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KGB KMZ
Covert observation camera
S-387, codenamed ZOLA 1 (Russian: ЗОЛА), was a
covert observation camera,
developed around 1970 by
KMZ in Krasnogorsk (Russia),
for use by Soviet intelligence services
like the KGB.
Like its predecessor, the S-206 ZINNIA 2 (Russian: ЦИННИЯ), the camera was
based on the KMZ Zorki 6 consumer camera, and had been given an angular lens,
or reflex scope, for lateral viewing [4].
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The camera accepts standard 35 mm perforated film
and has a spring-loaded
auto-winder (much like the Robot Star 50),
that is activated by the shutter-release
button, which in turn can be activated by a remote control
or by a solenoid.
The spring is wound up manually using the black rigged knob at the top,
or with a special tool.
The image on the right shows a typical ZOLA that is fitted with
a reflex scope for upwards viewing (rather than front viewing).
It makes the camera ideal for mounting inside a concealment,
such as a regular inconspicuous attache case.
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ZOLA was developed in the late 1960s and was introduced in
1970. It was in production until at least 1989. As with other Soviet covert
cameras, the first two digits of the serial number
indicate the production year. The camera featured here, was made in 1980.
It is currently unknown how many ZOLA cameras were made, but
judging from the serial number of the surviving cameras, it is likely
that this was limited to about 100 per year.
Today, ZOLA cameras are extremely rare.
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ZOLA (ЗОЛА) is Russian for Ash.
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ZINNIA (ЦИННИЯ) is Russian for Zinnia (flower). Also written as TSINYA
or CINIJA.
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The diagram below gives an overview of the various features of this
intreguing camera. The body is based on KMZ's Zorki 6 camera, of which
the original position of the lens is still visible. The lens fitting has
been removed and the hole is closed with a metal panel. At the bottom of the
camera, a battery compartment has been added for the electronic
through-the-lens light meter that controls the exposure time,
along with a spring mechanism that is used
for the auto-winder.
Compared to Zorki 6, the top panel has been changed completely.
The viewfinder, the selenium light meter and the flash shoe are gone,
and have been replaced by a removable reflex scope that faces upwards.
This allows the lens – which is smaller than a regular photo lens – to look
through a small hole in de side of a briefcase. A
separate lens unit was available for front photography.
When taking pictures, the user does not have to worry about the exposure
time (shutter speed),
as this is controlled by the electronic light meter. All the user has
to do, is wind-up the camera, adjust the focus ring (i.e. set the desired
distance), select the correct film speed
and press the shutter-release button. When the camera is used as part of a
concealement, this is usually done by pressing a button on a mechanical
or electronic remote control unit.
A fully wound spring allows up to 15 pictures to be taken successively, with
an interval of approx. 1.2 seconds.
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- Zinnia
This is the first model, developed at KMZ
in 1955, and based on a Zorki 6 camera. It was intended for use inside
concealments like briefcases and leather carrying bags.
It is the predecessor of the ZOLA described here.
Zinnia is also known as project number S-256.
- Zinnia-M
This is a similar camera, also based on the Zorki 6, that was used with
special optics for through-the-wall photography. This variant was
made especially for the PGU — the first
chief directorate of the KGB —
and was also known by its project number S-260M.
- Zola
This is the successor to Zinnia. It is also based on the Zorki 6,
but has improved controls and features. It comes with two lenses for
front and upwards viewing. Furthermore
it can be driven by an autowinder and has built-in light measurement.
Like Zinnia, it was made for use inside a portable concealment such
as a briefcase. Also known as project S-387.
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The body of the camera is based on the 1955 Zorki 6 camera, which was also
made by KMZ. The normal
lens fitting has been removed and is closed with a metal panel. Instead of
the viewfinder is now a prisma block with the IK-75LM lens,
that faces upwards, allowing the camera to be mounted in a narrow concealment.
The camera accepts standard 35 mm perforated film (24 exposures)
and has a spring-loaded winding mechanism (15 exposures).
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As an alternative to the reflex scope shown in the image above, some cameras
were also supplied with direct angle lense that faces the front of the camera,
as shown on the right [1].
It has the same IK-75LM lens, but a different prisma block, that can be mounted
instead of the one shown above. As the lens has a smaller diameter than a
regular one, it can be concealed more easily.
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The camera is loaded with a standard 35 mm film cartridge that can hold
24 exposures. The plastic film cartridge - shown in the image on the right -
is supplied with the camera, but ZOLA
also accepts western film cartridges, that were available
anywhere in the world at the time.
The image on the right shows a 'modern' Kodak 35 mm film, in front of an
empty original plastic cartridge that was supplied with ZOLA.
The two cartridges are fully compatible.
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ZOLA can be remote controlled in various ways. After removing the knob from
the shutter release button (on some versions the knob isn't fitted at all),
a remote control unit can be attached to the screw terminal. The image on the
right shows a bellows-operated shutter release device [1].
It was also possible to use an
electronic remote control device, in which case
the shutter release button was actuated by a solenoid.
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The camera has a built-in electronic light meter, which controls the
shutter speed when taking pictures. The light meter is powered by four
button cell Д-0,006 rechargeable batteries,
that are installed in the battery compartment (i.e. the black bulge)
at the bottom of the camera.
These batteries are probably no longer in production, but can easily be
replaced by four standard 1.35V button cells of similar size.
No image available
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When using the standard-issue batteries described above,
they had to be recharged every 3000 shooting cycles, using
the battery charger shown in the image on the right [1].
This is done by unscrewing the metal cap from the battery compartment and
removing the batteries from the camera, and installing them behind the metal
cap of the charger. The charger is then placed in a wall socket. The batteries
will be fully charged after approx. 10 hours.
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The metal knob shown in the image on the right, was supplied to make it easier
to wind-up the spring of the semi-automatic film transport mechanism [1].
It has two small metal stubs at the bottom, that mate with the two cut-outs
in the rigged knob of the winding mechanism.
Winding up the spring involves rotating the knob left and right repeatedly,
until resistance is felt. A full wounded spring should be capable of advancing
the film by 15 frames, which is equal to pressing the shutter release button
15 times.
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Especially for mounting the camera inside a concealment, such as a common
briefcase, a metal frame like the one shown in the image on the right was used
[2].
The frame is usually fixed to the concealment, whilst the camera can be
removed easily (e.g. to swap the film).
In many cases, the frame, or bracket, also contains mechanisms or
electronic circuits to release the shutter remotely, for examply by pressing
a hidden button. If necessary, it can also move a panel to hide the lens.
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Briefcase concealment
wanted
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For covert photography, such as observations, surveillance and intelligence
gathering, ZOLA could easily be mounted inside a common slimline briefcase,
that could be carried around inconspicuously by the operative,
under the pretence of being a businessman.
The image on the right shows ZOLA mounted inside a briefcase, using the
metal bracket described above [2]. Behind the bracket is the electronic
control unit. At the right of the image, the plugs are visible for power
supply and for the hidden button that operates the shutter.
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Behind the bottom panel is the
mechanism for the exposure counter, plus the
wiring for the external battery that is used for the light meter.
The latter measures through the lens and drives the electronic shutter,
so that the user does not have to set the exposure time. This feature was not
available on the old Zorki 6, which is why the batteries are mounted externally at the bottom.
The image on the right shows the open camera, seen from the rear, with the
battery holder at the bottom left. ZOLA accepts standard 35 mm film,
which should be installed in the bay at the left.
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At the heart of the camera is the curtain. It has a frame size of
36 x 24 mm and is controlled by the electronic light meter. At the right is the
tractor feed with two cogwheels on a single axle that capture
the perforated holes at the sides of the film, and pulls the film onto the
take-up spool.
Another unique feature of this camera is the spring-loaded auto-winder, which
allows up to 15 photos to be taken without operating a film advance
lever. As this feature was not present on the Zorki 6 on which the camera
is based, the spring mechanism was added at the camera's bottom.
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Judging from the usual scuff marks on the body of the camera featured on this
page, it has seen a lot of action. Since the black/red knob of the
shutter-release button is missing, it was probably used inside a concealment,
in which case the exposures were triggered by a
remote control unit.
When we received it, the overall state of the camera was good, but there
were some problems:
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- Linen cover loose
- Battery compartment loose and broken
- Flash connector loose
- Knob of film speed stetting missing
- Light blocking felt loose or missing
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None of these problems appeared to be fatal, and the camera was eventually
restored within a day. The camera is now fully operational.
Below is a detailed account of the restoration work.
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As with most analogue cameras of this era, some recessed parts of the body
are covered with a black leather textured linen. It gives the camera its typical
look and feel. Due to ageing of the glue, the linen had come off in some places.
Although this is not a critical problem – ZOLA can do with out it –
it should be repaired in order to
avoid further deterioration. Luckily, the linen was not missing or torn,
so it was easily glued back in place with a bit of modern glue.
The image on the right shows the camera's front.
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In order to repair this, the battery holder had to be removed completely.
As it is attached to the bottom of the camera, the camera's steel
bottom panel had to be removed first.
Unfortunately, this revealed a more serious problem, as both
wires from the battery holder were desoldered.
Apparently, someone had been trying to repair the camera in the past,
but had forgotten to refit the wires.
And without them, the electronic light meter that controls the
shutter curtain, can not operate. As both wires have the same colour and
are unmarked, we had to discover their polarity.
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Connecting the wires the wrong way around will almost certainly damage the
electronic circuits that are hidden deep down inside the body of the camera.
In the end we decided to try it out both ways, using a professional power
supply unit (PSU) with built-in current limiter to avoid damage.
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After removing the camera's bottom panel, we noticed that one of the recessed
1 mm screws – that hold the battery in place – was missing. Not a big problem.
Inside the battery holder, the contact plate of the (-) terminal had come off.
The battery holder was removed and cleaned, and the (-) terminal was
glued back in place.
Next the wiring inside the battery holder was repaired and
glued back in place, so that it will not break again. The
solder terminals
inside the camera were cleaned and the solder remains from the earlier
repair attempt were removed.
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After working out the polarity of the battery wires, the (+) was marked
with a red sleeve and the solder terminal inside the camera was marked
with red locking varnish. The battery holder was
mounted back in place – this time with
two recessed screws – and secured with locking varnish.
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Also at the bottom of the camera is a socket for connection of a flash unit.
Although this socket is not critical, it would be nice if it worked. And since
the bottom of the camera was removed for the above repair anyway,
it was easily fixed. The socket does not have any wiring, but has a stiff
contact at the centre, that presses against a contact spring inside the
camera. The socket itself had come loose, and in a previous repair an attempt
had been made to glue it in place.
The glue was removed and the socket was refitted and secured in place
with locking varnish.
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Unfortunately, the knob of the film speed setting was
missing completely and – as the axle of the
4-position selector is just 2 mm thick – it will be very difficult to find a
proper replacement.
In the end it was decided to make a new knob from an existing screw terminal.
It was painted black, and a white index line was added in one of its rigs.
The result is shown in the image on the right, and is not too far off from the
original one.
The selector is now fully functional again.
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One of the major challenges with old analogue cameras, is to make it completely
dark inside. Any light ray, however small, that enters the body, is likely to
cause unwanted exposure of the film. This is notably the case around the edges
of the hinged back panel. The problem is usually solved with narrow
felt or velvet strips.
Due to ageing of the glue, some strips had come off and had to be refitted.
The image on the right shows one of the original velvet strips, that is
located close to the hinge of the back door.
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- 79016
- 80013
- 80020 ← Crypto Museum
- 83054
- 84101
- 85015
- 88002 ← KGB Spy Museum [1]
- 89023
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Lens IK-75LM, 1:3.7/75 mm, with 32° angular prisma Distance 5 metres to infinity Diafragm 1:3.7 fixed Film width 35 mm Film length 1.2 metres Exposures 24 Frame size 36 x 24 mm Resolution 35 to 45 lines per mm Shutter Electronically controlled curtain Speed 1/30 to 1/500 (automatic) Transport Spring-loaded (enough for 15 exposures) Interval 1.2 sec Power 4 x Д-0,006 rechargeable battery 1 Temperature -15 to +45 °C Dimensions 120 x 95 x 45 mm Weight 650 grams (without film cartridge)
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Sufficient for 3000 shooting cycles
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- KGB Spy Museum, Zola camera, S/N 88002
Lithuania, January 2018. 1
- Novacon, Zola, Russian Spy camera
Retrieved January 2018.
- Collectiblend, Krasnogorsk: Zorki 6 (Zola, spy)
Retrieved january 2018.
- USSRPhoto, Zola Briefcase Spy Camera
User 'Vlad', 21 August 2007. Retrieved January 2018.
- Photohistory, Special camera 'Zola'
Website photohistory.ru (Russian).
Retrieved January 2018.
- H. Keith Melton et al., The secret history of KGB Spy Cameras
ISBN 879-0-7643-5616-2. 2018. pp. 143—144.
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Images reproduced with kind permission from the author.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 18 January 2018. Last changed: Monday, 21 January 2019 - 10:18 CET.
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![Overview of ZOLA parts (not in our collection). Photograph by KGB Spy Museum [1].](img/zola_parts_large.jpg)
![Alternative lens for front viewing. Photograph kindly supplied by [1].](img/zola_lens_small.jpg)
![Shutter release actuator. Photograph kindly supplied by [1].](img/zola_remote_small.jpg)
![Battery charger. Photograph kindly supplied by [1].](img/zola_charger_small.jpg)
![Spring winding knob. Photograph kindly supplied by [1].](img/zola_winder_small.jpg)
![Mounting bracket. Photograph from Novacon [2].](img/zola_bracket_large.jpg)
![Briefcase with mounting frame and electronic remote control. Photograph from Novacon [2].](img/zola_bracket_briefcase_large.jpg)
![Briefcase used as concealment for ZOLA. Photograph from Novacon [2].](img/zola_bracket_briefcase_thumb.jpg "image # zola_bracket_briefcase_large.jpg")
![Briefcase used as concealment for ZOLA. Photograph from Novacon [2].](img/zola_briefcase_large.jpg)
