Video by Mathieu Stern, in which he not only takes photos with the Zenith Photo Sniper, but also tries to shoot video with the kit lens. Source: Youtube channel Mathieu Stern
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“And let me take you as a keepsake from a photogun … I’ll click!” — the dog Sharik suggested to the postman Pechkin in the legendary Soviet cartoon “Vacation in Prostokvashino”. Few people know that such a photo gun really existed, moreover, a working model can still be found on the Internet or even at a flea market in France! Photographer Mathieu Stern had probably never watched a Soviet cartoon before, so this discovery doubly excited his imagination. We have translated for you an article from petapixel.com with a brief overview of this unique photo set.
Photographer Mathieu Stern was wandering around a flea market when he unexpectedly stumbled upon the Zenit Fotosnaiper (the export version was called the Zenit Fotosnaiper), a Soviet-era photo kit that looks more like a rifle. Stern took advantage of a gift of fate and immediately decided to try out the camera.
The Zenith Photo Sniper first appeared in the 1940s: a device designed for military purposes and used as a surveillance and surveillance camera. A gun-like stock securely stabilizes the camera while helping the photographer stay mobile.
Source: Youtube channel Mathieu SternThe model has been improved over the years and was eventually redesigned for civilian use.
When Stern asked the seller at the flea market how much he wanted for this beautifully preserved piece, he was amazed: the seller only asked for 15 euros. (approximately 1350 rubles — translator’s note) for the set, case and accessories. It turns out that the owner himself was too afraid to use a photo gun and simply decided to get rid of it. Needless to say, Stern made the purchase without hesitation.
Inside the metal case was a Zenit ES SLR camera, a Helios 44M‑4 58mm f/2 lens, a TAIR-3S (TAIR-3S) 300mm f/4.5 lens, stock, trigger, lens hood, caps, 6 filters, 2 screwdrivers and film cassette.
Stern bought a set of “Photosniper” at a flea market for 15 euros (1350 rubles). Photo: Mathieu Stern / petapixel.com
Zenith Photosniper in full assembly. Photo: Mathieu Stern / petapixel.com“What is the main problem of the Photo Sniper? You are unlikely to go unnoticed by others. At best, you will be asked what you are doing. In the worst case, someone will freak out and call the police, because there is a terrorist with a grenade launcher walking around here, ”Stern says in his 7‑minute video review (see above).
If you use such a camera these days, you can easily become the subject of a viral video.
Photo: Mathieu Stern / petapixel.com
Photo: Mathieu Stern / petapixel.comAfter walking with the Photo Sniper on full alert for some time, Stern decided to separately test the optics of the TAIR-3S 300mm f/4.5 lens by attaching it to his Sony a7 III mirrorless camera using an M42 to Sony FE adapter.
Here are some of the pictures he took:
Photo: Mathieu Stern / petapixel.com
Photo: Mathieu Stern / petapixel.com“16 aperture blades create beautiful bokeh. To be honest, I’m amazed at the quality of this lens. It’s just incredibly sharp,” says Stern.
You can see examples of video shot with this lens in the video above. You can find even more reviews of strange and vintage lenses on the photographer’s Youtube channel.
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