In 1958, an innovative camera emerged that surpassed contemporary standards (reasons for its obscurity revealed).

In the summer of 1958, a new SLR film camera named Zunow was reported in photography magazines, marking the entry of a small Japanese lens maker, Zunow Optical, into the world of camera manufacturing.

Founded by Mr. Zunow, Zunow Optical was renowned for its incredibly high-speed lenses, particularly its 1953 50mm f/1.1 for Contax, Nikon, and Leica cameras, which held the title of the fastest lens in the world until 1956. However, the company's foray into camera production was not just about speed, but also about size and innovation.

The Zunow SLR camera was compact, a characteristic not seen again until the Olympus OM-1 appeared in 1972. It combined an internally coupled, fully automatic diaphragm, a rapid film-wind lever, a removable pentaprism, an instant return mirror, and a bright viewfinder covering 100% of the frame. Each camera was hand-assembled at a rate of up to 8 bodies per day, and it featured a right-side, front-mount shutter release, reducing camera shake.

The Zunow SLR cameras used a breech-lock mount, similar to the Praktika and later Canon SLRs. They offered a full range of lenses, including a 58mm f/1.2 (the fastest SLR lens at the time), 50mm f/1.8, 35mm f/2.8, 100mm f/2, 200mm f/4, 400mm f/5.6, and 800mm f/8. Zunow also offered adapters for Pentax/Praktica (M42 mount) and Exakta lenses, expanding the camera's lens compatibility.

Sadly, the Zunow SLR's production run was short-lived. It's likely that fewer than 500 Zunow SLR cameras were made before the company closed in 1960, due in part to two of Zunow's major lens customers going bankrupt around the same time production started. The company was eventually absorbed by one of its main lens customers, Yashica, at the end of 1960.

Despite its brief existence, the Zunow SLR left a lasting impact on the world of photography. Its compact size, sharp, high-speed lenses, and professional features were unmatched at the time. Examples of Zunow SLR cameras are incredibly rare and command high prices on the used market, making them a sought-after collectible for photography enthusiasts.

Though the Italian Rectaflex of 1948 was the first SLR to boast a 100% viewfinder, most SLR viewfinders of the day showed roughly 90 to 92% of the frame. The Zunow SLR, however, bucked this trend, offering a viewfinder that covered 100% of the frame, a feature that is now standard in modern SLR cameras.

In conclusion, the Zunow SLR camera was a pioneer in the field of compact photography, offering features that were unmatched at the time. Its legacy continues to inspire and influence photographers today, making it an important part of the history of SLR photography.

In 1958, an innovative camera emerged that surpassed contemporary standards (reasons for its obscurity revealed).