Overview of the MS Kaleinar-5N lens

MC Kaleinar-5H is an excellent short telephoto lens with f / 2.8-22 aperture and 100mm focal length. His double meets ARSAT H 100 F2.8 - they are the same lens. After the collapse of the USSR, the optics of the Arsenal plant began to be produced under the brand name “Arsat“. They say that this is a Soviet copy Nikon 2.8 / 100 Series Ebut this is not so, Nikon and Kaleinar have different optical schemes.

Overview of the lens Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100mm

Overview of the lens Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100mm

Lens MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 is a legendary lens. MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 was produced for 'Kiev' cameras with 'H' mount. Now the lens MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 is very popular lens due to its relative cheapness and high quality of the resulting photos. He is rightfully considered one of the best Soviet portrait lenses.

view of the MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100 lens from the back and from the side with MDF with an elongated hood

view of the MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100 lens from the back and from the side with MDF with an elongated hood

The current popularity of the MC Kaleinar-5H 2.8 / 100 lens is due to the fact that Nikon cameras have not changed their mount type for more than 50 years. Some of the 'Kiev' cameras have the same mount as Nikon, this allows you to use lenses with the 'H' designation on modern Niko SLR camerasn without any adapters. In more detail about the use of old Soviet lenses in the article about Soviet lenses... For those who want to use the MC Kaleinar-5H 2.8 / 10 on a Canon system, an article about old lenses at canon.

Type of lens enlightenment MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100

Type of lens enlightenment MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100

When using the MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 lens (the letter 'H' in the name means the mount type), there will be no problems with focusing to infinity, as well as with aperture presetting. Once installed on Nikon cameras, the aperture will be at its maximum open position and will only close at the time of shooting - just like with modern Nikon lenses. It is very easy to find out the year of manufacture of a lens - the first two digits in its serial number are responsible for this.

Sample photo on MS Kaleinar 5-n

Sample photo on MS Kaleinar 5-n

The first thing that catches your eye, but rather in the hands - massiveness of MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 10... The lens weighs over 300 grams with its small appearance. MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 10 is made in the good old traditions - glass and metal. Actually, my copy is over 20 years old, but the quality remains at the same high level.

View of the aperture of the lens diaphragm MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100

View of the aperture of the lens diaphragm MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100

Focusing:

The lens has only manual focus. The focus ring is rubberized. When focusing, the trunk of the lens lengthens by about 2 centimeters. The focus ring rotates 270 degrees, so the Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 MC has very large stroke of the focus ring. When focusing, the front lens does not rotate. Focusing on the lens is nice enough. The minimum focusing distance is 80 centimeters.

Diaphragm

The lens aperture has only 6 blades - this is one of the strong disadvantages of this lens. The aperture blades are black, the light in the middle of the lens does not reflect back. F / 2.8 maximum allows easy control of DOF and taking photos with blurry background. The aperture can range from F / 2.8 to F / 22. Please note that when using the lens on Nikon cameras, automatic iris control is possible using the aperture ring on the lens, this is due to the fact that the lens is AI-S compatible lens for Nikon. If you use the lens on other cameras, then the usual manual iris control will be available.

I use or used this lens on cameras without any problems Nikon D90, Nikon D40, D80 и D700.

Sample photo on MS Kaleinar 5-n

Sample photo on MS Kaleinar 5-n

When using the lens on cameras Nikon DX EGF lens will fit 150mm. On cropped cameras, the MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 is a real telephoto lens. Due to the excellent ratio of focal length and aperture, the MC Kaleinar-5N 2.8/100 lens is perfect for portrait and creative shooting.

I have more here one shot at Kaleinar = 5N in the studio.

Attention!

This lens can work in full automatic aperture control mode through the camera and with confirmation of focus... How to do it - read in my article Dandelion Lushnikova.

Dimensions of two portrait lenses

Dimensions of two portrait lenses

Addition to the article:

Recently I got my hands on a Kaleinar-5H lens with an interesting name written through the letter 'C' - 'MC Cbut byjnar-5H 2.8 / 100 '. In the literature, there is an export version with a name through the letter 'K' - Kalejnar-5H (see here) Visually, it is no different from a lens with a name in Cyrillic and looks like this:

The lens has good image quality. First of all, I want to note the excellent sharpness over the entire field of the frame, good contrast, color reproduction. MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 well tolerates backlight, has no distortion. The vignetting of the lens is minimal, especially when using the lens on cropped cameras.

view of the lens MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100 on the Nikon D80

view of the lens MS Kaleinar-5N 2.8 100 on the Nikon D80

Beginning photographers can feel the old days with the Kaleinar-5N 2.8 / 100 MC and appreciate the importance of each shot they receive, as well as increase their level of dexterity and knowledge of photographing methods and techniques. There is even a joke that a novice photographer usually buys the simplest camera Nikon D40 and one of the Helios-81N or Kaleinar-5N lenses.

Dimensions of two lenses

Dimensions of two lenses

Catalog modern brand lenses 'Zenitar' и 'Helios' can look at this link.


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Conclusions:

MS Kaleinar-5n - a unique lens with fabulous sharpness. The lens is in the top five best portrait soviet lenses.

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

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Comments: 680 on the topic: Overview of the lens Kaleinar-5N MS

  • Clea Helena

    Kaleinar is a thing. In principle, I use only Soviet optics. All the time I try to understand how the hood should be mounted inside? On my copy, she walks back and forth spontaneously. That is, it jumps out and sinks back at the most inappropriate moments) there is little use from it, but I am worried about the aesthetic aspect - the sound is very funny when it suddenly falls inward with a slight movement of the camera. Well, and in general, it stands there crookedly relative to its axis. I wonder how it should walk on other kaleinars? I want to somehow fix it there)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      She also goes to others arbitrarily.

  • Denis

    Arkady, will Nikon D7000 be friends with Kaleinar 5N in the “aperture priority” mode? Because according to your reviews, I realized that the 7000th model and above have this opportunity.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes it will. You can easily find your model in the section on Soviet lenses, where everything is painted on the shelves about the mutual friendship of Soviet lenses and the Nikon Central Control Gear.

  • Jury

    I do not walk O_o sits tightly

  • abrezd.livejournal.com

    I wonder how he is in comparison with Jupiter-9. do not tell me?

    • abrezd.livejournal.com

      In comparison, the sharpness on the open and the back.

      • Arkady Shapoval

        More sharply, the back holds better.

  • George 737577

    Hello again! I read the material and wanted to say a few words too ... “Kaleinar 5n” really looks good against the background of other “Arsenal” products. But - about “glass and metal”: the decorative ring with the name of the lens is plastic. The lens worked rather roughly. Image quality and color reproduction can vary greatly from product to product. The picture is so-so ... But this is my personal opinion. Comparisons with "Nikkor" 2.5 / 105 mm do not stand up. At one time, I happily got rid of this Kiev miracle, and I have no regrets. Now I use Nikkor 1,8 / 85mm and 2/135 DS - excellent lenses, they cost their money. And the modern prices for Kalainar are puzzling ... Especially considering its ergonomics and the quality of blackening of internal surfaces. Best regards, George737577.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thank you for sharing the information.

  • Kirill

    I have a choice between 5H calenar and 11A tair on Nikon D3100. what do you advise?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I will advise Kaleinar-5n

  • Kirill

    Thank you!

  • Kirill

    I’m considering another version of Kaleinar 5N versus Vega 12V. your opinion?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      These are quite different lenses.

  • Eugene

    Hello ... ..I always use your tests, your thoughts ... ..This is the case ... I have Kaleinar 3 from Kiev88 .... 150 to 2,8 .... an adapter came, put it on Nikon D 300 .... Such a bummer, I'm sorry, otherwise n you say ... .. The grayness of the color is faded, it seems to be not bad in sharpness, but the color is deadly ... ... .. Maybe because of Crop? The optics are very clean, I spent 10-12 years in the Box, I didn't even wear my own Kiev ... ..In general, such a disappointment ... ... Can you tell me what? I would be grateful .... Best regards, Evgeny

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Try to play with the contrast of the image.

  • Basil

    Arkady, good afternoon!
    I wrote to you by email, but something didn’t work, apparently) I wanted to know if the chip is installed on it, will it be in the native Kiev-19 or will the chip interfere? I’m going to order it, but they’re already selling it in a chip one. It seems like good, because anyway, in the future I plan to use it with Nikon when I purchase it, but now I would like to put it in Kiev.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I answered you. I can’t sit at the computer for days. The lens should mount to Kiev without any problems.

  • Basil

    Read. Thank you very much!

  • Alexander

    Arkady, good time of day!
    Yes, I am ready to agree with everything said about Kaleinar-5n. Both sharp and works great with dandelion. But I have a problem - very low contrast. The picture is very pale. What could be the problem? I really like the lens, I don't want to change it.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Can Multi-Enlightenment get off?

  • Alexander

    Arkady, thanks for answering. The lens looks in perfect condition.
    Can someone tell me how to remove the front lens for cleaning? Maybe business
    in dusty glass?
    I understand that you are uploaded, but can take a look at the pictures? Suddenly I'm wrong and it's not about the lens?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Send.

  • Alexander

    Arkady, good time of day!
    Thank you for taking the time to see the photo.
    Thanks a lot for your articles. Lens idle
    I’ve got a second life for ten years, and I learned a lot of interesting and
    useful nuances of photo business.
    Be healthy!

  • Denis

    Good afternoon Arkady.
    Please tell me if there are rules for installing Kaleinar on the Nikon D7000 (setting a specific aperture value)?
    When setting the aperture value from 2.8 to 22 on Kaleinar, nikon displays values ​​from 0 to 6. Is this true? and how to fix the numbers on the D7000 display to match the aperture values ​​on Kaleinar.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It is necessary to set the aperture value for Non-CPU lenses equal to 2.8, as it is done, is written on page 159 of the instruction (section Menu Settings).

  • Denis

    Thanks Arkady, I set it up - it worked, but:
    in Kaleinar, the aperture adjustment ring has fixed positions for half a stop, and the camera displays the change in only one (full) stop. If you set an intermediate position on the lens, let's say between 2.8 and 4, then the camera displays 2.8, if you set it between 4 and 5.6, then the camera displays 4, etc. - Does the camera take into account these half feet in this case?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, the camera understands intermediate values, but does not display on the display.

  • Denis

    Thanks Arkady.
    The last question that has already been voiced. For manual lenses, Kalinar5H, Gelius 81H, Jupitre 37, etc. - Do I need to set a certain aperture value (maximum or minimum) when installed on the camera? The instructions say this, but for lenses with a diaphragm ring and a microprocessor (p. 26 in a box), but not a word for non-processor lenses with a diaphragm ring.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For which camera?

  • Denis

    Arkady, I am writing everything using the example of one camera (which I have) - Nikon D7000. I also provided a link in the instructions for the D7000 camera.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For non-CPU lenses, use the “non-CPU lenses” setting and specify the maximum aperture for AI-S, AI lenses, or the set aperture for other lenses. More details in the section Soviet optics. They ask questions in parallel in several reviews, I can not always follow the logical chain.

  • Denis

    Arkady, good afternoon.
    Perhaps I have not clearly formulated the question. I meant, do I need to set the aperture on the lens itself (manual) before installing it on the D7000 camera! After all, the position of the protruding “pin” on the lens itself from the bayonet side depends on this.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Must be installed with maximum aperture.

  • Vladimir

    Good afternoon. Explain please “There is a joke that you need to buy a Helios-81n and Kaleinar-5n lens for Nikon cameras first of all in order to get high-quality images for a cheap price. This joke is 100% true ”
    I have both, but it seemed to me that working with Kaleinar is more pleasant. Now there is still 18-55 with autofocus, but I plan to change it to Nikkor 16-85 at your advice. Will it make sense in 81 glass?
    Sv Vladimir

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The joke is that the Soviet Helios can serve as the best cheap lens to a foreign Nikon. The meaning of 81H remains.

  • Denis

    Arkady, under the maximum aperture you mean the smallest f-number (for a kaleinar it is 2.8)?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, that's what I was talking about. But the installation itself can be done at any aperture value. Simply, if you set any other and set the maximum aperture in the menu, the set appears on the display, which can be confusing.

  • Alexander

    I have a Nikon f90 (film) ... I want to buy Soviet optics (portraits or telephoto lenses) I've seen Kaleinar 5n. I'm wondering ... Will my camera work with this lens in aperture priority mode and center-weighted metering?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Be.

  • Alexander

    When I install the lens on the Nikon f90 camera, it will be necessary to set the maximum and minimum aperture values ​​and the focal lens in the camera settings, so that the camera recognizes it (and how to do it on a film camera?). Or you can install a 5N kaleinar on the camera and into battle (in mode A with center-weighted metering).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I didn’t work with the F90, but most likely, as in the Nikon D1x, I installed it in battle, it measures the aperture by the lens on the lenses and works in the center-weighted mode.

  • Sergei

    Good afternoon! And if you compare Kaleinar and Nikor 50 1,8G, for the D7000, which is more interesting? Thank you

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The lens is fundamentally different, but Kaleinar will be more interesting than the classic fifty dollars.

  • Jury

    I'd love to see the pictures with the d700 taken by this lens =) it's very interesting what it is on the ff

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