KMZ Lenses

Est. 1942 · Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia · 1 lens

The Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (KMZ) was established in 1942 in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, for wartime optical production. After the war it became a major Soviet camera and lens manufacturer. Zorki 35 mm rangefinder production began in 1948, followed by the first Zenit SLRs in 1952. Its camera range also included the Moskva folding cameras, Krasnogorsk cine cameras and Horizon panoramic cameras.

KMZ developed and manufactured interchangeable lenses alongside its cameras. The four-element Tessar-type Industar-50, calculated by M. D. Maltsev at KMZ and completed in 1953, succeeded the Industar-22. The six-element Helios-44 58mm f/2 was derived from the Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar and became a standard lens for Zenit SLRs, evolving through changes to mounts, diaphragms and coatings. The plant's lens range also included the Helios-40 85mm f/1.5 portrait lens and the Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 fisheye.

Specialized camera systems were another substantial part of KMZ's work. The Horizon panoramic camera entered production in 1967, while the Krasnogorsk cine family served motion-picture photography. Beyond consumer cameras, the plant developed photographic equipment for the Zenit reconnaissance-satellite programs and later Earth-observation systems, including hyperspectral imaging equipment. This work joined lens design with precision mechanisms and complete optical instruments.

Notable designs: Industar-22; Industar-50 and Industar-50-2; Helios-44 58mm f/2; Helios-40 85mm f/1.5; Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 fisheye; Zorki, Zenit, Krasnogorsk and Horizon cameras