The Zorki 12 was the last of the Zorki series, not beeing just a modification of the Zorki 11, but whole redesign.  It had a focusing 28mm (f2.8) lens. Close-focusing to 0.8 meters. The built-in selenium meter around the lens set the aperture after the shutter speed is selected. Cold flash shoe and PC contact. Since one half of the camera is black and the other half chrome, it looks like the camera is somehow snapped together. It used Agfa rapid film cassettes, which were unavailable in Soviet Union at that time. No wonder the camera didn't sell well. Only 7.200 cameras were produced, so the Zorki 12 is difficult to find now [2].

   

Produced: 1967-1968
Name: „Зоркий-12“
Producer: KMZ
Frame size: 18x24
Lens: Helios-98  2.8/28.
Shutter: 1/30s - 1/250s.

Quantity: 7.200 units.
                                                                

At least 4 versions of this uncommon camera are known to exist. An earliest productional version of Zorki-12 camera was fitted with never seen before "A-4MУ 2.8/28" lens (!) with synchro, placed on the top plate. 2nd (experimental) version comes without strap lugs and different name markings. 3rd and most common version comes with one strap lug on the right, since 4th version - with two strap lugs already.

PM2405. Seems to be the 1st productional version of Zorki-12 camera. Announced in soviet press in 1967. The particular camera is fitted with never seen before "A-4MУ 2.8/28" lens (!) Synchro placed on the top plate (!)

Camera  #6700140 from Vitaly Maleychuk (Belarus) collection.

PM2405 - Zorki-12 camera.

PM2410. Very uncommon (experimental?) version of the particular camera. Helios-98 2.8/28mm lens. Different style of nameplate engravings, synchro is placed on the frontplate already. Without strap lugs on body.

 
Picture of the Zorki-12 opposite was kindly provided by authors of SSK book "1200 cameras from the USSR", 2009.

PM2410 - Zorki-12 camera.

PM2415. The most common version of the particular camera. Helios-98 2.8/28mm lens. Standard nameplate markings (white characters in red background). One strap lug on the right side of the body (badly seen on picture opposite, but greatly illustrated on the top picture, see above). No otherwise different.

PM2415 - Zorki-12  #6803163.

PM2420. Very uncommon version of Zorki-12 camera. Comes with strap lugs on both sides of camera body. No otherwise different. An only so far known camera has serial number #68004738 (Mirfoto archives). 


Picture of the Zorki-12 #68004738 opposite was kindly provided by authors of SSK book "1200 cameras from the USSR", 2009.

PM2420 - Zorki-12 camera.