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.
Good afternoon everyone! Arkady thank you for the article, everything is so interesting that after digging in the wilds of the Internet, I found and ordered for my EOS 500D - Helios-44-2 and Adapter canon eos - m42 (metal with dandelion). Now I'm waiting .... I think everything will work out :-)
Good luck, I think everything will turn out!
EOS 500D - Helios-44-2 - today I tried it with a chip adapter - BOMBA camera showed f / 1.4
1.4 often clogs up standard. look for a vidos for reprogramming dandelions - I think it will be easier with the camera settings during photography
Hello.
I use a film Canon EOS 300, I decided to buy a Helios 77M-4 MC, but the question arose about an adapter.
Without a lens, the aperture value is completely absent.
I believe that I can’t do without a dandelion, but which dandelion do I need? And where can I get it?
I would like a high-quality metal adapter
This will help you http://vk.com/akuryanov
Good day. First of all, thank you for the invaluable experience and reviews (I read you with pleasure and benefit).
I would only like to note that you gave not quite accurate information about the adapter:
>> For lenses with M39 thread you need to use two adapters M39-M42 and M42 - Canon EOS.
perhaps this is economically justified (about $ 7 for the M42-EOS and $ 1-2 for the M42-M39), however, there is a ready-made version of the M39-EOS, which is slightly more expensive.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/lens-adapter-AF-confirm-M39-to-Canon-EOS-EF-camera-550D-/390213279570?pt=US_Filter_Rings_Holders&hash=item5ada861f52
thanks again. good luck to all
Material updated.
Hello ! My question is: I can’t understand why there is no infinity. I bought the Nikon mount F adapter - Canon EOS. it seems everything is way beyond 10 meters there is no infinity. I have a canon 50d
It would be great if you indicated the brand of the lens that the adapter is wearing.
I'm sorry, I forgot to write. Helios 81N lens
Strange, I think, if about 10 meters, then the adapter got "thick".
I also thought about it. When you twist at infinity, I want to twist it again. Can you grind it off.?
Good evening. Thanks for the interesting articles. I read everything. I got my old Zenitar 50 / 1,7, I bought an adapter without a dandelion and tried to shoot. I was unpleasantly surprised that the sharpness of the viewfinder does not coincide with the real one. Navigating through live view is inconvenient. I decided to order an adapter with a dandelion. Faced with the fact that the adapters are made of aluminum and copper (chrome), as well as black and silver.
In your opinion, from what material and what color is better to order?
Good afternoon!
I beg your help! I bought a Canon FD 50mm 1.4 SSC. The chip adapter FD-EOS is attached to it. The camera is the first nickle. The adapter does not wrap on the carcass. Where did you go?
Thank you for your reply!
Tell me, Arkady, if I wind 3/39 on the Brussels Tair 39 with an m42 shank, and then 42 / eos - will there be infinity? I appreciate your answer.
Must be.
will not, it is better to buy M39-eos
Many thanks to the author! I ordered an adapter, I'm waiting for a bit :)
AFTER WHALES REALLY THERE IS A MIRACLE EFFECT.
BUT THIS EFFECT QUICKLY PASSES WHEN YOU REMOVE CHILDREN.
LACK OF AUTOFOCUS QUICKLY FORCES TO REFUSE SUCH OBJECTS….
MANUAL LENSES HAVE ONLY ONE DEFICIENCY - M A NUAL L N O S T
Good afternoon! The question is not the topic, but do not tell me - is it possible in any way to screw the FD optics to the EF? I tried it with an adapter, it is possible to shoot only with a closed aperture, otherwise everything is blurry and strong aberrations. Maybe you can remake them in the workshop? Canon FDn 50mm f / 1.4 and Canon FDn 135mm f / 2.0 lenses
Good day! Tell me please, if you are aware, will the mirror knock on the helios 44m lens on the canon 1100eos when installing through an adapter?
Will not knock. I have Helios 44-2 and not a chip adapter. Everything works great, I shoot at aperture priority.
The mirror catches part of the Soviet lenses only on 5D.
Hello. Advise a sharp and fast lens somewhere around 35mm, and then 50mm on the crop in the apartment is a bit too big :-). Thanks.
I have a canon 1100D, I want to start with Helios-44, what adapter do I need?
It all depends on the lens modification - either M39-EOS or M42-EOS. You can do without a dandelion. In low light, I focus on the distance scale and depth of field scale.
Yuri, the adapter ring Flama FL-C-M42-AF CANON EOS will work with the canon eos 1100D and the helios-44-2 lens? The diameter of the thread on the lens is 42 mm.
Thread Diameter m42
I dream of buying a Tair-3 lens and a carcass for it, until I bought it, tell me which brand would be better to shoot with this lens? from Nikon I am considering D5200 B D7000 I haven’t studied other brands yet….
With Soviet optics better than Canon
Good day. Today I bought a complete set for my 1100D: an adapter with a dandelion, Helios 44-2, a 49 mm Soviet filter (and the lens and filter are in perfect condition) and caps. After installation, I immediately went to click. The results were amazed and surprised, I am very pleased, I did not even dream of such a result. But in addition to portraits and close-up photography, I really like to photograph landscapes. Are there any decent lenses on the M42 for shooting medium to far distant subjects? (from 10m - infinity)
Pavel, where did you order it?
Above, the question was whether it is possible to damage the camera by installing an adapter; I want to know in what cases this can happen and how to avoid it or understand it without screwing it to the camera. Is it possible to put the canon 550d through a cheap Chinese adapter Tair-3C F4.5 / 300mm M42 lens
Hello! Tell me please, is the Flama FL-C-M42-AF CANON EOS adapter suitable for the Canon EOS 1100D camera to use the Helios-44-2 lens?
Good time, I got a Vivitar 28mm f2,5 lens; K / AR, took off the bayonet, removed the aperture adjustment ring, then carved the adapter out of the 42mm adapter, as a result, it sat down completely (it is fixed with screws, but in the end I can photograph something at a distance of 30-50cm, that's how it is ... lenses to the matrix, so be careful!
I have Canon - 600. Remained old zenith lenses. Jupiter - 9, Helios 44, Jupiter - 37A and others. I bought an adapter for M-42, put it on a camera - none of them focuses. Why? With his family, 18-55 works well.
And you try to twist the focus with your pens.
Victor tyk there you need to focus in the handle. twist the focus ring and wait for the carcass to pickle.
In the comet above, I made a mistake with the name not zinitar but tair 3fs. 4,5 / 300 black
I screwed it to my native zenith and tried to instill through the window the image is sharp only at maximum.
It will be interesting to get it in revenge with Canon to screw it onto the butt, I think it will be scary to drag it like that.
Hello)) Advise, please, the lens Canon FD 50mm 1: 1.4 appeared, I want to put it on the Canon 600 D, is this even possible ?? if yes, then
Tell me how ??
Thank you in advance))
Good afternoon! I bought 650, put Helios 44-2, and the camera refuses to work with it! How to disconnect something that everything worked ?!)))
A similar situation, today I bought Helios 44, also does not go for 650. It writes an error when updating the firmware. try it again. what to do? Tell me please)
and industrial does not go
On the 5DMark3 and 650D, you need a special (adapted) dandelion on the adapter. And it’s better not to have a chip at all, as they say, not by ear, but by focusing on the eye, because often focus confirmation does not work correctly.
Thanks for the answer, let's look for another ring!
Nadine!
I got into a similar story - the M 42 adapter to the canon 650D ...
how did you get out of the situation?
Did you replace the adapter or do something else?
People try to install and deal with such a topic as Magic Latern- if correctly configured, that is, there are a lot of convenient functions for checking exposure literacy, focus, etc. right while shooting. On my 600D is very helpful. there are no glitches. I like the function of supporting the selection of focus areas in the frame and the constant zoom window. 600d - pumped
Good day! Today, accidentally and quickly acquired the Soviet fixed lens Tair-3S F4.5 / 300mm M42
as part of a completely new Photosniper kit, in the export version. I will probably not shoot on the complete Zenit 12s. There was an idea to put this telephoto on my Canon 50d. Lushnikov’s adapter never used, no experience. I am a very beginner photographer. Question to people with experience working with this telefix. Do I need some special adapter, or the usual one with a chip? Do I need to configure it? What is the best approach to this issue? Masters, you too were once newcomers like me. Tell me the procedure, please!