Zenit 12XP Reviews

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Zenit 12XP
4.3 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 6 ratings and 18 reviews

Thumb up 83% of users recommend this product

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Average Ratings for Zenit 12XP

  • Photograph Quality4.3 stars
  • Features3.1 stars
  • Ease of Use3.3 stars
  • Value for Money4.7 stars
  • Reviewer Ratings4.2 stars
  • Overall Rating4.3 stars

18 Reviews For Zenit 12XP

  • Guest 4th Oct 2009

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    I think everyone realises that the Zenit cameras are bargain basement, old school heavy chunks of metal, but what has that to do with basic photographic potential? The metering, with two LEDs in the viewfinder, is very accurate. The shutter speed, albeit limited, are accurate.

    I used mine for many years, it beat the hell out of my other Praktica cameras in terms of reliabilty and quality of images with the Helios 28m, 58mm and 135mm lenses. I went over to Minolta when sold my Praktica set, and the Zenit still beat these AF,AE, digital era 35mm SLRs in su zero temperatures, when their lithium batteries froze. Still unsure whether the Sigma lenses I have with the Minoltas can match the old Helios lenses for definition and depth!

  • Guest 21st Jul 2009

    Reviewer rating: 3 stars


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    I find it extraordinary that the Zenit 12XP has attracted so many favourable reviews. I can only conclude that it is the only 35mm SLR which its reviewers have ever owned and therefore have nothing else with which to compare it - I would venture to suggest that even the similarly mechanical Olympus OM1, say, is rather ahead of the game. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a camera snob; indeed, I will readily concede that the Olympus OM1 was substantially more expensive than the humble Zenit and rema ...

  • Guest 13th Jul 2009

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    I had a Zenit 12XP from May 1985 to August 1987 and it was very much of a curate's egg - good in parts. To be fair, I only used the standard Helios lens and so I can only really speak for the camera itself, not its supplementary M42 screw thread lenses (although I would avoid the Helios teleconverters as the resultant lens flare just has to be seen to be believed). OK, it's not particularly reliable, but the fact that it is so very slow to operate certainly makes for a more considered, tho ...

  • vumpsh 8th Jun 2009

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I love this camera. I am an amateur, and my first ever SLR was an older zenit-E. Since then, I have used many newer, much more high end pieces, but when I got a Zenit-12XP recently as a present, I fell in love with the Russian SLR again. Some people criticize Zenits for being clunky, but I love how solidly it feels in the hand. Controls are significantly improved over older models by the same brand, and I could consider this to be the best Zenit. Why? It has many technical improvements (ergonom ...

  • gpower 7th May 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Overall a fun manual camera to take snapshots with. For the price it cannot be beaten as it can be had online for as low as £5, I paid just over £10 for mine in near mint condition. And the standard lens, the Helios 44M, is a very nice bit of kit, with a fairly large aperture and silky smooth bokeh. There are a few things to watch out for though, Zenit quality control is legendarily iffy, so it is probably best to buy the camera from a fair where you can check all shutter speeds, t ...

  • Guest 10th Dec 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I love photography.... I use this camera since I was young... I know it just like the back of my hand... it is perfect... Recently I bought on ebay a soligor 25-55mm.... and it just rocks... I love it! It is a masterpiece for learning photography!

  • Augy 11th Sep 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    A few months before I noticed that I have an old camera in my shelf. It was the current zenit. And now I've done a few shots, but haven't looked at them yet, so I can't tell anything about the quality, but I heard it's very good. I really like it. Also, a zoom lens would have been fine also, but unfortunately it didn't even exist at that time....

  • Guest 27th Jul 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Great collection camera, i bought one which is still working and looks new! Rock Solid, beautiful U.S.S.R. camera!

  • Guest 14th Apr 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    SOLID! Dependable, satisfying, and the helios lens is sharp and contrasty. What a juggernaut.

  • harlee112833 Rank: Lance Corporal 8th May 2004

    Reviewer rating: 2 stars


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    I purchased my Zenit 12XP 35mm SLR Camera, or perhaps it should be referred to as the 12HR, since the Russian cyrillic letters stand for XR, on Ebay for around $25.00. It was being sold under the Cambron label. Apparently the seller had no idea what it was, for he mentioned that there is some sort of battery holder on the back of the camera. The camera was in "like new" condition. I had a Zenit back in the 80's, with an external meter, and this one had the same heft and feel of of that older ...

  • redbaron Rank: 2nd Lieutenant 5th Mar 2004

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    Ah Soviet engineering! Well, what Carl Zeiss was to the DDR, Zenit was to the USSR. I have a Zenit 12XP which has finally given up the ghost on me and I think I am actually going to have to replace it. That being said they go cheap on ebay so it is tempting to nab another. It was my first 'proper' 35mm camera and I got it with a few lenses to play with. The Zenit is good and chunky, it's a durable bit of kit and can take a knock or two without a problem which compares well with many of the ...

  • kikhobor 11th Sep 2003

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I am a beginner in photography,Zenit12xp is a true master for my development of photographic senses and camera handling. But I am having a problem since I bought the camera from an auction and could not have any manual.Could anyone be kind enough to send me complete Zenit12xp manual at kikhobor@rediffmail.com

  • Enrique. 22nd Jul 2003

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I own a Zenit12xp 35 mm camera. I bought it in Cuba. I emigrated to the United States, and after 9 years living in the US, somebody brought it to me from Cuba. I had to clean it, and after 9 years without use, the camera works perfectly, and take better pictures than the Canon cameras. I have it as my favorite collectible toy, and still use it, and the pictures impress everyone.

  • Diobonik. 2nd Jul 2003

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    If you want to own a cheap camera, reliable, that can allows you to do very good pics and understand photography, this is the camera for you. No frills, sovietic style, but will never abandon you. Black and white pics are great with this camera. Works with any time and condition. I am happy with it, because it's "retro" but give you a lot of satisfaction.

  • David. 31st May 2003

    Reviewer rating: 3 stars


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    Have not owned this camera but I owned a Zenit B many years ago. It was heavy and crude but it took good photos through its helios PRESET aperture lens. The Jupiter-9 85mm portrait lens for it was excellent and the lens I used for most of the time. The Zenit 12XP looks considerably more refined than my Zenit B was. Yes, I agree the Praktica cameras were the most unreliable ever made with their shutter problems, plastic top and bottom plates.

  • Tom Tiger. 22nd May 2003

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    The 12xp represents REAL photography. If you truly wish to
    learn photography then this is the way to go. No programs, no autostuf but a back to basics camera. It's cheap, it's durable and the lenses are excellent. It has a M42 mount which means you can get a lot of good and cheap lenses for it. There are even forums around the world to help you with this camera.
    So... free support, a good camera, and it even has a TTL meter. Which, imho, is a good meter. The 12xp forces you to think abou ...

  • Vaidis OK. 19th Sep 2002

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    I have had a Zenit 12XP 35mm SLR camera with Helios 44, Mir 1B and Jupiter 37A lenses since 1994. The TTL exposure calculation system works perfectly. The only bad point is that there are no automatic modes for fast shooting - every time you need to set shutter speed and aperture by hand. And no autofocus, of course.

  • Misiek. Rank: Lance Corporal 8th May 2002

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    The Zenit 12XP is an excellent 35mm SLR camera for its price. A real workhorse, I have had it for 19 years without any trouble. The helios lens is magnificent. I recommend this camera to anyone that is on a budget or just starting out in photography.