Zenit ET

The Zenit ET is an SLR camera. It was produced from 1981 to 1991. Some models were built by KMZ in Russia and most were built in Minsk.

The lenses of the Zenit ET can be changed. You have to focus the lens by hand. The 35 mm camera does not have an autofocus function. Lenses for the M42 thread can be used. The MC Helios-44M-4 2/58 or the Helios-44-2 2/58 is often found on the Zenit ET.

M42 lenses are attached to the camera by screw thread. The M42 thread was developed as a successor to the M39 thread. Lenses for the M42 thread were built by KMZ/Zenit, Pentax, Beyer-Optik, Zeiss and Pentacon, among others.

The 35mm camera comes with a built-in selenium meter for proper exposure. A battery is not needed. But it may not work today.

The aperture and the exposure time are freely adjustable. The camera has a Bulb setting. With the Bulb setting, the remains open as long as the photographer keeps the shutter button pressed. In addition to a PC flash port, the Zenit ET can be used with hot shoe flashes.

Films for the Zenit ET

The Zenit ET exposes 35mm film. 35mm films are still made today and are fairly easy to obtain. Possible films for the model are the Fujifilm Superia 400* for color photos and the for B&W images.

The color film is developed using the C-41 process. The C-41 process is offered by almost every photo lab. The black and white film must be processed in a true B&W developer.

The SLR camera negatives are 24 mm x 36 mm. Thus, 36 exposures are usually possible per film (135-36). The photographer must advance the film manually.

The 35 mm camera has a built-in self-timer. In addition, there is a connection for a cable release and a thread for a tripod. The 35 mm camera weighs 824 grams. The camera does not need electricity to take photos.