The Zenit-MF-1

Alfred's Camera Page

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I think any regular camera collector would agree that this line of cameras was at least in principle based on the German Robot cameras; the Robots are the founding fathers and cornerstones of the small spring-driven half-frame camera cpontingency.

The origins of the Zenit-MF-1 are a bit mysterious. Several ancestors were built during the Soviet era, the earliest of which seems to be the UFA, a spy camera built during the Second World War in an unknown place, perhaps the town of Ufa where Minox employees were evacuated.

After the war, around 1950, a modified version of this camera, called the F-21, entered production at KMZ. This camera was most likely intended for the KGB. It used half-format film, and could be built into all kinds of things: hats, belts, newspapers. It worked in absolute silence by means of a large clockwork motor.

Princelle states that Krasnogorsky Zavod introduced the successor to this F-21 at the 1994 Fotokina, and that it was called the MF-1. It's probably still used today by the secret sevices, but is also commercially available (albeit expensive).

From the leaflet

The ZENIT-MF-1 camera is intended to take pictures at distances from 3m to infinity on a non-perforated film 21 mm in width and 0.16mm in thickness. The cassette allows to reload the film in light. Film rewinding and shutter cocking are carried out automatically.

Specifications

Focal length:28 mm
Aperture:f/2.8
Frame size:18×24 mm
Cassette capacity:14 frames
Shutter speeds:1/10; 1/30; 1/100 s; spring drive
Overall dimensions:77 × 41 × 55 mm
Weight:0.180 kg
Operates in:−20°C to +55°C; withstands 100% relative humidity at 35°
Warranty:The camera is warrantied for 12 months from the date of purchase.
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