In 1952 the Russian camera maker KMZ brought out its Zenit (ЗЕНИТ in Cyrillic) SLR, based on its earlier Zorki rangefinder models. Many models were produced over the following years and all were inexpensive cameras of robust construction, if somewhat lacking in finesse and production continued up until 2005.
But, in 1965 KMZ introduced one of more unusual cameras ever made. The FS-3 FotoSniper. But, we are getting ahead of ourselves, for there were two earlier versions of the FotoSniper, both called the FS-2.
The first FotoSniper FS-2, was produced between 1937 and 1943 by VOOMP-GOI, in Leningrad (now known as St. Petersburg), with a production run of just under 500. The camera was intended for military use and was available in Olive Green, and Black. The lens was a GOI 300mm f4.5 while the body was a FED fitted with a special GOI mirror box, making it a rudimentary SLR. The whole thing was mounted on a wooden gun-stock.
A second version of the FS-2 was produced by KMZ (near Moscow) during 1944 and 1945, after the siege of Leningrad. KMZ produced fewer than 300 outfits with a KMZ Tair-3 300mm f/4.5. Again, all for the Soviet military.
