| Author |
Message |
    
Wiredbarbarian
Tinkerer
Username: Wiredbarbarian
Post Number: 5
Registered: 02-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 08:55 am: | 
|
Hey, was wondering if anybody knew anything about the Zenit 6 with its Rubin-1 zoom lens? The only information I can find about it is that its almost exactly the same camera as the Zenit 4 except it comes with the Rubin-1 zoom lens which is apparently the first soviet zoom lens made and is early 60's. Does anyone exactly how rare this camera is and howmuch it would be worth? The one I'm looking at is in working condition but not in the best cosmetic condition. It is missing the plastic grip handle on the front right side. What about the Rubin-1 lens? Is it any good? Its humungous compared to the camera! I've been searching for some sample photos talen with this lens and camera with no results! Any info would be great thanks! |
Dgillette4
Tinkerer
Username: Dgillette4
Post Number: 278
Registered: 04-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 10:22 am: |
|
Go to www.ussrphoto.com they have much data on all cameras. Don |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 516
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 11:02 am: |
|
The Rubin-1c 2.8/37-80 is based on the Voigtländer Zoomar design and was introduced around 1964/65. Its performance is typical of mass produced 60s zoom lenses - it does what it says on the box if you know how to use or maximise the strong points. Obviously the strong point of this lens was the large constant maximum aperture - the reason for the bulk of the lens - and something which was not seen in consumer zooms from other manufacturers. The reason is that this lens/camera combination was an attempt to produce 'high end' professional equipment, not only for the vast Soviet market but for export also. I have no idea of production figures for the Zenit 6/Rubin-1 combination, but in the last forty years I have come across perhaps 10-15 examples - all suffering from the typical Soviet quality control problems of the period.
Following this, there were two more attempts to make high-end protographic equipment, the Zenit-7 (1968) and Zenit-D (1969). Both were based on the completely new cloth-curtain shutter construction. The Zenit-D had automatic exposure mode. Its shutter was speeded for X-sync at 1/125. Each had its own bayonet mount ("mount 7" and "mount D" respectively) which helped to utilize the camera's most advanced features. There were plans to develop a full line of optics for these cameras but the new shutter was too complicated and unreliable. Production was cancelled shortly after, and the only lens made for new mounts were the standard types. Ironically, the Start, Zenit-7 and Zenit-D utilized the same normal lens -- a Helios-44 2/58. The Zenit-D is one of the rarest Zenit camera -- only 63 cameras were produced.
I am always somewhat suspicious of people who ask about the rarity and value of post 1960 cameras, if you buy kit of this era with a view to turning a quick profit you will inevitably get your fingers burnt. The camera is worth what you are prepared to pay for it - if you like the look of it and can afford the asking price purchase and enjoy. Should the asking price seem a bit rich, leave well alone and look for a cheaper example. |
|
