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
In general, if anyone is interested, here are the videos shot on him and the canon 550d :)
https://vimeo.com/59249823
https://vimeo.com/46820546
Arkady, on occasion I want to thank you so much for your titanic work.
And I ask for advice on what is the best way to buy a lens for shooting children in kindergarten and in elementary school — a portrait and full growth. I need to be very sharp so that my hair can be clearly drawn to separate from the background. Which one to focus on: Carl Zeiss, one of the Helios or on another. Helios-44-2 and Jupiter-37A, even two, are already there. Their sharpness for the task is not enough.
I would be grateful for good advice. All the best to you and all the best.
Jupiter-37A is a sharp lens, if yours is not sharp, try another copy, I was presented with Jupiter-37A, it is the sharpest one I have (helios, pentacon 50 / 1,8 and zeiss 80 / 2,8 - all of them I love, but they are all for different tasks)
Helios 44 filmed for many years mostly in black ... He is soft constructively. Now I work on a crop. Jupiter 37 gives good sharpness. Zenitar M works softer - a good portrait lens. Mir 1B gives better sharpness. Good as fifty rubles. These are old Sovdepov glasses.
I went through 6 pieces of Mir-1v - all the shit is soapy ...
I got rid of everyone, I realized that it was not a copy - I bought all six different years, in different places - just a shit lens ...
Hello, don’t tell me, I want to buy a Soviet lens for Nikon D 90, don’t tell me which one is suitable
Natasha, read about this Helios-81N.
This lens is too good to be individual. There is something in him, and very correct, but there is no soul and ugliness….
I have a Pancolar 50 / 1,8 with ms enlightenment. Optics in appearance, ideally. But, soapy. Horror! It is possible that they climbed into it. The diaphragm is working.
And so, there is still. "zebra". And a pair of Zenitars-m 1,7 / 50.
I will share my experience of using these lenses…. If we compare the sharpness, across the field and in the center, with a fully open aperture, it became clear that both are on the same level (and given the higher aperture ratio, the zenith causes more applause).
So, then ... color rendering. Zenitar is a little cold. Pancolar is rather warm.
Next ... the blur zone ... Pancolar twists the bokeh. Not as intense as biotar, helios. (I also shot with these, available) The zenitar has the most space, glare, and all unsharp objects do not rotate. In this it stands out mainly from pancolar.
Then there is distortion, distortion… .the zenitar has a slight barrel-like shape, noticeable when shooting from a distance of 1-2. Pancolar has less of it.
Further ... individuality, artistry. I'm sometimes more interested in Zenitar.
Further, the frame construct ... is 100% stronger Zenitar 1,7 / 50.
There are still plenty of parameters, but of course, I would not choose. Both are worthy!
Good afternoon)
wonderful description! Will the lens "stand" on the canon mark2?
Good afternoon!
Tell me please, is the yellow color of enlightenment a recognition of the use of thorium oxide?
there is lanthanum, do not be afraid, your dosimeter checked everything is normal
I have Zenitar - m 1,7 / 50, what adapter do I need for Nikon d 3300? With a lens or with a chip and a lens? Thanks!
Hello Arkady. I have this 1981 lens, but the inscription on the front is “Zenitar-M”.
Was it also exported?
I have a zenith and helios 77, a zenith seems to me more interesting and juicier, and a helix is better in the evening. Arkady and if it makes sense to buy more jupiter37?
It makes sense, I’m now searching for the Yu-37, I’ll explain why, today I purchased the Zenitar a little, in sunny weather the iso 100 lights up on an open frame, asks for an exposure for 4000, and where to get it? (canon 600D) I have to close the diaphragm up to 8-11, I think the Yu-37 will not have such problems, it is not so fast. In the room, the zenithar is simply irreplaceable, I have poor lighting, it seems that it adds light, I look at the object, it is shaded, but the paradox in the picture is much brighter!
Frog, did not switch the BB to incandescent lamps
Just a little bit of a backlash the focus ring did not immediately notice now annoying, is it eliminated or hammer?
I try to shoot them art macro. I like it with its sharpness, while zp beautifully blurs and the bokeh is incredible!
Thank you very much. Almost an encyclopedia on Soviet lenses.
I put this on the Samsung nx 1000, together with the adapter I got a heavy "kalabashka" in front, but vibrations are less felt when the shutter is triggered. The lens for its money is simply amazing, sharp already open, in portraits you even have to add a little software on the skin in the editor. He would still have multi-coating and it would be super glass in general. With an intense light stream, the contrast drops, in backlight, even more so, but the shadows do not turn out to be sunk into blackness. Conclusion - a blend is required. You can get cute hares when shooting against the sun, you get a star with concentric circles, highlights and reflections, very cute and can be used as an artistic technique. Blurring the background is another song, it is simply gorgeous, as if they were filming with some very thoroughbred lens. I am personally delighted with the lens and recommend it to everyone if you find your 2,5-3 thousand rubles in good condition. it will work one hundred percent, for that kind of money it is simply unrealistic to find something similar in characteristics.
I want to insert five cents per Minolta. I have Minoltovsky fifty fifty 1.7. I agree Zenitar
sharper, but in color rendering and in backlight Minolt is better. Compared with the Zeniths,
Helios, Industar.
As for me, the Zenith 1.7 is boring glass. I expect magic from Soviet glasses!
Despite this, this is really a High-quality fifty dollars, but no more
Bokeha doubles - not camilfo.
Dear Arkady, I have this lens, everything suits him, but his fear of backlight and side light just kills me, tell me, which purchase options can be considered no worse, but also so that this problem does not exist?
I would be very grateful for the advice, thank you.
The lens hood helps, blacker than the ends of the helicoid, the babble of the diaphragm and the selection of angles
Arkady, could not find a poll for the best Soviet fifty dollars with helios 44-x series. I read in some topic that you don’t take 58mm there, but the survey will be later. Tell me, what would you personally choose as a portrait: This Zenith or MC G44m-6? And if not difficult, then what determines your choice? Thanks!
Helios is "longer" and suits a portrait better.
And also about them a different optical scheme and a different pattern.
Not everyone likes Helios' twisted bokeh.
The bokeh of both is interesting in my opinion. I’m trying to understand how big a zenith’s is this problem (fear of counter light). There are both lenses. I decide which one to leave. G44m-6 is better in this regard. But Zenitar is sharper on open + sharpness throughout the frame is better. Yes, and aperture 1.7.
Well, not much longer. I have a crop of 1.5. Does that mean 75mm Zenitar vs 85mm Helios? Arkady, and if you take it as a whole (not only for portraits), would you also opt for Helios 44m-6?
Tell the guys from experience, there is this zenithar, Helios 44m, 44-2. What do you think, what to sell and what to leave, does it make sense to leave the zenithar, which is 5 times more expensive than theirs. Occupation: mostly videography. Thanks)
44-2 is better, because it does not have an intermittent aperture
but at the zenith you can do this
here is a drawing that you like)
Good afternoon.
Question on the use of a lens on Canon EOS DSLRs.
I put the lens through the M42-EOS chip adapter on the Canon EOS 5D. Unlike Jupiter 9 or Jupiter 37-A, the problem is with focusing. It seems that the lens has an incorrect working distance.
Arkady, can you tell us a little how this lens was installed on Canon and how it behaved?
The adapter may be clumsy. Or an intervention lens, so to speak.
Arkady, can this lens be considered as an option for video shooting? I am looking for a budget high-aperture lens, options - Zenitar-M 1,7 / 50 and Minolta 58mm f1.4 MC Rokkor-pf. Or is it better to look more expensive?
Yes, it’s somehow not very budgetary, and with an aperture the video is uncomfortable. Still, the G-44-2 is more budget and the aperture is more convenient
Alexey, what is more convenient for Helios' diaphragm? And as far as I saw from the characteristics - Zenitar and Minolta are faster
At the Zenithar, the diaphragm is not regulated smoothly, but in steps and with clicks.
You remove the ball from her and she floats for herself
Well, of course, I don’t want to offend Tatyana, but not all men will be able to.
My copy has a peculiarity - when bokeh from light sources inside the ball, there is some kind of strip. I looked for flickr - there is such a moment in other copies.
How can it be eliminated?
Example -
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4142/4745960343_1c2c2a31a0_b.jpg
https://radojuva.com/2015/01/neh-and-bokeh/
Thank you, you're right.
A very interesting lens. The picture is similar to Wave 50 / 1,8, but the Wave is more contrast. It is completely comparable with Pentax-K 50 / 1,7. IMHO one of the best fifty cents with F 1,7-1,8.