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KGB Stasi KMZ NEOZIT → ← AJAX-12
NAILON has the same form factor as its predecessor — AJAX-12 — and
borrows many of its features. It has a completely new lens, but the most
prominent difference is the addition of a small battery pack aside the
winding knob of the spring motor. It provides power for the exposure
meter and the shutter and takes the place of the frame counter
which is unfortunately missing.
The new lens is focussed at a fixed distance of 7 metres. In combination
with the three pre-defined apertures (f/2.9, f/5.6, f/16) it achieves a
Depth of Field (DOF) from 1.3 metre to infinity.
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Film transport is entirely mechanical and driven by a so-called spring motor,
that can be wound up with a large knurled knob at the top. The film cartridge
can hold 600 mm of film, which is sufficient for 14 exposures. After taking
a picture, the film is wound to the next frame in 0.7 s.
NAILON was introduced in 1975 and was intended to replace the highly
popular AJAX-12 which had so far been in production for more than 20 years.
There were a number of inconviences however. The initial design had problems
with the new shutter, and the device failed to work with a number of
accessories, including the PIPAL button concealment.
The concealment prevented incoming light from reaching the exposure meter,
and had to be redesigned. Although all problems were eventually fixed, NAILON
never reached the popularity of the fully mechanical AJAX-12 [1].
In the mid-1980s, NAILON was succeeded to by the much improved
electronic NEOZIT (F-27).
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English: Nylon. German: Nylon or Neylon.
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The image below gives a quick overview of the features of the NAILON camera.
The device is very similar to its predecessor, the AJAX-12, but is
electronically controlled, rather than mechanically. The most obvious
difference is the black battery block aside the wind-up knob. It contais
two button cell batteries that provide power for the light intensity meter
and the electronic shutter.
At the centre of the front side is the lens, which is different from the
one used with the AJAX-12. The threaded outer circumference of the lens allows the attachment of a range of accessories and concealments.
The device accepts the same film cartridge as the AJAX-12.
It must be installed behind the rear panel, which can be removed by releasing
the two locks at the bottom side.
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Differences with the AJAX-12 (F-21)
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- New lens design
- Built-in light meter
- Electronically controlled shutter
- No manual shutter speed
- Removable battery pack
- Fixed distance lens (7m)
- No frame counter
- Incompatible with (some) AJAX-12 accessories
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NAILON has a film cartridge that must be loaded with 21 mm wide
unperforated film with a length of approx. 600 mm. This is suitable for
14 to 15 exposures. As this film type might not be readily available,
in particular when using the camera abroad, the operative needed a
way to make it.
The film cutter shown in the image on the right,
was used for cutting regular 35 mm perforated film down to 21 mm
unperforated film for use with the AJAX-12 (F-21)
and NAILON cameras.
➤ More information
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The removable battery block contains two rechargeable button cells
with a voltage of 1.25V each (2.5V total). It can be removed by releasing
the screw at the center, after which the battery block can be lifted
from the camera.
The batteries can then be recharged by means of the pupose-built
battery charger shown here. The specifications
of the charger are listed in the
German NEYLON operating instructions [A].
Image kindly provided by Detlev Vreisleben [2].
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This image shows the battery charger with lifted top lid. It has
room for 10 NAILON battery packs, which can be charged simultaneously
in approx. 15 hours. The device uses a charging voltage of 4.7V.
According to the manual, a single charge is suitable for exposing
approx. 75 images, which is equivalent to 5 films.
Image kindly provided by Detlev Vreisleben [2].
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The device can be opened by releasing the two twist locks at the bottom,
after which the rear cover can be removed. This reveals the interior of the
device, as shown in the image above. The film cartridge (shown here without
film) can be inserted into the body of the device, with the current frame
facing the exposure chamber at the centre. At the right is the film pick-up
axle. Below the exposure chamber is a slide switch
that must be set to match the sensitivity of the film (in GOST).
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The battery block (i.e. the black blob aside the wind-up knob) can be
removed
after releasing the screw at the top. It is fitted onto two
contact pins that reside inside the body of the camera.
The battery block is made of plastic. It can be opened by removing four
recessed screws from the side that normally faces the wind-up knob.
The side panel can now be taken off, after which the battery compartment
becomes visible. There are two stacked 2.3 mm thick button cells with a
17 mm diameter, that provide a voltage of 2.7V,
embraced by two silver-plated contact discs.
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The image above shows the opened battery block, with the two
button cell batteries removed. These are the original batteries, which
are now (2025) 46 years old and completely depleated.
When opening the block, we found blue corrosion on the batteries and the
contact discs. New or replacement batteries must be installed in the
battery cradle with the (+) side facing down.
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Device Operative surveillance camera Purpose Covert photography Model NAILON, НАИЛОН Manufacturer KMZ Year 1975 Country Soviet Union (USSR) Predecessor AJAX-12 (F-21) Successor NEOZIT (F-27) Shutter Electronically controlled Lens Special NL type DOF 1.3 m - ∞ (see Distance) Lens angle 56° Speed 1/15 to 1/250 sec Aperture f/2.9, f/5.6, f/16 Distance 4-28m (f/2.9), 2.8m-∞ (f/5.6), 1.32m-∞ (f/16) Film KN-2, sliced 21 mm Frame 18 x 24 mm Exposures 14 (600 mm of film) Sensitivity see below Advance 0.7 sec (spring motor operated) Power 2.7V/DC (2 × 1.35V mercury button cell), or
2.5V/DC (2 × 1.25V type D-0.02 rechargeable cell) Dimensions 77 × 57 × 41 mm Weight 250 g
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Film sensitivity
(film speed)
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| | GOST/ГОСТ | ASA/ISO | DIN | |
| 1. | 65 | 64 | 19 | |
| 2. | 180 | 200 | 24 | |
| 3. | 250 | 320 | 26 | |
| 4. | 500 | 650 | 29 | |
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- NAILON
- НАИЛОН
- NYLON
- NEYLON
- NEILON
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The serial number is engraved at the front side of the camera, just above
the lens. In most cases, the first two digits indicate the year of
manufacturing. The camera featured here has serial number 79047, which means
it was probably manufactured in 1979.
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Document from BStU [3] kindly provided by Detlev Vreisleben [2].
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Full name: Bundesbeauftragte für die Unterlagen des Staatssicherheitsdienstes
der ehemaligen Deutschen Demokratischen Republik
(DDR) —
Federal Commissioner for the Records of the
State Security Service
of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) —
officially abbreviated BStU.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 17 April 2025. Last changed: Sunday, 20 April 2025 - 09:58 CET.
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