For the ability to view the lens Helios-81M 2/53 Many thanks to Igor Burkov, who sent me a lens from another area.
Review Helios-81M 2/53
Helios-81M 2/53 is very similar to his brother MS Helios-81H 2/50. In fact, this is the same lens, but with a different frame and enlightenment. The difference in focal length is more related to the designation itself than to real differences.
It is very strange that Helios-81М 2/53 has the 'M' designation in its name. Usually, all lenses from cameras of the 'Kiev' brand with 'H' mount have the letter 'H' in their name. My Helios-81M 2/53 lens is mounted on Nikon cameras such as D700, D80, D40 without any adapters or alterations.
Attention: Lenses Helios-81M 2/53 of different years of production may require light alteration and may not always be installed on some modern Nikon CZK. Here you already need to look at each individual instance. To install a lens on the camera that does not want to be installed just like that, it is enough to cut off the back of the skirt on the aperture ring. How to do it, see here.
Attention: my instance is not passing aperture value to the camera. My Helios-81M 2/53 is similar Non AI lens - the aperture is controlled automatically, but older cameras do not adjust the exposure to this change in aperture. In this case MS Helios-81H 2/50 much more convenient to use on older Nikon camerasthan Helios-81M 2/53. For younger Nikon cameras there is no difference.
How to use Soviet old lenses on modern Nikon cameras read here (article updated, navigation added), and on Canon here. For other systems, it's easy to find your adapters.
The lens has a single-layer enlightenment, visually weakly expressed.
Enlightenment of the front and rear lens of the Helios-81M lens
The lens diaphragm consists of 6 blades, the blades are not blackened. In bokeh you can see 'nuts'at closed diaphragms. Can be set to F / 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16.
View of the aperture blades of the Helios-81M lens
The focusing of the lens is smooth, the focusing ring rotates approximately 270 degrees, while the front lens does not rotate, and the lens extends its trunk by 1cm. The minimum focusing distance is 50 centimeters. On the focusing distance scale, infinity 'starts' after 12 meters. The lens has a depth-of-field scale.
View of the lens Helios-81M 2 53
Sample Photos
Photos without processing. Almost everything is filmed on F2.0. The lens is a little yellow.
View of the lens Helios-81M 2 53
Personal impressions
The lens is very sharp, at full frame it gives a noticeable vignette at F2.0. It does worse with side and back light than the MS version. Helios-81M 2/53 is better to use with a hood, since the lens catches hares and different glare... In general, a good fifty dollars. Crop can serve as a portrait lens. Of course, Helios-81M 2/53 twists bokeh :) and for this we are very fond of many photographers.
View of the Helios-81M 2 53mm lens
It is a pity that at the time of writing the review, I did not have my Helios MC to compare lenses. That's what two fifty dollars look like.
Two fifty dollars with a bayonet mount F. Helios-81M and Nikkor 50mm F1.8G
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
Conclusions:
Helios-81M 2/53 a good fast fixed lens. Generally worse than your brother MS Helios-81H 2/50but not so much as not to pay attention to Helios-81M.
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. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Arkady, please do a review of Industar 69 from Chaika 2. Without alteration, it can be used as a macro glass, I found craftsmen who remade it and the focus was 3-4 meters.
And why remodel it, excellent macro, and glass - not very ...
I have just one, I bought a Kiev-17 with the camera, due to the fact that the diaphragm stopped jumping for a very long time, I had to redo it a bit, now the jump does not work, but the diaphragm is installed. I am very pleased with it, on my Nikon D5000 it is quite easy to sharpen.
I have a copy of Helios-81M 2/53 MC with Lushnikov dandelion. I bought a dandelion on the d3100 was programmed, now it is not programmed on the d7000. In principle, it’s especially unnecessary, but the alignment of the lens itself turned out better than now through the focus adjustment menu. Maybe someone knows why the chip on the d7000 is not programmed? When trying to adjust through the camera, I can’t eliminate the front focus. Or tell me how to fine-tune. The manual is very short and incomprehensible. thanks
Eugene, I have a question for you ... I have just this lens and a 3100 camera too, and so, since I am a complete layman in this matter, I can ask a stupid question, but nevertheless: do I need an adapter for this lens to 3100 , since I do not have it without an adapter and adapter 42 does not fit .. how to be?
no unnecessary! it is necessary to file back the skirt with a file!
The letter M stands for “Blinking”, as it used to be called the jumping aperture.
I have Kiev-17 (1979 onwards), the diaphragm is not that not blackened, but generally bronze!
I compared it on the same film with version 81H (MC - from English Multi Coated, 1992 onwards) So “Flashing” - sharper, more contrast and better color rendering. I was just surprised.
M - not always Blinking (blinking) aperture, for example, Jupiter-37AM - M = modification. The same applies to Industar-26m and the like.
But it seems to me that the Helios versions of the MC are not always superior to the simply enlightened Helios. The quality of the glass itself also gives a lot. We are not considering the quality of assembly and alignment of specific specimens now. So, Helios, starting from 1990 and Arsat afterwards, cause me doubts about the glass itself, yes, MC is beautiful and shimmers in different colors ... But the pictures, even on good film, do not bring satisfaction.
Don't worry) And if the enlightenment is a little shabby - this will not affect the quality of the photo in any way? Well, that is, it is clear how it will affect. Simply, you can somehow critically say or show ...)
Hello. I got a helios 81n 53 / 2.0. That is, it is written on the frame. In fact, he is one in one your 81m. On Nikon d7000 he stood up (though I had to unscrew the black visor near the mount, from it there were scratches on the platform near the camera contacts), but when the shutter is released, a mechanical shock is felt to the body. I don’t know why. No traces to be seen, but still not pleasant. Can you tell us the difference between the “M” and “H” versions?
The M in the lens name is not a mount designation, but a Lens modification feature. The difference between Helios-81M and Helios-81H is that the first is Non-AI and the second is AI. The impact is the result of the blinking diaphragm, at 81n the same is felt. That's okay, it's just that modern lenses have a lighter and quieter aperture.
The impact comes from a mechanism that, during the descent, closes the diaphragm to the value you need ... Yes, there is a mechanical push during descent ... Helios-5H gets up on my Fuji S81 pro without problems and scratches ... everything is as usual ... I tried several different ones and everything is ok.
Thank you so much: for an interesting site in general, and for a detailed answer in particular. I will take Yu37a the other day. I read about it from you))
Hello! I am a beginner photographer, and I would like to ask this question: I have a Nikon D3100 and exactly the same helios, but it cannot be connected - it does not scroll to the end (it comes in normally, but only scrolls a little), and if you hold it with your hand in this position, then photographs. What is my problem and do?
cut off the part of the “skirt” on the lens against which the lever rests on the bottom left of the bayonet.
And at 3100 it shouldn't be resting, tk. the 'lever' is recessed into the body
I had Helios-81M 2/53 had to cut the whole skirt so that he would become on the Nikon 3100 !!!
dear Arkady. such a question ... Fuji S3 Pro with this lens gives out a blue picture. first sinned on the BB, twisted different settings and options ... still blue ... the 18-55 staff gives an excellent picture (as far as it can))) Jupiter-37A, Kaleinar 5H, Wave 9 - they shoot everything perfectly. This woman is blue, and that's all. I don't understand. can you tell me what's the matter? or is it already on the shelf, and calm down?)))
Good afternoon, Arkady!
First of all, thank you for the good and competent articles. Very nice to read.
I bought, on occasion, such a lens as in the review, but it seems to me that the copy was caught or defective or someone climbed into it with “crooked” hands. It was not possible to achieve acceptable sharpness (on Nikon D5100) under any circumstances and shooting conditions, just as it did not fight. Everything is hazy and blurry. Would you recommend any article on disassembling / repairing / adjusting such a lens? I myself, I do not know why, I could not dig up anything in the internet. :-( And maybe there is some master in Kiev who can adjust this glass for a reasonable price?
Thank you.
Arsenal plant in kiev, nicht? and ask there. It seems that there used to be a workshop there with them, my father used to take his Helios for adjustment and cleaning.
Greetings to the community!
And one of the experts can tell you for sure: the lens block of Helios 81H 2/53 and Helios 81 Automatic 2/53 are interchangeable?
Thank you.
Good time of day.
I bought myself such a lens, for installation on the d3100 it was required to cut not part of the skirt, as in the photo (there is 81n there), but to file the diaphragm ring all around. It rested on the bayonet mount and did not allow to fall into place. I can throw a photo.
But I had another problem - the lens does not respond to the aperture value, the jump rope always works and closes the aperture completely, how to deal with this?
Help, I will be a present.
send, pliz, a photo of how and what you filed ... I had a similar problem with Helios 81H .... not put on the carcass ... they drank a plastic rim inside, but still the lens does not fit ...
Like this http://www.deep-life.ru/helios-81/rem-1.jpg - will not work?
Found the reason - someone pulled out the rod between the ring of the diaphragm and the lever that directly controls it. I’ll fix it somehow, maybe I’ll find it, or maybe I’ll make it myself. If there is any experience of such a robot in someone write.
Please tell me, is this lens suitable for Canon EOS 60D?
It is possible, but not necessary.
It is much better and easier (and often cheaper) to buy canon helios 44m4 / m5 / M6 / M7 and use the cheap and widespread M42-canon adapter than to look for the infrequent Nikon-canon.
At the expense of rare, our Chinese friends are not asleep and finding such an adapter on Aukra is not a problem with or without a chip, but whether it is necessary, I agree - the adapter costs like a lens half, much simpler G44 ... and a cheap and an adapter M42-kenon
You can through the adapter. In general, carefully read this article, it has a link to an article on how to use old lenses on Canon, you will find out a lot of interesting things. In general, pay attention to the Helios 81H, it is the same in characteristics but has multi-enlightenment. The difference in price is $ 10-15. Another point: do not fall for the Helios 81 automatic, they sell it at bargain prices, but it won’t work without reworking either the kenon or the nikon and you won’t be able to control the diaphragm on it either.
"Don't fall for the Helios 81 machine gun, it is sold at all at bargain prices, but it will not become either a canon or a nikon without alteration, and it will not work to control the diaphragm either"
You can control the diaphragm by unscrewing the lens block or when removing the lens from the camera (but only after altering the lens itself). For myself, I reworked the Helios 81 machine under the Nikon byte (with infinity), in principle, nothing complicated. The picture is different from Helios 81N and 81M, it is warmer and not insanely sharp. I like 81 automatic machines more, although with aperture control there is a small hemorrhoids. All three modifications are available.
Well, yes, this is what I had in mind, that in no way, without crap. Having straight arms and a supply of imagination, you can add anything anywhere, but whether it is necessary, everyone decides for himself.
I would also add that the diameter of the filter is 49mm.
I myself use this, but due to the fact that the lens was idle for a long time, the jumper stopped working, I had to saw it off.
as not at all .. my MC - 49, in other issues and 52.
GOOD AFTERNOON. I have MS HELIOS 81N 2/50 AND NIKON D3100. WHEN INSTALLING THE LENS AT ANY POSITION OF THE APERTURE AND SHUTTER SPEED, THE “HOLE” REMAINS CONSTANTLY OPEN. WHEN THE LENS IS REMOVED, INSTALL THE IRIS 16. PUT THE LENS INTO THE PLACE ??????? ????????? ??????????
Someone went over your lens and replaced the aperture block with a similar one, but from the Helios 81 Avtomat lens - on it it works in the opposite direction, in comparison with Helios 81H (M). For G81N, the diaphragm opens when the leash moves counterclockwise, for G81avtomat - clockwise.
Conclusion: the replacement of the diaphragm block and the subsequent adjustment of the diaphragm are required.
Maybe there are some other options, but it should be very exotic too.
PS: But the capsule is still not worth it.
About the automatic diaphragm, everything is true, its petals in mirror reflection from H and M and it also differs from H in color, it is not blackened and has a bronze color (yellow) on M, this also occurs.
Everything is as it should be, they have written nonsense for you ... Put the lens on the camera correctly, then close the aperture to the value you need with the ring, and apparently nothing happens ... but when you release the shutter and look into the lens ... you will see that the mechanism the device closed the aperture at the time of shooting - this is called a semi-automatic aperture. And it is open in standby mode so that you can easily focus on it. That's all.
Hello!
Please tell me what diameter you need to take the filter and lens hood on the Helios 81M 2/53 8200381 lens.
Thank you in advance.
Vernyakovy option measure the caliper with a pair of compasses. Why do you need a filter, the lens is not really deep?
Thank you.
I just want to try ultra-violet, polarizing and SKYLIGHT. Since their prices are not very high, it’s worth a try, I personally think so.
EVERYONE ran to buy a barbell with compasses ... aha ... and the forums for sending them for the barbell with compasses ... yeah ...
I also have 82 years and a 49 mm thread.
Tell me please, is it worth buying this lens in addition to the 35mm Nikon? or is there no point?
If you need a fast 50mm lens, yes. Plus the price is more than affordable. Of course, if you are not afraid of the full manual.
Strongly twists the background, if you do not like this effect, see Helios 81 N.
Today I bought Helios 81M for 1000 rubles for nikon d90. Immediately I had to file the skirt of the diaphragm ring completely. My version still pleases me - well assembled, excellent sharpness and aperture. The photos are really cool.
And I have this lens sat on the D90, like a glove, without additional alteration. I like the MS version.
Pe Se: I really appreciate your work. There is not much of this in the internet.
Arkady, and you did not meet the Helios 81H 2/53 lens if you met what the differences are between 81M 2/53