The Photosniper SLR-"gun" was made first by GOI and later by KMZ, originally for military use. Probably its original purpose was to use the quiet hands of good soldiers to shoot reconnaissance photos out of their emplacements. Later models were freely available as cameras for amateurs, nature photographers, spies, and paparazzi.
The FS-12 is a very similar kit to the FS-3, with updated components. The camera body is a Zenit 12S; this photo sniper, therefore, has a marked advantage over the FS-3 of through-the-lens metering. It was again supplied in an enameled steel suitcase, with the updated Helios 44 - a Helios-44M4 (or 44M5 or 44M6) 58 mm f/2 - and Tair-3AS 300 mm f/4.5 tele lens.
The kit consists in:
- the camera body: a Zenit ES (a Zenit E with an extra shutter release in the base)
- Helios-44 58mm f/2 lens
- Tair-3AS 300mm f/4.5 lens, a modified version of the Tair-3, with a focus control added on the underside
- two yellow filters, 2× and 1.4×
- UV filter
- orange filter
- green filter
- two film cassette cases
- two screwdrivers
- lens hood
- trigger assembly and strap
- shoulder stock
