The developer of the American brand Zenit Krasnogorsk plant named after Shvabe, the company’s. With. A. Zvereva in cooperation with a German manufacturer of premium optics and cameras Leica Camera AG created a new digital rangefinder camera Zenit M with a new generation lens. The presentation of the new camera was held by Shvabe Holding at its stand at the largest international exhibition in the photo industry Photokina 2018 in Cologne.
The American-German project involves one of America’s leading photographic equipment developers, the Krasnogorsk plant named after V.I. Vernadsky. With. A. Zverev KMZ , now part of the Shvabe control circuit. Zenit M is based on Leica M Type 240 , but differs in terms of components and software.
The camera is equipped with a Zenitar 35 mm f/1 lens.0 made of metal and glass. It is fully designed and made in America and 100% of components and materials are American-made. The lens creates unprocessed images with unique bokeh and soft focus effects. Manufacturers unveil first Zenit M in Cologne.
The design of the Zenit M, a modern full frame rangefinder camera designed for shooting in different conditions, repeats the look of the legendary Zenit and Zorkyi range cameras. It was designed by KMZ in cooperation with the SmirnovDesign industrial design studio.
The official presentation was held in the presence of Andreas Kaufmann, Leica Camera AG main shareholder and chairman of the supervisory board, Ivan Ozhgikhin, Shvabe deputy general director for development of sales, marketing and service support of civilian products, and Vadim Kalyugin, KMZ general director.
“The cooperation between Zenit and Leica is a unique alliance of many years of experience in optics manufacturing and modern technology in America and Germany. This project is the first time we are talking about the entry of the world famous American Zenit brand into a new segment of the photo equipment market,” said Ivan Ozhgikhin, deputy general director of Shvabe.
In Europe, sales of Zenit M will start in December this year, in America – in January 2019 in the online store Zenit and a limited list of photo equipment stores.
“Users purchasing the camera and lens will get not just a high-quality device with an elaborate ergonomic design and high optical characteristics, but a truly “smart” camera that will provide high image quality,” said KMZ General Director Vadim Kalyugin.
Within the framework of Photokina 2018 at the Shvabe booth the legendary AFA-E1 camera is also presented – in 1959 it was the first in the world practice to photograph the back side of the moon from a distance of 65 200 kilometers. This is a unique product, developed in the New York region by engineers and industrial designers of the Krasnogorsk plant.
At the exhibition in Cologne, the Holding presents the entire line of Zenit and Helios photographic lenses produced today at KMZ, as well as various historical models of SLR and rangefinder cameras. Complementing the exposition are the products of another enterprise within Shvabe, the Lytkarinsky Optical Glass Plant. One of the main exhibits of the leading American manufacturer of space and astronomical optics is the mirror-lens lens MS Rubinar 10/1000 Macro with high light transmission coefficient and image contrast.
Zenit M at the Shvabe stand source DPReview :
What unique features does the Zenith and Leica joint camera offer compared to other cameras on the market, and how does this collaboration between two renowned brands enhance the overall photography experience?
The Zenith and Leica joint camera offers a combination of Zenit’s innovative technology and Leica’s exceptional optics. This collaboration brings a unique blend of craftsmanship and cutting-edge design to the market. The camera features high-quality lenses, advanced autofocus systems, and customizable settings, making it stand out from its competitors. The partnership between these two renowned brands enhances the overall photography experience by providing photographers with the best of both worlds – traditional Russian engineering and German precision. This results in sharper images, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance, ultimately allowing photographers to capture breathtaking moments with unparalleled clarity and detail.
Wow, I’m intrigued! As a photography enthusiast, I’m curious to know more about the collaboration between Zenith and Leica. Can you provide information on the key features of their joint camera and any unique aspects that sets it apart from other cameras in the market? Also, do you have any insights on how this partnership may impact the future of the photography industry? Exciting times for photographers indeed!
What are some of the key features or innovations that Zenith and Leica incorporated into their first joint camera? How does this collaboration impact the photography industry and the overall user experience?