KMZ Kristall 35mm SLR – Art Deco Soviet Camera – Shutter Sticks Below 1/30 – VGC

Description:

Soviet KMZ Kristall 35mm SLR camera in very good cosmetic condition, with working film advance and shutter release. However, the shutter sticks at speeds of 1/30 and below—a known issue with aging cloth focal-plane shutters. Higher speeds fire cleanly. Sold as-is for display, repair, or manual shooting at faster speeds.

The Kristall was produced by KMZ (Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod) in 1961–62 as a successor to the Zenit-3, featuring a distinctive Art Deco top plate, hammered grey finish, and lever wind mechanism. It uses the ZM39 screw mount, compatible with early Zenit lenses. Its bold styling and short production run make it a standout among Soviet SLRs.

Key Features:

• Format: 35mm film (135)
• Lens Mount: ZM39 screw thread (Zenit-compatible)
• Shutter: Horizontal cloth focal-plane (B, 1/30–1/500s)
• Viewfinder: Fixed pentaprism, ground-glass focusing screen
• Advance: Lever wind with manual frame counter
• Body: Hammered grey metal with ribbed prism housing
• Flash: PC sync socket with selector switch
• Weight: Approx. 675g
• Made in USSR (KMZ, Moscow)

Condition Notes:

• Cosmetic: Very good overall; minor signs of age
• Mechanical: Shutter sticks at 1/30 and slower; faster speeds functional
• Meter: None (fully mechanical)
• Accessories: Body only (lens not included)

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Collector Notes:

The Kristall was developed by Nikolaj Marenkov and produced in limited numbers before being replaced by the Zenit 3M. Its hammerstone top plate, ribbed prism housing, and lever wind were unique to this model, earning it a cult following among Soviet camera collectors. Shutter issues at slow speeds are common and often repairable with CLA (clean, lube, adjust).