Review MS 3M-5CA F8 500mm

For the opportunity review lens MS 3M-5CA many thanks to Alexander Panasyuk.

View of the lens MS ZM-5CA and filters from the kit

View of the lens MS ZM-5CA and filters from the kit

There are two lenses. MS 3M-5A and MS 3M-5CA. The second version of 3M-5CA is just an updated version of 3M-5A. 3M-5CA - two times lighter than his brother, and slightly smaller in size. On the one hand, less weight is good, but on the other hand, due to the light weight of the lens, the minimum excerptat which you can take off without grease pictures.

TTX 3M-5CA:
Focal length: 500mm
The weight: 620g
MDF: 4 meters
Diaphragm: F8.0 fixed
Front Filter Diameter: 72mm
Landing thread: M42
Manufacturer: LZOS (Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant, Lytkarino)

Also, you can find the name of the lenses: MC ZM-5A and MC ZM-5SA - these are the same MS 3M-5A and 3M-5CA.

View of the lens MS ZM-5CA and size comparison

View of the lens MS ZM-5CA and size comparison

The letters MC in the name of the lens indicate multilighting. The letters ЗМ stands for "mirror-meniscus". 3M-5CA Is not a classic lens lens. Have 3M-5CA special mirror-meniscus design, which includes the meniscus, mirrors and lenses. Menis and lenses have multi-lightening.

View of the MS ZM-5CA lens on a modern digital mirror camera

View of the MS ZM-5CA lens on a modern digital mirror camera

The main important information about MS 3M-5CA
1. The lens is super telephoto. 500 mm focal length give a very strong approximation. If used 3M-5CA on a camera with a cropped matrix (APS-C type), then the angle of view with this lens will be even narrower, and EGF will equal 750mm for Nikon with crop factor 1.5 and 800mm for Canon c crop factor 1.6. With such a large focal length it is easy to reach distant objects, or simply go unnoticed by shooting from far away.

2. The lens fits for full frame. They will be able to work with him Nikon D700, D800(to), D3(x, s), D4, Canon EOS 5D (Mark II, Mark III), 1Ds Mark II (Mark III), 1D Mark IV and 1D X. Typically long-throw full-frame lenses are quite expensive, MC 3M-5A and 3M-5CA can be found for less than $ 100. e.

3. The lens only one aperture value equal to F8.0. The aperture value cannot be changed. For example, aperture F8.0 lower per aperture with an aperture of F5.6 ordinary whale lens only 2 times.

Photo on MS ZM-5CA

Photo on MS ZM-5CA

4. The focus ring is very convenient, rotates almost 360 degrees. The aim is smooth. The minimum focusing distance is 4 meters. After 30 meters, infinity begins on the focus distance indicator.

5. The front cover does not snap into place, but is screwed in. Moreover, it takes a long time to screw the cover. The cover covers the front lens, which is actually a concave meniscus.

6. Together with the lens there are 4 light filters: UV-1x, N-4x, ZhZ-2x, O-2.8X (ultraviolet, neutral, green and orange).

Sample photo on MS ZM-5CA

Sample photo on MS ZM-5CA

How to use on modern digital SLR cameras?
Despite the fact that the lens has an ending in the name “A”, the lens does not have a replaceable shank. On my copy of the MC 3M-5CA, there is simply an M42 thread for attaching to the camera. The lens has an amazing ability to focus beyond infinity. I use the lens with the KP-42 \ N adapter without a lens, while the ability to focus on infinity is preserved.

Attention 1: MS 3M-5CA cannot be installed simply with an adapter KP-42 \ N on cameras junior line due to the fact that the lens abuts against a built-in flash. I could not attach the lens to Nikon D40, Nikon D5000. The lens sits on older cameras without problems. You can see the camera class in the section 'all nikon cameras'. As for Canon, I can't say.

Attention 2: in spite of the fact that the lens has M42 thread, on Nikon it will be possible to focus at infinity even with a KP-42 / N lensless adapter due to the fact that the focusing ring has a small "Running across" for infinity.

Attention 3: The lens is quite difficult to shoot. This is due to a large focal length of 500 mm, a small lens weight and a small aperture F8.0 Almost all Nikon cameras can confirm focusing on a green dot with apertures up to F5.6 (indicated in the camera specification). Therefore, confirmation by the green focus point will not always work. The green dot will only work well under normal lighting conditions. Who has a Live View is not a problem. Also, professional cameras such as Nikon D4 can be sharpened at F8.0 aperture by confirming with a green dot when using part of the focus points, as D4 supports focusing at F8.0

You can read how to install and use old lenses on modern Nikon digital SLR cameras in the section Soviet optics. For Canon in Old Canon Lenses.

Portrait on MS ZM-5CA

Portrait on MS ZM-5CA

Image quality:
The MS 3M-5CA lens gives a slightly contrasty image (it’s not at all a problem to fix it during processing). The lens has two very interesting features in the construction of the image. The first is the lens is completely devoid of chromatic aberration. Usually, the highest quality telephoto lenses are lightweight. HA, MS 3M-5CA - does not have them at all. Lack of HA associated with the mirror-meniscus lens design. The lens has an unusual bokeh - all the luminous points in the out-of-focus area are transformed into donuts and rings - this is a feature of the mirror-meniscus lens. Many people do not like this type of bokeh, in any case, the picture looks unusual.

Bokeh on MS ZM-5SA

Bokeh on MS ZM-5SA

Sample photos on MS 3M-5CA. All photos are taken on Nikon D200without processing. Converting from RAW to JPEG with auto levels, reduced the size to 1600 * 1200 and added a watermark with parameters EXIF. I did add auto levels, since raw RAW has pretty little contrast.

Personal impressions:
Take off hand lens 3M-5CA on the camera Nikon D200 without grease I get on shutter speed not lower than 1/100 of a second. I advise you to shoot no lower than 1/500. How to avoid blurring, is written in the article as Take off with Hands. Due to the small aperture and the need for a short excerpts when shooting handheld, even on a sunny day you will have to raise ISO. On a cloudy day I had to shoot at ISO 1600 and shutter speed about 1/320.

Photo on the lens of the MS ZM-5CA

Photo on the lens of the MS ZM-5CA

Why can I use such a lens?
With the lens, you can quietly shoot fearful animals, distant objects, etc. .. In fact, the lens is not so big, Tair-3 is much larger than the MC 3M-5CA. Fans of stealthy shooting, MS 3M-5CA will like it. On the camera, the lens looks pretty decent and impressive, it attracts a mirror, which is located in the middle of the front meniscus, which is rather strange for a conventional lens lens. MS 3M-5A and 3M-5CA have more brothers - these are 3M-4A, ZM-6A, with F6,3 and 500mm. ZM-6A is faster than 1.6 times (2/3 stops) for 3M-5A.

Photo on MS ZM-5CA

Photo on MS ZM-5CA


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.


Conclusion:
The 3M-5CA is an excellent super telephoto lens. Picture 3M-5CA has a complete absence of chromatic aberration. Focusing is smooth. The lens has low contrast and shooting without a tripod is quite difficult. I recommend it to all fans of hunting photos.

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

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Comments: 196, on the topic: Review of MS 3M-5CA F8 500mm

  • anonym

    for nikon D3100 fit?

    • SONY

      "Attention 1: MC 3M-5SA cannot be installed simply with the KP-42 \ N adapter on the cameras of the younger line, because the lens rests against the built-in flash."

      • Alexey

        Normally installed in my d3100. It feels good since last autumn. And not where it does not rest.

        • Alexander

          Is there focus on infinity?

      • Sony a58

        Indeed, it is impossible to install on a Sony camera! If you add a macro ring, you will not be able to point to infinity.

  • Anatoly

    Anatoly
    Good afternoon! Apparently all the same, the zm-5sa lens I came across was not at all crazy! took about a hundred pictures with exposure from 800 and shorter, from a distance from 4m to 30 - all marriage !!!! Please advise what to do, maybe you can adjust it? here are examples of different photos:http://vk.com/a.salnik?z=photo122658937_323729066%2Fphotos122658937 the problem is sharpness - it never showed up in any picture!

    • SONY

      There are two options:
      1.you never got into focus. Try to shoot something like a brick wall at an angle, focusing on the center. Perhaps somewhere off the center it will be sharp. It's very hard to focus with him ...
      2. the main mirror is tightened. You need to unscrew the back of the case (where the thread is to attach to the camera, it is held on four screws), under it there will be a mirror held in place by a threaded ring. This ring must be slightly unscrewed so that the spring elements (you will see there) are only slightly tightened, and not completely.

  • Vyacheslav

    I have a similar ZM-6A lens, from the same series, 500mm focal length, 6,3 aperture. You can take a good shot. Here's an example http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/slava76-bww/view/570910/?page=3

  • Vyacheslav

    I can say about sharpness, it’s very difficult to get it from the hands, the focal length is very large, so the trembling is very disturbing, you need to either from a tripod or lean the lens on something, just like that.

  • Sergiy

    I can sell zm-5sa at the production station. 1decorum@gmail.com abac 0508203241

  • anonym

    something I have infinity with a simple adapter does not work

    • fill

      Vyacheslav, judging by the photos from 1100d, does not interfere with using it with an adapter. I'm right?

      • Vyacheslav

        Yes, on canon, all optics with m42 work without problems, focusing on infinity works.

        • Vania

          yes, it’s more a matter of size, because the old Nikon D50 doesn’t bother, it’s a list, I don’t know how to fit my Pentak KM

          • anonym

            I have no problems on the D50. The only thing is difficult to capture the carcass - the diameter of the lens barrel is large, and the gap between the carcass and the lens is small.

  • Andrii

    A MS 3M-5CA pіdіyde to D5100?

  • Andrey Super

    I’ll insert my 5 cents.
    MS ZM-5CA on the Nikon D60 through a simple adapter KP-42 / N is not installed, you need somewhere else 3mm thickness so that it does not rest against the flash (whether the infinity is unknown or not). Put through a thin macro ring 7mm, infinity and not close!

  • Andrey Super

    The flash protrudes above the adapter by 9,5 mm, on this data, measuring the protrusion of the flash is easy to calculate whether the lens will stand or not!

  • Good-natured)

    I have been thinking about buying a snake for a long time. It took two years to “mature” for this decision. Largely thanks to the bokeh bagels (my wife really liked it and this is her gift). Year of release of the 82nd. For such a venerable age, the condition is perfect. I found only one noticeable speck on the meniscus.
    The Canon EOS 500 has enough of a penny flash. But it doesn't interfere. You can't stick a sheet of paper through. The quality of the pictures is passable. In the editor, in fact, everything is added and corrected. For me, the disadvantage is that the tripod mount is at an angle. And buying a mount at a time when its cost reaches half the cost of the lens itself is too much.
    One more thing ... I recommend taking pictures with this “long-range artillery” using the remote control or (as I do myself) by activating the shutter with sound.
    I almost forgot)) He has a retractable hood. Do not hang out, as in Teleare)

  • Good-natured)

    He became the owner of not the ZM-5CA, but the ZM-5A.

  • Vladislav

    I would love to buy one. I can’t find it yet.

  • Vladimir

    There is MS3M-5CA Condition of the new. 3t.r.

  • Jury

    and i would buy

    • Vladimir

      I will sell MS3M-5CA 3t.r. T. 8-9126050805

  • Alexander

    In a dense forest and with clouds in the sky, you won't be able to catch birds on it) It's a bit dark, but ... you can take pictures with it much more often than catching a marriage)

  • anonym

    Good evening, dear audience! I will be brief. I tried to connect the MTO 500 with the D7100. A complete bummer-lens came up against the flash. Maybe someone knows how to overcome this problem? Thanks.

  • Yarkiya

    You can show exactly how it does not fit.

  • anonym

    Good afternoon, dear Yarkiy. Sorry for delaying the answer - there was no physical opportunity to go online.https://cloud.mail.ru/public/7zdz/X7uuS539W Photos of interest to you can be found at this link. Thank you in advance.

    • Yarkiya

      Sorry, that did not contact.

  • anonym

    No, it's you, excuse me. Strange. I'll try again.https://cloud.mail.ru/public/5Z19/zD4DVsVUc

    • Yarkiya

      That's it, thanks. Unfortunately, I don’t know how this lens is arranged inside, near the bayonet mount, but if the ring that abuts the flash is solid, or there are no important internal components in that place that abuts, and provided that my lens and I do not really feel sorry for it , I would stupidly grind him with a grinder. There is not much, only a third of the diameter.
      The solution is certainly not very elegant, but quick.

      • anonym

        Good evening. If you take into account the fact that my lens, and it lies dead weight for about 35 years and by and large I don’t feel sorry for it, then I think it’s worth implementing your idea. I don’t know whether it will work out or not, but thank you for any outcome time spent on me.

        • Yarkiya

          Nonsense, what time is it. Unsubscribe if possible?

      • Andrey Super

        You are a barbarian!

  • anonym

    By all means.

    • Yarkiya

      How are you doing with the installation?

      • anonym

        Good afternoon. Sorry that I didn’t unsubscribe immediately after installing the lens on the camera. I thank you for your interest in my problem. It turned out that I didn’t have to smoke the lens, just like I purchased another adapter, but with a lens. The lens sat down end-to-end. The gap between the flash and the glass was 0,5 mm. I tried to shoot, not impressed. There is no contrast, the problem with focus, shake (24 megapixels). In short, hassle. So that I threw this thing. I wish you success in all your endeavors!

        • BB

          add. the lens just spoils the contrast, and spoils the quality.
          If you have time / desire - try to unscrew the lens from the adapter, and use the “lens” adapter without this saioy lens - the lens will rise, but the question of the presence of “infinity” arises.
          If something works out, please unsubscribe, because the lens is interesting just at 7100

          • anonym

            I broke the lens and took pictures without it. As for infinity, it is on the verge of a foul. I do not exclude that the copy of my lens does not work quite correctly.

  • Tim

    in thought about buying such an objective, as they say, and want and prick, we have it costs about 70-80 dollars. to be honest, it bites a little. Well, until I looked to see if it would fit the canon d1000. But I want to. good telephoto, focused from the zenith, focusing is smooth and soft. but the toad inside strangles as soon as it can ...

  • Alexey

    The filter has a nifig not 72 mm !!! I bought, not suitable, too small!

  • anonym

    Hello. Great site. Thanks.
    Tell me on d80 can it be installed?

    • Pastor

      Can. He put it, and there was infinity. True, because of the low working ISO d80, it is rather difficult to shoot at 500mm with an aperture of 8 - only in the sun or with a flash.

      • anonym

        Thank you.
        D80

      • Ivan

        tell me
        1) did you bet 3M5A or 3M5CA?
        2) with what adapter did you set it?

  • anonym

    I will sell a lens of ms 3m-5sa. 4000 rubles. Ideal condition. 89825661397

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