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Attention:
The present Instruction Manual contains the basic characteristics and essential operating principles of the
ZENIT-E camera and cannot be regarded as a handbook on photography.

Before using, the camera, make thorough study of the handling rules and operation procedure of the camera.

Due to ever-advancing development of the camera construction, there may occur minor differences between
the text of Manual and the construction of your camera.

To make the operating of the photocell reliable and to increase its service, do not subject the photocell to the
exposure of the direct sunlight.

Screw out or screw in INDUSTAR-50-2 lens only by thread rolling of depth of field scale ring, and
HELIOS-44-2 lens by thread rolling of focusing ring.

Do not touch the mirror surface with fingers, because this may damage its coating.

Do not rotate the shutter release button for no reason, while releasing the shutter, to avoid disengagement of
the shutter cocking mechanism.

Do not rotate the exposure time dial within the interval between "B" and "500"

Always wind the shutter as far as it goes to avoid blank exposures

Text in red are added to the original text to clarify or add features

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Application and Advantages of the "Zenit E" camera:
ZENIT-E is a single-lens reflex camera, fitted with a built-in and uncoupled exposure meter and with a reflex
mirror of instant return type.

The instant return mirror permits continuous viewing of the object to be photographed, except for the moment
of exposure. The built-in exposure meter is especially important for shooting on a colour film.

Thanks to its specifications, the ZENIT-E camera can be used for most various amateur shooting and a
number of special shootings.

The ZENIT-E camera can be used with commercially available interchangeable lenses with focal length from
37 to 1000 mm*.

The design of the reflex viewfinder (groundglass focusing) allows to apply extension rings, to make with their
help reproduction works. It allows to photograph small objects with large magnification (macrophotography)
and to photograph with the help of microscope (microphotography). Using the ZENIT-E camera you can shoot
close-ups or at long distances.

Instant return mirror, built-in exposure meter, shutter setting lever, hinged back cover of the camera, small
dimensions and light weight all these are important advantages of the ZENIT-E camera.
The camera is supplied in two variants: with HELIOS-44-2 lens 58 mm f/2 and with INDUSTAR-50-2 lens 50
mm f/3.5. The camera can be used with standard cassettes.

*more focal lengths can be mounted on the M42 mount version which this manual is for, you are not locked
into soviet lenses (refer to last page of notes)

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The parts of a zenit E

Self timer release button

PC (Prontor Compur) Flash port

Selenium photocell

Lens (Helios 44-2 here)

Self Timer lever

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 Back Cover Lock

Sprocket drum

Viewfinder eyepiece

Rewind fork
Film gate, shutter
Film guides
Cassette seat

Takeup spool
Film attachment spring

Back Cover

Film pressure plate

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 Aperture dial index
Aperture dial
Pre set dial
Depth of field scale
Focus scale
Focus ring GOST-ASA scale*
Mount pin to help set the film sensitivity
Helios 44-2 Calculator indicator
Exposure Meter pointer
Rewind knob
Aperture dial and index
DIN scale*
Aperture scale
Focus ring and scale Diaphragm setting
Depth of field scale
Shutter speeds
Industar 50-2 Exposure counter
Shutter button
*GOST is not exactly the same as ASA but it was Rewind button
close enough, if you see numbers such as 90, 180
or 360 then it is in GOST. the GOST scale is exactly Flash delay setting
90% of ASA Shutter speeds dial
**ISO is just ASA/DIN but over time the Shutter speeds dial index
DIN part dropped. So if you see "ISO 400" Electronic flash setting
then its the same as "ASA 400" Shutter winding lever
Shot counter index
Shot counter dial reset pin
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Specifications:
Picture size: 24x36 mm
Width of perforated film: 35 mm
Number of frames: 36 (165cm length film, less can be used)
Shutter speeds: from 1/30 to 1/500 seconds (automatic), "B" (by hand) and "T"
Focus screen size: 20x28 mm
Eyepiece magnification: 5x
Thread for lens: M42x1
Mechanical back focal distance: 45.5 mm
With HELIOS 44-2: With INDUSTAR 50-2:
Focal length: Focal length:
58mm 50 mm
Relative aperture: Relative aperture:
1:2 1:3.5
Focusing range: Focusing range:
from "∞" to 0.5 m from "∞" to 0.65 m
Diaphragm scale: Diaphragm scale:
from 2 to 16 from 3.5 to 16
Seat for sun shade: Seat for sun shade:
Ø55 mm Ø36 mm
Light filter mounting thread: Light filter mounting thread:
49x0.75 33x0.5
Camera overall dimensions: Camera overall dimensions:
138x93x100 mm 138x93x72 mm
Weight: Weight:
920 g 800 g

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Loading:
The camera is loaded at usual lighting. To load the camera:

1. Open the back cover of the camera, pulling the latch of the lock upwards.

2. Fix the end of the film under the take-up spool spring and hook a sprocket
hole on the spool protrusion. See that the film be placed correctly between the
film channel slides.

3. Place the cassette into its seat, having pulled the film rewind knob upwards.

4. Return the rewind knob to its initial position and fix it in this position by
turning it in the arrow direction.

5. Close the back cover and press down the lock latch.

6. Cock the shutter, turning the shutter setting lever to the stop, then press the
release button. As the lever turns, the film moves by one shot. To transport
nonexposed film to the film gate, cock the shutter three times pressing the
release button after each cocking. * *The film is exposed while
loading
7. Turning the exposure counter dial in any direction set the figure "0" against
the index dot on the ring.
Set the exposure counter when the shutter is cocked.

Note. While cocking the shutter, see if the film rewind knob rotates. If not check
whether the camera is correctly loaded with film.

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Setting film sensitivity*:
The film sensitivity scale has figures 16, 32, 65, 130,
250, 500 showing film speed in GOST-ASA units and
on the opposite side of it there are figures 13, 16, 19,
22, 25, 28 showing the film speed in DIN grades.

The film sensitivity scale has two dots marked under

figure 32: the left-hand one corresponds to film speed
of 25 GOST-ASA units and the right-hand one -- to 32
GOST-ASA units.***

Figures of the film sensitivity scale are seen in the

windows of the diaphragm scale of the calculator,
which has setting indexes. To set the film speed (for
example 65 units of GOST-ASA) turn the diaphragm
scale until the setting index is aligned with scale *GOST is not exactly
division 65. the same as ASA but it
The same procedure should be followed in setting was close enough. This
sensitivity, if the film is marked in DIN grades. example is a GOST
one but has ASA as
COMPARATIVE TABLE of film sensitivity units in GOST-ASA and DIN: well
GOST-ASA 16 20 25 32 40 50 65 80 100 130 160 200 250 320 400 500 **ISO is just ASA/DIN
DIN 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 but over time the DIN
part dropped. So if you
***I think this sentence relates to 1/3 stops being possible to see "ISO 400" then its
set? If it's confusing ignore it the same as "ASA 400"

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Exposure determination:
Direct the camera to an object being taken. Turning the exposure
time scale of the calculator to the right or to the left coincide the
centre of the calculator pointer with the exposure meter pointer. In
this case the scribes of the exposure time scale and the diaphragm
scale should coincide. The scribes are allowed not to coincide within
1/2 of interval between the scribes. With the pointers matched the
designations on scales allow to set a number of combinations of
exposure times and diaphragms for the definite illumination and the
film sensitivity. Any of these combinations enables to obtain a
negative of normal density. Figures on the diaphragm scale show the
relative aperture values. Figures from 500 to 2 on the exposure time
scale show values of the exposure times in fractions of a second and
from 1 to 30 show whole seconds. Black figures on the exposure time
scale of the calculator correspond to figures of the exposure time dial
scale. The exposure time and the appropriate diaphragm chosen
depending on conditions of photographing should be correspondingly
set on the camera and on the lens.

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Shutter speed setting:
Slightly pulling up the exposure time dial and turning it
round its axis set the selected exposure time figure
against the index mark in the middle of the dial, sink
the dial and fix it.
The figures on the exposure time dial indicate fractions
of a second, and "B" indicates a hand-controlled
exposure time.
To obtain "T" exposure you should cock the shutter,
set the exposure time dial against "B", press the
shutter release button and turn it counterclockwise as
far as it goes.*

After exposure return the release button to its initial

position. *To reduce shake in "T" mode it is suggested
to use a lens cap over the lens, but not
Notes: pressed in, while firing the shutter and after
firing taking it off in a fast motion. And before
1.The exposure time can be set both with cocked and closing the shutter covering the lens again with
released shutter. the lens cap

2. It is good practice to use a tripod when

photographing with "B" and "T" exposure.

3. When photographing without flash bulbs the

synchronization setting lever can be set at will within
the range from "X" to "MF".
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Diaphragm setting:
To obtain a necessary diaphragm on the HELIOS-44-2
lens align the index with one of the figures (2; 2.8; 4;
5.6; 8; 11; 16) engraved on the diaphragm setting ring.
For setting the diaphragm rotate the ring until you hear
a slight click. This means that the ring is fixed. Right
before exposure you must rotate the preset ring all the
way so the diaphgram is closed all the way, after
exposure it can be moved the other way to open the
diaphragm for focusing.The diaphragm of the
INDUSTAR-50-2 lens is set only after the focusing of
the lens is done.

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Focusing:
Focusing should be done with the diaphragm aperture open at maximum.

For this purpose HELIOS-44-2 preset ring should be turned counter-clockwise as far as it goes.
Aiming the lens at an object being photographed and observing through the viewfinder eyepiece turn the lens
focusing ring until sharp image appears on the frosted glass. After focusing HELIOS-44-2 lens is stopped
down by turning the preset ring clockwise as far as it will go.

With the INDUSTAR-50-2 the aperture is always engaged. For this reason focus with the aperture set to F3.5
and then stop the lens down right before exposure. Otherwise the viewfinder will be too dark

In cases when you want to photograph a number of objects disposed at different distances use the depth of
field scale.
The depth of field scale presents divisions which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the index and
correspond to diaphragm values. After the camera is focused you can read limits of the depth of field for a
chosen diaphragm which are disposed against equivalent divisions of the depth of field scale on both sides of
the index on the distance scale.
For example, when the lens is focused at 4 m and f/11 diaphragm is selected, the image will be sharp in limits
from 2.5 m to 10 m.

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Flash Photography
For photographing in conditions of poor illumination you should use flash bulbs and electronic flashes. For this
aim the ZENIT-E camera is fitted with a special device, which synchronizes the bulb flash moment with the
shutter operating time. To switch on a single action flash bulb, set the synchronization setting lever against
index "MF". When operating with an electronic flash, the synchronization setting lever should be set against
index "X". Setting the synchronization setting kver see to it that protrusion in its hole is matched with dash of
index "MF" or index "X" with accuracy of half of a dash thickness.
Only exposure time of 1/30 s (when the shutter is fully open) may be used in the ZENIT-E camera when
photographing with either flash bulbs or electronic flash.
Hand exposure "B" is not desirable when using flash bulbs since a considerable amount of stray light (after
flash) gets into the camera and might result in a blurred image on the film.

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Photographing with Self timer
When shooting with self-timer, do the following
procedure:

Cock the shutter, wind the self-timer mechanism

turning the self-timer setting lever down as far as it will
go.

Set exposure, choose a frame, focus the lens. Press

the self-timer release button and stand in position to
be photographed. The shutter operates in no less than
9 s. after pressing the button.

*If you put the camera in B mode and use the self
timer, you get an exposure time of 4 to 7 seconds
depending on build tolerances

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Rewinding the film:
When the exposure counter dial shows figure 36, it means that the
exposed film should be rewound into the cassette. The procedure
is the following:

1. Press the film rewind knob down and rotate it contrary to the
direction shown by the arrow.

2. Disengage the shutter mechanism. For this aim press the film
rewind button and, holding it in this position, rotate the film rewind
knob in the direction shown by the arrow until you feel by the
applied force that the end of the film left the spring of the take-up
spool.

3. Open the back cover of the camera.

4. Pull the film rewind knob upwards and remove the film cassette
out of the camera.

Note. For further photographing cock the shutter and, holding the
sprocket, make sure that it rotates.

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Interchangeable Lenses
Various interchangeable lenses on sale for cameras of ZENIT type with rollerblind shutter can be used with the
ZENIT-E.

All these interchangeable lenses are remarkable for their high quality.

Interchangeable lenses are mounted on the camera in the same way as the main lenses by means of M42x1
thread.

When using the TAIR-3 lens, the left edge of the image field on the negative may be cut off.
The ZENIT-E camera does not-allow to use the exposure meter system when photographing with the MTO-500
and MTO-1000 interchangeable lenses, as the outer mount of these lenses shades the photocell.

CLOSE-UP SHOOTINGS
With the help of a special copying stand the ZENIT-E camera allows to make reproductions of drawings,
manuscripts, photographs and others.

While copying, it is possible to use the extension rings which are mounted between the camera body and the
lens.

In this case it is possible to use one ring or a combination of some rings.

Reproduction scale depends on the length and number of used rings. This can be visually seen by the
reproductions of a postage stamp.

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IMPORTANT TIPS:
The camera should be handled carefully, should be kept clean and protected from mechanical damages,
moisture and sharp temperature fluctuations.
Keep the camera in a closed carrying case. In such cases the cap should be put on the lens while the shutter
and the self-timer are released.
Never remove the lens from the camera, unless you need it, to prevent dust and dirt from getting on the
surface of optical parts.
Clean the optical coated lens surfaces only from outside with a clean soft piece of fabric or cotton. Fabric or
cotton can be slightly moistened with rectified alcohol, ether (petroleum or sulfuric) or, if these means are
absent, with toilet eau-de-Cologne.
As the camera is a complex optical mechanical device, any repair of the camera and its adjustment should be
performed only by a highly qualified specialist.

Extra notes from kenweedhastag8003 (discord):

Camera repair for this model is quite simple despite what the manual says. The camera should not make a
"whirr" or "cough" noise if it does it should be repaired.

The lens mount *is* in fact M42 on most (although ones made before 1968 and some made in 1968 use an
M39 size thread instead). However the Zenit-E does not have the aperture pushing lever later Zenit's and
almost all German and Japanese M42 cameras had. To determine which lenses you can use on the Zenit-E,
see if there is a "M" mode on the lens or a switch/lever/ring that closes the aperture when not mounted to a
camera. Otherwise you will need to jam the pin behind the lens or shoot wide open only.

I suggest to not rely on the exposure meter unless in broad daylight and it is con rmed accurate

fi
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