Zorki C

The Zorki C / Zorki S is a rangefinder camera. It dates from the 1950s (1955 – 1958). It was built in six-digit numbers by KMZ in Krasnogorsk near Moscow.

The Zorki C is a further development of the Zorki 1. The Cyrillic “C” in its name actually corresponds to an “S” in Latin, which stands for “synchronized”.

The rangefinder camera comes with a flash sync socket for an external flash. To make room for the socket, the viewfinder part has been modified somewhat. The flash shoe is a cold shoe and is only used for mounting and not for firing. A tripod can be screwed to the 3/8″ thread.

Films for the Zorki C

According to the manual, the Zorki C is designed for 35mm format. 35mm films are still manufactured today. They can be developed in most laboratories. A great film choice for color images is the Kodak Portra 400* and for B&W images is the AgfaPhoto APX 400*.

Developing photographic film is generally hassle-free and many photo labs still offer 35mm film development. However, prices for the service can vary greatly depending on the scope and type of service. For recommended colour films, the C-41 process is used, which is offered by most photo labs and follows a strict standard.

When it comes to processing black and white films, it is necessary to use a special black and white developer, the results of which can vary greatly depending on the developer chosen. Professional photo labs also offer black and white development. To achieve the best results and have full control, you can develop the film yourself. The necessary accessories and the appropriate developing chemistry for the film can be found online. Popular developers are Rodinal, XTOL, ID-11 or D-76, while Adox, Rollei or Foma are smaller suppliers.

Zorki 2-C

The Zorki 2-C is identical to the Zorki C, but comes with a self-timer on most models. It was produced by KMZ in the period between 1955 and 1960.

Zorki 3-C

The Zorki 3-C was built between 1955 and 1956 and is the predecessor of the Zorki 4. However, it lacks the self-timer.