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KGB KMZ
High-volume covert surveillance camera
ZASADA (Russian: ЗАСАДА) 1 was a high-volume high-quality
covert observation and surveillance camera,
developed in the late 1970s by
the 11th Sience and Research Laboratory (NIL-11),
and manufactured from the early 1980s onwards by the
mechanical factory of Krasnogorsk (KMZ).
It was used by the
Russian security service KGB
(now: FSB)
and its first chief directorate (foreign intelligence),
the PGU.
The camera can take several hundreds of photographs
at 32 x 32 mm. 2
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At the heart of the system is the actual camera, which measures
144 x 113 x 60 mm (with lens) and weights 1295 grams.
It is shown here with a large 60 metre film cartridge fitted, but there
were also film cartridges that fitted completely behind the camera [2].
The weight of the total assembly shown here is approx. 2100 grams. 3
The camera has an electronically operated shutter and a built-in
motor winder, and has sockets for remote control facilities.
Due to its appearance, the camera is often mistaken for a movie camera,
especially when placed vertically.
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The camera was developed in the late 1970s and remained in production
until at least 1990. It was available in several variants, all of which
were based on the same core camera unit.
The camera featured here was built in 1988,
whilst the film cartridge was probably made in 1990.
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ЗАСАДА (ZASADA) = Ambush.
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Depending on the selected film cartridge.
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With standard 50 mm lens fitted and no film present in the cartridge.
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The diagram below shows the various features of the ZASADA camera.
The actual camera unit is visible at the centre and is removed here from
the film cartridge. Note that different types of film cartridges
were available for the camera, which makes is possible to adapt the system
to a wide range of applications and disguises. In addition, the camera
can be operated remotely, in which case the
external remote control unit should
be connected to the 10-pin socket aside the lens.
The camera can be mounted horizontally or vertically, using one of the two
available (standard) tripod mounts. One mounting hole is located at the bottom
of the camera body and one at the short end of the supply spool of the film
cartridge. The camera is powered by a ... V DC 1 power source, which should be
connected to the 4-pin socket at the front of the camera.
The exposure time is set with the
knob aside the lens, with the outer ring
(below it) available for correcting the background brightness.
It has three settings: bright (СВЕТЛ.), normal and
dark (ТЕМН.).
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The DC power voltage is currently unknown.
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The image on the right shows the actual camera body, which is at the
heart of every ZASADA configuration. It measures 144 x 113 x 60 mm and weights
approx. 1295 grams. Depending on the application, is was commonly built
inside a concealment and was remotely operated.
The camera was loaded with unperforated 35 mm film,
using one of the available cartridges.
As there is no viewfinder, an optional one
could be fitted temporarily to point and adjust the camera,
before fitting the cartridge.
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Each camera came with 4, 5 or 6 different lenses,
to allow for a wide range of applications, distances and disguises.
When setting up the camera for a specific surveillance job,
the most appropriate lens was selected and installed.
The optional viewfinder was then used to point the camera and
adjust the lens, after which it was replace by the selected
film cartridge.
The image on the right shows the Zasada camera body with the four most common
lenses [1].
➤ Available lenses
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Depending on the available space, the disguise and the required number
of photographs, the appropriate film cartridge
was selected. Three types were
available, each of which was mounted to the rear of the camera unit.
The smallest one can be loaded with 2 metres of film, which should
be enough for approx. 50 photographs.
Another one, which can hold 16 metres of film, fits completely behind the
camera body [2].
The image on the right shows the camera body with all
available cartridges
[1].
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According to [2], a right-angle viewfinder was available, that
was fitted to the rear side of the camera, instead of the film cartridge.
The viewfinder was installed temporarily, to position
and focus the camera for a surveillance job.
Once the camera was set, the viewfinder was removed again
and replaced by the selected film cartridge.
The image on the right shows the viewfinder as it appeared on eBay in 2011,
mounted to the body of the camera [3].
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Remote control units
wanted
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Zasada was suitable for a wide range of applications and disguises,
as the camera can be fully controlled via the
10-pin remote socket
aside the lens. A variety of remote control units were developed,
ranging from simple wired control boxes, to wireless (radio) control
units.
The image on the right shows a simple wired unit that is
marked Пулт Минск 7 (Control box Minsk-7). At the front are the
same connectors as on the body of the camera.
This control box was offered on eBay in 2011, together with
another remote control unit,
as part of a very complete Zasada camera kit
[3].
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Operating instruction
wanted
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At present, the operating instructions for the Zasada camera are missing.
If you have this manual, you can help us to expand this page, by supplying
either the original document or a scanned (PDF) copy of it.
➤ Contact us
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C
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Zasada is an electromechanically driven camera, with a very dense and
compact interior, some of which can be accessed by removing the L-shaped
top panel. This involves removing 11 recessed minature screws along the edges
of the top panel, after which it can be removed carefully.
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The image on the right shows the interior of the camera as seen from the top,
after the top panel has been removed. At the right is the lens, which projects
its image via a chamber onto the film that runs past the rear side. The chamber
is not visible here, as it is covered by electronic parts.
At the far right is a printed circuit board (PCB)
with a large integrated circuit (IC), that runs along the side of the chamber. At the front left is a small electric motor
that drives the winding mechanism and cocks the shutter.
The large cogwheel at the left rear, advances the film.
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All parts are tightly fitted inside the available space of the camera body,
and getting access to specific parts can be really difficult. At present,
the circuit diagram and the wiring of the remote control and power
sockets
is unknown. If you have this information, please contact us.
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The wiring of the power socket is currently unknown.
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A 10-pin male socket is present at the front side of the camera, close
to the lens. It can be used for the connection of an external
remote control unit.
The diagram below show the pinout of the socket when looking onto
the pins of the socket.
At present, the pinout is unknown.
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Lens LOMO ➤ see below Distance 50 cm — 25 m Aperture 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 16, aux (electronically controlled) Frame size 32 x 32 mm Film length 2, 16 or 60 metres, depending on ➤ cartridge type Exposures 50, 400 or 1500, depending on ➤ cartridge type Film type Unperforated ZP-100, T-33 Dimensions 144 x 113 x 60 mm Weight 1295 g (bare camera unit)
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3S-3.3/35 F = 35 mm, f/3.3 3S-3/50 F = 50 mm, f/3 3S-3.2/85 F = 85 mm, f/3.2 3S-4.5/135 F = 135 mm, f/4.5
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2 metres 50 exposures 16 metres 400 exposures 60 metres 1500 exposures
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Images reproduced here by kind permission from the author.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Wednesday 22 November 2017. Last changed: Monday, 21 January 2019 - 10:28 CET.
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![Zasada camera with all available film cartridges [1]](img/zasada_cartridges_thumb.jpg "image # zasada_cartridges.jpg")
![Zasada camera with all available lenses [1]](img/zasada_lenses_thumb.jpg "image # zasada_lenses.jpg")
![Complete Zasada kit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/set_thumb.jpg "image # set.jpg")
![Zasada viewfinder. Photograph copyright [3].](img/viewer4_thumb.jpg "image # viewer4.jpg")
![Zasada remote control unit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/rc1_thumb.jpg "image # rc1.jpg"){kind=small}
![Zasada remote control unit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/rc3_thumb.jpg "image # rc3.jpg")
![Zasada remote control unit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/rc5_thumb.jpg "image # rc5.jpg")
![Complete Zasada kit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/set.jpg)
![Zasada viewfinder. Photograph copyright [3].](img/viewer1.jpg)
![Zasada remote control unit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/rc2.jpg)
![Zasada remote control unit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/rc3.jpg)
![Zasada remote control unit. Photograph copyright [3].](img/rc5.jpg)
