The Salyut is a medium format camera from Arsenal. It was the first attempt of the Soviet camera industry to bring a professional medium format camera onto the market. The design of the Salyut was probably inspired by the Hasselblad 1600.
The soviet medium format camera was produced by Arsenal from 1957 to 1972. During this period the Salyut was changed again and again. Some models have a self-timer or the shortest exposure time is 1/1500 second.
The Zenith 80 is based on the Salyut with a slightly modified lens mount. This model was intended for export.
The viewfinder, film back and lens can be replaced on the Soviet camera. The principle is, not surprisingly, identical to the Hasselblad cameras of the time. The base is formed by the cube with mirror, adjustment wheel and lock to which the parts are attached.
Lenses with a Hasselblad 1600 mount can be used. In most cases, the Industar-29 80mm f/2.8 can be found on the medium format camera. The focus of the lens must be adjusted manually by the viewfinder. There is no autofocus system.
The correct exposure cannot be measured by the camera because it does not have an exposure meter. The aperture and exposure time can be freely adjusted according to the photographer's wishes. The camera has bulb mode. No batteries are needed to take pictures.
Films for the Salyut
The Salyut is designed for 120 films. The production of 120 films has not yet been finished and you can still find them. A great film choice for color photos is the Lomography Color Negative 100 120* and for black and white pictures the Ilford XP2 Super*.
You have to think square with the Salyut. It takes pictures in 6x6 format. One roll of film has room for twelve shots with this picture format. The film in the camera must be winded manually by the photographer.
