Overview of MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50

For the opportunity of MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 lens review Many thanks to Vadim Shkurat, who sent me a lens from another area for review.

Overview of MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50

MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 is a very interesting lens. Firstly, the presence of multi-layer enlightenment is very strangely indicated in his name, for which the combination of letters 'MS' is responsible in the name. Usually МtionСLoyal enlightenment is referred to as 'MC'. Soviet optics 'renowned' for its unique ability to confuse names, especially when translating or transliterating. Personally, I am amused by the name of the lens. Vega-12B (a mixture of Cyrillic and Latin letters).

Lens MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 when focusing on infinity and on MDF

Secondly, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that on my MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 there is no manufacturer designation, most likely this is an export version of the lens. Also, most likely MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 is a copy or modification of the lens MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50. Who has additional information, add it in the comments.

Enlightenment of the front lens of the MS Helios-77M 1,8 50 lens

The lens twists the background very strongly, has excellent sharpness, holds back and side light well. As for me, this is one of the best Soviet fifty dollars. If you find one or MS Helios-77m-4 1,8 / 50 - I highly recommend purchasing.

Enlightenment of the rear lens of the MS Helios-77M 1,8 50 lens

Focusing on the lens is smooth. The focusing ring rotates 180 degrees, while focusing the front lens does not rotate, and the trunk of the lens lengthens by 1 cm. The minimum distance, as for many fifty-fifty dollars, is 45 centimeters. The lens has a focus distance scale for accurate focusing and a depth of field scale. Focusing ring metal. In general, the lens is very well assembled, although the frame near the front lens on my copy is plastic and slightly backlash. The lens uses a 52mm diameter for the front light filter. The frame of the case is made in classic colors for the latest lenses of the Helios family.

Lens view MS Helios-77M F1.8 50mm

The aperture can be set from f / 1.8 to f / 16. The number of aperture blades is 6 pieces. It is a pity, if the lens had a round multi-blade diaphragm, it would not have a price. The aperture of the lens is blinking type. Only automatic iris control is available. For use on modern digital cameras, the aperture must be locked in order to gain manual control over its control.

Lens view MS Helios-77M F1.8 50mm, aperture blades

My copy is serial number 92029111. Most likely it is 1992 production. Enlightenment on the lens is greenish, most likely enlightenment on MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 and MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 are slightly different.

View of the MS Helios-77M F1.8 50mm lens on a modern digital camera

Sample photos on S Helios-77M 1,8 / 50

All photos taken on Nikon D700, JPEG, VI without processing.

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

1. 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.
2. 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?
3. PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
4. CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
5. Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
6. Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
7. FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
8. FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
9. 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.
10. PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
11. SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
12. 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).

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment.

I really liked the MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50. MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 lenses, MS HELIOS-77M-4 1,8 / 50 и MC HELIOS-77M-4 50mm 1: 1,8 twist the background very much.

MC HELIOS-44M-5 58mm 1: 2 and MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50

MS Helios-77M 1,8 / 50 is an excellent fast prime lens. The distant shot in the out-of-focus area spins very strongly. Recommend.

Familiarity with the Soviet Helios brand lenses I recommend starting with an inexpensive and common lens Helios-44-2 2/58 (aka HELIOS-44-2 2/58). The following links can look at modern lenses Zenitar и HELIOS.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.