For the opportunity lens review Zenitar-M 1,7 / 50 Many thanks to Alexander Perever and Igor Tihan.
Review Zenitar-M
TTX Zenitar-M 1.7 / 50 (aka Zenitar-M 1.7 / 50)
MDF: 45sm
Optical design: 6 elements in 5 groups
Focal length: 50mm
Number of aperture blades: 6 pieces
Diaphragm: F1.7-F16.0
The weight: 280 g
Landing thread: M42
Front Filter Diameter: 52mm
This review presents exactly Zenitar-M with serial numbers 859616 and 850340. There is a modification of the lens MS Zenitar-M with multi-enlightenment and slightly smaller MDF, you can see the overview MS Zenitar-M 1,9 / 50... Zenitar-M 1.7 / 50 was used as a standard lens for Zenit-18 and Zenit-19 cameras. There is also a very interesting modification - Zenitar-ME1 50 mm f / 1.7 MS with just two aperture blades that form a square aperture and give a fun "grid" in the out of focus area at closed apertures.
View of the Zenatir-M lens 1,7 50 from different sides
Features of the lens Zenitar-M 50 1.7
1. Focusing ring moves smoothly, slightly tight. The minimum focusing distance is 45cm, infinity starts at 15 meters on the scale on the lens. The focusing ring itself rotates approximately 270 degrees. When focusing, the entire lens unit moves. When focusing, the “trunk” is lengthened by about a centimeter. The depth of field indicators are plotted for diaphragms 4, 8, 11, 16 and, most likely, for 2.8, but without a numerical designation. On the aperture scale, you can set the values 1.7, 2, 4, 8, 11, 16 and, most likely, F2.8, F5.6 without a digital designation.
Enlightenment of the front and rear lens of the Zenitar-M lens
2. The lens is excellent maximum aperture F1.7, which allows you to achieve a very small depth of field. Considering that on cameras with a 1.5x crop EGF will be 75mm, and for 1.6x EGF is 80mm, then the lens can be used as a good portrait lens. The number of aperture blades is only 6 pieces. If you need a portrait lens for a crop, also look towards the Helios-44 in the white version.
3. The lens is well assembled. The first copy that I visited was with the backlash of the focus ring. But my second lens was made very high quality.
Sample photos on Zenitar-M 1.7 50mm
4. The diameter of the front filter is 52mm, you can easily find a protective or specialized photo filter. When focusing, the front group of lenses does not rotate, which simplifies working with the lens.
Sample photos on Zenitar-M 1.7 50mm
5. The lens has a blinking (jumping) aperture. It’s very convenient that you can disable it with a special switch and you can set aperture values in manual mode. The lens has no aperture preset ring.
Sample photo on Zenitar-M F1.7 50mm
Sample photos on Zenitar-M
All photos are unprocessed. Unloading from RAW -> JPEG Q80%, resized to 1600 * 1200, data from EXIF. Everything is filmed on Nikon D200, Nikon D40, Canon 350D.
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).
Portrait on Zenitar-M 1.7 50
Image Quality at Zenitar-M
Zeninar-M lens which gives sharpness already with the maximum open aperture F1.7... Moreover, the sharpness is not conditional, but quite normal. Sharpness at closing the aperture only increases and is present throughout the entire field of the frame (taking into account the effect of diffraction). Lens distortion on the cropped matrix is minimal. The lens produces good, smooth and soft bokeh at full aperture. The image is contrasting. Color reproduction is normal. A little afraid of counter light, in general, tolerates side light normally. There is nothing more to say - just a high-quality fifty kopeck piece.
Zenitar-M on a modern camera
Personal impressions
I liked Zenitar-M 1.7 50. The owner of the Zenithar, who has the ability to focus on infinity, claims that F1.7 can even take a landscape. Of the Soviet fifty kopecks, I usually recommend Helios-81n, Helios-77m-4, now I will recommend Zenitar-M 50 1.7. I advise you to look in the section to vote for the best Soviet fifty dollarswhere Zenitar-M takes the honorable 3rd place.
Sample photo on Zenitar-M F1.7 50mm
You can judge the sharpness yourself:
Zenith-M lens sharpness
Backlight, the lens is still afraid. Example photo with hard backlight below.
Example photo with hard backlight below
But the blurring of the background on a fully open aperture is simply gorgeous.
Background blur on Zenitar-M
Color rendition on the example of a photograph with flowers.
Color rendering Zenitar-M
Zenitar-M has a shallow depth of field at F1.7
Background on the Zenith-M went into kissel
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.
Hack and predictor Aviator
Zenitar-M 50 1.7 is an excellent fast prime lens. It has good sharpness at all apertures and nice open bokeh. I recommend.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Good evening, thanks for the informative reviews. I want to try to shoot manual optics. Now I am faced with the choice of a lens Zenith 1,7 / 50 or Helios 77-4. Please tell me which of them is the most interesting in your opinion. Should I buy both if I already have Helios 44 white.
If there is Helios-44, then buy 44m-7 or 50 1.7 I do not see the point.
Thank you!
Hello Arkady!
I have such a problem! acquired this lens (plus 42-Nikon without a lens) and realized with horror that the maximum focusing distance is 1,5-1,8m! can this be? if so, how to deal with it? (and if it makes sense)! what advice do you give you don’t want to use such a thing only for macro photography! ..
Thank you in advance!
It should be so. I wrote for the same in the review. Fight:
1. Buy an adapter with a lens, it will degrade quality
2. Hand over to the workshop for regrinding; I personally have never dealt with remaking lenses to infinity.
Thank you for the super super quick reply! surprised! not expected!
1. How much worse will it become with a lens? What will it affect?
2. What is the rework? if possible, discard the link, or explain in more detail! ...
Thank you again.
1. Loss of sharpness and contrast, quite noticeable
2. Part of the frame is stitching so that the rear lens becomes closer to the mirror, focusing on infinity. No reference.
Thank you for your super prompt reply! surprised a bit!
1. How much will quality deteriorate and what is it expressed in? what will suffer
2. if you can, either a link to such masters, or at least tell us what it is! ...
thanks again!
I will sell exactly the same lens in excellent condition ...
imprefekt@mail.ru
At the moment I am in search of Helios 81N, but there is an opportunity now to take such Zenitar-M 50 / 1,7. Is it worth it or keep looking for Helios?
Although, perhaps, the question has already disappeared. They say that with Zenitar on Nikon there will be no infinity.
Good afternoon!
Thanks to the author for the reviews.
I can clear up some doubts on the topic ...
I had / have and actively tested this Zenitar M 1.7 and Helios 44M, 44-6, 44-7 (as if the best in the 44th line) and 77-4.
According to the test results:
The G-44-7 is sharper in the center than the G-77-4, but less sharp at the edges of the frame. G-77-4 holds back light a little better. From subjective sensations - G-44-7 more often (naturally with the same holes) falls into sharpness. As a result, the 77-4 has some advantages (especially considering the fact that it has 50mm FR, not 58mm, like the 44-7) for landscape shooting, and 44-7 for subject shooting.
The Zenith under discussion is sharper than both over the entire area of the frame, focuses better than 77-4 (approximately the same with 44-7), but it holds backlight worse than all. Color rendering (most likely the effect of enlightenment) 77-4 is noticeably bluish, 44-7 is slightly noticeable yellow, Zenitar gives a slightly whitish image (requires color addition, but the colors themselves are the most faithful among the competitors discussed).
Total: Zenitar is noticeably better in most positions, the only place where it loses a little to Helios is backlight. Taking into account the fact that it is also the fastest (and the difference is noticeable!), As well as more working-aperture, and has a FR of 50mm., And not 58mm as in the G-44X (for me this FR is more in demand, I think as well for many other "cropped" users ...) - the choice is obvious ...
In addition to blends (which are useless in frontal light), modern filters and an insert in the form of a donut (the outer diameter of the donut and the diameter of the hole are selected empirically, depending on the lens, help to combat backlighting on ancient manual full-frame optics) - would fit well and would not give vignettes) made of matte black painted plastic from packaging (dolls, cars, etc.). This insert is put on the outer lens, in the place where the filter is usually screwed in (if necessary, both the filter and the hood are screwed in from above). This "donut" is relevant at all aperture values (if cut out correctly) when used on cropped equipment (because the edges of the outer lens do not work), and with closed holes (landscape, sun) on full-frame. This insert significantly limits the ingress of completely unnecessary / non-working light into the lens, with all the attendant
All successful frames.
Good day! I purchased Zenitar M 1.7 / 50mm for Olympus E 420 and this thing appeared:
the exposure does not change when the aperture is reduced from 1.7 to 2.0, although the hole is visually
decreases. Is this a feature of the 4/3 system? Maybe someone came across this?
1) First of all, check the operating mode of the camera. With manual, non-autofocus optics, the camera automatics will work only in the “aperture priority” mode, and the camera settings should have the minimum aperture value possible in these settings (and not what you manually set on the lens!).
2) And what is the exposure?
If shooting is already done at the extreme shutter speed of your device (for example, at the minimum when it is very light, or high ISO), narrowing the aperture from 1.7 to 2 may not be sufficient for the CORRECTLY RECOGNITION camera, and the shutter speed will not change. In this case, you need / can:
a. Reduce ISO.
b. Reduce the aperture.
in. Put a neutral, dimming filter on the lens.
In the case of the maximum possible exposure - points a, b, c, carry out in the opposite direction.
3) When the flash is on, it can limit the shutter speed.
And I have the following problem with the Zenitar 1,7 / 50 lens. The problem is this.
Conduct an experiment with your zenith without installing it on the carcass.
1. Set the wheel to "M", ie to manual installation.
2. Set the aperture to a maximum of “16”.
3. We put the lens on the back, so that the pin of the skipping rope is pressed to the table.
4. We look through the front of the diaphragm position and notice the diameter of the hole.
5. In this position of the lens, simply turn the wheel to position “A”.
6. At the same time, the diaphragm opens slightly, and this is noticeable.
7. Now we do the same but the diaphragm is open, for example, “2”.
8. In manual mode (on “M”) the edges of the diaphragm are visible and how it works (opens, closes).
9. But in the “A” mode, the diaphragm does not work at all.
I did not quite understand what was happening. The lens is in very, very good condition. Fixing paint on all screws, both inside and outside. In a word they didn’t twist, they didn’t take it apart. But such an interesting feature. It turns out that in manual mode the equivalent aperture is smaller than in automatic. On the other hand, if this is a design feature, then why in the automatic mode from 1,7 to 4 values does the aperture not work at all? And yet, we have a backlash of the focus ring and the rattling of the petals themselves in the diaphragm block. Contacted colleagues at the zenith, they say they have the same problems. And also "Krasnogorsk" !!!!!
Please write your opinion on this issue. Can you give advice ...
Good afternoon. I purchased this lens, the pin of the jumping aperture was blocked, after removing the blockage, I discovered that the mechanism is constantly pulling the aperture to automatic mode - that is, it is always open to the maximum and will only work on a zenith camera or similar, but not on Nikon. To close the diaphragm, you have to keep the switch in the “M” state, as soon as I remove my finger from it, it again jumps to automatic mode. This is not very convenient and it shouldn't have been that way, there is also a 44m nonelios, where the switch is normally blocked both in position “A” and in “M”. I opened the back cover, the repeater mechanism seems to be normal, all the details seem to be in place, I can't understand what the problem is.
A big request, if anyone has this lens, take a picture of the repeater mechanism and send me a soap, I will be very grateful! evilgnom@inbox.lv
Good evening!
There is an opportunity to buy three Zenitars K - fish, fifty dollars and vario. Does it make sense to take for Pentax KR?
Hello. I have a Zenith 50 \ 2 with a mount for Pentax, is it possible to change the mount for Nikon? And if so, which one to buy?
GOOD DAY, EDUARD! LOOKING FOR A PENTAX BAYONET ... I WILL BUY OR EXCHANGE ... THERE IS GGESHIOS 61N ...
I have Helios 81H for Nikon, I will exchange it for Van Helios with an adapter for Pentax ...
Arkady, good afternoon! Advise the Soviet lens (on Kenon 60D), which is suitable for macro photography. Thank you in advance!
Will he go for Nikon D5100?
Advise the Soviet optics, which will go on Nikon d5100. (for portrait shooting)
Of the many reviews of Arcadia, one can single out the HELIOS 81H. I have one on the D5100. Great shots come out. I want to sell, because I want to buy a native with autofocus.
Now I’m looking for a 4/3 lens for myself. I can not decide what to take:
1. ZENITAR-M 1.7-50mm
2. Helios 77m-4 50 F1.8
As I understand it, they are very similar. I will be glad to hear your opinion!
P.S. Thank you so much for the reviews!
Where can I get such a lens inexpensively?
I have a ZENITAR-M 1,7 / 50 lens, and Mark 3, I want to try to put it, tell me how to do it. Chelyabinsk ChMZ
Who can tell you how much the Zenitar MS 1,7 / 50 lens from Zenit - 18 with a square aperture costs?
Do you want to buy this device, or still sell ... ???
Is it true that you can put lenses from SLR film cameras on a digital camera?
It is even possible, if you have the appropriate adapter ... (if the camera is with interchangeable optics)
selling Zenith m 50 1.7 for 6 TR post office boss.wret@mail.ru Voronezh write or call 9003023540
Thanks again for this review. A year ago, my love began with Zenitar. But the store was exactly two-petalled. I still can’t play enough, he’s wonderful. He loves people. It works like a monocle.
And now I suddenly found another interesting effect when shooting against the light.
pictures here, if interested.
http://photo.qip.ru/users/sunny14/4133598/
Hello! Please tell me if it is possible to install this lens on Nikon d90? And if so, how? I have both Zenitar M and MS with two aperture blades ... Thanks in advance for your answer.
I did a subject test, and Zenitar M 50 / 1,7 scored 9,5 points on a par with the white Helios 44 (number from 02 ...). But Zenitar worked better on aperture 2. But in Helios there are still 13 blades against 6 zenitar ones. I'm not strong in a portrait.
Specialists! Advise which lens to leave in the collection? Interested in portraiture, landscape. Thanks!
A question for the knowledgeable - Zenitar or Gelik 77 will work better on a micro 4-3 system (I have a Panasonic G5) Who had experience - please share
I had such a lens, the sharpness is very good, even on an open aperture .. True, he is afraid of backlight NOT a little, but a lot, a lot .. It is impossible to shoot against the sun, it lights up the whole picture. Color rendition on the fan, green of an incomprehensible shade. I bought it in perfect condition for 1600 along with the Zenith carcass, I think it justifies its price. But if you choose something in this price range, for the same money you can buy better optics, for example Zuiko 50 1.8, or nikkor 50 1.8 ai :)