Zarya: Details of the rare 1959 version

The Zarya film camera itself is rather uncommon, and my copy is even rarer.

The first digit of the serial number indicates the year of manufacture. I only saw two options: 9 for 1959 and 0 for 1960. Mine is from 1959.

My Zarya has details that differ from those of later versions.

It has a larger front viewfinder window.

There is no knurling around the viewfinder eyepiece.

The film speed memo on the shutter shutter winding/cocking knob is also different.

For comparison, the film speed memo of a FED-2, which is the same as on later Zarya models:

(source)

It has a differently shaped cold shoe.

It also has a rare type of pressure plate.

See also related notes:

• Zarya: Scale focus film camera with interchangeable lenses (2025-01-28)

Image albums:

• FED-2
• Zarya