital cameras have much greater potential. With such a camera you don’t need to develop and scan the film, for fear of exposing it, etc. But, as we know, the new is the well-forgotten old, so they come back into fashion.

The device belongs to the 12th series of zeniths and was mass-produced from 1977 to 1985.

Ergonomics and description

A model with an behind-the-lens TTL exposure meter; exposure is measured at operating aperture values ​​(stop-down metering). Since light from the pentaprism simultaneously enters both the photodiodes and the viewfinder eyepiece, focusing becomes difficult when there is insufficient lighting (even despite the presence of a focusing screen with a matte coating).

The body is made of metal, the shutter is focal length, curtain. The shutter speed head allows you to set shutter speeds without cocking the shutter and is connected to an exposure meter. The galvanometer needle displays readings in the viewfinder when the shutter button is pressed halfway.

Shutter speeds are standard for Zeniths of that time: from manual to 1\500 seconds, there is a self-timer. Synchronization with flashes for 1/30 sec via the front panel sync contact. The light sensitivity ring is also connected to the light meter.

Loading film under the rear opening cover. Film rewinding is manual; the rewinding handle is retracted into the camera lid. The lock of the back cover is external, which causes some inconvenience during operation - it always tries to open, getting caught on something. A device with Olympic symbols, the symbols were applied in honor of the 1980 Olympics, which took place in Moscow.

The Zenit-TTL viewfinder eyepiece is round, next to it is a connector for the RC-53 element (power supply for the exposure meter). The design elements are protected by 4 certificates; for KMZ these were the first production models of a SLR camera with an off-lens exposure meter. Essentially, a modernization of the Zenit-EM, a camera with a pressure diaphragm mechanism, a selenium exposure meter and a focusing screen with a microraster, produced from 1972 to 1984 (1988).

Conclusion

Over the entire period, approximately 1.6 million copies of Zenit TTL were produced. Later versions (since 1982) had a brighter viewfinder and a central sync contact. It is found quite often on the market; it is not a problem to buy it in excellent condition at a price of “less than a thousand rubles.” For experiments, with a non-working shutter it is sold even cheaper.

PURPOSE AND ADVANTAGES

The Zenit-TTL camera is designed for amateur photography on black-and-white and color film.
The device has a semi-automatic exposure meter measuring the light passing through the lens (TTL system), a synchronization mechanism for working with flash lamps, and a self-timer. Allows the use of interchangeable lenses with M42×1 connecting thread and a working distance of 45.5 mm.
"Zenit-TTL" can be used for special filming: reproduction work using extension rings, close-up shooting of small objects from short distances (macro photography), shooting with a microscope (micro photography), etc.
The Zenit-TTL camera has the following advantages:

• semi-automatic exposure metering device of the TTL system ensures that the correct exposure is set both when shooting with a standard lens and when using interchangeable lenses, filters, attachment lenses, extension rings;
• a constant-sight mirror makes it possible to continuously observe the subject before and after exposure;
• The fast lens is equipped with a jumping aperture mechanism that automatically closes when the shutter is released (mode “A”), and there is also the possibility of manual control of the aperture (mode “M”);
• a fully open aperture ensures maximum brightness of the image viewed in the viewfinder, which is important at the time of sighting and focusing;
• Focusing can be carried out both on a microraster and on a matte surface;
• quick exposure setting, a simplified film loading system, and rewinding of the exposed film, performed with a fixed position of the shutter release sleeve, reduce the time spent on preparatory operations when shooting.

SPECIFICATIONS

Frame format - 24×36 mm
Film used - 35 mm perforated
Film length in cassette - 1.65 m. Number of frames - 36
Shutter speeds - 1/30 to 1/500 With, "B" (by hand) and long
Standard lens - “Helios-44M”:
focal length - 58 mm
maximum relative aperture - 1:2
aperture scale - from 2 to 16
distance scale - from 0.55 m to "∞"
power supply of the exposure metering device - from one element RC-53
The sensitivity range of the films used is from 16 to 500 units. GOST
Lens mount thread - M42×1
Thread for light filter - M52×0.75
Tripod socket thread - 1/4″
Linear viewfinder image field - 20×28 mm
Overall dimensions without case - 138×100×93 mm
Weight - 1.01 kg

ATTENTION!

This description contains a brief description and basic rules for using the Zenit-TTL camera and is not a photography manual.
Before using the camera, carefully study the procedure for operating it according to this description.
The design of your camera may differ slightly from what is shown below due to technological developments.
Charge and discharge the camera in low light, avoiding direct sunlight.
Do not rotate the shutter speed dial in the interval between adjacent marks “500” and “B” and the light sensitivity dial in a non-digitized interval. Do not turn the shutter release button unnecessarily to prevent the mechanism from disabling. Always cock the bolt all the way (preferably with two or three small turns of the lever). This will prevent frames from missing on the film during exposure.
Do not leave the camera with the shutter cocked for a long period of time, as this may cause deterioration in shutter performance.
When shooting in frosty weather, do not leave the camera outdoors; wear it, for example, under outerwear, taking it out only for the duration of shooting.

MAIN UNITS AND PARTS

13 - cassette socket
14 — cassette reel driver
15 — socket plug for installing the RC-53 element
16 — viewfinder eyepiece
17 — clip for mounting a flash lamp and other photographic accessories
18 — lock latch
19 — hinged camera cover
20 - receiving coil
21 - measuring roller

PREPARATION FOR SHOOTING, PHOTOGRAPHING

CHARGING THE CAMERA

Clean the RC-53 element and place it in the socket as indicated in the “” section.

Load the camera with film in low ambient light as follows:

	a) slightly pressing the back cover towards the body, pull up the lock latch. Open the back cover of the camera;
	b) pull the rewind head up, tilting the handle; c) insert the film cassette into the slot; d) lower the rewind head all the way down and fold the handle;
	e) pull the refill end of the film out of the cassette approximately to the edge of the camera, insert it into the groove of the take-up spool, while making sure that the tooth of the measuring roller fits into the perforation hole of the film; f) close the back cover;
	g) cock the bolt by turning the lever all the way. Press the shutter release button. When the shutter is cocked, the film advances one frame. To feed unexposed film into the frame window, you must cock and release the shutter twice. If the film in the cassette is wound tightly, the rewind head will rotate when the shutter is cocked. If the film is not wound tightly in the first frames, the head will not rotate;
	h) set the frame counter dial to “0” against the index. Set the frame counter with the shutter cocked; i) set the film speed value by turning the dial until it aligns with the index located on the camera panel, feeling the dial lock.

Note. The marks located between the numbers on the film speed dial allow you to set intermediate speed values ​​according to the comparison table.

Comparative table of film speed units

GOST	16		22		32		45		65		90		130		180		250		350		500
A.S.A.	16	20		25	32	40		50	64	80		100	125	160		200	250	320		400	500
DIN	13	.		.	16	.		.	19	.		.	22	.		.	25	.		.	28

SETTING THE SHUTTER SPEED

Turn the shutter speed dial so that the selected shutter speed value is opposite the index. At the same time, you will feel the disk locking. The numbers on the shutter speed scale indicate shutter speeds in the corresponding fractions of a second, “B” is the bulb shutter speed. Setting shutter speeds is possible before and after cocking the shutter. When shooting at "B", the shutter will remain open as long as you keep the shutter button pressed. Long exposures are obtained by locking the button by turning it to the left until it stops. After the required exposure time has expired, the shutter button must be returned to its original position by turning it all the way in the opposite direction. For freehand and long exposures, it is advisable to use a release cable, which is screwed into the thread of the release button. The device should be mounted on a tripod.

INSTALLING THE IRIS

FOCUSING

The matte surface field is used primarily for micro- and macro photography or with small apertures when the microraster loses its sensitivity.
You can focus without looking through the viewfinder. To do this, you need to rotate the focusing ring and use the distance scale to set the value of the distance from the subject to the film against the large scale index (the small index, designated by the Latin letter “R,” is used when shooting with infrared photographic material).
After focusing, using the and scales, you can determine the distance from the film to the front and rear boundaries of the sharply imaged space.
For example: lens focused at distance 3 m, and the aperture value with which shooting will be done is “8”.
In this case, on the scale against the two numbers “8” of the scale you can read that the image will be sharp from 2.3 to 4.5 m.
The approximate boundaries of the depth of field, for a given aperture value and image focusing, can be determined visually as follows:
— in automatic aperture mode — by pressing the shutter button all the way and assessing the sharpness of the subject in the area of ​​the frosted ring in the viewfinder;
— in manual mode — assessing the sharpness of the subject in the area of ​​the matte ring without pressing the shutter button.

SETTING THE EXPOSURE USING AN EXPOSURE DEVICE

The semi-automatic exposure metering device on your camera measures the light entering the camera through the lens (TTL system). As a result of this, using the shutter speed or aperture values, you can set the exposure with high accuracy depending on the brightness of the subject and the photosensitivity of the photographic material used. This advantage is fully preserved when working with interchangeable lenses, filters, attachment lenses and extension rings. By turning the film speed dial, set the speed value of the charged film against the index on the camera panel. Set the lens aperture switch to “A” mode.

Looking through the viewfinder eyepiece so that its entire frame is clearly visible, press the shutter release button until it stops, but not until the shutter is released if it is cocked.
If, when the shutter button is pressed, the arrow is deflected from the index towards the “+” sign, the exposure is excessive, if towards the “−” sign, it is insufficient.
While holding down the shutter button, rotate the aperture ring or shutter speed dial until the arrow aligns with the index. If, with all possible combinations of aperture and shutter speed values, the arrow does not align with the index, it is necessary to change the lighting conditions of the subject or use a film of a different sensitivity.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Having carried out the preliminary operations to prepare the camera for shooting, cock the shutter and, making sure that the focus and exposure are set correctly, gently press the shutter button to shoot.
REMEMBER that pressing the shutter button sharply will inevitably cause the camera to shake when the frame is exposed, which can deteriorate the negative due to image blur.

DISCHARGING THE DEVICE

PHOTOGRAPHING WITH SELF-TIMEER

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

WORKING WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES AND CLOSE SHOOTING

The camera allows the use of interchangeable lenses with an M42×1 mounting thread and a working distance of 45.5 mm. If the interchangeable lens does not have a jumping aperture mechanism, the aperture is controlled manually. When working with long lenses, there may be slight cutting off of the left and right edges of the negative. Using a special installation with a ZENIT-TTL camera, you can reproduce a drawing, manuscript, or photograph. When making reproductions, use extension rings that fit between the camera body and the lens. To obtain the desired shooting scale, one or more rings are used. When using extension rings without a pusher, the lens aperture is set manually, with the aperture switch set to “ ” mode.

REPLACING THE POWER SUPPLY OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT OF THE EXPONOMETRIC DEVICE

The electrical circuit of the exposure metering device is powered from the RC-53 element, voltage 1.25 IN, designed for use for approximately 1 year. If the power supply fails, you can replace it as follows: turn the plug 90°, in this position the slot on the plug should be horizontal, and remove the plug from the socket. Remove the used element. Strip the new element and place it in the socket with the (+) sign facing out. Close the socket with the plug and turn it 90°. In the closed position, the slot on the plug should be vertical. During long breaks in operation, it is recommended to remove the RC-53 element from the device.

HANDLING AND CARE OF THE DEVICE

The Zenit-TTL camera is a precise optical-mechanical device.
Handle the camera with care, keep it clean, protect it from shock, dampness and sudden temperature changes.
Store the device in a closed case, with the lens cap closed and the shutter and self-timer in the lowered position.
The surfaces of optical parts should not be touched with hands, as this may damage the coatings.
Optical coated surfaces can only be wiped from the outside with a clean soft cloth or cotton wool slightly moistened with rectified alcohol or ether. The mirror and Fresnel lens are cleaned only in the most necessary cases with a very soft, dry brush, and in no case using wet cleaning agents.
Since the camera is a complex device, any repairs and appropriate adjustments should be made only in repair shops.

Zenit-TTL is a landmark camera. Staged. Best reflecting the whole difficult situation that took place in the USSR in the mid-seventies.

For the first time among mass-produced Soviet cameras, Zenit-TTL received in-camera exposure metering. The letters “TTL” in the name of the device are, in fact, an abbreviation for “Through the Lens” - “Through the Lens”.
No, Zenit-TTL was not fundamentally the first in this matter!

At least, already in 1962 there was a prototype of the Kyiv-TTL rangefinder.

And already in the early seventies, Zenit-16 and Kyiv-15 were produced quite massively. Both devices are DSLRs with TTL metering!

But how many of them were released? Several tens of thousands in total. And these devices were complex and expensive. But the circulation of Zenit-TTL was measured in millions. Therefore, it was Zenit-TTL that brought to the mass Soviet amateur photographer all the beauty of in-camera metering at a reasonable price.

By the early seventies, it became completely clear that a selenium exposure meter on DSLRs was no longer comme il faut. This was especially felt in the fall in demand for export supplies.

There were devices with TTL in the USSR, but they were complex, too expensive and not very reliable. Now it was decided to make a real workhorse.

That's what they did.

The same concept of Zenit-E, or more precisely its successor, Zenit-EM, was taken as a basis.

The shutter was made new. Firstly, it was really more accurate, and secondly, when it was cocked, the shutter speed head did not rotate.

The shutter speed head, in addition to actually setting shutter speeds, must now also close the contacts of the exposure calculation system. The rotating head was not at all suitable for such a purpose.

It was a new shutter, and more precisely it was, but it still returned the same 5 shutter speeds + V. And the synchronization was still the same - at 1/30.

What to say? Even the pre-war FED-S had a shutter speed of 1/1000.

The selenium element was replaced by a cadmium sulphide (CdS) photoresistor placed in a pentaprism.

Due to the fact that the photoresistor took away part of the light flux, it became very dark in the viewfinder of the first Zenit-TTL releases. Much darker than devices with a selenium element. This made focusing very difficult.

Later, a couple of photoresistors were placed a little differently, and the viewfinders became a little brighter.

The LED display developed at Zenit-16 was abandoned. We chose something simpler - i.e. arrow in the viewfinder field of view.

In general, the electronic part of the device, although it was not complicated, was again unreliable and critical to the accuracy of the assembler. The contacts often oxidized during operation.

The hull design was made similar to the Zenit-EM. Almost complete unification. The visual difference was mainly the absence of a selenium cell window above the lens.

There were no changes to the field of view of the viewfinder. Still the same 65% from the 60s.

The device turned out to be controversial in many ways. In some ways, his device was brought to a level that is up to date with world standards, but in some ways it remained far back in the 60s.

Nevertheless, the device was warmly received by consumers in the USSR. That's because TTL is no joke. This is a really great thing!

Shooting with wide-angle and long-focus lenses, macro photography, shooting with filters - all this was not only possible, it all became easy and relaxed, thanks to in-camera exposure metering.

Zenit-TTL was well received in the West, especially in Germany. Yes, in many ways the device was simple compared to advanced foreign technology. But for the price it cost, the device offered quite excellent functionality.

Let's take a closer look at the camera.

Zenit-TTL

The Zenit-TTL camera was produced at KMZ and BelOMO from 1978 to 1985. In total, the two enterprises produced more than 2.5 million of these Zenits.

At the development stage, the camera bore the index “12”, but they decided to name the first releases differently. The names “Zenit-electro” and “Zenit-electro-TTL” were considered.

We settled on Zenit-TTL. Yes, that's right - in Cyrillic. The first releases went with this name, although the original meaning of the abbreviation was lost. They switched to writing TTL in Latin a little later.

Standard lens - Helios-44M 2/58.

Lens mount - M42×1 thread. Working distance - 45.5 mm. Blinking aperture supported.

The shutter is made of fabric, curtain-slotted with a horizontal stroke. Selects shutter speeds: 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, V.

Flash sync at 1/30.

The camera is equipped with a self-timer mechanism and a hot sync contact. On the first releases, the sync contact was only wired.

The size of the viewfinder image field is 20×28 mm or 65% of the frame area.

Eyepiece magnification - 5X.

Focusing screen type - frosted glass with microraster ring.

The weight of my copy without lens is 700 grams.

Controls:

Here I will make an important caveat. Today we are reviewing an early and relatively rarer version of Zenit-TTL.

Therefore, the specimen in question differs from most devices of the same name that were produced later.

In those places where differences will be noticeable, I will make an advising disclaimer.

You also need to remember that Zenit-TTLs were produced at two enterprises in the country at the same time. Therefore, there may be differences in appearance that are also associated with this. Let us remember, as an example, Zenit-ET.

Let's start with the design. The first Zenit-TTL design was similar to the Zenit-EM, i.e. had a light top. Later, their body was unified with Zenit-ET, became black and acquired a number of additional changes. In honor of the 1980 Olympics, many devices bear the Olympic emblem.

There is no more selenium photocell above the Zenith-TTL lens (in this case - TTL)! The inscription “Zenith” proudly flaunts there.

On the right side of the front panel there is traditionally a wired sync socket, and under it there is a winding lever and a self-timer start button.

At the back is the viewfinder eyepiece, and to the left of it is a screw-in battery compartment cover with a cut for a coin.

Yes, from that very moment batteries in Zeniths became a mass phenomenon.
The device is designed to operate on one RC-53 battery.

On the topic of selecting replacements for Soviet batteries

The Zenit-TTL viewfinder covers only 65% ​​of the frame area. It is quite dark and the brightness is distributed noticeably unevenly.

In later versions, the brightness of the viewfinder became better.

The exposure meter needle is visible on the right.

In the center of the frosted glass there is a Fresnel lens with a microraster.

At the bottom of the device there is only a tripod socket. In this case, it is maximally to the right. In many later versions, the nest, like Zenit-ET, moved closer to the center.

At the top of the Zenit-TTL from left to right are:
- film sensitivity selector with rewind tape placed in the center;
- “cold” bracket for flashes;
- shutter head;
- a rotating shutter release sleeve with a release button in the center;
- head for cocking the shutter and transporting the frame, equipped with a trigger and a frame counter.
The shutter speed head is large, grippy with high-quality knurling.

To change the shutter speed, you just need to turn the head; this can be done both with the shutter cocked and released.

When cocking the bolt, the head does not rotate.

In later versions, the shutter speed head underwent cosmetic changes. The shape and color of the knurling have changed.

The film speed selector is, of course, not just a memo. The set sensitivity value is used when calculating exposure.

The selector switches with solid clicks. There are two sensitivity scales: GOST (ASA) and DIN.
Exposure calculation at Zenit-TTL goes like this:

1. On the selector you need to set the sensitivity of the film loaded into the device.

2. It is assumed that the aperture control mode switch on the lens is set to position “A” - “Automatic control”

3. Point the camera at the subject of shooting and press the shutter button until it reaches some noticeable stop, but not all the way.

Here you need to practice a little so as not to release the shutter. The button must be pressed to such an extent that this movement is transmitted to the lens pusher, and the aperture closes to the set value. But the shutter shouldn't fire.

At this moment, the electronic light metering and exposure calculation system is turned on. The light level is measured at the working aperture.

4. Look at the arrow in the viewfinder.

If it takes a horizontal position, the exposure is optimal.

If the arrow moves up, there is a lot of light. You need to either reduce the shutter speed or close the aperture.

If the arrow has moved down, there is not enough light. You need to either increase the shutter speed or open the aperture.

You can change both shutter speed and aperture while pressing the shutter button halfway, i.e. the aperture will change immediately in the working position, and exposure metering will work.

All such manipulations will affect the position of the arrow, as they say, in on-line mode.

You just need to take into account that ancient photoresistors had terrible inertia. It took them up to a minute to react correctly to the changing lighting.

So, by changing the shutter speed and aperture, you need to achieve a horizontal position of the arrow.

When the arrow takes a horizontal position, the exposure is not only calculated, but also already entered into the camera. You can press the trigger.

In general, everything is simple, functional and quite convenient. True, in a dark viewfinder, and in a dark scene, it is sometimes difficult to see the arrow. But these are already details.

To rewind the film, Zenit-TTL has a tape measure. To rewind the film, you need to tilt the handle.

The lock on the back cover of the specimen in question is old, like on the Zenit-E. It is located outside on the left side. In later versions, the lock became internal and interlocked with a tape measure.

Attitude towards the camera.

I very much appreciate the appearance of in-camera exposure metering in mass-produced Zeniths. Based on this, Zenit-TTL, as already mentioned, is a stage device.

On the other hand, if until now the Soviet photo industry simply lagged behind the Western one, then, perhaps, it was from this moment that complete stagnation began in the segment of mass Zeniths.

The next modernization happened with the release of the Zenit-12SD device - only 5 years later in 1983. All improvements were more of a cosmetic nature.

In the segment of more advanced devices, KMZ, of course, still had quite successful solutions, for example, Zenit-19. But about a hundred thousand of these devices were produced.

The average amateur photographer simply did not see these cameras, and could not afford them.

On this slightly sad note, that's all for me. Good luck!

If you have a Zenit-TTL camera and it has a lens, you can use this lens on your digital camera. Both DSLR and mirrorless. On full frame and cropped.

Look for your lens in the table of contents of my site; perhaps there are some subtleties that are worth knowing.

But in any case, you will need an adapter for your photo system.

The cheapest adapters are sold on Aliexpress.

The table will help you choose an adapter for your camera.

Type	Brand	Link to adapter
DSLRs	Nikon	M42-Nikon F without lens
		M42-Nikon F with lens
	Canon	M42-Canon EF
	Sony	M42-Sony/Minolta
	Pentax	M42-pentax K
Mirrorless cameras	Sony	M42-NEX
	Оlympus/Panasonic	M42-m 4/3
	Fuji	M42-FX
	Nikon	M42-Nikon 1

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