Overview of the Triplet 69-3 4/40 lens from the Silhouette-Electro camera specifically for Radozhiva prepared Rodion Eshmakov.
Triplet 69-3 4/40 from the Silhouette-Electro camera
The non-removable Triplet 69-3 4/40 lens of the same design was equipped with Soviet mass-scale Orion-EE and Silhouette-Electro cameras. Optically, it is absolutely identical. T-69-3 from Viliya-Auto (his review in the version for SLR cameras is presented here), but outwardly noticeably different from it. This instance was converted to M39 thread for use with mirrorless cameras.
Features
Optical design: triplet;
Focal length: 40 mm;
Relative bore: 1: 4;
Field of view angle: 55 degrees (for 35 mm film);
Aperture: lens, square, automatic;
Filter thread: 47 mm.
Features: fixed lens, diaphragm and central shutter separated from the lens block.
Features of adaptation of T-69-3 for mirrorless cameras
It is easy to separate the lens from the camera using a key for slotted nuts: just unscrew one from the inside of the camera body and cut off the wires coming from the selenium exposure meter. The working length of the T-69-3 was 28.8 mm, so it was enough to attach a shank with M39 thread from Industar-23U - and the lens is ready for use.
Converted lens and adapter M39-Sony E.
Small locksmith work was needed to increase the stroke of the focus ring. MDF was reduced to 0.5 m, the best result will be extremely problematic - the design of the focuser and lens body will not allow.
The T-69-3 focuses by moving the entire lens block, however, the nose of the lens does not rotate. It is a pity that the strange diameter of the thread in the front can make it difficult to find covers and filters.
MDF lens
Alteration does not affect the mechanism of the diaphragm. But the central shutter located nearby needs to be locked in the open position, fixing one of the levers on the side of the tail of the lens. A thin corrugated ring for changing the exposure meter illumination (a peephole on the lens title ring) will also become inactive and useless.
View zaliznogo diaphragm T-69.
View of the T-69 from the shank.
The adaptation of the T-69-3 for mirrorless cameras is not only simpler, but also much less destructive than in the case of SLR cameras: the lens has not lost its appearance and functionality. The highlight of the T-69 can be called an unusual four-petal square aperture.
Optical properties
The T-69 has very good sharpness in the center of the frame with an open aperture, however, the resolution at the edge does not return to normal at full frame even at F / 11 due to the strongest field distortions. The contrast is satisfactory in normal lighting, but drops sharply in backlight. It is possible that this is due to damage to enlightenment. At full frame, vignetting is especially noticeable. Color rendition - with shift to a warm area.
However, the picture of the T-69 is not the worst in terms of art. I even like its bokeh, which becomes especially spectacular with F / 8. True, it is apparently possible to achieve spectacular “pixel” blurring of the background only in macro.
The T-69 has a large angle of view and a wide depth of field - this makes it attractive, for example, for street photos.
Below are examples of photos on the Sony A7s full-frame camera (shooting in RAW, developing in Image Edge).
Conclusions
The T-69 from the Soviet BelOMO scale cameras is very easily adapted for mirrorless cameras. Optically, this is a very dark and weak lens, but in skillful hands it can serve as a street "wide" as well as a macro lens. The unusual square aperture of the lens attracts the attention of many enthusiastic amateur photographers.
You will find more reviews from readers of Radozhiva here.
Interesting lens, and the square aperture is quite unusual (although there are more interesting options, yes). But the point of adapting it? unless for an experiment. Good experience anyway. I like it when a person's hands grow out of the right place and the head is bright 🙂 Thank you, Rodion, your hobbies and experiments are interesting to people. Well, at least some ...
Thank you for the comment.
Apparently, there was still a sense of the alteration - now the owner of this lens is no longer me ...
The problem with such artifacts is the same: they are all entirely pure one trick ponies.
We were able to find this very one trick, it will turn out for him a special lens.
Failed, there will be an incomprehensible piece of trash.
And then there are squares in the bokeh, and he is dark for his FR, i.e. to separate the object from the background will not work out very well.
Although the glass itself turned out to be at least unusual.
Yes, you will need to try to repeat an interesting option
I think if you put it in a more convenient and reliable helicoid, the result will be better
more even along the edges and it looks like he went to a warp
Good work Rodion success in creativity
There certainly cannot be distortions with this adaptation option - the helicoid is not affected in any way during the alteration. Only stoppers located on body parts.
Trilinzovy about, active…. The filth of the chorninnya internal surfaces, the inappropriate enlightenment of the linz .... There is nothing good about it, it’s not a good idea to check out photographs.
Interesting reviews on such alterations, but I also want to see the photo on the device as it looks :)
It was worthy of slo, maє character.
My mother-in-law also has a character. Ale yoga can be seen with an indefatigable eye)
Another example.