How many of you remember Russian Zenit brand? Pretty rough made and loud cameras with excellent optics at very low prices. Aren’t they died with the deceased Soviet Union?

Thank Goodness, they didn’t. Krasnogorsky Zavod, which manufactured Zenit-brand gear, went under the ownership of Shvabe Holding, specialists for optical and laser systems, modern optical materials and technologies, high technology medical equipment, aerospace monitoring and remote sensing systems of the Earth, scientific research instruments, energy-saving lighting equipment, nanomechanics, and other high-tech Products. The range of products produced at the holding enterprises is more than 6,500 units!

Why would we care?

Because in 2016, Shvabe Holding announced they would be bringing back Zenit brand, and at the Photokina 2018, they announced the most exciting product imaginable in cooperation with Leica — Zenit M!

This camera is in its essence Leica M (Type 240), altought Zenit says it has made both hardware and software modifications in creating Zenit M. And furthermore — the 24MP full-frame camera is currently assembled alongside the M10 at its Wetzlar plant in Germany. And according to Russian news sources, production will be limited to 500 copies, to be sold exclusively in Russia and Europe, as a kit with Zenitar 35mm f1.0 (lens designed and built entirely in Krasnagorsk).

The price

And now, let’s talk about the most important — the price. Similar Leica configuration would be priced like this:

Leica M (Type 240) — $5,995 + Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH — $11,295 = $17,290

Zenit M with Zenitar “Made in Russia” 35mm f1.0 will cost, according to a representative, ‘between 4,000-5,000 Euros’, while Russian media says it will cost between 5,000-6,000 Euros. Anyway, if it is really limited production, then the reselling price could seriously higher. Hurry up, consider it an investment :)

Anyway, Zenit showed it can be done cheaper!

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