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
Hello Arkady, but tell me please, I’ve bought 77 m 4 and an adapter for canon, I have 5 d mark 3, the photographer writes about some kind of error, this may be due to the fact that the camera is very advanced and does not accept Soviet optics, or the matter is most likely an adapter, because another Soviet one clung to it through an adapter, writes the same thing (
It would be nice to know what kind of error he writes about. Most likely you have an adapter with a chip, and the chip is programmed in the wrong way.
Hello Arkady! After reading your article about the Helios 77m4, I plan to buy it, and the adapter 42 to eos on canon with an EMS chip, programmable. Please tell me if there will be a problem with a jumping diaphragm, when I put the adapter, the lever is clamped or not, and what should I do in this situation? Thanks for earlier Arkady! Best regards, Sergei.
Do not pinch, it is very easy to pinch it yourself.
Tell me how to clamp it myself?
Alyonushka, you need an Lushnikov adapter (dandelion), because the 3rd mark is not friends with Chinese adapters. More details here http://vk.com/topic-36130394_26778786
you need a third generation adapter. on avito and look.
Thank you, I already went to the store, they said the same thing, I ordered a new one
Thank you, I already went to the store, they said the same thing, I ordered a new one
Alyonushka, could you write about the result of installing this lens on Mark 3? Does the mirror catch on to the lens? Thank you in advance.
Hello. Yes, it will work.
Alyonushka !!!
Please write "made friends" your 5dIII with a new adapter?
I have the same problem with 6D + Helios 81n.
Hello. Tell me please, will it work with sony slt-37 with a translucent mirror? Thanks for the answer.
Will be!!!
Hello. Please tell me what the lens Porst 55 mm 1.4 (thread M42) is. How will it work with the EOS 650D? the choice between him and Helios 77m-4, maybe in this regard you will advise what else.
Hello Arkady. Please tell me if it makes sense to buy g-77, if you already have helios-81, zenitar-1.7 / 50, helios-44-2.
Hello! Do I understand correctly that this lens is a kind of analogue of Zeiss planars because it has a similar scheme?
Yes it is. That's just most likely a little recounted for our glass.
Good time everyone ...
Liked the glass. I bought it from a good man. The state is close to "excellent"!
I agree with Arkady and say that there will be an opportunity - buy. You will not regret it for sure. Very, very good washes the background, sharp and just good.
Arkady! Thanks for the interesting blog.
Advise me how to be.
I have a Panasonic G3 hybrid, (Micro 4/3 bayonet mount) and I found the Helios 77m-4 in it. I'm going to buy an adapter and try to shoot with this lens.
The question, in fact: How to block the helios diaphragm? Which adapter is better?
Thank you
Hello, Arkady. I am facing the choice of a lens for a portrait: Jupiter9, Helios77 m4.It needs a good blur of the foreground. Can you tell me something else, otherwise I’ve been tormented by this issue for a month. Thank you.
Arkady, I have this lens and a Nikon 50 f / 1.8D AF Nikkor lens. Actually, I don’t see much difference between the picture that these lenses give. Does it make sense to keep Helios? :)
Julia, if you like shooting Helios 77, and it doesn’t bother with the lack of autofocus, it makes sense to keep Helios. If speed is important when shooting, then nikon 50.the picture is different in the blur zone (bokeh), the helix draws it with a little torsion, if the background is colorful. some like it, some just annoying. Personally, I trudge from helios 77. But in general, it's up to you.
Thank you very much!
Speed is important to me :) Soviet lenses are simply considered better than Chinese ones (why?), Although my Chinese fifty-fifty lens personally suits me very much, it can draw beautiful bokeh, including twisted and the picture quality is no worse than Helios) That's trying to understand the fundamental difference between these lenses to choose)
Julia, there’s no fundamental difference (the aperture is the same, the focal length is the same), a huge plus of Nikor in autofocus, leave it. Is Nikon 50mm. 1,8 from China ??. The quality of Soviet and not only Soviet (just old) optics is considered the best, because there is metal and glass, not plastic. In principle, helios can sell, its price is now somewhere between 700-1000 UAH. If the money is not important, let it lie, you might want to indulge sometime.
I have this https://radojuva.com.ua/2010/12/obzor-otzuv-nikkor-50mm-nikon/ and the article says that it is made in China.
You know, since I am a very small girl, the fact that a lens made of plastic is only a plus for me - it is easier :)) So I did not notice a fundamental difference in the picture being drawn and in quality, I thought I was looking badly and decided to ask here. Thanks for the help! :)
Hello, Arkady.
I am facing a choice between Helios 77m-4 and CZJ MC Pancolar 1.8.
What would you advise me, given that I often have to shoot in the backlight where Pankolar really helped me, but I like the more twisted and less plastic Helios bokeh (although maybe I didn’t see enough photos taken with Pankolar).
I didn’t find anything good for myself in this lens compared to the Helios 44-3, which really works wonders on my Canon. The main minus 77M-4 is the loss of contrast in the backlight.
In general, the lens is one of the best among the Helios family.
****************
I consider it a great success that I got a brand new G77M-4 ..! Practically lubricated, i.e. in the Soviet wrapping rice paper ... For half an hour I "drove" it into infinity and now I have been in creative ecstasy for a month now !!!
I caught him quite by accident thanks to our esteemed Arkady. If it were not for this article, I probably would hardly have paid attention to it, tk. There are already several Soviet lenses. But when I bought it (~ $ 40) and did the first tests, I realized: “This is my photographic happiness ..!”
I shoot only completely open - the sharpness is simply gorgeous. The diaphragm is locked at the maximum hole and I see no reason to touch it at all. The pictures are clear, contrasting, saturated. When redesigned for Nikon, I even managed to fly over infinity, therefore, when shooting a landscape completely open, the foreground is obtained in a very interesting "software" ... Something like a monocle effect. It looks especially interesting if there is water in the foreground in the frame with glare from the sun.
The fact that this lens will stay with me forever is unambiguous ... I strongly recommend to everyone, if there is an opportunity to buy the 77th Helios somewhere - take it !!! You will definitely not regret it.
And no automation is a competitor to him - it's just a completely different product ...
Yuri Nikolaevich, could you share your way of remaking this lens for Nikon?
I haven’t looked here for a long time, maybe it’s irrelevant already. But nonetheless…
The whole alteration consists in a complete resection of the "jumping rope" mechanism.
1. Unscrew the threaded ring M42 from the bayonet side (4 screws)
2. Screw the adapter ring M42-Nikon onto it
3. Using the 4 holes on the home ring, drill holes in the adapter ring M42-Nikon
4. Remove the entire jumper mechanism - only the diaphragm control rod should remain.
5. Screw the M42-Nikon adapter with 4 screws to the place of the removed standard back. Infinity appears and there is access to the iris control rod.
... Something like that, I don't know if he explained it clearly.
If you need a photo of this alteration - let me send you an e-mail. There it will be clearer ...
4… access to the diaphragm control stem. - ??? how about Nikonovsky, (Kiev-19)? Remove the drive rod for “Zenith”? I am very interested, please answer. I realized that the jump rope to "nick.80" will work.
Hello.
Mne ocen by chotelos polucit fotki po peredelke dlia mikon heliosa 77
remigijus.v@vdnet.lt
If possible, discard to me how you remade the g77m-4 to infinity. For earlier, thankful.
Yuri Nikolaevich, if you do not mind send here: serega200566@yandex.ru
p. Yuriyu, discard me, be affectionate, on v_pleskach@list.ru maximum information, yak Vee over 77 Gelios.
Shyro dyakoy.
With the help of Vasil.
With a successful purchase. The lens is certainly not bad and its price is an order of magnitude higher, but there is a nuance - it offsets the white balance, or rather it is slightly blue.
Yuriy, V wrote, you were lucky to buy Gelіos 77m-4. I want to bring such a well. Please please, you may know a good option (in the beautiful camp). Crazy. Write to v_pleskach@list.ru
Please poke your nose where you can buy an adapter Nikon D3100 - Helios 77m-4?
I already found.
I got this glass as a gift a couple of months ago (not quite this, export version: HELIOS 77M-4 MC). I didn't bet on Nikon - there is an old Sonya (she has a 1 in 1 segment)))) impressions are only positive, I have never taken it off the camera for all the time, sharp, keeps the contrast well, I generally keep quiet about bokeh ...))) And after a little sawed off the foresail. the screen from the zenith and put it in Sonya also to get into focus on the hole until 5,6 every frame became ...
For myself, I concluded that this glass gave my five-year-old Sonya a second wind, but I would not buy it - the price bites too painfully, for this money you can take two, or even three good manuals ...
A friend drove the Zenith ET with the G77M-4. That's just externally (markings) it is slightly different. And he also noticed a tiny bubble on the lens. I hope it does not appear in the picture.
http://piccy.info/view3/5408478/1d4cfc5d2ca4814e6981e9feec6ef26c/orig/
I got into my hands zenith et, with Helios 77m-4. in a state of shabby but working, but as for cheap, then I am satisfied. until I looked closely. the bottom line is that on the ring (around the front lens) is written “Helios 77m-4. 50mm 1.8 ”but on the diaphragm ring the markings vary from 2.0-16. the question is - what is this? is this the idea or is it some kind of "machination" of the former owner? there are no complaints about the glass itself. neither by the quality of the picture, nor by the state. I'm interested in such inconsistencies in the numbers.
Hello, tell me, is it worth taking this lens if there is a G 81N? thanks
Sense in 77m-4, when there is 81n, I do not see.
Arkady, good day. There is a 77M-4 in conjunction with the old mirror Sonya A230, and recently got a Nikkor 50 / 1.8G on the D7100 ... Actually, the essence of the question. I took both cameras and made a couple of shots in the same conditions, why is the image quality of the old Soviet glass two heads higher than that of Nikon? PS: There is a chance that my hands do not grow from there, but it is minimal ...))))
What do you want? 77M-4 analogue of MC Pentacon 1.8 / 50mm.
Hello! Tell me, where can I get an adapter for kenon d60 for 77-4?
"What do you want? 77M-4 analog of MC Pentacon 1.8 / 50mm. "
With a fright?
From this. Browse the Internet, I'm not the only one of this opinion. At one time, many things were counted, but Soviet optics is still more interesting. German, as it were, is more "sugary".
Arkady, good afternoon!
Question: what about the 77th for shooting architecture? Everyone (not only you) speaks about its high sharpness, activity. It's important to me. I (almost) do not shoot portraits, nature is rare, more and more details of architecture, monuments. I don't need autofocus here, as well as speed.