If you have a brand new Canon digital SLR camera, or just wanted to squeeze the maximum picture quality from your Canon DSLR and have no money for very expensive professional lenses, manual optics come to the rescue. In countries emerging from the former Soviet Union is very popular Soviet manual optics.
Manual lenses are manual focus lenses. Usually, manual lenses mean old lenses. In the old days, lenses and cameras did not have autofocus. note that Soviet lenses (all Soviet optics) is manual, i.e. cannot focus automatically. To work with a manual lens, you need to focus manually. This can be learned quickly.
Tessar 2,8 / 50 CZJena (GERMANY). The lens is shown on a digital SLR camera. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. Attaching the lens to the camera using M42-Canon EOS adapter with chip.
How to use old manual lenses on a Canon system? Very simple, to install an old manual lens on a Canon camera you need to find out what mount (bayonet) the lens is designed for. Basically, there are not so many types of fastening, this is the good old M42 thread, N mount and M39 thread.
M42 lenses need an adapter M42 - Canon EOS. This adapter is screwed onto the lens thread, and then the lens is mounted on the camera. All Canon cameras will automatically measure exposure. Moreover, it will be possible to shoot in any mode of the camera, even in automatic mode, although the aperture will need to be changed manually. It is very convenient to use the semi-automatic aperture priority mode (AV mode). When using an adapter M42 - Canon EOS will remain able to focus at infinity.
Conventional adapter M42 - Canon EOS without chip
Attention 1. When using the usual adapter M42 - Canon EOS without a chip on the camera focus confirmation will not work. This means that you have to focus completely on the eye.
To solve this problem, you can buy an adapter with a chip. The chip usually allows focus confirmation and “tricks” the camera, after which the camera thinks that it has a native lens on it. The chip is also called dandelion, less often Lushnikov dandelion. In the dandelion, you can program the focal length of the lens and the aperture value (you can not do this). Because in EXIF all images of the lens will be indicated on the received images (possibly, except for the focusing distance). You can buy a dandelion separately and attach it to an adapter or buy an adapter with a dandelion right away.
Attention 2. The parameters set in the dandelion (the sewn focus and aperture values) practically do not affect the operation of focus confirmation, but affect the measurement exposure.
Where to buy?
An adapter for lenses with a M42 mounting thread can be mounted on Canon EOS digital cutting cameras buy from this link.
Super-Takumar 1: 1.4 / 50 Lens Asahi Opt. Co. Lens made in Japan. The lens is shown on a digital SLR camera. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. Attaching the lens to the camera using M42-Canon EOS adapter without chip.
Lens with a thread mount can be attributed a very, very many lenses. For example, the Helios-44m-X family of lenses, some of the Jupiter lenses, some of the Industar lenses and others. A striking example is the Helios-44m-2 and Industar-50-2 lenses.
KALIMAR MC 50mm K-90 AUTO 1: 1.7 COATED. The lens is shown on a digital SLR camera. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. Attaching the lens to the camera using adapter PENTAX K - CANON EOS.
For a lens with N mount, you will need to use an adapter Nikon mount F - Canon EOS. Yes, the N mount is the same as the Nikon system. Similarly, there is an adapter with and without dandelion. The most popular lenses with N mount: Helios-81N, MS Zenitar-N, MS Mir-47N, Mir-20N, MS Mir-24N, Kaleinar-5N, Tele-N, MS Granit-11N. Usually they have the letter “H” at the end of the name. You can read more about this adapter. here.
Soviet Helios-44m-5 MS lens on a Canon EOS camera 350D Digital Attaching the lens to the camera using M42-Canon EOS adapter without chip.
For lenses with M39 thread, use the M39-EOS adapter or two M39-M42 and M42 adapters - Canon EOS (picture below).
Pay attentionthat lenses with M39 thread are available from two types of cameras - SLR and mirrorless. For normal operation on the Canon system, only lenses from SLR cameras with M39 thread are suitable, for example, such as Helios-44, white jupiter-9. Lenses from rangefinder cameras can only be used in macro mode, in more detail here.
Examples of M39 mount lenses
- Jupiter-9 85mm f2.0 (mirror version)
- Jupiter-11 135mm F4.0 (mirror version)
- Mir-1 37mm F2.8 (mirror version)
- Telemar-22 200mm F5.6 (mirror version)
- Industar-26m 50mm F2.8 P (rangefinder option)
- Jupiter-8 50mm F2.0 (m39, white, rangefinder)
- Jupiter-8 50mm F2.0 P (m39, white, rangefinder)
- Industar-26m 50mm F2.8 P rangefinder
- I-26m 52mm F2.8 rangefinder
- Industar-22 50mm F3,5 P rangefinder
Two adapters M39-M42 and M42 - Canon EOS without chip
Lenses from Kiev-10, Kiev-15 "AUTOMAT"
Lenses marked “Automatic” from the Kiev-10 and Kiev-15 cameras cannot be used on modern central control centers, since the lenses have a very short focal distance. I have not met adapters, it will be difficult to re-sharpen, too.
Attention 3. When using lenses from rangefinder cameras under M39 on the Canon system, the ability to focus at infinity will be lost, and indeed, the focus limit will be in a few centimeters. This is due to the different working segments of the native optics and mirrorless. More details are written in the article. Soviet optics on Nikon.
For lenses with “B” mount, from medium format, you need an adapter Pentacon Six (Kiev-60) - Canon EOS. Bayonet B is exactly the same as the Pentacon Six, which is available in Kiev-60 medium format cameras. If the Pentacon Six - Canon EOS adapter is difficult to find, then you can use two adapters - Pentacon Six-M42 and M42-Canon EOS. B-mount lenses include Vega-12B, Jupiter-36B, Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 2.8 / 180 Pentacon Six.
For B-mount lenses, from medium format, you need to use two adapters Kiev 88 / Salute on Pentakon six + Pentacon Six (Kiev-60) - Canon EOS... Pentacon SIX also called P6 and Pentacon 6.
Attention 4. Mount C and B - two different mounts. People often confuse them. Be careful when choosing a lens.
Soviet Mir-1 lens on a Canon EOS camera
And there are also very interesting interchangeable shank CCCP lenses. Typically, lenses are indicated with the letter “A” at the end of the name. This means that the back of the lens can be changed. You can install, for example, a shank with M42 thread, or with a fastener H, which one is needed. The shank is usually fastened with three locking screws, which are very easy to unscrew and then tighten back. Such lenses include, for example, the legendary Jupiter-37A. To use a Canon camera on a lens, you should install two KP-A \ 42 + M42 adapters - Canon EOS. Well, or absolutely with a perversion of KP-A \ H + Nikon mount F - Canon EOS.
Soviet lens Industar-22 P
And so, we installed the old lens on the camera - what to do next? When using Soviet optics on Canon cameras, you should always rememberThat:
1. Auto focus will not on no Canon camera, even on the coolest Canon EOS 1DX. You will have to focus manually. Without a focus confirmation chip, it is very, very difficult to focus on sharpness, especially with open apertures. I advise you to immediately get a dandelion (chip).
2. A number of cameras have a mode live view - it will help to get into focus. Even if a dandelion is installed on the lens, the number of successful frames using focusing using Live View is much higher. It is very convenient to scale images on Live View for even more precise focusing.
3. Some lenses require refinement of the aperture control method. This usually comes down to blocking the blinking diaphragm mechanism so that the diaphragm can be controlled manually.
What is the penalty when using old lenses, new ones are much better, faster, etc. Here is a short answer:
1. Almost everything Soviet lenses suitable for full frame cameras. As you know, lenses for FF are much more expensive. So when changing crop to full frame, you will have a working lens and full frame. And you can also find medium format lenses that won't even give vignetting on the FF.
2. Lenses cheap. Of course, the issue is debatable, but the simple Helios-44m-2 is worth a mere penny, can be found for $ 10, and it gives a very good picture. For little money you can get a fast lens. But due to the boom in Soviet optics, for example, the price of Helios-40-2 reaches 1000 cu
3. Old lenses, when used properly, really give excellent picture resultGet accustomed to many useful photographic things. And for the sake of beautiful photography, all cameras and people work.
Two Soviet lenses shot from a Zenith camera
What can you start with from old lenses?
I am often asked what can be taken from the old Soviet optics on Canon, there is no definite answer, since each lens has its own purpose. Coming from the price / quality parameters, I recommend the following lenses:
- Helios-44 or any other modification of it. On APS-C cameras, Canon will work like a great portrait. The lens has excellent sharpness, high aperture and the legendary twisted bokeh. I recommend Helios-44 or any Helios-44M-X as the first Soviet lens on the Canon central shuttle.
- Industar-50 - just a good sharp fifty, probably the cheapest and most accessible Soviet lens and at the same time interesting to use.
- Jupiter 9 (any version of it). Wonderful portraiture and full frame and crop.
- Jupiter-37A. Wonderful portraiture. Easy to find. Canon’s APS-C is not very handy.
- Jupiter-21A or his brother Jupiter-21M. Great TV. Allows you to reach the deleted items.
- Vega-12B. Great portraiture.
- Granite-11N (Zoom Arsat 80-200). Zoom telephoto. Comfortable in using. Easy to find.
- Kaleinar-5N. Very sharp short telephoto.
- Industar-61 LZ. Very sharp fifty dollars, convenient for shooting small objects when using macro rings can provide excellent macro. One of the best lenses of the Soviet Union.
- Zenitar-M 50mm F1.7good sharp fifty dollars
- MS Helios-77m-4 or his brother MS Helios-77m
- Wave-3 80mm F2.8 MS great portrait
Conclusion:
On modern Canon digital SLR cameras, you can easily use the old Soviet lenses, as well as any other old manual lenses. More often than not, one adapter is enough to mount the lens on a Canon camera.
Thank you for attention. Arkady Shapoval.
Thank you for the article! Almost everything is intelligible and understandable, but there is one point that is not entirely clear to me. Suppose I put on Kenon 1100 through an adapter with a chip a Helios 44m lens. I shoot in manual mode, set the shutter speed on the camera, but what about the aperture? I focus on the open, and then manually close the lens to the desired value? After all, if you close, close the aperture, for example, to 8, then focusing even with confirmation is unrealistic?
Focus on the open, and then manually close the lens to the desired value.
Hello. Please tell me how to close the diaphragm manually?
I can manually change the aperture values, and how to click on the lens pin how to perform?
Hello. Good topic. Great photos.
I need your advice.
I have MS HELIOS - 81N 2/53. I tried to put it on Nikon D5000 once. It seems to have become. But the cameraman writes that he does not see the lens and, accordingly, does not photograph. So I think: - either something is wrong with the lens, - or with Nikon (maybe the wrong settings). Helios is kind of like 84 onwards. judging by the number.
Tell me, please, what could be the problem? And can this lens work just as well on Canon? I have not yet chosen a camera, I decide between Canon 600D and Nikon D5100.
Thank you in advance!
When using a Nikon D5100 camera when used with Helios-81N, it was worth translating into M mode and everything would work. More details in the section Soviet lenses.
The lens can work on Kenon, but without a semiautomatic aperture. For more details, see the old Canon lenses section.
By the way, in your opinion, which camera should I choose?
I still understand something in photography, and my wife, I am sure, will only use the machine.
In my opinion, for the house there is no difference which camera to use. Take a brand (Nikon, Canon etc.) as your friends.
Good day. Please tell me which adapter is needed to put a Helios 1000-44 on the Canon 2d?
Hello. You need either M42-Canon EOS or M42-Canon EOS with a chip, both will do, the difference between them is described in the review.
Hello. I read and really liked the article about Soviet lenses and caught fire. There is an opportunity to purchase Helios 44, as I understand it, this is necessary for him - Adapter ring for installing Soviet M42 lenses on Canon with a chip: M42 - EOS. And will autofocus be accordingly? As I understand it, this lens can be used only for thoughtful and leisurely work? Shooting, say, weddings is no longer possible?
And finally. I do not understand Soviet lenses. Is it possible to change the focal length?
Sorry for the stupid questions.
Auto focus will not be.
If you can, then you can take off the wedding. The focal length on a fixed lens cannot be changed, Soviet optics by its operating principle is no different from other optics.
Then I did not understand why the chip? I thought for autofocus. Please tell me Soviet optics with variable focal length and good quality.
Thank you.
Good Soviet optics with a variable focal length does not exist.
Good afternoon, Arkady! Thank you so much for your articles! I ask for help, because I can't make up my mind: I found a Canon FL 58 mm F / 1.2, and I have a "body" 550 D. "Experts" said - you can't take it ) ... And I found such an adapter - an adapter with a corrective lens for the entire line of DSLR Canon EOS EF EF-S for attaching Canon FD lenses to Canon EF / EF-S mount http://www.m42-eos.ru/images/fd_eos_b.jpg Now the question is, they say FL lenses on FD mounts were installed (on the contrary - no, that is, old glasses on new “bodies” - yes, but new glasses on old “bodies” - no). So, according to this legend, I can put Canon FL 58 mm F / 1.2 through the above adapter to my Canon 550 D?
How do you like this lens in general? Is it worth it - adapters, fuss and 11 thousand rubles? I want a light lens, a beautiful background and a sharp picture.))
Thanks for the answer! )))
With a corrective lens it will be a little different. It’s easier to find a good fifty dollars under M42 and use it for your health. Canon FL 58 mm F / 1.2 did not use, I can not tell anything worthwhile.
Thank you so much, Arkady! A good fifty dollars within the same 11 thousand rubles. (plus or minus), high-aperture, sharp and with a beautiful background picture, if possible ... (all sorts of bokekh, there ... you know ...), in your opinion, which lens is this? .. I mean, of course, old “film "Lenses ...))
Zeniths 50 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, Helios-77m-4, 44m-7 (58mm). Aperture is not always a decisive factor. A very interesting picture is given by Porst lenses (for example https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/09/obzor-porst-color-reflex-50-f-1-6/), I recommend them and look.
My sincere gratitude to you, Arkady! And ... I take off my hat! Thanks!
If you will, in the future I will turn to you again for advice. All the best to you!
Arkady! Thank you so much for the article and for the whole site! Tell me the 35mm (universal) manual lens for the Canon EOS 450D. There is fifty dollars. But in my opinion, 35mm for crop is more versatile. I want 35mm, but I did not find anything suitable. Thank you in advance.
Good World-24N 35mm F2.0 MC
PENTACON auto 2.8 / 29 MC ??? What do you think? And in your review it is written that you do not recommend using it on crop. Why? I understand that this will not be a wide-angle lens, but in terms of crop we get 46mm, i.e. almost fifty dollars in full frame. Is everything right ???
All the beauty of its breadth is lost.
Thanks for answers ))
Hello! I docked a Canon EOS 450D with Helios 44-2 through an adapter with a chip. The result is that it does not focus further than 3.5 meters. Is the problem in the adapter? And another question. The Canon EOS 650D did not recognize this lens with the same adapter at all. If you try to dock through an adapter without a chip, will the carcass see it? Thanks.
Infinity must be, the reasons for its absence may be different. I can not tell you how the 650D will behave.
>> If you try to dock through an adapter without a chip, will the carcass see it?
won't see (650D won't see)
Good day! Please tell me if there is a Helios 44m-4 2/58 lens. What adapter do I need for a Canon 450 D kit? And do you need anything else? Thanks in advance.
We need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, their modifications are described in this review.
Or can you recommend another lens on the Canon 450 D kit? I need a portrait. Thank you.
You can take your own 50 1.8
Hello! I read the reviews and tests very much! a lot of useful information. Need some advice. I have a canon of 500 +135 2.0 L. and helios 44m. I want to pick up the second manual lens, since my 135 on the crop is 216! for the room is problematic. Here I am puzzling between CZ and Soviet optics. needed in the focal length from 40 to 85mm, for creative satisfaction, with a beautifully blurred background and (bokeh)))). I liked very much from Nikon 50 1,2. but it costs money !!!
Thanks in advance.
So 40 or 85mm? The spread in the focal is very large, just to give advice.
Narrow the circle from 40 to 55.
Fujinon 50 1.4 look
Thanks a lot!
Hello. I am looking for an adapter for the Canon 650. But in many descriptions I read the following: “The focusing chip of the adapter is not compatible with Canon EOS D30, EOS D60 cameras, works uncertainly or may not work on Canon film cameras. The adapter is not guaranteed to work with the new Canon EOS 650D ”So what would you recommend to choose for my Kenon?
Take without a chip and shoot on Live View
Canon 650D with M42 - EOS adapter will not work without a chip, don't mislead people.
why doesn’t the computer see video filming with the canonp 1100d camera
The reasons may be many
I want to buy MTO 1000! What maximum distance can I shoot? generally good optics? What TV set do you recommend? so that you can shoot in the forest! I'm afraid to come close to the wolves, and to make a couple of shots is horrible as a hunt!
You can shoot any distance, focusing from 8 meters to infinity - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/08/obzor-ms-mto-11-10-1000/ I will advise Canon EF 400mm f / 2.8L IS II USM
Hello! Can you please tell me, I found a helios 44-2 at home, I put it on a photo. Jupiter-37A and Jupiter-9 are also offered at an affordable price. Should I take it? Or is helios enough for oneself? thanks
If Helios is enough, then taking more lenses does not see the point.
Tell me. I have canon mark2 ..
Is it possible to put on it
pre-war German lenses (or older ones ...)?
And what is the best way to do this?
Yes it is possible. Do as described in the article.
Hello!
Tell me, please, is there an adapter from the Contax RF mount to the Canon EF?
For example, Orion-15 or Jupiter-8m on the Canon EOS 600D?
Thank you!
Adapters have not met. Even if he was, then this is a rangefinder, and there is very little sense from them on SLR cameras.
Good afternoon,
But what about wide-angle lenses in the Soviet Union? what do you advise? Canon 350D camera. Thanks!
Due to the fact that there were no cropped cameras in the Soviet Union, everything was mainly done at 35mm, lenses from a full-format or medium-format camera will not give the same wide angle on the crop, therefore, there are problems with the wide angle on the crop. But you can look at fishyas or at https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/05/mir-20n-3-5-20mm-obzor/