KMZ Zenit-EM User manual

Meta
Home
Making web photographs
Contact me
Sitemap
Legal page
Links
about.alfredklomp.com
photo.alfredklomp.com
www.alfredklomp.com
Articles, essays, misc
Collector's books
Russian fakes
Guide to flea markets
Goirle and Krasnogorsk
Introduction to the Soviet system
Introduction to KMZ
My beef with LOMOgraphy
Russian factory logos
Moscow 1980 olympic models
Rangefinder adjustment
Film scanner?
British importer TOE
Strange combos
Some production figures
Homebuilt panoramic camera
Non-Russian
ActionSampler
Agfa Clack
Agfa Optima 1535
Bilora Bella
Carl Zeiss Werramatic | samples
Diana toy camera
Ikoflex-IIa
Konica C35
Nippon AR-4392FH
Voigtländer Bessa-L | samples
Nikon F50 | repair
Yashica-635
Yashica Electro 35 | samples
FED
FED-4
FED-5
FED-5V
Radioactive FEDs?
LOMO
LOMO-135VS
LOMO Lubitel-2 | manual
LOMO Lubitel-166U | manual
LOMO Voskhod
Zenit series
FS-12 | manual
FS-122
Fotokomplekt
Zenit-3M
Zenit-E | parts | repair | manual
Zenit-EM | manual
Zenit-TTL | manual
Zenit-122B
Zenit-122
Zenit MF-1
Zorki series
Zorki-S | repair | repair (2)
Zorki-4
Zorki-4K
Zorki-10
Misc Russian
Chajka-II
Iskra-2
Kiev-10
Horizon-202 | samples
Horizont manual
Moskva-5
Saljut-S manual
Siluet Elektro manual | dutch
Shkolnik manual
Smena 8M | manual
Smena SL | manual
Sokol-2
Start | snaiper
Lenses
Jupiter-8
Jupiter-9
Jupiter-11
Jupiter-12
MIR-1
Universal viewfinder
Leitz VIOOH viewfinder
Light meters
Leningrad-7 | manual
Leningrad-8 manual
Sverdlovsk-4 | manual
Hits for this page
Zenit-EM manual home | sitemap
This page is no longer actively maintained. (Pardon?)
This page contains a literal transcript of a 1970's Zenit-EM manual.
(In so far as it's possible to make a literary HTML conversion of a
neatly typeset document.) Unlike the manuals usually supplied
with Zenits, this one was actually printed in Russia by the manu-
facturer, KMZ. Consequently, it's uncut Soviet original: thick and fi-
brous paper, rusty steel staples. Even the English is strange.
The Russian version of this manual is also online, courtesy of
Zenit R&D .
PURPOSE
ZENIT-EM is a 35 mm reflex camera fitted with an instant return
mirror. It is designed for making various amateur and special kinds
of s hooting on black-and-white or color films.
The camera has a built-in exposure meter using a photocell, a
self-timer, a shutter setting lever, a synchronising device for flash
bulbs and electronic flash. The camera accepts interchangeable
lenses with M42×1 thread and mechanical back focal distance of
45.5 mm.
With the help of extension tubes ZENIT-EM camera may be used
for reproduction works. It allows to take pictures of small-size ob-
jects with large magnification and at short distances (macrophotog-
raphy) as well as to take pictures with the help of a microscope
(microphotography).
ADVANTAGES
ZENIT-EM camera has a number of certain advantages over the pre-
vious models:
the camera and HELIOS-44M lens are provided with a mechanism
of automatic pre-set diaphragm. The shutter release button
being pressed, the diaphragm automatically closes to the
pre-set value;
Fresnel lens and diaphragm, fully open at the moment of view-
ing, ensure uniform image brightness of the object to be pho-
tographed in the viewfinder; micropyramids in the centre provide
for perfect image sharpness;
exposed film is rewound with the shutter disengaging bush
being fixed;
a new kind of a take-up spool simplifies the process of film
loading;
the back door lock latches automatically;
the carrying strap, attached to the camera eyes, makes the cam-
era possible to carry without its case.
SPECIFICATIONS
Picture size 24×36 mm
Width of perforated film 35 mm
Number of frames 36
Shutter speeds From 1/30 to 1/500 sec (automatic),
"B" (by hand) and long exposure time
Viewfinder field of view 20×28 mm
Eyepiece magnification 4.3×
HELIOS-44M LENS
Focal length 58 mm
Aperture scale f/2 to f/16
Focusing range 0.55 m to infinity
Mechanical back focal distance 45.5 mm
Light filter mounting thread 52×0.75 mm
ACP - Zenit-EM manual
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenitem/manual/
1 de 7 31/03/2010 06:14 p.m.
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software
http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only.

Seat for s un shade Ø 54 mm
Lens mounting thread M42×1
Tripod socket thread 1/4"
Thread of shutter button bush for cable release KF 3.5×0.5
Overall dimensions 141×100×93
mm
Mass 1.1 kg
Certificates of ownership of "Zenit-EM": 366447 of 14 June 1972;
150360 of 18 December 1961; 153652 of 26 February 1952; 102683
of 7 February 1951.
Attention!
The present Instruction Manual contains the basic characteristics
and essential operating principles of ZENIT-EM camera, but it can
not be regarded as a hand-book on photography.
Before using the camera make thorough study of its handling rules
given in the present Manual.
Due to ever-advancing development in camera construction, minor
differences may occur between the text and your camera.
Load and unload the camera in subdued light avoiding direct sun
rays.
Do not rotate the shutter speed dial within the interval between
"B" and "500".
Do not rotate the shutter release button for no reason to avoid dis-
engagement of the shutter cocking mechanism.
Wind the shutter by two-three small turnings of the winding lever
until stop to avoid blank exposures.
Do not keep the camera for a long period of time with the shutter
cocked since this is likely to cause deterioration of the shutter.
Main units and details
self-timer lever1.
self-timer release button2.
release button with bush for cable release3.
flash unit connector socket4.
photocell5.
ACP - Zenit-EM manual
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenitem/manual/
2 de 7 31/03/2010 06:14 p.m.
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software
http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only.

synchronisation dial6.
shutter speed dial7.
shutter disengaging bush8.
exposure counter dial9.
exposure meter needle10.
calculator pointer11.
film sensitivity scale12.
calculator shutter speed scale13.
calculator aperture scale14.
film rewind knob15.
cassette spool guide16.
viewfinder eyepiece17.
shutter cocking lever18.
folding back door19.
take-up spool20.
sprocket21.
cassette chamber22.
lens mounting ring23.
aperture scale24.
depth-of-field scale25.
distance scale26.
focusing ring27.
diaphragm setting ring28.
automatic pre-set diaphragm lever29.
ACP - Zenit-EM manual
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenitem/manual/
3 de 7 31/03/2010 06:14 p.m.
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software
http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only.

pusher
30.
With the diaphragm lever set at index mark "A", the spring-loaded
diaphragm operates in automatic mode. This device provides for fo-
cusing with the diaphragm fully open. At pressing the shutter re-
lease button the diaphragm automatically closes to a pre-set
value.
To check the depth of field set the diaphragm manually. In such a
case bring the automatic diaphragm lever opposite to index mark
"M" or press the shutter release button till a definite stop.
Loading the camera
The camera should be loaded in the following order:
pull the lock latch upward to open the back door;1.
pull the film rewind knob up and place the cassette with the film
in its seat;
2.
return the rewind knob to its original position and fix it by turn-
ing in the direction of the arrow;
3.
pull the film loading end out of the cassette as long as to the
camera edge and insert it into the groove of the take-up spool
in such a way that a sprocket tooth would enter the film perfora-
tion hole;
4.
close the back door;5.
cock the shutter by turning the lever as far as it will go and
press the shutter release button. As the shutter is cocked, the
film is advanced by one exposure. To transport nonexposed film
to the film gate, cock the shutter two times, pressing the re-
lease button after each cocking.
Should the film be wound tightly in the cassette, the film rewind
knob will rotate when the shutter is being cocked. If the film is
loose in the cassette, the film rewind knob will fail to rotate at
the first frames;
6.
bring figure "0" of the exposure counter dial opposite to the
index mark. Set the exposure counter only when the shutter is
cocked.
7.
SETTING THE FILM SENSITIVITY
On the film sensitivity scale there are figures 16, 32, 65, 130, 250,
500, indicating film sensitivity in GOST-ASA units. The opposite
side of the scale carries figures 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, indicating
film sensitivity in DIN grades.
To set film sensitivity (for example, 65 GOST-ASA units), turn the
diaphragm scale till figure 65 of the film sensitivity scale would ap-
pear opposite to the index mark on the diaphragm scale. The film
sensitivity is set in the same way if the film is marked in DIN
grades.
COMPARATIVE TABLE OF FILM SENSITIVITY UNITS
[Unreproducable... -A.]
EXPOSURE DETERMINING
Direct the camera to an object to be photographed. Match the cal-
culator pointer with the needle of the exposure meter by turning
the shutter speed scale. Using the scales find a number of combi-
nations of shutter speeds and apertures. Each of these combina-
tions enables to obtain a negative of normal density. Figures from
500 to 2 on the shutter speed scale show shutter speed values in
fractions of a second and those from 1 to 30 show whole seconds.
Black figures on the shutter speed scale of the calculator corre-
spond to the figures of the shutter speed scale of the shutter. The
shutter speed and the appropriate apertures chosen depending on
the subject to be photographed should be correspondingly set on
the camera and the lens. For example, figure 125 of the shutter
speed scale would match figure 5.6 of the aperture scale. It means
that with the aperture of f/5.6 the shutter speed of 1/125 sec
should be used; with the aperture of f/4 – the shutter speed should
be 1/250 sec; with the aperture of f/8 – 1/60 sec and so on.
If necessary, it is possible to set the required aperture by a select-
ed shutter speed.
Should the scales fail to match by half an interval, the lens di-
aphragm ring should be set into a fixed intermediate position in
ACP - Zenit-EM manual
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenitem/manual/
4 de 7 31/03/2010 06:14 p.m.
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software
http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only.

between the corresponding values of the aperture scale.
Cases of sharply heterogenous illumination of a scene require spe-
cial attention:
the main object of the scene is less illuminated than the back-
ground. Such a case usually takes place when taking pictures
against snow, sky or water background lighted with the sun.
To obtain the correct exposure of the main (dark) object open
the diaphragm 1–2 stops more as compared with the exposure
meter system reading;
1.
the main object is more illuminated than the background (when
photographing an illuminated face of a person against a dark
background and so on). In such a case close the diaphragm by
1-2 stops.
2.
BRIGHTNESS MEASUREMENT RANGE OF EXPOSURE
METER
Film sensitivity: Shutter speed in sec:
GOST-ASA DIN
16 13 1/30 to 1/500
32 16 1/30 to 1/500
65 19 1/30 to 1/500
130 22 1/60 to 1/500
250 25 1/125 to 1/500
500 28 1/250 to 1/500
Beyond the indicated range exposure can be determined by calcula-
tion tables or in any other way.
SHUTTER SPEED SETTING
Lift the shutter speed dial and turn it round its axis until the re-
quired figure is opposite to the index dot. Release the dial in such
a way that it would drop into a fixed position.
Each figure, engraved on the shutter speed dial, corresponds to a
certain fraction of a second, and letter "B" indicates a hand-con-
trolled shutter speed. At this shutter speed the shutter stays open
till the release button is pressed.
To obtain a long exposure cock the shutter, set the shutter speed
dial at "B", press the release button and turn it counter-clockwise
as far as it will go. The exposure over, return the button to its nor-
mal position.
Long exposures and "B" exposure are recommended to use with the
help of a tripod.
STOP SETTING
To obtain a necessary aperture match the index mark with one of
the figures (2; 2.8; 4; 5.6; 8; 11; 16), engraved on the diaphragm
setting ring. For this purpose rotate the ring until a slight click is
heard, which indicates that the ring is in a fixed pos ition.
In so doing you set the value, to which the diaphragm will auto-
matically close, when the shutter release button is pressed (the di-
aphragm lever should be in the automatic mode position "A"). The
diaphragm stays fully open until the moment the shutter release
button is pressed.
FOCUSING
Focusing the lens as well as its setting by distance scale is per-
formed by turning the lens focusing ring.
In the centre of the viewfinder eyepiece field of view one can see a
microraster with a ground glass ring. Turn the lens focusing ring
until the image seen in the circle (microraster) and ground glass
ring becomes sharp.
In cases where several objects are to be included in the shot and
the distances between objects and the camera vary, the depth-
of-field scale should be used. The scale consists of the lens aper-
ture numbers repeated on each side of the main index mark. W hen
the diaphragm is set and the lens is focused, the limits of depth of
field can e read against these number pairs on the distance scale.
For example, with the lens focused at 3 m and the aperture set at
f/8, the image of objects, placed within the limits from 2.2 m to
4.5 m, will be sharp on the film. Approximate depth of field limits
can be determined visually as well.
With the shutter release button pressed till definite stop before
the moment the shutter operates, the diaphragm closes to the
pre-set value. In this position it is possible to determine what ob-
jects are sharp in the viewfinder eyepiece field of view.
When infrared film is used, the red dash with letter "R" serves as
the reading index of the lens distance scale. After focusing the lens
the distance scale value, set against the usual index mark on the
lens, should be set against the red dash with the letter "R".
ACP - Zenit-EM manual
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenitem/manual/
5 de 7 31/03/2010 06:14 p.m.
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software
http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only.

PICTURE TAKING
To take a picture cock the shutter, set the shutter speed and the
aperture, having brought the automatic diaphragm lever to a re-
quired position: "A" – automatic mode or "M" – manual operation.
Focus the lens and smoothly press the release button.
UNLOADING THE CAMERA
When the exposure counter dial shows 36 shots, the exposed film
should be rewound into the cassette. To do this:
press the film rewind knob and turn it against the direction
shown by the arrow. In so doing the knob should go out of its
seat;
1.
disengage the shutter mechanism by turning the shutter disen-
gaging bush in the direction, shown by the arrow;
2.
rotate the film rewind knob in the direction shown by the arrow
until the feel of the applied force indicates that the end of the
film has left the spring of the take-up spool;
3.
open the back door of the camera;4.
pull the film rewind upwards and remove the cassette.5.
OPERATING THE SELF-TIMER
To use the self-timer mount the camera on a tripod, cock the shut-
ter and wind the self-timer mechanism by turning its lever until it
points straight down. Set the shutter speed and focus the lens. Set
the required aperture, having changed preliminarily the diaphragm
lever from the position of automatic mode to that of manual opera-
tion (from "A" to "M"). Press the self-timer release button till stop
and take your place in front of the lens.
The shutter operates in no less than 7 seconds after pressing the
button.
OPERATION OF FLASH SYNCHRONISER
To take pictures in conditions of poor illumination flash bulbs are
used. To use a flash bulb set the synchronisation dial opposite to
letters "MF". When an electronic flash is to be used, set the syn-
chronization dial against letter "X". Setting the synchronisation dial
see to it that the dial dash is matched with the dash of index "MF"
or index "X" with the accuracy of half of a dash thickness.
Only the shutter speed of 1/30 sec. (when gating is full) may be
used when photographing with either flash bulbs or an electronic
flash.
Hand-controlled exposure "B" is not desirable when using flash
bulbs, since a considerable amount of stray light (after flash) gets
into the camera and, may result in a blurred image.
N o t e. When operating without flash bulbs, the synchronisation
dial index mark should be set against the release button.
OPERATION WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES AND
PHOTOGRAPHING AT CLOSE DISTANCE
The camera accepts various interchangeable lenses provided with
ACP - Zenit-EM manual
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenitem/manual/
6 de 7 31/03/2010 06:14 p.m.
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software
http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only.

M42×1 mounting thread and mechanical back focal distance of 45.5
mm, which are designed for ZENIT type of cameras with focal plane
shutter.
HELIOS-44M lens should be screwed in or out by the lens mounting
ring only.
If an interchangeable lens has no automatic diaphragm mechanism,
the diaphragm should be handled manually.
When long focus lenses are used, a slight cutting of the left or
right edges of the image on negative is likely to take place. When
using lenses MTO-500 and MTO-1000 the camera exposure meter
can not be used since the outer mount of these lenses overlaps the
photocell window.
With the help of a special stand the camera can be used for making
reproductions of drawings, manuscripts, photographs and so on.
When making reproduction works, use should be made of extension
tubes by setting them between the camera body and the lens. In
so doing either one tube or a combination of some tubes can be
used.
When using extension tubes, the lens diaphragm should be operat-
ed manually and the automatic diaphragm lever should be set at
index "M".
CARE OF THE CAMERA
The camera should be handled carefully, kept clean and protected
from mechanical damage, moisture and sharp changes in tempera-
ture.
When using the camera in frosty weather (below -10°C), do not
keep the camera in the open air, keep it under your street-clothes,
taking it out only for the moment of photographing.
The photocell window requires special care. It should be kept clean
otherwise the exposure meter accuracy would be disturbed.
Keep the camera in a closed carrying case. In so doing the lens
should be capped and the shutter and self-timer should be re-
leased.
Do not touch the optical details with hands since this is likely to
damage their coating.
Clean the coated optical surfaces (except for the Fresnel lens which
is placed inside the camera) only from outside with a clean soft
piece of fabric or cotton, slightly moistened with rectified alcohol or
ether.
The Fresnel lens may be cleaned only with an air jet. Using wet
means of cleaning is not allowed.
ACP - Zenit-EM manual
http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/zenitem/manual/
7 de 7 31/03/2010 06:14 p.m.
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software
http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only.