Zenit DF-300

The Zenit DF-300 is an SLR camera for 35mm film. The basis of the camera was developed by Minolta and licensed to Shanghai Camera Factory. They produced it under the name “Seagull DF-300“, but also for various photo dealers. For the Brazilian market, it was sold under the brand name “Zenit”. It has nothing to do with the Soviet-made cameras.

The Zenit DF-300 offers the possibility of interchangeable lenses. Lenses with a Minolta SR bayonet can be used with the camera. There is no autofocus on the 35mm camera. You have to manually focus on the subject.

The 35mm camera has a built-in light meter. It is designed for films in a range from ISO 12 to ISO 3200. The light meter is designed to measure the exposure through the lens of the camera. The aperture and the exposure time are freely adjustable. However, there is also an aperture priority mode.

The Zenit DF-300 has a Bulb mode. In Bulb setting, the remains open as long as the photographer keeps the shutter button pressed. An external flash can be connected via hot shoe.

The Zenit DF-300 comes with a self-timer. There is also a connection for a cable release and threads for a tripod. The dimensions of the housing are 13.7 x 9 x 5.1 cm. It weighs 470 grams. The power needed for the camera comes from two LR44 batteries (eBay / Amazon*).

Films for the Zenit DF-300

The Zenit DF-300 is a film camera and is loaded with 35mm films. These are still easy to get today and are still developed. Nice films for black and white or color images are the Ilford XP2 Super* and the Kodak Portra 400*.