Zenit ET: A Camera I Grew Up With

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I inherited the Zenit ET from my father. This faithful camera has been recording my life for almost 30 years now.

When I was a little girl, my father used to take photos all the time. He also developed films and made prints by himself. I am really grateful to my father and the Zenit ET for capturing the most beautiful moments of my childhood. When I grew up, sometimes my father let me and my boyfriend (now husband) borrow his Zenit ET. We always had to swear that we'll be very careful. I am glad that we were.

When I turned 24, my father gave me his Zenit ET for my birthday. I started using it when I turned 28 although I still don't understand why on earth it took me so long to use the camera.

The Zenit ET was my first camera and my first teacher. I learned everything the hard way. Mistakes and disappointments visited me quite often but on the other hand, it was an adventurous journey. Zenit ET took me where I am now — I can't imagine my life without photography. It was produced between 1982 and 1993 with a quantity of 3,000,000. They were supplied with a Helios 44-2 lens.

Zenit ET Specifications

Aperture: f/2 - f/16
Focus Range: 0.5 - 10 m, +inf.
Shutter Speeds: 1/30 s -1/500 s + B
Exposure Meter: Uncoupled Selenium cell lightmeter
Self-timer: Hot-shoe; tripod socket

Credits: lighthouse_keeperess

If you ever find Zenit ET, don't hesitate and buy it! I think it is a wonderful, reliable and smart camera.


Information and product photo for this article was taken from Camerapedia. This is a review submitted by Community Member lighthouse_keepress.

written by lighthouse_keeperess on 2012-04-16 #gear #memories #russian #review #camera #nostalgia #zenit #lithuania #childhood #father #lomography #ussr #user-review #zenit-et

24 Comments

  1. simonh82
    simonh82 ·

    Great review and some absolutely beautiful photos.

  2. alex34
    alex34 ·

    Agree on the beautiful photos. Does the selenium light meter still work?

  3. lighthouse_keeperess
    lighthouse_keeperess ·

    Thank you for lovely comments!!!
    @alex34 Yes it does! I use it every time I take a photo (sometimes I overexpose my photos; on purpose though). My father told me to keep camera in its case if I´m not using it and avoid dust. I think these are the reasons why it´s still alive.

  4. alexzenit
    alexzenit ·

    This is a great article! I have a Zenit EM that was given to me by my father and I absolutely love it. I only wish my photographs were as good as yours!

  5. lighthouse_keeperess
    lighthouse_keeperess ·

    Thank you @alexzenit! You are very kind!

  6. droogieboy
    droogieboy ·

    I found your account of the history of this camera in your family a moving testimony to the power of photography. Great photos too

  7. neanderthalis
    neanderthalis ·

    Wonderful article and fantastic photos. Thank you for sharing your father's photos too. It is a testament to the longevity of the camera.

  8. lighthouse_keeperess
    lighthouse_keeperess ·

    @droogieboy, @ponz, @neanderthalis, thank you thank you thank you so much!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

  9. plyshbel
    plyshbel ·

    Great review and photos! My father also took pictures with Zenit E(which is pretty similar to Zenit ET) in glory Soviet days:)

  10. abarusso
    abarusso ·

    Woah! Great photos! I loved the b&w one with the geese :D Great moment on picture

  11. lighthouse_keeperess
    lighthouse_keeperess ·

    Thank you @plyshbel! I also had Zenit E! It is my all time favorite camera! Sadly it broke down last month, but I am thinking of getting a new one :)
    @abarusso, thank you so much! :)

  12. screamverz
    screamverz ·

    Wow, what a Great story with beautiful Pictures.

  13. lomodesbro
    lomodesbro ·

    a delightful photographic gallery and camera testimonial

  14. egor_post
    egor_post ·

    very nice photos!

  15. phantomphoenixphotos
    phantomphoenixphotos ·

    Time and time again, I come back to this lovely article that features the Zenit ET. This article serves as an inspiration to me and my Zenit ET. :)

  16. nuhdos
    nuhdos ·

    I'm in love with Zenit cameras. This article is so beautiful, the story and also the photos.

  17. agentmushroom
    agentmushroom ·

    Zenit Et is realy great :)
    It makes beautiful photos

  18. agentmushroom
    agentmushroom ·

    Zenit Et is realy great :)
    It makes beautiful photos

  19. agentmushroom
    agentmushroom ·

    Zenit Et is realy great :)
    It makes beautiful photos

  20. af-capture
    af-capture ·

    great history...lovely pics

  21. gepo1303
    gepo1303 ·

    Divine photos. Can't wait to visit Reykjavik next Easter with my girlfriend. We'll need a lot of films I think...

  22. notoriousvik
    notoriousvik ·

    great article, great camera, great photos :-)

  23. patdatnat
    patdatnat ·

    what lens did u used to take these photos! i am thinking of getting the Zenit ET body but im not sure what lens i should get. Great photos! :)

  24. jourfilm
    jourfilm ·

    Just bought a silver one ! I can't wait to use it

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