LOMO T-43 40/4, adapted for cameras with EF mount. Review from the reader Radozhiva

Overview of the LOMO T-43 40/4 lens, adapted for cameras with an EF mount, especially for Radozhiva, prepared Rodion Eshmakov.

Appearance of the adapted lens

Appearance of the adapted lens

LOMO T-43 is the lens of the world's largest Smena-8M camera, the number of released copies of which exceeds 21 million. Smena-8M is currently considered to be perhaps the most affordable film camera, however, the camera itself is almost never used for its intended purpose (due to the lack of a mirror / range finder, exposure meter) or its lens - it is non-removable and does not fit without adaptation to modern cameras.
Relatively recently, information appeared on the Web about the successful transplantation of this lens to the CPS with the APS-C frame format, which caused a desire to repeat this procedure and look at the world through the eye of the most common camera.

Characteristics of LOMO T-43 40/4 (reference A.F. Yakovlev)

Optical design: triplet
Focal Length: 41,78mm
Relative Hole: 1: 4
Field of view angle (on 35 mm film): 55 degrees
Aperture: 8 blades, black, shiny
Aperture Limits: F / 4-F / 16
Back focal length: 35,52 mm
Light transmittance: 0.87
Resolution (lin / mm, center / edge, KN-1 film): 45/19
Filter thread: 35 mm
Features: fixed camera lens Change, built-in central shutter.

Features of adaptation and constructive T-43

As already mentioned - the T-43 is a fixed lens. But this does not mean that it cannot be removed . On the contrary, to disconnect the lens from the Smena-8M camera, you only need to unscrew the two long screws at the back (with the back cover open). But even in this form, the lens is not suitable for use, because does not have the usual attachment to the camera. The lens unit contains three parts: a central shutter (the most complex part, not needed for alteration), a focusing “nut” with a focus ring, a lens block with a diaphragm (combined with a focusing “screw”).

The protruding rear of the T-43, adapted to the EF mount

The protruding rear of the T-43, adapted to the EF mount

T-43 - a lens for mirrorless cameras, with a small working distance. Therefore, its use on the CZK is complicated by the need for a radical alteration of the housing with a deepening of the lens block inside the camera. In addition, the lens can only be mounted on cropped CZKs - a mirror will be touched on full-frame cameras. For the BZK, the alteration will be reduced only to removing the central shutter and changing the mount to a threaded type M39 or a bayonet fitting of the desired system.

Removing and twisting everything from the lens (be careful - the metal is thin and soft), we achieve the separation of the white aluminum focusing ring (it is the front part) and the central shutter unit. I do not recommend spoiling the look of the body parts - they can still come in handy. In the end, the lens unit should remain in the hands in a small helicoid with a wide flange. We put the focusing ring and the ring with aperture numbers (depth of field scale) aside - wait in the wings.

It is necessary to remove the protrusion around the circumference inside the "nut" of the helicoid in order to insert the lens block into it from the other side. We remove the extra fractions of a millimeter that interfere with the mirror when focusing on “infinity”. The helicoid lens block is installed in the shank with the desired mount so that infinity focusing is achieved.

Next, we remove the excess from the focus ring so that it can be mounted on the lens block recessed deep into the camera. We fix the ring with the depth of field scale so that it does not interfere with focusing (it will require revision with a file). We denote the mark on the focus ring (it is desirable to make it coincide with the long distance symbol on the focus ring), which corresponds to focusing at infinity and coincides with the triangular mark of the installed ring. The lens is ready!

View of the adapted T-43 when focusing on infinity

View of the adapted T-43 when focusing on infinity

After adapting the T-43 to SLR cameras, we get not just a pancake, but an ultrathin pancake: pay attention to how much the T-43 is smaller than the tiny Industar-69!

"Pancakes"

"Pancakes", T-43, And-69, And-50, I-26M

Despite the absence of stops, the lens can be used to safely drop the lens block - to completely unscrew it, you need to turn the focus ring as much as 2,5 turns. MDF can be taken ~ 0.5 m when unscrewed by 2 turns. An adapted I-26M rangefinder is also used in the same way.

View twisted exactly 2 turns of the lens block (almost MDF)

View twisted exactly 2 turns of the lens block (almost MDF)

Aperture control is carried out in the same way as on an unadapted lens - a ring on the front side. The alteration did not touch her at all - the lens retained its authenticity, its “face”. It warms the soul.

Aperture LOMO T-43

Aperture LOMO T-43

The lens diaphragm is surprisingly eight-petal. Typically, manufacturers of lenses for cheap cameras save by installing a five- or six-petal lens. You can not be afraid of nuts in the bokeh and wait for eight-ray stars from point sources of light. The aperture, although black, but not matted, can lead to a drop in contrast in difficult light conditions.

It should be noted that usually lenses made in the USSR need to blacken the chamfers of lenses. But at T-43 they are rolled and this operation will not work.

We emphasize that the T-43 is quite easy to disassemble and relatively easy to adapt (although more complicated than the I-61 rangefinder) for APS-C format SLR cameras and, especially, for mirrorless cameras. The strength of this lens lies in the simplicity of its device and manufacturability, which allowed it to become a regular for the most massive camera in the world.

Optical properties of T-43

T-43 - the simplest three-lens anastigmat with a mediocre aperture. It is distinguished by its short focal length - only 40 mm (in fact 42 mm), which makes it, one might say, standard on cameras from the APS-C format (EGF ~65 mm).

By the way, for old SLR cameras there was a similar class of lens - Carl Zeiss Tessar 40 / 4.5.

Small FR and low aperture (common for “pancake” is aperture order F / 2.8) allow you to achieve a large depth of field (which was important for the scale camera). Together with insignificant dimensions and a decent angle of field of view, this makes the lens attractive, especially for street photos. But is it possible to get a decent result with the simplest cheap triplet?

It turned out that at all apertures the lens is very sharp in the center of the frame. However, even at F / 11, it is not possible to achieve full sharpness across the APS-C frame, the corners pull the maximum for a rating of "satisfactory". At F / 4-F / 5.6, you can completely forget about the edges - the strongest coma, pronounced astigmatism completely blur the image in the corners, turning it into an indistinct mess up to F / 8.

Far field sharpness at f / 4

Far field sharpness at f / 4

Far field sharpness at f / 11

Far field sharpness at f / 11

The best picture quality is achieved at F / 11, with a further decrease in the relative aperture, diffraction manifests itself, sharply worsening the image.

The contrast of the lens is satisfactory in soft light: it is only slightly reduced by “haze” and is easily corrected in the editor. In hard backlight, the lens tends to give “sunny rain” on the open aperture and a single bright flare (when the light source is close to the center of the frame), on the covered “rain” disappears. Also, in a hard light, a rather dense veil of the color of enlightenment is expressed - light blue.

In the back of f / 4

In the back of f / 4

In the back of f / 5.6

In the back of f / 5.6

Veil in backlight (reflection from the water) at F / 11

Veil in backlight (reflection from the water) at F / 11

Color reproduction is correct, slightly shifted to a warm area.

As for bokeh, it is difficult to obtain because of the small aperture, only at small focusing distances the blur becomes quite strong. It is tightly twisted due to vignetting and coma. Blur circles have a border. In terms of bokeh, the lens resembled the I-50 and I-69.

Bokeh T-43 40/4

Bokeh T-43 40/4

You can study the optical characteristics (sharpness in the center, field and contrast) of the T-43 40/4 in more detail and compare them with the Mir-1A 37 / 2.8 characteristics by reading this article.

Conclusions

The T-43 is a fun ultra-compact lens. It can serve as a photographing cover for the mount (everything is better than pinhole) or "original" and unusual staffer for street photography. Combines a good viewing angle and high sharpness in the center of the frame with negligible dimensions. Photos on the lens are obtained with a slight touch of aura of family albums from the USSR, filmed on "Changes" and "Viliya-Auto".

Thank you for your attention, Eshmakov Rodion.

You will find more reviews from readers of Radozhiva here.

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Comments: 88, on the topic: LOMO T-43 40/4, adapted for cameras with EF mount. Review from the reader Radozhiva

  • Oleg

    And photos and nitsche, even some landscapes

    • Andrei

      Yes, the cityscapes are good. Familiar places, central square, "Kulakova's skis". I haven't been to my homeland for a long time.

  • Alexey

    EGF 65mm for the street - it will be too narrow. And who else will be engaged in such alteration? As a one-off experiment will do.

    • Rodion

      Do not believe it, but such alterations are already in full swing. And they are taken.

      • dragon yes not snape

        This "rework" is my first Camera. My dad gave it to me when I went to first grade. I myself would have bought one with pleasure if there was a rework for nikon. Thanks for the nostalgic review. What a beauty!

  • Molchanov Yuri

    Thanks for the interesting review!

  • kronitopov

    very informative.

  • Dim

    It focuses attention on the center, creates an artistic frame for it. A great thing, if you know why; o) I use about the same instrument on Sonya - the Chinese Fujian

  • anonym

    Photos as if taken on fullframe

  • Dmitriy

    I did this type of thing - only by replacing the lens block in a converted frame from the I-50. The color is sometimes pleasant, the compactness pleases, but the corners ... the corners are always soapy, even on the crop. And, of course, it must be emphasized that even the thought of putting the lens on a full-frame DSLR should be abandoned, this can be very expensive for the camera. I put it on a film camera just to demonstrate its appearance.

    • Rodion

      I also thought to make a type of macro variant - with a smaller MDF, with a transfer to the I-61. However, the micro-contrast of this Triplet is very bad and for macro it is completely unsuitable - this is clearly manifested in the article-comparison with Mir-1A.

      • Alexander

        Well done, Rodion! Creative thinking is always commendable!

      • Dmitriy

        No, I have infinity. Helicoid I-50 is twisted 2.5 turns, which allows you to shoot from about 25 cm to infinity.

        • Rodion

          I understand )
          Macrovariant = option with small mdf and infinity.

          • Dmitriy

            Very good cats are obtained)

      • Eugene (Digital M42)

        is it really bad? )
        https://vk.com/photo-55952988_456243583
        https://vk.com/photo-55952988_456243587

        as for me, the medium (non-selective of several!) wave may well be paid.

        • Rodion

          So the wave is also rubbish)

          • Eugene (Digital M42)

            yeah. kenon 100 / 2,8 usm macro - also somewhere nearby, so)

            • Rodion

              If canon also has the same software for an open and disgusting aperture, then yes.

    • B. R. P.

      A! Magazine PHOTO SHOP. We know, we know)

      • Dmitriy

        And about "Zenith -4" - the one in the photo - and even more so))) Oh, it was a good car - a DSLR with a central (!) Shutter, the only pity is that it is heavy and not very comfortable

        • Dmitriy

          The camera is not without problems, namesake. Too complex kinematics: closed the shutter - raised the mirror - opened the shutter - closed the shutter - lowered the mirror - opened the shutter. It is no coincidence that the central shutters took root only on the SF cameras of Prof. level. This is one thing. The second is the absence of short exposures. 1/500 is essentially the limit for the central shutter, even on Hasselblads. And the third is the inability to use high-aperture optics: either you need to expand the shutter pupil, which will affect the uniformity of exposure, or you will have to do without high-aperture optics - and there was nothing lighter 2.8 for these Zeniths, while the usual Zenits with M39 thread were lenses with aperture from 1.5 (legendary G-40).
          In general, the experiment is good, but the concept is stillborn.

          • Dim

            In principle, you can take a redone lens with a working central shutter, I have one such

          • NE

            My Zenith E, 12 SD were repaired several times because of the shutter. Provided that the operation was amateur (film per month or less). Although both KMZ. Vileika (if I'm not mistaken) is a separate topic in terms of quality.

            • Rodion

              You hardly had a Zenith-12SD. They weren’t marked like that, for SD is associated with one cute

              • Rodion

                th organization. But this is so, by the way. I also have a Zenit-12SD - of all Zenits, perhaps the most convenient :) The main thing is that modern batteries are suitable for the exposure meter.

              • NE

                Yes you are right. Ornate SD written. Visual memory. It was postponed as sd ... there was still some story with them, that for this reason SD was either not exported, or went under a different brand ...

              • NE

                Like XP

      • Dmitriy

        Yes, he is the most ... No. 3 in 98. With an article about mechanical DSLRs. I had a Zenit-122k just then - my first camera

  • zengarden

    Wow, I didn’t assume that someone would come up with a lens from Smena to pick out and put on a number :) but it turned out pretty well; architecture is generally very.
    Another respect to Rodion!
    But Smena-8M is really a legendary device, with its help any schoolchild could get involved in photography. True, I myself did not take pictures with them (but I took the lens apart into glass pieces ...), but started with my father's FED-2.

  • Novel

    Good review. It is interesting in that they use old lenses. There is an opportunity to look at them in a new way.
    Cool photos!

  • Alexey

    Let me know the cost of the converted lenses?

  • Rodion

    I don't sell them. Others are doing this. I saw prices in the region of 1,5 kilo rubles. And I think it is adequate - taking into account the amount of work and the expensive shank.

    • Alexey

      Hmm ... the price of Helios 44 turns out, and he will climb on any camera

      • Dmitriy

        Helios-44 was produced by factories, and with Triplet you will either have to work well or pay. But in general, if you need a triplet, there is such an option as Domiplan Meyer 2.8 / 50. Arkady had his review. Optically it is better and brighter, however, the focal length is larger. Well, it costs as much as g-44 or even more. In general, a thing for an amateur.

      • Rodion

        A thing for the fan of the "unusual". Or - small. A kind of "exclusive".

  • Michael

    I have never loaded a color film in Smena, but on b / w the result is generally the same. Soap, low contrast and a lot of veils. About the lens, you can also mention a strong vignette at open apertures, as I recall (I mean on film). Immediately I remember how I spat on this miracle for the fact that half of the frames were in the trash until my father Zenith gave up ...

    • Severynlv

      For the sake of laughter, I somehow got a shift from the shelf, I didn’t take it off for about 20 years. I put the film at hand, seem like Fuji, and went to take it off. The result is printed in a regular minilab, 13x18.

  • Stepan

    What for? What is it? Where are the meanings? It would be interesting to adapt a faceted glass to a digital, full frame. Waters, these distortions of space and light would open ... fantastish.
    Smena and his “colleagues” have taken their place in history, worthily. Why torment a mummy with excavations? What are these “crosses” for? I do not understand…

  • Ilyas

    Not bad and extremely cheap. Thank you

  • Onotole

    A good experiment, sorry for the FF will not work.

    • Rodion

      According to my estimates, the T-69 from Viliya is full

      • Rodion

        th frame, but the aperture place the problem.
        PS What nonsense - accidentally I get to Enter and comments are fasting unfinished ...

        • Onotole

          To be honest, to check this, I somehow don't want to risk the mirror. I will postpone all these thoughts until a mirrorless camera appears on the FF farm - it will be more appropriate there.

          • Rodion

            The thing is that the T-69 lens unit itself does not even go beyond the plane of the adapter with an EF mount when focusing to infinity. Those. without aperture, the lens can be guaranteed to be installed. And the diaphragm is not in the lens unit, but behind it - separately. Hence the fuss.

  • Vitaly S.

    Photo from LOMO T-43 4/40 silver (zhzhatoe photo skull Facebook)

  • Eugene (Digital M42)

    I have this option - very high quality, accurate and atypical adaptation for Nikon http://m42digital.ru/katalog-tovarov/obektivy-dlya-nikon-f/lomo-t-43-4-40-m42-makro-dlya-kropov-nikon

  • Eugene (Digital M42)

    https://vk.com/album-55952988_247205658 - here are pictures of st43-macro for nikon

  • Basil

    In this regard, the UPC is certainly much more convenient. And the flange focal length is smaller and there is help with manual focusing. And the mirror does not catch :)). I also "made" such a lens for myself on Fujifilm X. True, I was looking for a broken Smena for a long time, since my hand would not have risen to break the whole apparatus. For what? Yes, just for the joy of oneself both when shooting and when demonstrating the result of shooting. Most often it was enthusiastic - "Oh, why nafig, is this Change?"
    Well, and I will immediately answer those who like to “notice” about sweeter carrots - I have lenses. :) But this triplet brings more joy.
    Thank you for the review. For understanding that I am not alone SUCH!

    • Rodion

      My Smena also turned out to be inoperative - the central shutter was killed, the petals were bent.
      But even the carcass of the shift found application - he assembled an installation for reshooting the developed film on a digital camera.

      • Michael

        Isn't scanning better? No distortion?

        • Rodion

          It depends on what. They scan poorly in my city. And in Moscow it is very expensive. The result of the reshoot suits me. I use Pancolar 80 / 1.8 for this.

      • Dmitry E.

        Can you tell me how? There is a non-working fork, there is the same problem with the film, there is nowhere to show it at all. I will be grateful

  • Severynlv

    So, in 2012, I took a shift from the shelf, for the sake of laughter, I loaded an overwhelming film, they printed it in an ordinary minilab, 13x18.
    The result is arranged.

  • Rodion

    Who is interested in the lens - I will offer it for 1.5 kilorub.

  • Victor 8M

    Great idea to resurrect the old T-43. You got a not very successful copy. build quality swam greatly, the right edge at infinity rude. At the time, I had a pair of T-43s perfect in sharpness and purity (they didn’t yellow). And the thread in worn out instances sometimes dangles. what you need to hold with your finger))

    • Rodion

      In fact, I was more satisfied with this lens than with the Primoplan 58 / 1.9 - and much more.
      And with the edge, the problem may be, for example, due to a violation of the perpendicularity of the optical axis during alteration - high accuracy cannot be obtained in this way during adaptation.

  • anonym

    I blew off the lens block to the lens - in Nikon, the mirror still touches at infinity. Then he sawed down from the front and grinded down to the lens and inserted it back to front in the industrial 50 - there is infinity and the mirror does not touch. the picture is the same.

    • Rodion

      Tessar triplets sometimes really allow overturning without nightmarish negative consequences)

  • Fedor

    I remade this miracle the other day on BZ to Sony A6000 and I will say a very excellent glass especially for free))

  • Fat jazz

    https://ibb.co/s3WHbm2
    https://ibb.co/8Dc9CQJ
    https://ibb.co/ChzmjWW
    https://ibb.co/1MjyCgx
    I sharpened the adapter to M42, the adapter to the adapter, so to speak, to the canon 550d, the thread on the lens for some reason is not metric or ushaten strongly, so the thread in the adapter could not be cut, and I did not dare to re-cut on the lens itself, so I cut the standard thread.

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