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The K3 Library

Everything we know about the Krasnogorsk-3

The Красногорск-3 is a Soviet 16mm movie camera, built by KMZ from 1971. It is cheap, it is everywhere, and almost nothing written about it is any good. These are our own guides, written from actually shooting and servicing them.

500T 100ft · Checked 31 Aug 2026
What's coming
01

Loading the camera

The single most searched K3 topic. Threading the gate, setting the loop, what the counter is actually telling you, and the mistakes that fog a roll.

Coming
02

Removing the loop formers

A popular modification even on cameras only shooting home movies. The formers scratch film and there is very little downside to taking them out. Step by step, with the screws identified.

Coming
03

Thinking about getting a K3

A buyer's guide. Where to look, what to check before you pay, what a serviced body should cost, and why Max at @k3super16 is worth the premium.

Coming
04

Shooting it

Stock, labs and processing. What to buy, where to send it, what it costs.

Coming
05

Installing a video tap

How to get a CCTV camera onto the eyepiece and a picture onto a monitor.

Coming
06

Service and mods

Repair, Super 16 conversion, M42 versus bayonet mounts, meter battery adapters.

Coming
07

The light meter

Why the built in meter is unreliable and what to do instead.

Coming
08

Community

YouTube breakdowns, forums, and the accounts worth following.

Coming
09

History

Where the camera came from, and why it is having a moment.

Coming
10

Work shot on the K3

Examples, with links through to the footage.

Coming

Message @k3_cage to hear when it's up.

The K3 Cage side plate and Video Tap Strap for the Krasnogorsk-3
The other side

We also make a cage for it

A base plate that stops the camera spinning on a tripod, a side plate to hang gear off, and a clamp that holds a video tap steady. Machined from 6061-T6.

See the cage →