Zorki cameras trace their origins back to the FED series of Leica replicas. In 1948, as the FED factory struggled to meet its production targets, the KMZ factory in Krasnogorsk, Russia was prepared to take on the production of FED cameras. By 1949, KMZ implemented several design modifications and began the manufacture of the FED-Zorki, which eventually became known as the Zorki 1. The Zorki 1 marked the inaugural Zorki-branded model produced at the KMZ facility. Some subsequent models feature "Zorki" inscribed in both Cyrillic and Latin scripts; these versions are intended for export and are commonly referred to as "Zorki-Zorki" bodies within various Soviet-camera enthusiast communities.
Specifications
The Zorki 1 is a 35mm rangefinder camera equipped with an M39 screw mount for interchangeable lenses.
Lens: Industar-22 (3.5/50mm)
Shutter: A horizontal traverse focal plane cloth shutter derived from Leica, with speeds ranging from 1/20 to 1/500, plus Z. The shutter design is identical to that found in Leica II cameras.
Film loading is done from the bottom, similar to older Leica models, with the bottom plate opening via a key tab. The take-up spool is a unique removable type.
