Zenitar 50 M2S - anyone know anything about it?

[tkbslc]

I was looking at some 50's on ebay last night and stumbled across a batch of "Zenitar MC M2s 50mm f2" lenses. Looks like a little plastic 50 of almost pancake proportions. Anyone heard or seen these before?

example listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lens-Zenitar-M2S-2-50mm-M42-Zenit-NEW-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ180455972930QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item2a0403a042

[Jeff Zen]

Just know that is a very late model with a really funky postmodern design. Kinda' looks like chocolate donut.
Those lenses are mostly plastic and the optics are supposedly not as good as earlier versions. ...But I've never tried one personally so who knows?

[no-X]

Sharp lens, very light.

http://forum.mflenses.com/kmz-mc-zenitar-m2-m2s-t9504.html

[Abbazz]

[fatdeeman]

Perfectly good lens, the construction has more plastic than older lenses but then so do newer Canon L's and Sigma EX's etc etc etc

Most lenses have more plastic nowadays, it will be tough plastic though, not kinder egg toy grade!

[aoleg]

[sichko]

I have one of these - unfortunately ! It's very difficult to focus. The focusing mechansim is very crude and is made of plastic - probably high density polyethlene and not polycarbonate. The optical cell fits in a plastic cylinder which has two pins on opposite sides. These engage with two spiral slots in an outer cylinder. There are no threaded helicoids. Maybe I have a bad copy but mine doesn't work well.

[Poolhall]

I have both the M2 and K2 (Pentax bayonet) versions and have posted samples on here before, I would recommend them whole heartedly- very, very sharp, excellent colour rendition and nice bokeh too. They do have a reputation for not being well put together, see John's post above, and the spring that controls the diaphragm is reckoned to be a bit weak- but then poor quality control is a feature of a lot of Russian lenses. Having said all that I keep the K2 version in my camera bag all the time and it sees a lot of use
http://forum.mflenses.com/lilies-with-zenitar-m2s-50-2-t16957,highlight,zenitar.html
http://forum.mflenses.com/zenitar-k2-samples-t22583,highlight,zenitar.html

[karabud]

Maybe buy one, are cheap and seem to be pretty good. Compare to helios 81n which is better?

[Poolhall]

Zenitar for image but Helios for solid build quality

[karabud]

Thx
Which the best zenitar(optics)? m2s f/2; f/1.9 or 1.7 ?

[Poolhall]

For me 2/50 then 1.7/50 then 1.9/50 but all are worth getting. I have the f2 in M42 and K mount, the 1.7 in M42, which is very good and very well put together, and the 1.9 in K mount, which is identical externally to the Helios 44K-4, so good build quality. There is also Zenitar M 1.8/50 too but I think it is the same as a Helios 77M-4, just renamed- maybe someone else knows if it is a different lens or not. If you can get any cheap they are worth buying but prices seem to have gone up a lot recently especially Zenitar 1.7/50.

[karabud]

Thx one more time. I buy m2s for about 10-20$ with camera. 1.7 is harder to find in such a good price; )

[Poolhall]

I would certainly buy one for that Piotr, seems a good price

[karabud]

Finally i have not found M2s so i bought Helios 81N with Kiev 19 for 17$+shiping costs(4$). Now i`m waiting for the delivery

[Poolhall]

Good choice the Kiev 19 is a nice camera, good and solid with a fine all round lens in the Helios. Excellent price too well done

[karabud]

Two test shots:




Fullsize :
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/5425/dscf8037assmartobject1.jpg