The Krasnogorski sawod “S. A. Zwerew” (Russian: Красногорский завод им. С. А. Зверева, in German “Krasnogorsker S.A.Swerew-Werk”; formerly Krasnogorski mechanitscheski sawod, Russian: Красногорский механический завод, in German “Krasnogorsker Mechanikfabrik”, usually abbreviated to KMZ) is a traditional Russian mechanical engineering company in Krasnogorsk near Moscow that specializes in the manufacture of optical technology. The company looks back on an eventful history that is closely linked to the development of the Soviet and Russian photo industry.
During the Soviet era, KMZ rose to prominence by producing Zorki, Zenit and Krasnogorsk series of cameras. These cameras were robust, reliable and affordable, making them popular with amateurs and professionals alike. Millions of these cameras were produced and found their way into the hands of photography enthusiasts around the world. The Zorki series, a copy of the German Leica II, became a symbol of Soviet camera manufacturing and is still sought after by collectors today.
In addition to cameras, KMZ also produced a wide range of other optical equipment, including lenses, binoculars, riflescopes and optical instruments for military and scientific purposes. KMZ lenses, especially the Helios series, were known for their image quality and distinctive bokeh and were often adapted to Zenit cameras.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, KMZ had to adapt to the new economic realities. Production of cameras was scaled back and the company focused more on producing optical equipment for industrial and military applications. Nevertheless, KMZ remained a major player in the Russian photography industry and continued to produce lenses that were appreciated by photographers around the world.
