Russian brand Zenit and Leica Camera have jointly designed a new digital rangefinder camera called the Zenit M, which technically based on the Leica M Type 240 platform, but was modified both in terms of hardware and software. The camera is equipped with the Zenitar 35 mm f/1.0 lens, completely designed and manufactured in Russia, which has a unique bokeh and soft focus effect.

The Zenit M will be available from December 2018 in Europe and from January 2019 in Russia at both Zenit's online store and selected photo shops for around US$5,900-$7,000.

Krasnogorsky Zavod and Leica Press Release

Krasnogorsky Zavod, manufacturer of the Russian brand Zenit, in cooperation with Leica Camera AG, German manufacturer of premium cameras and optics, designed a new digital rangefinder camera Zenit M. The Shvabe Holding, part of Rostec, has presented this product at Photokina 2018, the largest international trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries held in Cologne. 

One of the participants of the project is Krasnogorsky Zavod (KMZ Zenit), a leading designer of photographic equipment in Russia, is now part of Shvabe. The Zenit M is technically based on the Leica M Type 240 platform, but was modified both in terms of hardware and software.

The camera is equipped with Zenitar 35 mm f/1.0 lens, completely designed and manufactured in Russia, 100% of its components and materials are Russian-made. The lens creates an image that doesn't require processing, has unique bokeh and soft focus effect.

The design of Zenit M copies designs of the legendary Zenit and Zorky cameras, it's a full-frame rangefinder camera made for shooting under various conditions.

The official presentation took place with participation of Andreas Kaufmann, major shareholder and chairman of Leica Camera AG supervisory board, Alexey Patrikeyev, CEO of Shvabe, Ivan Ozhgikhin, Deputy CEO of Shvabe, and Vadim Kaliugin, CEO of KMZ Zenit.

"Zenit and Leica cooperation forms a unique alliance between long-term experience in optics manufacturing and modern technologies of Russia and Germany. With this project we for the first time declare launch of world famous Russian brand Zenit into the new segment of photography equipment market," said Alexey Patrikeyev, CEO of Shvabe.

Zenit M will be available from December 2018 in Europe and from January 2019 in Russia at both Zenit's online store and selected photo shops.

"On purchasing the camera and the lens the users will get not only a high-quality device with elaborate ergonomic design and high optical characteristics, but a really smart camera which will provide high image quality," reported Vadim Kaliugin, CEO of KMZ Zenit.

At Photokina 2018 Shvabe also presents the whole line of Zenitar and Helios lenses manufactured by KMZ Zenit as well as historic models of SLR and rangefinder cameras. This exposition is also completed with products of another Shvabe enterprise, LZOS. Along with other showpieces the leading manufacturer of space and astronomy optics demonstrates mirror-meniscous telescopic photo lens MC Rubinar-10/1000 with high light transmission and image contrast.

Camera technical data

Image sensor
Resolution	24MP
Sensor type	CMOS
Sensitivity range	ISO 200 to ISO 6400, adjustable in 1/3 ISO increments, automatic control or manual setting
Basic settings
White balance	Automatic, manual, 7 presets
Shutter
Picture series	Approx. 3 pictures/s, ≤ 12 pictures in serie
Self-timer	2s or 12s
Lens
Lens mount	Zenitar M-mount
Lens in a set	ZENITAR 35 mm f/1.0
Exposure
Shutter speed	60-1/4000s
Manual setting of exposure and aperture	Available
Flash exposure compensation	±3 1/3 EV adjustable in EV 1/3
Metering principle / method	Spot, center-weighted, multi-field metering
Memory and interface
Memory card types	SD, SDHC, SDXC
Data formats	DNG™ (raw data), JPEG
Power supply
Battery	1
Battery capacity	1800 mAh
Video and sound recording
Video/sound recording	Available
Video recording formats	Motion JPG / Quicktime
Maximum resolution for video	1920 x 1080
Size and weight
Size (Width x Depth x Height)	Approx. 138.6 x 42 x 80 mm without lens
Weight	Approx. 680 gr with battery, without lens

Lens technical data

Focal length	35 mm
Relative aperture (max / min)	1:1.0 / 1:16
Angular field	61,7°
Transmittance	≥0,86
Working distance	27.8 mm
Lenses / components	9 / 8
Lens mount	Bayonet M-mount
Focusing range limits	from 0.8 m to ∞
Length of the lens (set to ∞, without cap)	88 mm
Maximum diameter of the ring	74 mm
Weight without cap	740 gr

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