C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
KMZ 61963
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- M39
- Years
- 1963–
- Shutter
- 1/30s – 1/500s
- Meter
- selenium-uncoupled
The Zenit-6 is a 35mm SLR produced by KMZ (Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant) from approximately 1963 to 1968. It uses the M39 screw mount - the same thread used on Leica-thread rangefinder lenses, though the deeper flange distance required for SLR use means rangefinder M39 lenses cannot be focused to infinity. The Zenit-6 carries a selenium cell meter mounted on the front of the body, uncoupled from the shutter and aperture controls; the photographer reads the EV value from the meter and transfers it manually to the exposure controls. The shutter is a mechanical horizontal-cloth curtain type. No battery is required. The Zenit-6 appeared during the same period as the Zenit-3M and represents one iteration in KMZ's sequence leading up to the Zenit E of 1965, which became the definitive high-volume Soviet SLR.
Reference
Find film for your KMZ 6
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
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Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Cloth shutter.** Horizontal-cloth curtains of this era are prone to pinholes. Hold the camera open on B and check with a light source.
- **Slow speeds absent.** Like the Zenit E, the Zenit-6 likely lacks shutter speeds slower than 1/30s. Verify available speeds on the specific example.
- **Selenium meter.** The selenium cell degrades over time and may read incorrectly or not at all. Verify against a known light source or digital camera reading. A non-functioning meter does not prevent shooting.
- **M39 mount compatibility.** Verify that the lens you plan to use is M39 SLR mount, not M39 Leica-thread rangefinder mount - the thread is identical but the flange distance is different.
- **Light seals.** Check and replace if necessary.
- **Rarity.** Harder to source than the Zenit E. Expect higher prices for confirmed working examples. CLA availability is the same as for other KMZ Zenit bodies: Eastern European and Ukrainian repair specialists.
- Body integrity: inspect the prism housing, which on Zenit bodies of this era can develop separation or coating haze.
About this camera
A 1960s KMZ SLR on M39 mount with a selenium meter, preceding the mass-production Zenit E.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the KMZ 6 use?
- The KMZ 6 shoots 35mm film.
- What lens mount does the KMZ 6 have?
- The KMZ 6 uses the M39 mount.
- What shutter speeds does the KMZ 6 offer?
- The KMZ 6's shutter speeds range from 1/30s to 1/500s.
- What light meter does the KMZ 6 use?
- The KMZ 6 meters with selenium-uncoupled.