Film camera Zenit KM Plus — exhibit F193
Film camera2003★★★★
| Catalog index | F193 |
| Brand | Zenit |
| Model | KM Plus |
| Case | No |
| Production year | 2003 |
| Description | The Zenit KM Plus is a 35 mm film SLR camera and the final model of its kind to be serially produced by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (KMZ). In essence, it is the same Zenit KM that had been manufactured since 2001, but after factory revisions it received the "Plus" suffix — the manufacturer's way of distinguishing corrected units from earlier batches that had earned a poor reputation due to electronic faults. The camera uses 35 mm film, features a built-in motor drive for automatic film advance and rewinding, and relies on an electronic control system that takes over some of the routine operations from the photographer. The key design decision is the Pentax K bayonet mount, which opened access to a wide market of compatible lenses. The shutter is a vertical-travel metal focal-plane type with electronic control: in automatic mode, speeds range from 16 seconds to 1/2000, while in semi-automatic mode they range from 1 to 1/2000 second. Metering is open-aperture TTL, and the frame counter is an LED readout — a notable step forward in electronics for a Zenit. The body is made of plastic, with a more rounded and "smooth" design compared to the angular metal predecessors; externally, the "Plus" differs from the base KM essentially only in the nameplate. In practical use, several points are worth keeping in mind. The motor drive and shutter release are quite loud, and the plastic body may develop creaks over time. The camera's electronics automatically enter a sleep mode after one minute of inactivity, which should be factored in during deliberate shooting. Power comes from four AA batteries, which is convenient, but as the batteries drain, the automation may become erratic, potentially refusing to rewind the film. Finally, although the K mount is nominally compatible with a large number of lenses, some optics with protruding rear elements should be checked for mirror clearance before purchase. Overall, this is a camera for those willing to accept the compromises of late Soviet-Russian camera manufacturing in exchange for access to affordable Pentax K glass and fully manual focusing. |