Detailed review of MC HELIOS-81H 2/50 (aka ARSAT H 50mm 1: 2)

MC Helios-81H 2/50

MC Helios-81H 2/50 lens on the camera Nikon AF N8008s. Enlarge Image.

In short

MC Helios-81H 2/50 (or MC Helios-81H 2/50, or Arsat H 50mm 1: 2) - is one of the best standard lenses of Helios family... This lens is most often called a 'fifty-kopeck piece' because of the focal length of 50mm. On full-frame cameras (film and digital cameras with a frame size of 36 x 24 mm) it is standard (in terms of focal lengths and angle of view) and is suitable for everyday use for a wide range of tasks. Helios-81 can also be used as a portrait and creative lens on modern cropped cameras.

In my opinion, Helios-81 earned its popularity due to its compatibility with Nikon digital SLR cameras with Nikon F mount. The bulk of the lenses of the Helios-81 family do not require any adapters and work similarly to the original manual Nikon Nikkor AI / PRE-AI lenses. ...

Also, the popularity of the lens is associated with a special twist of the background, inherent in many lenses of the Helios family, as well as good optical capabilities at a fairly low cost. On average, Helios-81N can be found for $ 30.

Critical: there are many different variants of the lenses of the Helios-81 H / M / AUTOMAT family. If the latest versions are indeed some of the best stock lenses from Helios family, then early versions are the worst... Early versions are easily distinguished by their wide focusing ring and serial number near the front lens. These options have many mechanical problems. Later and better versions have a serial number in small print on the side of the aperture control ring. Here is such a paradox - from the best to the worst is just a step. I strongly advise against messing with these early versions (shown, for example, in the 'Appearance # 3' section). And also by no means do not purchase lenses marked 'AUTOMATIC'... Lenses series Helios-81N AUTOMATIC have a different mount, for which there are no adapters for any cameras (the appearance of lenses HELIOS-81 2/50/53 AUTOMATIC shown here). If something is not very clear, or if you want to be 100% sure that the future purchased lens will please you - ask here in the comments, or contact me according to my personal contacts.

It is difficult to overestimate the creative potential of such fifty dollars. Photo enthusiasts often use it as a portrait lens. Many people just want a fast prime, especially in addition to their stock / kit lens. Aperture F / 2 approx. three steps wider aperture of f / 5.6, which is used in 'dark' kit lenses at the long end. In numerical terms, this means that Helios-81 is approximately 8 times brighterthan, for example, whale Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6Gwhich use a maximum relative aperture of only 50: 1 over a 5.6 mm focal length. The calculation of the difference in the relative aperture (count the aperture) is performed elementarily: (5.6 * 5.6) / (2 * 2) = 7.84, which is rounded to the value '8'.

History

Helios-81 is a descendant of the Helios-65 (HELIOS 65 AUTOMATIC 2/50), which, in turn, is a shortened descendant of the lenses family Helios-44.

The Helios-81 lens family includes many models and their modifications. In general, the development of the line proceeded as follows: Helios-81 AUTOMAT -> Helios-81 M or N -> MC Helios-81 M or N -> MC Helios-81 N -> Arsat H. Each of the modifications has several subversions.

For practical use, the latest versions of MC Helios-81 H (aka 'MC HELIOS 81 H') and Arsat are best suited for which the serial number is indicated in small print on the lens barrel, and not near the front lens.

Appearance # 1

Lens shown below MS HELIOS-81H 2/50 with serial number 9227112, presumably produced in 1992. The front and rear lenses of the objective have cyan, blue, lilac, violet and red anti-reflective shades.

Appearance # 2

Lens shown below MC HELIOS-81H 2/50 with serial number 9315003, presumably produced in 1993. The front lens of the objective has green, purple and red shades of enlightenment.

Appearance # 3

Lens shown below MS HELIOS-81M 2/53 with serial number 8204223, presumably produced in 1982. Filter diameter 49 mm. The front lens of the objective has blue, lilac, violet, red and yellow anti-reflective shades. The petals of the diaphragm are shiny, yellowish-orange (copper-colored). The focus ring rotates 315 degrees (7/8 of a full turn). Three intermediate clicks between F / 2 and F / 2.8 and two intermediate clicks between the other pairs of f-numbers (rare). Does not sit on without alteration Nikon D70, D70s, D80, D90... Nikon is installed on the rest of the CZK without problems. No protrusion for the diaphragm rheostat, with a long 'skirt' of the diaphragm control ring (but the skirt does not rest against the diaphragm rheostat). Nikon F mount, letter 'M' stands for 'M' blinking aperture.

Appearance # 4

Lens shown below ARSAT H 50mm 1: 2 with serial number 9417121, presumably produced in 1994. The front lens of the objective has green, purple and blue shades of enlightenment.

Appearance # 5

Lens shown below HELIOS-81N 2/53 with serial number 8309805, presumably produced in 1983. Filter diameter 49 mm. The front lens of the objective has bluish and ash shades of enlightenment. The diaphragm blades are shiny, silvery. The focus ring rotates 315 degrees (7/8 of a full turn). Three intermediate clicks between F / 2 and F / 2.8 and two intermediate clicks between the other pairs of f-numbers (rare). Does not sit on without alteration Nikon D70, D70s, D80, D90... Nikon is installed on the rest of the CZK without problems. No protrusion for the diaphragm rheostat, with a long 'skirt' of the diaphragm control ring (but the skirt does not rest against the diaphragm rheostat). Nikon F. mount.

Main technical specifications MC Helios-81H 2/50

The name of the instance from the review (as it is written on the lens itself) MC Helios-81H 2/50 with the logo of the Arsenal factory (there are a lot of other ways to write the name of the lens)
Basic properties
  • Н - H mount, similar to Nikon F, AI or PRE AI compatible
  • manual focus only.
  • aperture control ring, as well as semi-automatic control of the diaphragm using the aperture ring and the diaphragm pusher of the cameras in which it is available.
  • MS - multi-layer optical coating.
  • the lens is suitable for full-frame cameras (an analogue of modern Nikon FX cameras)
  • metal case
  • lanthanum glass in the optical circuit
Front Filter Diameter 52 mm (there are options for 49 mm)
Focal length 50 mm (according to some sources - 52 or 53 mm), EGF for cameras with an APS-C type sensor is approximately 75 mm
Zoom ratio 1 x
Designed by for film cameras with a frame size of 36 mm X 24 mm
Number of aperture blades 6 petals. Petals form a hexagon of approximately the correct shape. Petals are dull metal, not blackened.
Tags
  • focusing distance only in meters
  • DOF scale for F / 4, 8, 16 (explicitly indicated) and F / 11, 5.6, 2.8 (stripes only)
  • scale with aperture values ​​for f / 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16
  • bayonet attachment mark (red dot, applied directly to the metal part of the bayonet)
Diaphragm From F / 2 to F / 16.0, it is regulated by the aperture ring, there is no diaphragm operation method switch on the lens. The ring has one intermediate fixed value between the indicated pairs of numbers (between F / 11 and F / 16 there is no intermediate value).
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.5 m, maximum magnification ratio is 1: 7 (approximately)
The weight 214 grams measured without caps (lens itself only)
Optical design 6 elements in 4 groups, ('Planar' type scheme)

Optical design of the lens Helios 81n

Lens hood screwed into the front filter, the original lens hood markings were not found. Any analogs are suitable, according to type of such
Manufacturer country USSR, Arsenal plant (later the lens was produced under the 'Arsat' brand in Ukraine).
Period Several years, the exact period of production is unknown.

Lens modifications

Please note that there are many modifications of the lens and many spellings of its name. The main ones are:

'AUTOMATIC' versions

  • Helios-81 2/50 Automatic - you can see an overview of this modification here
  • Helios-81 2/53 Automatic - you can see an overview of this modification here
  • Helios 81 2/50 Automatic (no dash between 'Helios' and '81')

Versions 'М 2/53'

  1. Helios-81М 2/53 with H-mount, metal silvery unblacked petals, you can see an overview of this modification here
  2. Helios-81М 2/53 H-mount, copper colored metal petals not blackened
  3. MS Helios-81M 2 /53 H-mount, copper-colored, unblacked metal petals (appearance # 3 from this review)

Versions 'H'

  1. MS Helios-81H 2/50 (with serial number near the front lens, long skirt of the aperture control ring, wide focusing ring)
  2. MS Helios-81N 2/50 (serial number from the bayonet side, short skirt of the diaphragm control ring, lilac enlightenment, one of the most common and classic options)
  3. MS Helios-81N 2/50 (serial number from the bayonet side, short skirt of the diaphragm control ring, green enlightenment, one of the most common and classic options)
  4. MS Helios-81N 2 /53 (appearance # 5 from this review)
  5. Helios-81Н 2/53 (analogue of Helios-81M 2/53)
  6. ARSAT H 1: 2 50mm - an almost complete copy of MC Helios-81N 2/50, the differences are described here
  7. MC Helios-81h 2/50 - full copy of MS Helios-81H 2/50, export version, this version looks like like this.
  8. MC Helios-81 2/50 - full copy of MC Helios-81N 2/50, export version

Other versions

  1. Helios-81 2/50
  2. Helios-81 2/52 (diaphragm ring on the front of the lens)
  3. Helios-81 (GK-81)
  4. GOI << HELIOS-81 >> 2 / 52,4 (silver metal case)
Different names

Just different names: ARSAT 1: 2 50mm МС ГЕЛИОС-81Н 2/50

Optically, they are the same lens. The difference between lenses with different names lies in different mounting threads or mounts, body rims, enlightenment and age. Many new lenses MS Helios-81Nreleased in Ukraine (after the collapse of the Union) are called Arsat. This review discusses one of the most popular lenses, namely MS Helios-81H 2/50.

View of the Helios-81N MS lens on a Canon camera

View of the Helios-81N MS lens on a Canon EOS camera 350D Digital The lens is mounted using a cheap adapter Nikon mount F - Canon EOS.

As usual, the first thing you feel and pay attention when using the old lens is its weight, the lens is small, very short, it resembles a pancake. The weight of this “pancake” is quite large. The build quality is usual - a lot of metal and glass. The lens has no backlash.

Example photo on MS Helios-81N 2/50

Example photo on MS Helios-81N 2/50

Interesting: 81-H is read not as 81-'ash ', but as 81-'en'. Easy to remember 81-Nikon, as 'H' mount is Nikon F mount (Nikon F mount)

MS Helios 81-N produced at the Arsenal plants in Kiev or Uman in Ukraine. The lens used special lanthanum glasses - super-heavy crowns with high resolution, this allows you to partially get rid of chromatic aberrations.

So there are two versions of the Helios 81 lens

So there are two versions of the Helios 81 lens

How to use with modern cameras

Nikon F-mount DSLRs

To use the Nikon MS Helios-81H 2/50 lens on Nikon DSLR cameras just install the lens without any adapters and shoot for your own pleasure without any tangible limitations. Possibility focusing on infinity, as well as semi-automatic iris control... This is due to the fact that MC Helios-81H 2/50 uses the same bayonet mount (mount type) as the native Nikon lenses. All lenses from cameras Kiev-17, Kiev-17m, Kiev-18, Kiev-19 and Kiev-19m, Kiev-20 use the Nikon F mount, the same as that of modern Nikon DSLRs. Some cameras will even have automatic metering exposure. Exact list of cameras that support metering exposure with manual lenses (such as this one) you can see here or here. For more information on how to use manual lenses, see my article. Soviet optics.

Important: although the lenses MC Helios-81N 2/50 have a protrusion for transmitting the aperture value to the camera through the aperture rheostat (copy AI Nikkor Lenses), while the diaphragm skirt may be too long (like PRE-AI Nikkor Lenses) because some Lenses Helios-81 2/50 without additional modification cannot be installed on modern Nikon DSLR cameras. Some can only be installed on a specific list of cameras. To treat such a disease can be very simple - just cut off part of the diaphragm control ring, as shown in the figure by Sergei Elizarov here.

It's important: if you come across a lens that does not sit on your camera and you don’t want to cut it, you can still easily use the lens on any Nikon DSLR with macro rings... MC Helios-81N 2/50 can be easily installed on any Nikon F cameras via Any extension tube for Nikon F-mount cameras... However, this loses the ability to focus to infinity and medium focusing distances.

Important: to immediately find a variant of MC Helios-81H 2/50, which can work on any Nikon F-mount SLR camera, you need to look for lens options with the name MC Helios-81H 2/50 (or MC HELIOS-81H 2/50) and without a serial numbers near the front lens, as well as any lens variants with the modern name ARSAT.

Important: if something is not clear, or there is a desire to clarify - write in the comments under this review, I and other readers will try to suggest.

Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras

To use the lens on a series of mirrorless cameras Nikon 1 (Nikon 1S1, Nikon 1S2, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon 1 V2, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 J1, Nikon 1 J2, Nikon 1 J3Nikon 1 J4Nikon 1 J5, Nikon 1 AW1) use the adapter Nikon F - Nikon 1. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

Important: there are no problems with any versions of Helios-81 for Nikon F mount (Nikon 'N') and any corresponding adapters.

Nikon Z mirrorless cameras

To use the lens on a series of mirrorless cameras Nikon Z use an original Nikon FTZ adapter.

You can use any inexpensive Chinese analogue, for example, such an adapter Nikon AI -> Nikon Z.

Important: there are no problems with any versions of Helios-81 for Nikon F mount (Nikon 'N') and any corresponding adapters.

Canon (EF, M, RF)

In order to install MC Helios-81N 2/50 on any modern digital SLR camera Canon EOS, you will need to use the adapter Nikon mount F - Canon EOS. Possibility focusing on infinity saved. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, adapter Nikon mount F - Canon EOS EF (aka Nikon AF-> Canon EF) easy to buy here.

It's important: all lenses of the Helios-81H family (with 'H' / 'Nikon F' mount), regardless of the year of manufacture and the features of the mount, can be installed on any camera without any problems Canon EOS using the specified adapter Nikon mount F - Canon EOS EF (aka Nikon AI-> Canon EF).

To use the lens on mirrorless cameras series Canon EOS M use adapter Nikon F - Canon EOS M (aka Nikon AI-Canon M). The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

To use the lens on mirrorless cameras Canon EOS R series, use an adapter Nikon F - Canon EOS R (aka Nikon AI-> Canon RF). The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

Sony (A, E)

Using the lens with SLR cameras Sony (DSLRs as well as SLT cameras with a translucent mirror) is difficult. For use, an adapter with a corrective lens should be used, which may negatively affect the image quality. If you still want to use MC Helios-81N 2/50 on cameras Sony / Minolta with A-mount, use the adapter Nikon F - Sony A. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

To use the lens on mirrorless cameras Sony NEX, Sony ILCE, Sony ALPHA with Sony E mount or Sony FEjust use an inexpensive adapter Nikon F - Sony E. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here... Also available for these cameras autofocus adapter Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.

FUJIFILM (X, GFX)

X-mount mirrorless cameras require an adapter Nikon F -> Fuji X (aka AI-> X). The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

For mirrorless medium format cameras with mount GFX need adapter Nikon F -> Fuji GFX (aka AI-> GFX). The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA (L, M)

An adapter is required for mirrorless cameras with Leica L mount (T, TL, SL) Nikon F -> Leica L (aka AI-> L). The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here. For cameras with a Leica M mount need adapter Nikon F -> Leica M (aka AI-> M).

PENTAX

Using a lens with Pentax SLR cameras is difficult. For use, an adapter with a correction lens should be used, which can adversely affect image quality. If you still want to use Helios-81H 2/50 MC on Pentax cameras with K mount (and its modifications), then you should use the adapter Nikon F - Pentax K. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here... The same goes for a mirrorless camera. Pentax K-01.

To use the lens on Pentax mirrorless cameras with Pentax Q mount (Pentax Q, Pentax Q10, Pentax Q7, Pentax Q-s1)just use an inexpensive adapter Nikon F - Pentax Q. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

Samsung (NX)

NX mount mirrorless cameras require an adapter Nikon F -> Samsung NX (aka AI-> NX). The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here. For the camera Nx mini adapters do not exist yet.

OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI (mirrorless, MICRO 4/3)

To use the lens on mirrorless cameras OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/KODAK/  XIAOMI (and some others) with a Micro 4/3 mount, it is enough to use an inexpensive adapter Nikon F - MICRO 4/3. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / LEICA (mirrors, 4/3)

For SLR cameras with a 4/3 mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) An adapter is required Nikon F-> 4/3. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com. For example, such an adapter can be easily purchased. here.

Attention! Lenses of the HELIOS AUTOMAT series

Very important: the lenses Helios-81 2/50 AUTOMATIC и Helios-81 2/53 AUTOMATIC cannot be used with modern cameras. Simply there are no corresponding adapters. Attackers often give out Helios-81 2/50 Automatic (a review of this modification you can see here) и Helios-81 2/53 Automatic (a review of this modification you can see here) for the lens MC Helios-81N 2/50. Be attentive!

Sample photos on Nikon DX (APS-C, crop 1.5X)

Below are my photos for different modifications of the Helios-81 / Arsat H lens:

Jpeg source photos watch and / or download here (200+ photos on Nikon D40).

Sample photos on MC Helios-81H and Nikon FX (full frame, Full Frame)

All photos were taken on a Helios-81N MC and a full-frame camera Nikon D700 FX no processing. Reduced size to 1920 * 1080 pixels and imprinted data from EXIF.

UPDATED

Photographer shared examples of photos on MC Helios-81N 2/50 with readers of Radozhiva Lilia Nemykina:

My experience

I like Helios-81N, with it you can feel the spirit of Soviet lenses, get nice shots and feel like a real manual technician (a photographer who uses manual lenses).

Unfortunately, I must state the fact that in general this fifty kopeck piece loses in many respects to any autofocus similar lens. Helios-81N is very popular, but still, if possible, I recommend using autofocus fifty dollars. Some of them, for example, Nikon 50 / 1.8 AF MKI / II / III (D) (for cameras with a focus motor) or Yongnuo 50 / 1.8 (for any Nikon cameras) are only slightly more expensive than the Helios-81N.

Video review

My video review of the Helios-81 lens family with examples of photos you can see on my Youtube channel, or in the video below:

Results

Latest modifications of Helios 81H - some of the best standard Soviet high-aperture lenses... First of all, Helios 81H is interesting for its twisted bokeh, compact size and low cost. Among the shortcomings, one should single out the difficulty in searching for the “latest” MS modifications and an unblacked diaphragm.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Andrii

 

 

Comments: 1 983, on the topic: Detailed review of MC HELIOS-81H 2/50 (aka ARSAT H 50mm 1: 2)

  • Maria

    the basis for comparison is a little not clear
    It would be more logical to compare with fixed political parties.

  • Vladimir, + 380974940245

    Senior Citizen I am selling two new Kiev-19 cameras with Helios 81H 2/50 and Zenit E 44/2 with 2/58. They are installed on Nikon and Canon without an adapter. I will buy an adapter for 4 $. I want 800 and 700 UAH for each device.

    • Oleksandr

      still for sale?

  • К

    Arkady and everyone in charge - respect
    Does it make sense to buy this lens if there is a manual Nikon Nikkor 50 1: 1,8? I want more swirling bokeh

    • B. R. P.

      For swirling bokeh, yes.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Full frame only. If crop, it makes no sense.

      • К

        Thank you

      • pitroLv

        Does this apply to Canon?
        81N on the frame (Canon 80D) is useless to use?

        • Michael

          there is little sense for torsion in bokeh, because the effect is more pronounced at the edges, and the crop will cut out the center of the image

      • VitaLiy

        Can you have a crush on Gelios 81H? With 52mm thread and Kinv inscription (as in the photo). I will gladly buy or exchange for the same 49mm)))
        Dovgo was looking for, found but not the size of the bottom, did not know what was in two versions, and according to Murphy's law I came across not my size (

        • Arkady Shapoval

          no) they are quickly lost, I use snaps from Nikon

    • kotofei

      Twisted bokeh is an optical defect, a consequence of trying to get F2.0 for free, without using a heavy type of glass. Buy for an optical defect? - but why?

  • Jury

    The lens is very decent. I had to use it on a Nikon D300 with exposure confirmation. Also, sometimes I shoot for Kiev19 in a bunch of Helios81n. The result is quite decent. I spread an example of a film photo

  • Alexander

    Good day. Bought this lens. And on it there is no rim for which the scream was attached, so it is necessary, or is it some kind of defective. Or a different kind of scream than the standard one on Nikon. Tell me plz, Google did not give an answer

    • Alexander

      room

      • Paul

        you can see the huge gap between the decorative ring and the lens. and the ring should be close to the lens. maybe the ring was not screwed in because it did not get into the thread. try to screw it to the end, it may not work right the first time. nothing is done there :)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      someone grind a filter thread

      • Alexander

        And why is this done at all? From the badge, I myself did not pay attention to it ...

        • Arkady Shapoval

          This is not usually done. Why - you need to ask the previous owner

          • Alexander

            I get it. Thanks. Next time you have to be careful.

        • Max Cold

          Try to screw the plastic ring with the inscription "Helios-81" deeper, it is attached to the same thread as the filter. It looks like it was not completely screwed in.

          • B. R. P.

            There is solid metal, not plastic. And nothing is screwed

          • Alexander

            Screw deeper did not work. It turned out to unscrew the washer on which the name of the lens is written. I screwed the filter in its place, and already on the filter you can put on the cover. Visually, of course, not really, but it does not affect the quality of the photo ;-) Yes, and he got it at a tasty price, so it's a sin to complain)

  • B. R. P.

    This is the first time I see this ...

  • Henry

    Good afternoon.
    I have a question, and I have been rummaging through various sources for a long time, getting, at times, a contradictory or foggy result.
    My question is whether the Helios-81H 2/50 will fit my Nikon FM2. On the mount, of course, he will get up, but will the exposure metering system work correctly with this lens? Only lenses with the AI ​​specification are suitable on Nikon FM2, and as far as I understand from the materials on your site, Helios has such a specification.
    Thank you very much in advance for your reply!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There is no definite answer. Not all lenses can mount on FM2. If you do not sit down, you will need to grind off a little ledge of the skirt. Measurement will work correctly. Helios after 1991 under the name Arsat usually land without problems.

      • Henry

        Thank you very much for the answer! It will not make problems. I was more worried about the possibility of transmitting the value of the set aperture through the AI ​​system. Apparently, my friend, whom I asked, needs to modify the lens, because for some reason this system does not work for him, the camera always believes that the aperture is maximally opened. True, he does not have FM2, but F4. He has no problems with Kaleinar-5N, however.

    • Alexey

      99 percent that everything will work correctly.
      Maybe someone will be useful, but never put the Helios-81H on a Nikon F4 - the screw hole on the lens mount coincides with the signal pin for recognizing AI-S type lenses on the camera mount.
      And after you install it, it is impossible to remove it without third-party intervention.
      With the rest of the cameras, on which this pin is not, everything is fine.

      • BB

        But should the pin not be recessed when the lens release button is pressed? (Otherwise, how is AI-S removed?)

        • Alexey

          in native glasses there is a milled groove.

          • BB

            In the sense - with a smooth exit to the bayonet plane?

            • Alexey

              Yeah, on both sides, moreover :)

            • Alexey

              even on this site there are pictures radojuva.com/2012/06/nikon-ai-s-old-lens-about/

              • BB

                Thank you, I did not pay attention to this deepening.

  • Max

    Everything is fine, but the diaphragm does not work on Nikon D7500 in any way ...

    • B. R. P.

      In what sense does it not work?

    • Max

      Soryan. Understood. Everything is working!

      • US6IBD

        1-2 years ago I bought 81H and went to test it in nature. On an open diaphragm, everything was normal, and on a closed one, there were continuous overexposures. It turned out that the petals were stuck from the oil and fired with a delay. After disassembly and cleaning, there are no complaints.

        • B. R. P.

          Very familiar situation.

  • Stas

    Good afternoon. I could not find another place to address the problem. Today came with Avito Helios MS 81H 2/83. On my Nikon 5200 stood up as a native. The aperture ring, which is closer to the camera, works, but the wide focus ring, if I understand correctly what it is, does not twist at all. It stands at infinity, like a glove. And with his strength and in every way, only everything is backlash. What to do?

    • Gregor

      Oho-ho ... (((

    • Trueash

      Hit hard? drowned? It is unlikely that the diaphragm would also have suffered ... Probably, the lubricant has turned to stone from time to time. In general, either send back to the seller with swear words, or find a craftsman who will disassemble and clean it, or arm yourself with good screwdrivers and clean it yourself. There is nothing particularly complicated there, the network is full of instructions on how to do this.

      • Stas

        Thank. Disassembled. found the reason, but it is strange. He unscrewed the lens mount, took off the diaphragm ring and reached almost to the lens block. The photo shows yellow, I don’t know what to call it on two bolts, the same one below, removed already. So, without them, the focus ring began to spin. Why is it so strange?

        • Neustrdm

          These are brass guides, they should be there. Bring it back.
          The helicoid of this lens is based on multi-threaded cylinders.
          They should spin in each other freely.
          If they do not spin, it means that the lubricant has petrified or there was a deformation.

          Find the instructions for parsing in the internet, now I don’t remember the details.
          In general, you need to remove the lens block with the diaphragm completely (get to it from the front),
          further, remove the outer rings so that these threaded cylinders remain in the hands.
          Next, you need to put marks on the cylinders in order to unwind them and then twist them back, hitting the marks in the right places of the thread.

          As you unwind, remove the grease, grease a little with silicone grease, collect the helicoid, and everything else. In general, hemorrhage for an evening or two. Good luck.

          • Stas

            Yeah ... damn it. I don't know if these so-called spring balls which are tiny. Only then I read about them before disassembling them. Essno they are not, maybe lost, maybe they were not there. I then tried to collect it, but it did not work. There is little information on this in the internet ... I can’t put together the mechanism of the diaphragm ... my hands can’t have a lot of space ... Maybe there is where to fix it in the Moscow region?

            • Neustrdm

              Yes, throw it out.
              Order yourself another. It is not worth the time spent, especially since it is not the MS version and the petals are not blackened.

              • Stas

                By the way, it is the MS version. Generally sent to Kurgan, there for 100 rubles they will put everything in place.

            • B. R. P.

              Ask this friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2-wZVRrCUM&list=PL-oF1FiKngAVhtI1RyDcuxrYPGykizQNZ&index=11&t=0s There are video contacts there. It can be repaired by shipment.

              • Stas

                Thanks. Smotrell already)) to whom he just did not write, even in Moscow time out of 20 offices of "masters" all 20 refused))) As a result, I found in Kurgan, checked, agreed, painted everything, etc. for 1000 r will fix everything. I will keep in touch. I sent everything to him. I understand that now the lens will turn gold, but damn it, he is the first one. let it be special.

            • BB

              For 1000 rubles you can find a lens in good condition ...

    • 1Ds_mk3

      It was already written here - Avito has degraded noticeably over the past 2-3 years.
      There are few honest sellers left. You can not buy photo equipment through Avito delivery.
      Exceptions are sellers with more than 10 reviews with 4-5 stars.

  • Stas

    Colleagues, good afternoon. finally happened, they repaired the ill-fated lens Helios MS 81N-2/53. I had to send him to a master who agreed to take up work (many refused, because I climbed into it myself and could not collect it) to Kurgan (from Moscow, by the way) for only 1500 rubles. The master completely disassembled it, the lens block, helicoid, aperture blades.
    I remind you that I bought on Avito upon arrival it turned out that the focus ring does not work and the diaphragm sinks.
    The master corrected: the grease stuck like glue to the helicoid, so the ring did not move, grease got on the diaphragm blades, and it worked every other time. The lens has not been used for 30 years. He himself was 1983. now everything is fine, everything works. As a result, its cost increased))) And in fact I “bought” it for 4700 rubles (Avito + repair and all dispatches). But now as good as new!

    • BB

      Your "golden" Helios came out at least three times more expensive than the normal price. For this money it was possible to buy something much more interesting.

      • Stas

        Gilded for sure)) But in general, I have never seen cheaper than 2500, Avito, Yula, private ads, I have never seen cheaper. But I got it for 2500, almost a pig in a poke. This is my first experience of communicating with manual equipment. Therefore, this instance is my peer, has become closer and dearer.

        • BB

          We have the cheapest on OLX (Avito analog) - 400 UAH ($ 15), many offers 650-900 UAH. ($ 24- $ 34, about 1670-2300 rubles), and these are the MC versions.
          His own, "MC Helios-81N 2/50" took for 550 UAH. a couple of years ago (~ $ 20, I will not say the exact course at that time), 1990.

    • B. R. P.

      The main thing is that the photos are cool. Good luck!

      • Stas

        Thank you!

    • US6IBD

      When I bought Helios 81, I noticed overexposures when shooting on the covered. It turned out that the petals of the diaphragm are flooded with oil and are triggered with a large delay. 20 minutes was enough to disassemble the cleaning and assembly. Thank God that was the only problem.

  • Oleg

    With Canon 5D, original (reduced size)

    • Oleg

      With Canon 5D, original (reduced size)

  • ProPhoto

    about the “best” topic is controversial…. just put on Nikon without a "tambourine" .. bokeh, to put it mildly, is not the most (black and white photos especially visible) .. there were almost all heliuses .. this is just the middle, a bunch of compromises among all

  • Yar

    good afternoon
    I have a version of ms, put an ultraviolet filter on top.
    I tried to make landscapes for him, but there is no sharpness, everything is blown out and soft.
    Is this the norm ??
    Raw image without processing in jpg (processing was disabled on the camera, but processing is the same)

    • Trueash

      You shot against the light, plus the filter added re-reflections, and the veil appeared. Is there a veil in other pictures?

    • B. R. P.

      Try not to put the filter on, use a lens hood. Highlights can occur due to the notorious oil on the aperture blades, and the blades themselves are not blackened. Judging by the exiph of your photo, did you shoot in the open? Getting into sharpness at long distances is a rather difficult task, you could miss.

      • Trueash

        By the way, 81's trouble is not so much the oil as strange metallic sparkles on the lenses - someone says that this enlightenment is peeling off, someone says that it is shavings ... Anyway, this infection considerably reduces the contrast. Mine had this, I gave it to clean it - it became much better

        • B. R. P.

          On mine so far there is no such thing, but enlightenment can climb (not only on the G-81N) and shavings, judging by the reviews.

        • Neustrdm

          Sequins - this is enlightenment coming off, especially on arsat.

      • Maria

        By the way, the hood helped me a lot. Although the “veil” remained open, but during processing it is possible to equalize brightness-contrast almost to normal. Without a lens hood, it was generally impossible to shoot in bright weather. Lens from Kiev.
        I'm afraid to clean myself, my hands are from a known place. Does someone make the video step by step? At 2.8 and beyond, the lens is very cool, it's a pity “under the knife” just for the sake of the open one.
        still, maybe someone knows, the halos are evenly round on light sources, even if you cover the diaphragm - is this also dirt?

        • Neustrdm

          No, unfortunately, ghosting is the result of poor enlightenment, I tried it on several lenses of different years, even a complete cleaning of the lenses in alcohol did not help. Consider halos as a signature trait, just like twisted bokeh :)

          • Maria

            Thank you, reassured) In that regard. that you can not try to do something with it. Although if the backlight is not directly behind the subject, but a little diffused, it copes very well with the hood.
            The lens has many advantages, including the predictability of the result, it is convenient to focus on it, with 2.8 it is sharp, I even shoot landscapes with it. Halos are the lesser of evils. You can shoot something more modern)

    • Neustrdm

      Maybe the diaphragm sticks, doesn't close completely, hence the overexposure by 1-1.5 stops, as you can see.
      Try shooting in a fully open position.
      The filter can add reflections, so it is better against light without it.
      But a hood can protect a little from side light and save a little contrast.

  • Stas

    Today I received this lens, began to take pictures, and everything was covered in soap around the edges, I thought to wipe the lenses, and then I noticed that the bayonet does not fit tightly, crawls relative to the camera mount by a fraction of a millimeter, along the entire axis. What now? To put the native Nikon bayonet?

  • Victor

    I really like this lens. True, this article says that OH has no backlash, but for some reason I have it! There is also a problem - this is a jumping aperture and I have not found how to get rid of it anywhere on the network. Can anyone help? I have a Nikon D7000, and I threw digital lenses into the dustbin of history long ago. Besides this, I also have Helios 40-2. I shoot photos and videos on them and the picture, as they say now, turns out to be cinematic! I would also like to purchase something similar for the kit somewhere around 30 mm focal length. Can someone advise? Thanks!

  • Nicholas

    a question from a teapot) tell me about the situation I'm waiting for the carcass of nikon 90f: 1_ helios 81 (and with it the world 24n) n will stand without damaging this carcass, what functions will work?

    • Ivan

      90F? Maybe D90?

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Good day to everyone! Tell me please, the discussed lens Helios-81H will not damage the Nikon D610 camera if you put it on it?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      If he sits on it without any problems (like a native), it won't hurt.

  • spitzer

    were there versions with m42? without pilling

  • Pasha

    For a long time I have been looking at this Helios, more precisely, at Arsat, and I think - was it worth it to buy it for Nikon FM2 film and will metering work?

    • Igor K

      This Helios works excellently on Nikon FM2, because the exposure metering works there in manual mode.
      More precisely, the exposure is manually exposed.

    • B. R. P.

      Will work with any lens. which you can install on it. Even without a lens)

  • Igor K

    There are two Helios-81N available. One with the number 9113077 greenish coating and thread for a filter (hood) = 52mm. The second is 8707729 with violet coating, but the thread for the filter (hood) is much smaller there, perhaps 49mm. And it's smaller in size than the first.
    Whether they differ optically or in drawings, I don't know, I haven't checked. But I only use one, which is newer with the number 9113077. Just because I have a 52mm Nikon front cover on it. The regular one with the Kiev logo does not hold up well. :)

    • B. R. P.

      Yes, there is 49mm.

  • Julia

    Hello, I want to start photographing, I have a Nikon l830, but I don’t like the quality of portrait photos on it. What do you think, if you buy the Helios H81 lens for it, it will get better? Or is it better to take a new camera, I liked Nikon d5100 and d3200, and buy this lens for it?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For a beginner with a DSLR, manual lenses are not recommended, it is better to add money and take the native autofocus Nikon 5100 / 3200G to any d50 or d1.8

    • B. R. P.

      Nikon l830 is a camera with a non-interchangeable lens) You cannot install any lens on it, except perhaps some kind of attachment for the trunk. So follow Arkady's advice.

  • Maksim

    I put a dandelion on the lens, programmed the aperture values ​​2-16. And on the D90 I started playing with this whole thing. I noticed that in aperture priority at values ​​different from F2, the histogram shifts more and more towards overexposure, the smaller the hole, the brighter. It turned out that the hole on F16 does not close completely.

    • Maksim

      No camera.

      • Maksim

        Tried programming different minimum aperture values. For example: it completely closes at the values ​​of F32, but everything is exactly the same at F16, the opening is the same, respectively, the exposure is not correct.When programming the minimum value at F8, in fact, nothing does not change, just with all programming options, the values ​​are exactly the same wrong holes.
        I compared the blinker levers on this lens with the 50mm 1,8D. They are different in thickness, maybe that's why the carcass doesn't push the aperture, but on other lenses from Nikon the levers are the same as Helios .. So you don't need to cut)

        • Maksim

          And now the question is: Is everyone the same? And if so, then maybe someone solved the problem how to fix it?

          • cvlad

            Likewise. Here is what is written on Lushnikov's website: “… Remark. On pre-AIS lenses manufactured before 1981, the aperture control mechanism is non-linear. When shooting with such lenses, a slight exposure compensation may be required ... ”

  • Eugene

    Hello, please tell me. I have a D3200, today I took Helios-81H. On the removed lens, the diaphragm closes, and on the installed lens, it is always open. How do you make the aperture controllable on the attached lens?

    • B. R. P.

      The aperture should close to the set value when the shutter is released. If this does not happen, then there is a malfunction, excess lubrication, the spring has weakened, it happens that the pusher of the diaphragm drive in the camera does not reach the lens jumper.

    • Maksim

      I have on D90 without Lushnikov's dandelion (chip), the same was always open even in the “M” mode. I put a dandelion and everything is fine)

      • Maksim

        Although, maybe I'm confusing .. I forgot already) logically, it should, indeed, close to the set values ​​when the shutter is triggered, I really forgot something ...)

  • Novel

    Good afternoon to the author and all guests, does it make sense to compare for the purchase of Helios 81H with fifty dollars 7artisans 55mm 1.4, TTartisan 50 1.2 and kamlan 50mm 1.1, taking into account the need to buy an adapter for sony nex for helios, the cost is close to the used Chinese ones, if not what of the Chinese is still suitable for a beginner for portraits, or is there a fundamental difference not to notice a newcomer?

  • Novel

    Good afternoon to the author and all guests, does it make sense to compare for the purchase of Helios 81H with fifty dollars 7artisans 55mm 1.4, TTartisan 50 1.2 and kamlan 50mm 1.1, taking into account the need to buy an adapter for sony nex for helios, the cost is close to the used Chinese ones, if not what of the Chinese is still suitable for a beginner for portraits, or is there a fundamental difference not to be noticed by a beginner?

    • Victor

      You know, I had a Helios (44th, though) with an adapter just on a nex, now here is ttartisan 50 / 1.2, and so, after the Chinese I don't plan to install Helios anymore. Here is the weight distribution (important!) With the dimensions and the absence of possible backlash, and the image (the Chinese are afraid of contradictions less and at f / 2 it is obviously better than gelik)

    • Victor

      It makes sense to install Gelik if it already exists (I had it) through an inexpensive adapter, in order to understand, in principle, how it is at all and whether it is worth it.

      • Novel

        I also have 44m4, for helios I compared it quite sharply with 44m6 with 44-2, with a minolt md 50 1.7, in the end I left it and sold the rest so I thought whether 81N would be better or just take a Chinese

        • Victor

          If there are no thoughts of leaving the nex to another system, I would immediately take the Chinese of course.

        • Gregor_S

          And I would leave Minolta.
          Like her picture

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Definitely Chinese

      • Novel

        Thank you Arkady, then which of the three options?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          I have not used Camlanoc. And so, in general terms - TTArtisans 50 / 1.2 (nevertheless, real 1.2 will warm the soul).

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