OK, I just bought a Zenit 12xp yesterday. It is a Russian manual SLR from the late 1970s, but was in outstanding condition and was only $40 with a new Zenitar-M 50mm lens. I basically have two questions:
1.) Are there any quality differences between the Zenitar-M and the Helios 44 lenses? The Helios was the standard lens for this camera, and the Zenitar was the standard for the Zenit 19, which was the "ultimate" Zenit, produced in the late 1980s. I could have my choice, but just chose the Zenitar-M because it was new. I searched all over the Internet and cannot find any information whatsoever on the Zenitar-M (lots on the Helios, which is a very good lens, though).
2.) More generally, what would be a good focal length lens to get after the 50mm? I was thinking of a 135 telephoto or a 80-270 zoom. If I want to get a little more closer, which would most of you recommend? I can get good Jupiter or Helios lenses in those lengths for the Zenit. Just curious.
I know that this camera is more than a bit obscure to those of you in the States, but I thought I would ask anyway. The Zenit was (is) the world's most popular SLR. I am now trying to locate a clean Zorki 4k (copy of a Leica III) which is getting to be a nightmare. Most of the ones in Tbilisi are dirty as all hell and more importantly, the Jupiter lenses on them are scratched to shit.