Most Zenits, FEDs and Zorkis (also a few other cameras too) were based on the leica 3 design. They couldn't place the tripod socket in the center without a making a huge bump - there are springs for shutter release in there. With removable back it's not a problem, but hinged backs lacked the space. Also the symbols denote the plant that made the device - there are a few of them like KMZ (this one), Belomo, LOMO, Valdai. My first SLR was a Zenit ET made in Belarus in early 90s. Pretty good camera for understanding the basics of photography because it's cheap.
This was my first SLR, which I used until I was 18 years old. I have fond memories of it, and it didn't seem as limiting then as it does today. I searched for some of the negatives that I shot with the Cosmorex SE but couldn't find them. However, I did come across the Pentax K1000 body that I bought about 10 years ago and several other cameras, including a Rolleiflex SL 35 ME.
Most Zenits, FEDs and Zorkis (also a few other cameras too) were based on the leica 3 design. They couldn't place the tripod socket in the center without a making a huge bump - there are springs for shutter release in there. With removable back it's not a problem, but hinged backs lacked the space.
Also the symbols denote the plant that made the device - there are a few of them like KMZ (this one), Belomo, LOMO, Valdai.
My first SLR was a Zenit ET made in Belarus in early 90s. Pretty good camera for understanding the basics of photography because it's cheap.
This was my first SLR, which I used until I was 18 years old. I have fond memories of it, and it didn't seem as limiting then as it does today. I searched for some of the negatives that I shot with the Cosmorex SE but couldn't find them. However, I did come across the Pentax K1000 body that I bought about 10 years ago and several other cameras, including a Rolleiflex SL 35 ME.
The Soviet-era 35mm cameras were mainly based on Leica patents (Leica lost the rights to those patents when Germany lost WW2).
The lens is a Biotar copy.