I believe the next 2 numbers indicate the the week of the year. Cameras made at the end of the month are best avoided (if they survived so far) because they tended to be rush built to meet monthly production quotas.
My dad bought one of these in the 70s, along with a telephoto lens, handheld light meter, and an electronic flash. He left it to me when he died, but I haven't tried it yet. Your video has piqued my interest, so I'll get it out and see what results it gives. I love your cats 😺
I am on the hunt now! Great piece in an interesting camera, going to see if I can get a nice piece of Soviet optics and shoot like Tarasevich! Thank you!
I have owned dozen of Soviet cameras over the years and enjoyed them. A fun, inexpensive introdution to photography. Great content once again. No need for a shcedule, just do what you can do, do what makes you feel good. Nice having a distraction and something to relax you. Take care
I had one of these in the late 60s. It was incredibly sturdy but made a fair clack when the mirror went up and done - no chance of discrete pictures. I also had to file down the lead end of the film guide as it caught on the film tearing the edges. The lens I had was aluminium and it ended up mottled black due to the acidity in my fingers.
Again a nice review and nice pictures. My first.camera was his ancestor Zenit C and Zenit 3M. Both have M39 mount. Not confusions by LTM39. They are RF mount. Later models have M42.
I just tried to watch someone else's review of the Zenit B, as well as a couple other camera demos last night, and found them all pretty much unwatchable. (The prize for dead went to someone trying to show what he looks for when trying to decide whether or not a camera is in good enough condition to buy. That's a great idea for a video, but he clearly knew nothing about the camera he was purporting to evaluate, and he made so many mistakes that he left me wondering if he'd ever picked up a SLR before.) Yours are like a breath of fresh air. In addition to knowing your equipment cold and then featuring it in your accessible, easygoing style, you also have an eye for what's really important. Case in point: the standard M42 lens mount that lets you use a whole world of fine, vintage lenses on what otherwise might be a rather non-standard camera. Lovin' it!
Thank you very much, very nice pictures! The Zenit B is one of my favourite SLRs. As you put it: the camera can only do what you really need! It is not as "overbred" as the late German SLRs from the 70s / 80s, e.g. the Kodak Retina Reflex or the Contarex. And I like the rich sound of the shutter release. With this camera you can take very nice pictures. Thank you for your inspiring videos. Kind regards from Berlin, Heiko
@@AlysVintageCameraAlley I own an old Pentax K200d. Add M42 / pentax K-mount adapter and your good to go. You can do this with most all Pentax DSLR'S. I have a lot of entertainment with this system. I challenge my self using only one lens at the zoo or some event. Nothing is auto everything is manual. Choose ISO/ASA, aperture, Shutter speed, and manual focus. I play with different macro options etc.
I've got the same camera on my desk right now. Bought the same lens too. It needed the helicoid regreasing, but since that was done, it's been silky smooth. I'd been putting off using it as I wasn't that fussed about it. Then I tried it. It's a bit of a rough and ready design, but it works pretty well, and that Industar lens is a really surprisingly good lens.
Good video. With the Zenit and other Russian old cameras, always cock the shutter first before changing the shutter speeds. Otherwise faulty shutter speeds or long term damage could result to the mechanism.
What about the Kiev 4A? I’m reviewing that one currently and in my research someone wrote that it’s the opposite than the FED and you have to set the speed before advancing. Is this true?
@@AlysVintageCameraAlley This is the PDF manual for the Kiev - see page 9 section 2.2.3. Hope this helps and looking forward to the video! www.butkus.org/chinon/russian/kiev-4/kiev-4_kiev-4a.pdf
My journey to Russian cameras started with a Kiev 60 6x6 SLR ... I went crazy and got a variety of Salyut and Kiev 88 faux Hassleblad and then a Zorki 4K and finally a Zenit 12CD, which has a meter inside ... I love the price point of the Russian stuff and even though the quality is spotty at times, a camera is just a box and that does magic!!!
I think the term you are looking for is “blown out.” Also you should try to take the same or similar photos with the different lenses. Good video, tho. Like the ancient stuff. Feel better soon!
Unfortunately I don’t have a good knowledge of the lenses for this camera. I’d actually like to know myself lol I know there was also a Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 mine is the industar 50 f3.5 which isn’t too great
Thank you I actually just got my grandads one recently refurbished it had the helios 44 2 58 mm in really good condition I'm doing shoots with it today at my sons communion indoors thing is I don't really know exactly how to use it I got 400 iso film I'm wondering what F stop and shutter speed to use indoors not the best of lighting if you get me we're all having a dinner in a pub and if I was to take outside shoots in the sun do you know what settings I'm looking at for that 🤔📸 thanks in advance
@@kevindowdall3792 it’s hard to say what exposure settings you’d need without being there. You can download a free exposure meter app on your phone and use that. Otherwise Outside in the sun I’d use sunny 16 set shutter to 400 and f stop to 16 or lower depending on how sunny. Indoors that’s tough. Without a tripod you may not be able to get good shots. You’d need a meter to decide.
I believe the next 2 numbers indicate the the week of the year. Cameras made at the end of the month are best avoided (if they survived so far) because they tended to be rush built to meet monthly production quotas.
Oh really nice tip! I didn’t see that in my research. That’s good to know. Thank you.
The ultimate utilitarian camera. These cameras will still be used a hundred years from now.
My dad bought one of these in the 70s, along with a telephoto lens, handheld light meter, and an electronic flash. He left it to me when he died, but I haven't tried it yet. Your video has piqued my interest, so I'll get it out and see what results it gives. I love your cats 😺
I love to hear that!
Thanks lol they’re funny little senior citizens now. 15 years old!
I am on the hunt now! Great piece in an interesting camera, going to see if I can get a nice piece of Soviet optics and shoot like Tarasevich! Thank you!
Awesome! Thanks for watching.
Love your videos! Hope you're feeling well. Hej from Sweden :)
Hello! Thank you! I’m glad to hear that.
That portrait of your fiancé is absolutely superb!!!
Thank you 🙏
My first SLR camera was a Zenit E in 1975!
Oh nice!
I have owned dozen of Soviet cameras over the years and enjoyed them. A fun, inexpensive introdution to photography. Great content once again. No need for a shcedule, just do what you can do, do what makes you feel good. Nice having a distraction and something to relax you. Take care
Thank you. I appreciate that.
Great Review! Big fan of that shutter sound on the Zenit B and E :)
Me too. Classic mechanical camera sound
I had one of these in the late 60s. It was incredibly sturdy but made a fair clack when the mirror went up and done - no chance of discrete pictures. I also had to file down the lead end of the film guide as it caught on the film tearing the edges. The lens I had was aluminium and it ended up mottled black due to the acidity in my fingers.
Hey John,
Yes these Soviet cameras can definitely tend to be more of a beater rather than a really well made camera like a Leica.
Love your channel! "Make your day" perhaps, "Make our day" definitely! I love finding and trying out old cameras.
Thank you 🙏 I appreciate it
Aly, keep up the great work. Love the channel. You have inspired me to start one myself!
Thank you very much
Again a nice review and nice pictures. My first.camera was his ancestor Zenit C and Zenit 3M. Both have M39 mount. Not confusions by LTM39. They are RF mount. Later models have M42.
I just tried to watch someone else's review of the Zenit B, as well as a couple other camera demos last night, and found them all pretty much unwatchable. (The prize for dead went to someone trying to show what he looks for when trying to decide whether or not a camera is in good enough condition to buy. That's a great idea for a video, but he clearly knew nothing about the camera he was purporting to evaluate, and he made so many mistakes that he left me wondering if he'd ever picked up a SLR before.) Yours are like a breath of fresh air. In addition to knowing your equipment cold and then featuring it in your accessible, easygoing style, you also have an eye for what's really important. Case in point: the standard M42 lens mount that lets you use a whole world of fine, vintage lenses on what otherwise might be a rather non-standard camera. Lovin' it!
Thanks so much :)
Great video Aly! Really enjoyed that!
Thank you 🙏
Thank you very much, very nice pictures! The Zenit B is one of my favourite SLRs. As you put it: the camera can only do what you really need! It is not as "overbred" as the late German SLRs from the 70s / 80s, e.g. the Kodak Retina Reflex or the Contarex. And I like the rich sound of the shutter release. With this camera you can take very nice pictures. Thank you for your inspiring videos. Kind regards from Berlin, Heiko
Thank you so much Heiko
I ordered the same Russian lens. I plan on using on my DSLR then on a film camera. I enjoy playing with different cameras & lenses.
Oh that’s really cool. I didn’t know you could put this lens on a DSLR. Which one are you putting it on?
@@AlysVintageCameraAlley
I own an old Pentax K200d. Add M42 / pentax K-mount adapter and your good to go. You can do this with most all Pentax DSLR'S. I have a lot of entertainment with this system. I challenge my self using only one lens at the zoo or some event. Nothing is auto everything is manual. Choose ISO/ASA, aperture, Shutter speed, and manual focus. I play with different macro options etc.
Cool camera. Hope you feel better.
Thank you 🙏
Awesome review, thank you ❤️
Thank you
Really enjoy your videos. Glad I subscribed!
Thank you. I am happy that you are enjoying my channel.
Love a Russian camera , my first slr camera was the zenit 12xp and its still going strong . Thank you for this upload 👏🏻👍🏻
Thank you for watching. I’m excited to try some others.
I've got the same camera on my desk right now. Bought the same lens too. It needed the helicoid regreasing, but since that was done, it's been silky smooth. I'd been putting off using it as I wasn't that fussed about it. Then I tried it. It's a bit of a rough and ready design, but it works pretty well, and that Industar lens is a really surprisingly good lens.
Thank you. Yes it’s really a great affordable option
Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much 😊
Good video. With the Zenit and other Russian old cameras, always cock the shutter first before changing the shutter speeds. Otherwise faulty shutter speeds or long term damage could result to the mechanism.
What about the Kiev 4A? I’m reviewing that one currently and in my research someone wrote that it’s the opposite than the FED and you have to set the speed before advancing. Is this true?
@@AlysVintageCameraAlley This is the PDF manual for the Kiev - see page 9 section 2.2.3. Hope this helps and looking forward to the video! www.butkus.org/chinon/russian/kiev-4/kiev-4_kiev-4a.pdf
@@jcarter4073 that’s a big help thank you
My journey to Russian cameras started with a Kiev 60 6x6 SLR ... I went crazy and got a variety of Salyut and Kiev 88 faux Hassleblad and then a Zorki 4K and finally a Zenit 12CD, which has a meter inside ... I love the price point of the Russian stuff and even though the quality is spotty at times, a camera is just a box and that does magic!!!
It seems to be a rabbit hole from what I hear LOL
Nice camera and beautiful pictures. The "standard" lens was already sharp but the Zeiss Jena is really better.
Thank you 🙏
I think the term you are looking for is “blown out.” Also you should try to take the same or similar photos with the different lenses. Good video, tho. Like the ancient stuff. Feel better soon!
Any good links for a good lens to put onto a zenith b camera
Unfortunately I don’t have a good knowledge of the lenses for this camera. I’d actually like to know myself lol I know there was also a Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 mine is the industar 50 f3.5 which isn’t too great
Thank you I actually just got my grandads one recently refurbished it had the helios 44 2 58 mm in really good condition I'm doing shoots with it today at my sons communion indoors thing is I don't really know exactly how to use it I got 400 iso film I'm wondering what F stop and shutter speed to use indoors not the best of lighting if you get me we're all having a dinner in a pub and if I was to take outside shoots in the sun do you know what settings I'm looking at for that 🤔📸 thanks in advance
@@kevindowdall3792 it’s hard to say what exposure settings you’d need without being there. You can download a free exposure meter app on your phone and use that. Otherwise Outside in the sun I’d use sunny 16 set shutter to 400 and f stop to 16 or lower depending on how sunny. Indoors that’s tough. Without a tripod you may not be able to get good shots. You’d need a meter to decide.