According provided by MS Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 lens (with the VOMZ logo) many thanks to the reader of Radozhiva - Vladimir Pivovarov.
MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50
MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is a rather rare and good high-aperture fix, at one time it was used as a standard lens for some Zenit film cameras. Now MC Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is sometimes found on photo flea markets and can serve as a good manual fifty-kopeck piece (lens with 50 mm focal length) for modern digital cameras.
MS Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is well assembled. The focus ring has no rubberized inserts, rotates approximately 200 degrees. Manual focus is not a big deal. During focusing, the front retractable body does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens block.
Of the shortcomings, I want to highlight the non-blackened aperture blades, which can reduce the contrast, as well as the fact that there are only 6 aperture blades. On closed diaphragms, 'nuts' are easily obtained in the out-of-focus area. MC Helios-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is equipped with a standard blinking diaphragm, which works in automatic mode on most cameras with a M42x1 / 45,5 mounting thread.
Main technical characteristics of MS GELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50
| The name of the instance from the review (as it is written on the lens itself) | MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 M52x0,75 91060951 with the VOMZ logo |
| Basic properties |
|
| Front Filter Diameter | 52 mm |
| Focal length | 50 mm (according to some sources - 52 mm), EGF for cameras with an APS-C type sensor is approximately 75mm |
| Zoom ratio | 1 x |
| Designed by | for film cameras with a frame size of 36 mm X 24 mm |
| Number of aperture blades | 6 rounded petals. Petals form a hexagon of approximately the correct shape. At an intermediate value between F / 1.8 and F / 2.8, the petals form a hexagon with small notches. Petals are dull metal, not blackened. |
| Tags | focusing distance only in meters. The depth of field scale for the values of F / 4, 8, 11, 16. The scale with the aperture values for F / 1.8, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. The ring has one intermediate fixed value between the specified pairs of numbers (between F / 11 and F / 16 there is no intermediate value). |
| Diaphragm | From F / 1.8 to F / 16.0, it is regulated by the aperture ring, there is no diaphragm operation method switch on the lens. |
| MDF (minimum focusing distance) | 0.45 m, maximum magnification ratio is 1: 6.3 (approximately) |
| The weight | 250 g (approximately) |
| Optical design | 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Lens hood | screwed into the front filter, marking of the original hood not found. |
| Manufacturer country | USSR, made at the Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant. |
| Period | For several years, around 1990, the exact period of production is unknown. |
How to use with modern cameras?
Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.
The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.
For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.
For SLR cameras
- Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
- NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
- PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
- SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
- OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
For mirrorless cameras
- SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
- OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
- CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
- CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
- Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
- Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
- FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
- FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
- PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
- LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.
If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
Image quality
On a full-length mirrorless camera Sony a7 I used a lens with an adapter without any problems M42-Sony NEX. MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is quite sharp in the center of the frame even at F / 1.8, slightly worse at the edges. On covered apertures, the lens shows very high sharpness. On F / 1.8, vignetting is noticeable.
When used without backlight, the lens shows good contrast. Unfortunately, despite the optics with 'MC', the lens weak in backlight, giving a large number of flares, glare and 'rainbows' (these artifacts are in the photos in the gallery below). Version MC HELIOS-77M-4 50mm 1: 1,8 backlit works much better. The highlight of MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is unusual twisting the background in the blur zoneso that the lens has an interesting bokeh.
Ultimately MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is an interesting lens that can be a good creative tool for photo enthusiasts. Poor backlit work makes it worse MS Helios-81H 2/50.
You can download RAW source files by this link (20 files in the '.ARW' format, 400 MB). All photos in the gallery above are on-camera JPEG from the camera Sony a7.
UPDATE 1 (added gallery of examples)
More examples of photos on the MC HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and Canon EOS 750D from Svetlana Stasyakova:
UPDATE 2 (added gallery of examples)
Examples of photographs on MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and Canon EOS 60D photographer also shared Ulyana Bukanova (Mizinova).
Several examples on MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and a full frame in the face Canon EOS 6D You can find here.
MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and MC HELIOS-77M-4 50mm 1: 1,8
Note: the HELIOS-77M-4 lens was also produced at the Jupiter Optical and Mechanical Plant under the name MC HELIOS-77M-4 50mm 1: 1,8. And there is also a very similar Soviet lens MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50.
Results
MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 is a pleasant Soviet fifty dollars. Even in spite of the poor performance in the back and side light, this lens can be attributed to the list of the best Soviet fifty dollars.
Familiarity with the Soviet Helios brand lenses I recommend starting with an inexpensive and common lens Helios-44-2 2/58 (aka HELIOS-44-2 2/58). The following links can look at modern lenses Zenitar и HELIOS.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Good articles. Thanks. I want to buy a portrait portrait for canon 400 and became interested in your reviews on Soviet lenses .. what would you advise? Kaleinar 5 Helios 77 or Helios 81?
All three lenses are good enough, for Helios-77 and Helios-81 it is 50mm, for Kenon there will be an angle of about 80mm. Kaleinar 100mm, on the crop there will also be a similar 160mm - a little too long for the room. Due to the characteristic pattern, I would choose Helios-77. Detailed information can be obtained by contacting the contacts from the upper left menu of the site.
Good review. Excellent lens!
I shoot portraits on the MC HELIOS 44M-6 + MC HELIOS 77M-4 using the Canon EOS 550D.
With theoretical and practical experience, you can get great pictures.
Arkady, thanks for the reviews! I am a beginner amateur photographer, there is Nikon D5100, I am interested in the following infa, does the lens on the adapter (focus at infinity) affect the quality of the picture. And also if prices for adapters and dandelions are possible. MUCH THANKS!
It does, but in fact it is sometimes quite difficult to notice. Regarding the sale - please contact us from the manual optics section. Also, I met adapters and chips on the photo fund http://fotofond.com.ua/index.php?productID=3076
Lucky to buy this glass in a new state, such as stocks, 90 years of release. After testing, I immediately threw away the autofocus Canon EF 50 / 1.8, because Gelik 77 is much more interesting, both in the pattern and the specifics of use.
Just MC HELIOS 77M without 4ki what is the difference? Please explain !!!
that simply helios 77 does not exist.
And I have it ...
Do you have Helios-77 without the number 4 ??? or just wanted to boast? :)
I also have a Helios-77M, without a 4-ki ... ... So nobody wants to brag, we want to understand what kind of lens it is.
Also there is a MC HELIOS 77M without a 4 and an inscription in Latin letters. Do they differ or not?
I did not hold MC HELIOS 77M in my hands. But some of its alarming properties are visible from the picture at the beginning of the review. First of all, this is the brand - the logo of the manufacturer (Vologda plant), who ruined Mir-1 (Grand Prix in Brussels) after the transfer of production from Zagorsk (now Pavlov Posad). Mir-1 was produced first as Mip-1V, and then as Mir-1Sh. And the second Byaka is immediately visible - a white chamfer of one of the lenses.
please, tell me which adapter is needed on Nikon 3100 to shoot on Helios 77m-04? thanks in advance!
Please be careful, the article contains a whole section “how to use on modern cameras”. It says that KP-42 \ N is needed. If you need infinity, you need a KP-42 \ N with a lens (M42-Nikon with a lens).
I am in the process of choosing an adapter for the Nikon D90 for Helios-77m-4. In your opinion, is it still better with or without a lens? Does the lens really spoil the picture?
And further. I read your article about Lushnikov dandelion. Maybe I understand it tightly, but answer, please, is it attached to the adapter? And how to attach it there at all?
Yes, they are attached to a fencer. There is a template by which it needs to be fixed. This is a delicate process, it is better to take ready-made with a chip. Better to take without a lens.
Thanks for the answer! I am looking for a ready with a chip, because I understand that I myself will hardly put it right, I can’t find it. Maybe you know where to buy?
For example here http://vk.com/oduvan_lushnikoff There is an official representative in Ukraine.
Arkady, please help with some more advice!
I contacted a seller of dandelions in Ukraine, I wanted to order an adapter for M-42 without a lens. They write to me: “Do not take it without a lens - firstly, it is impossible to stick Dandelion on such an adapter, and there is no locking screw on it that does not allow the adapter to be twisted. An adapter with a lens costs 50 UAH more, the lens can always be unscrewed and there is a locking screw, in general, the construct is much better, so I do not order adapters without a lens now (several times buyers of such rings inadvertently broke Dandelion during the first installation into the camera) " ... I don’t understand what kind of locking screw is this and can I then unscrew this lens?
Most likely you can. For more details, ask your representative again.
Tell me, if you know .. Is it possible to replace the lens in the KP-42 \ N adapter to reduce the Helios 77m focal length, do I need a wider angle while preserving the bokeh pattern?
Such a few people practice. Theoretically, you can make a wide-angle nozzle, but the bokeh will deteriorate.
Hello!
Tell me, please, which adapter is better to take for this lens (with a lens or you can try without a lens) on a Kenon crop? Will a mirror scratch at infinity? I heard that some helios need to be filed to avoid damage to the camera.
Thank you!
No lens. Regarding the touch of the mirror on Kenon, I did not come across, therefore I do not know.
Tell me, I have an M42-Olympus 3/4 adapter ring, when changing the aperture on the lens, it remains as open as possible, as it was. I found a small pin on the Lens, in my opinion it should be pressed. when I clamp and change the diaphragm, it changes. How can I make it so that it is always pressed, or how can I treat the problem?
In the review, I mentioned the diaphragm spindle. It must be locked for manual control of the diaphragm. How to do it:
1) disassemble the lens and remove excess
2) block with wedges (stripped match, etc.)
3) electrical tape, superkey
cut off a piece of the rod from the handle, threw it on top of the pin and pressed the focus chip%) while it works
It is also an option.
Tell me what you recommend for the Canon 50D:
Helios 77m-4, Helios-81H, or your option?
Thank you.
77m-4 or 44m-7
I re-read the reviews for many helios. I really liked the twisted bokeh)
Which lens is best for the Nikon D5100? I can not decide.
Helios 77m-4 attracted me with just an interesting bokeh pattern.
Any will do. Only 77m-4 will have problems with infinity. I advise you to take a cheap Helios-81n, it doesn’t twist too badly and sits down like a native on the D5100
I didn't quite understand from his description - would you have to block the jump rope for the manual diaphragm?
I'm talking about helios 81
In the review about Helios-81H it is quite clearly described that the aperture control device is the same as that of Nikon's native lenses. There will be no need to block. Please, just read the review about Helios-81H, there you will find the following text: “When installed on Nikon cameras, you will get semi-automatic aperture control - this means that the aperture will need to be set on the lens itself and focus on a fully open aperture, and during the camera itself will close the aperture to the desired value. The common people say that "the jump rope will work."
I read. That’s what I didn’t understand) Does it mean that it will close the aperture to the desired value in auto mode?
In the manual, will I get full control over the diaphragm?
In any case, you will get full control, and in any mode it will work as described. The aperture in any mode is controlled by the ring on the lens with the help of hands.
Ok, got it. Thanks for the help!:)
It's my pleasure
Advise: Everyone discourages me from buying a 77M-4, they say: "Do you agree to constantly expose exposure and sharpness in M mode?" and so on, they say buy 50 1,8 and take pictures for health! But, by looking at the photos taken by 77 with crops, I realized that 77 has a much more interesting drawing and bokee ... in contrast to 50 1,8) I have a 1000D Canon camera)
What should I buy 77M-4 or 50 1,8 canon?
If this is your first high-aperture fix, then 50 1.8 is definitely better than the native Kenon one, and their price is not very different.
Yes, the first after the whale, but what is the complexity of 77 if I buy an adapter with a dandelion?
Manual focus with small DOF, manual iris control.
If that's all, then I can handle it)
This is good :) I wish you success!
thank you
I bought this Helios, I put an adapter with a lens on Nikon D3100 +! It’s very difficult to focus when the portrait and at the same time need stability because the image is blurry. have to buy a tripod. Tell me, how can I remake it to infinity?
As far as I know - just re-sharpen.
There is an option to buy this lens, only on the back lens it has minor scratches; the seller wrote that the image quality is not affected. And I do not know what to think. Arkady, what would you advise? Is it true that such scratches may not affect quality or is it better not to risk it? There are no lids to it yet (((
Usually, minor scratches do not really affect image quality. But, all the same, scratches are bad. If the price is normal, then you can take it.