Salyut-C

The Salyut-C (Salut-S / Салют-C) is a medium format camera. It is a reflex camera with a viewfinder. The design of the camera is “inspired” by the Hasselblad cameras (Hasselblad 1000F/ 1600F). The Arsenal company built it from 1972 to 1980 in the Soviet Union. Later the model was replaced by the Kiev 88, which got a hot shoe.

The lenses of the Salyut-C are interchangeable. Lenses with a Salyut B mount can be used. They are often found with an 80 mm lens. This corresponds to a normal focal length on a 35 mm camera. There is no autofocus with the medium format camera. You have to manually focus on the subject.

The camera cannot measure the correct exposure because it does not have a light meter. The aperture and exposure time can be freely adjusted by the photographer. The Salyut-C has a bulb mode. An external flash can be used via the PC flash socket.

Films for the Salyut-C

The film is exposed in 6×6 format. A 35mm film can hold around 36 photos. When taking pictures with the medium format camera, a film change is due after only 12 pictures. The film in the camera must be rewound manually because there is no automatic film transport. The backs of the Salyut are interchangeable. So you can also switch between different films in the middle of the roll.

The Salyut-C has a cable release and a tripod thread. Normally the camera comes with a viewfinder. This can also be exchanged.

The medium format camera can only be found used. The used price varies depending on condition and functionality.

Other versions

The Kiev 80 is an export version of the medium format camera.