The beginning: two factory visits and meetings
Once upon a time there were two visits, the first one of senior executives of KMZ at Leica, the second one of Leica executives at KMZ in April 2017. Both were reported in KMZ’s internal journal, Патриот (“Patriot”), and the two corresponding articles, dated of April 12 and May 5, 2017, were summarized in two reports (sometimes quite blunt as to the inconsistency of the comments made in said articles) on the independent site www.zenitcamera.com, dedicated to KMZ, their history and accomplishments.
First report on the first visit:
https://www.zenitcamera.com/rec/news-2017-04-17-01.html (in Russian)
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&u=https://www.zenitcamera.com/rec/news-2017-04-17-01.html (automatic translation in English).
The goal of KMZ seems to be to sell in limited quantities a rangefinder camera based on Leica M9, the Zenit D1, sold 30% cheaper than its counterpart, as well as another digital camera, the Zenit D11, positioned lower in range and manufactured in large quantities.
The meeting concluded that a working group on the design of Zenit D1 should be set up, which should prepare an indicative budget (development and investment costs). The Zenit D1 would be accompanied by the Zenitar-3, Zenitar-12, Zenitar-MP2 and Zenitar-1/35 lenses in Leica M mount, manufactured by KMZ. A working meeting was planned for 5 and 6 April 2017 at KMZ.
Second report on the second visit:
https://www.zenitcamera.com/rec/news-2017-05-15-01.html (in Russian)
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&u=https://www.zenitcamera.com/rec /news-2017-05-15-01.html (automatic translation in English).
During the meeting, they talked about the key pricing factors of Zenit D1 and Zenit D11. A Leica designer presented some sketches of what the D1 might look like in a Zenit style. Another design office, Smirnov Design, also present at the meeting, was given the responsibility for presenting an alternative design proposal before the end of April and then supporting the Leica design team regarding design issues and feasibility studies.
It was also stated that the D11 would be sold under the Zorki brand. The objectives concerning it were revised: targeted retail price was decreased and targeted sales volumes were increased.
This is what is revealed by these reports about Leica’s involvement in KMZ’s projects: a consulting / engineering role to assist KMZ in the design and manufacturing of two digital cameras establishing the renaissance of Zenit (and Zorki) plus, possibly, a role in the manufacturing of the Zenit D1, a limited edition camera.
