According provided by lens MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50 many thanks to Igor.
Review MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50
MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50 considered legendary soviet lens for one simple reason - it has a diaphragm device in all with two petals. When closed, the petals form square hole. There are few lenses with such an unusual aperture shape in nature.
View MC Zenitar-ME1 F 1,7 50 when focusing on MDF
The lens is quite rare and nowadays represents collectible value... At the same time MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50 was a standard lens for the rare and very expensive Zenit-18 camera, which could operate in aperture priority mode. The letter 'E' in the lens name stands for 'Electronic' (electronically controlled aperture). 'Zenith-18' could read the aperture value and, using excerpts, set the optimal exposure in automatic mode.
The diaphragm blades are made in the shape of the letter 'V', when two blades go over each other, it turns out to be a square. It may seem that there are 4 petals, but this is an optical illusion due to their specific shape. But the first prototypes MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50 really had 4 aperture blades. Also, the lens was produced in a version without multi-coating - 'Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50'.
MC Zenitar-ME1 F 1,7 50 mm - rear view
The metal focus ring rotates approximately 240 degrees, the focus ring travel is not very smooth. When focusing, the front lens does not rotate, and the lens trunk lengthens slightly. The lens uses standard 52mm filters. The MDF is 45 cm. The lens has an aperture mode switch - 'M -A', which is very convenient to use on modern digital cameras. The aperture has a huge number of intermediate values between F / 1.7 and F / 16 not indicated by the markings. The lens also has an infrared shift mark.
Lens aperture control switch MC Zenitar-ME1 F 1,7 50 mm
The lens has a pronounced multi-layer coating with a greenish sheen. For the copy from my review, multi-coating did not help in any way when shooting in backlight and side light - in these cases, the lens catches a lot of glare and parasitic flares. It is strange that such an 'advanced' lens was not brought to mind. But if there is no light source in the frame, then the lens shows itself from a very good side - excellent contrast and excellent sharpness even at F / 1.7.
The legendary square hole of the aperture of the MC Zenitar-ME1 F 1,7 50 mm. The petals themselves are matte black.
MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50 was manufactured at the Krasnogorsk plant in 1984 (judging by the serial number). I have no complaints about the assembly - everything is made of metal and glass, as befits good old film lenses. The lens barrel looks like two peas in a pod. Zenitar-M 50 1.7 и MS Zenitar-M 1,9 / 50.
Enlightenment of the front and rear lens of the MC Zenitar-ME1 lens F 1,7 50 mm
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).
The parameters shown in the photo gallery:
Everything is filmed on Nikon D700. On camera JPEG L (compression 'optimal quality'), without treatment. Functions: Control vignetting, ADL, noise reduction at slow shutter speeds, noise reduction at high ISO - were off. All shot in Picture Control mode SD (standard mode): contrast correction - 0, brightness - 0, saturation - 0, hue - 0, sharpness - position 5 out of 10. Used white balance: 'Auto', 'Daylight'. The size of the photos was reduced to 3 MP.
View of the lens MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 50 on ZK
Catalog modern brand lenses 'Zenitar' и 'Helios' can look at this link.
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MC Zenitar-ME1 1,7 / 50 is a very unusual Soviet 'fifty kopeck piece'. A characteristic feature of the lens is a 2-blade diaphragm, and as a result - an unusual bokeh in the form of squares (at closed apertures), as well as a 4-beam 'star'from bright light sources. The lens is sharp, contrasting, poorly tolerates backlight. Finding it on sale is almost impossible :)
Have you read the review of this rare lens to the end or looked at examples of photos? Then be sure to share this information on social networks (the buttons are a little lower).
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Very unusual sensation from viewing the photo, as if outplayed in wolfenshtein.
Yes, a really rare lens, I never came across such a lens. Especially interesting bokeh in the form of kradratik)) I shoot on MS Zenitar-M 50mm 1.7 by the nature of the picture there is something similar, sharpness, contrast, color ... I am pleased to have such a collection version
There is one, I can sell.
how many UAH do you want ???
I want in rubles!
Minecraft fan dream :))))
+))
Tsikaviy ob'єktiv.
Bokeh in the style of "Techno" or the graphics of old computers from the 80s, the ear of the 90s is clearly not for everybody.
Interesting, very unusual bokeh.
On ibei there is already one offer (with Zenith 18) at a space price of 750 ye.
Recently seen on sale complete with a camera. And the price is ridiculous within 6000 rubles
Honestly, I occasionally indulge in the bokeh of the “non-standard” form (lens covers), but I never thought about the square one, the picture just amazed - amazing. http://www.photodome.net/?p=1193
I also have sketches on this topic - https://radojuva.com.ua/2010/07/kak-sdelat-boke-bokeh/ and the spot filter - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/01/cold-center-spot-filter-make/
With an overlay from the lock it is cool;)
It's almost impossible to find on sale. But it’s really possible to take an ordinary helicon fifty dollars and put on it your two-blade diaphragm =) I disassembled Jupiter, I think helios will be easier. The only thing that is difficult is to find a sufficiently dense, durable and matte black material for the diaphragm, and pegs for fastening can also be glued.
Ah Arkady Arkady! At first you became the culprit :) purchasing, by me, a SLR camera and the revival of my hobby for photography, I also studied in my childhood, I traded for sports! Then the purchase of Zenitar-1.7 / 50, and then Jupiter-37A / 135, and then esche and Tair-3 FS / 300. No, without pritenzy !! I am satisfied! Is there a result!! I already had Helios-44m and Jupiter-8, but now they have pushed the Zenithar-ME1 1,7 / 50 to buy this miracle :)
I don’t see the point with such an arsenal of zaryrit at Zenitar ME1.
more…. I should have studied better at school
And I still find fault with the five-pointed wrenches in Canon EF 50mm 1.8 ...
:)
It’s been a long time since Sergei Elizarov read about this lens. Cool glass. Thanks to Arkady for the review !!!)
A curious instance. What is the reason for such a rarity of the lens?
A Zenit-18 camera with an electronic diaphragm in those days cost about 500 rubles, you can imagine how much money it was then. Therefore, few copies were released. Pedivikia claims that only 7001 units were produced, add to this that most likely half of them are the version without multi-coating. So we get that MC ME1 is a very rare lens.
I have been waiting for a review of this lens from you for a long time! Love its bokeh on covered. Under his impression from this objectos he even “spoiled” his 44m helios. I made him a square aperture))))) http://album.foto.ru/photo/3195725/, http://album.foto.ru/photo/3195723/
Just the first samples)
I have been using this lens for a long time, it’s very interesting to shoot with it it seems like the artist bought a brush))) but the most capricious of my fleet is soviet, it’s difficult to get into sharpness, and yes it really doesn’t like backlight, even the lens hood doesn’t help, it's difficult to make night it’s impossible to take photos near the lanterns, although he makes interesting nightly photos, draws small squares. even on some sites, legends go about it that some unusual glass, they wrote it was made of rock crystal)))
Let's at least not do a political doctor here and not use expressions like "soviet". At least out of respect for those who created this lens, in general.
And then it will start - soviet, hohlyachy, Pindosovsky, ...
Just you and the comment for such expressions.
Well done, kiev_poznyaki, I fully support you!
Thanks for the review. Certainly interesting glass for a creative photographer (well, of course, for a collector). Someone tried macro (probably with rings?):
http://www.penta-club.ru/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=83330
http://www.penta-club.ru/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=83388
Sergei Elizarov can look at the device diaphragm: http://www.deep-life.ru/zenitar-me1/view-2.htm
4 beam stars: http://www.deep-life.ru/zenitar-me1/stars.htm
comparative test for contrast: http://www.deep-life.ru/zenitar-me1/test.htm
It is not clear what an adequate price for this lens is, but it is clear that it will not get cheaper over the years.
For practical use, I see no reason to spend extra money for the sake of a square aperture.
the photos are incredibly beautiful) You are a master of shooting in the open air) Bravo!
After watching, I wanted to say so much, but they all said before me. The photos are beautiful, even fabulous. Many thanks to Arkady for unprecedented emotions!
In some American films, if you pay attention, there is a "square" bokeh. Apparently, this was common with cinema lenses.
PS. Of all the types of non-standard bokeh, I liked the rhombuses with concave edges ²
and by the way, in my opinion, the most wonderful macro shots through the rings are obtained from it
http://www.photosight.ru/photos/4507405/?from_member
Thanks to Arkady for the review (I sent this model). Already got back. I am still a novice amateur and I was interested to know the point of view of experienced photographers well, and I think many were interested to read. I liked the macro. A couple of my photos:
http://savepic.ru/4863748.jpg
http://savepic.ru/4853508.jpg
http://savepic.ru/4856580.jpg
Another small reviewer with examples of photos and videos:
http://mysonynex.ru/?post=zenitar-me-1-50mm-f17-manualnye-obektivy-dlya-sony-nex
And outwardly - one to one Helios-44M
I am the proud owner of this miracle lens glass really cool very sharp video generally gorgeous turns
And no one is selling this? Would love to buy
I can sell my own. Need finance (
pwa101@mail.ru I want too
write to trantos@gmail.com