Overview of the MS Zenitar 16 / 2.8 Fisheye Lens

Lens MS Zenitar 16 / 2.8 "Fisheye" also has a name MC Zenitar 2.8 / 16 Fish-Eye. My instance is modified for Nikon mount and is called Zenitar-n... Most likely this name is due to the fact that the "H" mount is the same as the "F" mount (Nikon). The "H" type bayonet was used by cameras Kiev-17, 18, 19, etc. The lens is currently produced for Canon (with an adapter ring), Nikon (with a native mount), Sony (with an adapter ring) and Pentax (with native bayonet). Be careful that when choosing on your system you take exactly the right lens or lens + adapter.

View Zenitar-N 16 / 2.8

View Zenitar-N 16 / 2.8

As the name implies, this is a lens of class "Fish eye". In everyday life, just fishy (from the English fish - fish, eye - eye), or more seriously: a short-focus ultra-wide-angle lens. Zenitar-N refers to diagonal fisheye lenses, which means that it will give a large 180-degree angle of view only along the diagonal of the frame and only on the full frame.

Sample photo on Zenitar-N 16 / 2.8

Sample photo on Zenitar-N 16 / 2.8

First impression: The lens is quite small, very well assembled. The caption draws attention Made in Russia, since the lens is still produced in Russia at the Krasnogorsk plant (Zenith). There is a characteristic emblem of this plant on the lens. Further, an unusual front cap and an amazing curved front lens attracts you.

Sample photo on Zenitar-N 16 / 2.8

Sample photo on Zenitar-N 16 / 2.8

Important points in MC Zenitar 16 / 2.8:
1. 16mm wide angle. On film cameras under 35mm film, the lens will give a viewing angle of 180 degrees diagonally. But on the cropped matrix, for example on my Nikon D200and D40, the viewing angle will be equivalent to 24mm in full frame. And 24mm is already an ordinary wide-angle lens. For example, if you have a lens of type 18-55 or any other, starting with 18mm, then in comparison with the Zenitar-N it will give a slightly narrower angle (the field of view is slightly wider). The only major difference is the characteristic distortion of perspective that Zenitar gives.
2. Perspective Distortion. The lens has a strong barrel distortion, which in this case is not a problem, but a chip. The picture takes an unusual look, the lines around the edge of the frame bend very much, opening up a flight for the photographer for compositions and interesting ideas. I know for myself that I really wanted to play with such a lens before, but when it falls into your hands, coming up with a good composition with barrel-shaped distortion is not so simple.
3. Big aperture. F / 2.8 already decent aperture. Moreover, the lens is quite sharp already with a fully open aperture.
4. The lens is very compact, lightweight and durable. In the best traditions of Soviet optics - glass and iron.
5. The lens is manual, which means that no matter what cool Nikon camera you would hook Zenitar-N, it will not have auto focus. You have to focus manually, it’s not at all difficult using a wide-angle lens. On Nikon cameras, a green dot in the lower left corner of the viewfinder will serve as confirmation of a successful focus.

Photo by Zenitar-N 16 2.8

Photo by Zenitar-N 16 2.8

6. The lens does not have communication chips with the camera, and therefore exposure metering will only work on older Nikon cameras, such as Nikon D200, D300(s) D7000, D2 (x, h, s) and all full-frames. And this means that on cameras by type Nikon D40, D90 etc. You can only take pictures in M ​​mode (manual camera control mode). This is not always convenient. In more detail about any measurements and compatibility read in my article Soviet optics.
7. The lens is present jumping diaphragm. This means that you can focus on focus with the aperture fully open, and take a picture at the value that is set on the aperture control ring. It is very convenient and allows you to control the diaphragm. If it’s not clear about the jumping aperture, then I’ll briefly say that everything will work just like with the Nikon’s native lens.
8. The lens does not support the use of protective and gradient filters. There is simply nowhere to screw protective filter, and even the front lens has a bulge.

Photo on Zenitar-N fish eye 16mm F2.8

Photo on Zenitar-N fish eye 16mm F2.8

9. The lens has a tricky mechanism for using photo filters, they cannot be mounted in front of the front lens, but they are attached to the rear of the lens. 3 light filters included. The only thing is that you have to remove the lens from the camera before installing or replacing the filter. This is a rather rare phenomenon, although this has its advantages, the size of the filters is very small, and accordingly it makes their manufacture cheaper. When no color light filters are on the lens, a compensating transparent filter should be on the lens. True, getting additional filters for the Zenithar-N thread will be quite problematic.
10. The lens has a wonderful depth of field and aperture control scale. Moreover, the depth of field of the lens is simply gorgeous, already with a completely open aperture, the depth of field is very large.
11. The lens Suitable for Nikon full-frame cameras. True, people who have Nikon D700 or D3(x, s), most likely they can afford to use their native autofocus lenses.
12. When focusing, the front lens unit extends slightly forward, about half a centimeter.

Photo by Zenitar-N 16 2.8

Photo by Zenitar-N 16 2.8

Personal impressions: focusing on the lens is pretty simple, basically my lens is in focus position at infinity. You need to twist the focuser only if the focusing object is closer than 1.5 meters. And the depth of field of the lens is simply gorgeous. The only thing I expected from him was to see a wider angle on the crop, but 16mm is 16mm. I shot them chess tournament indoors, at hand was the universal Tamron 17-50 2.8, both lenses gave almost the same wide viewing angle at the short end, the only thing was that the fisheye sometimes got an interesting picture.

Photo by Zenitar N 16 2.8

Photo by Zenitar N 16 2.8

Attention: This is not an old lens, it is still available today and is popular with photographers and videographers. I have often seen Zenitar 2,8 / 16 on modern cameras, and my colleague shoots video on them Canon 60D. If you need more information on various kinds of compatibility and subtle issues, there is a site on which many issues related to Zenitar-N http://www.mc-zenitar.ru. Please note that on a cropped camera, the lens will not give super wide angle and super distortion, for this you need to use special fisheye for cropped cameras, or fisheye with an even smaller focal length.

Photo by Zenitar N 16 2.8

Photo by Zenitar N 16 2.8

About the picture: everything is simple - the picture is interesting, there is sharpness even at 2.8, if you close it to 5.6, then the sharpness becomes just fabulous. HA persist at almost all diaphragms. The distortion is the strongest - that's why he is a fish. The contrast is excellent. The lens tolerates back and side light well and catches hares a little. Corner sharpness practically does not fall on my cropped matrix. Vignetting is also not noticeable. But in order to fully reveal the potential of Zenitar-N, it must be used on a full frame, for the Nikon system these are film cameras or full-frame Nikon D700, D3(x, s).

Photo on Zenitar N 16 2.8 and a cropped camera

Photo on Zenitar N 16 2.8 and a cropped camera

Sample photos on Zenitar-N: (RAW -> JPEG, 1600 * 1200 + watermark without processing)

UPDATED

Examples of photos on MC ZENITAR-N 2,8 / 16 FISH-EYE and camera Nikon D600 a photographer shared with readers of Radozhiva Alexander Plekhanov.

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


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


Conclusions: A very interesting Soviet manual lens. Perfect for people who need a wide angle, as well as for photo experiments with an interesting "curved" picture, which gives a fisheye. Personally, I will add that you really have to learn how to use the lens before making masterpieces.

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

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Comments: 223, on the topic: Review of the lens MS Zenitar 16 / 2.8 "Fisheye"

  • anonym

    By typing ...

  • Alex

    Dear colleagues, please explain to me which filter (or several filters) must be installed in order to get sharpness at infinity? In the kit there is one filter with a removable lens (the store was already screwed to the lens) and 4 color filters (one of them is transparent). Tell me, I will not find information anywhere. Canon mount lens, Canon 5D mark II camera. Thanks.

    • Maxwellion

      I have a M42 thread lens, also a mark 2, in the set of 4 filters are one transparent and three color. With a transparent filter (corrective lens) and adapter M42-EOS.
      Also mark 2, there is sharpness, everything is fine.

  • Igor

    If there is a bayonet for a specific brand, then the sharpness to infinity is already there. But if you have an adapter from a thread to a bayonet, then no filter will help. There is another option: an adapter with an infinity lens. I have 4 filters included. You have, I suppose, 4 light filters and an adapter with a lens. The lens has a drawback - the quality is slightly lost (I had experience installing an adapter to a Soviet lens). If so, give this copy back. If you want, I will help you buy with a native mount. There are none in Ukraine.

  • Boris

    I want to buy MS Zenitar 16 / 2.8 and also MS Mir-73N 2,8 / 20 and Mir-20M 3,5 / 20. waiting for answers boris7511@rambler.ru

  • anonym

    Under which camera do you need Zenitar 16 / 2.8? Where do you live?

  • Oleg

    I had such a lens, I put it on Canon (on film and on crop number) through an adapter ring. At first - the attitude was - how great - what an interesting drawing, but something didn't work for me. A friend very much coveted him, - gave him for his birthday. Also at first - how interesting, and then he sold it. As a summary, a very specific lens for full frame size can be very interesting, if you have a certain vision of the frame, after a while it began to irritate me on the crop.

  • Igor

    My Nikon D5100 does not cause irritation, but I realized that it will be unclaimed. I want to sell (new in a box).

    • ed

      for how much do you sell

  • Igor

    Call 0952544426

  • Danis

    will the lens work on nikon d5100

  • Igor

    Easy, but only in M ​​mode. Read the article again.

  • anonym

    A couple of years ago, I also looked closely at this Zenitar and the task was the same as somewhere in the comment above, so that the “angle is wider”, and even inexpensive, as a result I bought a Samyang 8mm.

  • А

    What does the “M” mark on the distance ring mean?

  • Alexey

    It's funny, but Zenithar even has bokeh (and, IMHO, even very pretty). Samyang has no such thing!

  • Elena

    I really liked the lens, as soon as I took it into my hand, I was even surprised, I did not expect to feel such weight for such a modest-sized lens. The lens seemed heavy to me, but it is more than plus, minuscule, metal, glass - everything smells like our native RASHE, the soul reached out to him faster than Samyang, the Korean flimsyness in itself is annoying, but the Zenitar’s front lid is rather weak, you can lose, you need to look after her. The picture on Nikon D800 gave excellent! sharpness immediately caught my eye, one more plus was added. Since I’m only shooting in manual mode, working with pens with a lens didn’t scare me, I got used to it quickly. Took a worthy place in my arsenal.

    • Oleg

      Can you see this sharpness at full size?

  • spirit

    friends! I have not a standard situation here.
    Nikon D7000 and the film went to me Kenon.
    I want to buy on Nikon with infinity and so that you can use it on film because I won’t pull the FF number yet
    question: does the zenith have a nikon, is it possible to get the m42 so that you can then wind it onto the kenon?
    or is the system not removable?

  • spirit

    the info gathered on the net says that it will be cheaper to buy Nikon film ..

  • Recooler

    Hello, I am the owner of 5d mark3, I have the opportunity to buy cheaper this lens but with the pentax K mount, I found an adapter from pentax to kenon, there is no way to test it (((will there be infinity on this adapter, and will the mirror touch the lens?

    • Recooler

      Well, or maybe someone is selling, call 0937281130, interested in either a native bayonet mount for kenon, or with a thread m 42

  • Novel

    Took Krasnogorsk. First used on D50. was disappointed - the sharpness was disgusting. Since there was another shirikane, I used it where sharpness is not important. Somehow there was a temptation to try the yellow filter (it was included with the lens) I put it - and oh, a miracle !!! The picture is razor sharp. Upon closer examination, I found out that the compensation glass was of disgusting quality.
    I threw it away, adjusted the lens without it (good, it’s not at all difficult with its design) and now I enjoy it.
    And on the D 800 he revealed!
    In general, I recommend, adjusted for the fact that you need to put a little of your work to bring it to mind.

    • Ivan

      interesting information. thanks. my carcass supports alignment of the lens. I’ll experiment.

      • Rustam

        ahahah) how could this be written) It's just a combo: setting up an AF on a manual lens that needs an optical element.
        You need to think and not the coolness of the carcass

  • Sergey

    Excellent review like from the manufacturer

  • Ivan

    Instructions for adjusting this lens
    http://cpicture.thecloudsite.net/zenitar/index.html

    in English, but generally understandable.

    • a guest

      all right, removing the negative lens with the subsequent adjustment greatly increases the sharpness of the lens.

  • anonym

    It seems to me that the author is not quite right about the focal length. I have a SIGMA 17-50, and so, at 17 mm it gives an angle of about 74 degrees (measured diagonally), and ZENITAR 16 mm - 180 degrees. There are lenses and 10 mm but not fisheye. You need to look at the technical characteristics of each specific lens

  • aidyn

    I took a zenitar m42 + an adapter for Nikon from a friend - there is no infinity; ((

    • Lynx

      it is logical .. it is necessary to saw!

  • Pastor

    Gorgeous glass. I don't know why I didn't buy it before. Recently turned up at a ridiculous price, took it. I think if I knew how cool he is, I would take it for the full price. The sharpness is high, the aperture is high, the quality is high. At the same time, the low price, tiny dimensions and weight. Not a lens, but a fairy tale. I wish Zenit would do the riveting of manual glasses for all occasions, as Samyang does. And then of the new glasses only 85 1.5, in my opinion, they have. But as if from 10mm and beyond. 16 fish, 20 shirik, 35 staff per crop, half a ruble already seems to be there, like 85, further weaving (macro :)), 135 (they also had such glass), 200 and 300. And all this at prices comparable to 16 2.8. I would not mind assembling a complete set of Zenit optics :) In general, I strongly advise all doubters to take this glass. I tried it on both Nikon and Canon. And on crop and ff, the result is pleasing. On crop type shirik with distortions (they are easy to correct in programs), on ff there is a real fish-eye.

  • Denis

    Attention to the owners of the D750, touch the mirror, or rather the mirror rises but no longer falls. The rear filter spun tightly.
    As a result, I got rid of the back lens of the filter, infinity disappeared, I adjusted the stroke of the helicoid, I had to sharpen the focusing ring by 1 mm from the front lens. Blackened the ground end, adjusted the focus scale.
    As a result, the pros, got rid of the corrective useless filter, the mirror goes freely.
    minus - guarantee
    D7000, D5100 verified, no problem.

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