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Abbreviations

Specification

Source of data

• Manufacturer's technical data.

Manufacturer description

The МС Юпитер-Супер-2\50 М1 lens is designed for SLR cameras with a frame format of 24 x 36 mm.

The lens can be used for various types of amateur photography, as well as special types of photography: reproduction photography, macro and micro photography, etc. on black-and-white and color film.

The lens has an automatic pressure-type diaphragm (M). The lens, in comparison with its analogues, has smaller dimensions, has an increased resolution, which contributes to high-quality depiction of small details of the subject.

The optical elements of the lens have a multi-layer anti-reflective coating, which increases transmission and reduces light scattering, which provides particularly favorable contrast and sharpness of the image, significantly eliminates halos, glare and light spots even when photographing against the light with a large difference in the brightness of the subject. Thanks to the use of high-quality optics, the lens in its parameters belongs to the so-called "diamond" lenses.

Light transmission, not less than: 0.9. Resolving power in the center, mm-1: not less than 60, at the edges, mm-1: not less than 45.

From the editor

The appearance on sale of a small batch of brand new Jupiter-Super-M1 50/2 MC lenses at the end of 2016 caused discussions and a number of questions. The first thing you might think when you see the Jupiter-Super-M1 is that it is a fake based on the Helios-44M-5/6/7 MC. However, the copies that went on sale came complete with both original protective caps, an instruction manual, a case, and some lenses were even sealed in thick cellophane. So, judging by the quality control mark in the manual, the rare and previously unknown Jupiter-Super-M1 was released in March 1998 at the Jupiter Plant (Russia) and since then had been lying somewhere in a warehouse for 18 years in an untouched state until it ended up with an informed seller.

The supporters of the fake version have very weighty arguments:

• The design of the barrel is a complete copy of the Helios-44M-5/6/7 MC;
• Very large serial numbers, not typical for experimental and small-batch samples. For example, there were lenses with numbers 97044513, 97044552, 97044621, etc.
• The introductory part of the manual is written in a manner unusual for a technical document, and is generally printed on ordinary office paper and has no mark on the circulation.

However, a careful examination of the lens does not tip the scales in favor of the fake version. The build quality of the Jupiter-Super-M1 corresponds to the factory quality. Despite all the similarities between the Jupiter and the Helios-44M-5/6/7 MC, it has different characteristics and a significant number of unique parts. The focusing ring has its own distinctive distance engraving, the optical elements are smaller in diameter and are located much deeper in the lens barrel, the length and weight of the lens are slightly different, etc. Therefore, it is not surprising that the new model received an original name, and not the Helios-44M-8. In addition, one of the copies of the eponymous wide-angle lens Jupiter-Super-M 20/2.8 MC, the authenticity of which almost no one doubts, also has a large serial number 97029683 and the same "suspicious" instruction manual. The strange numbering can be explained by the banal failure to comply with irrelevant Soviet GOSTs.

Optical parameters, dimensions, image formed by the lens indicate its direct relationship with the Zenitar-M2 50/2 MC produced by the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant. And this is not surprising: the Jupiter Plant has long been engaged in the production of various Krasnogorsk optics both for the needs of KMP and for retail sale. The small number of units and the obscurity of this model are most likely caused by the historical aspect: the Jupiter-Super-M1 was being prepared for release in the infamous 1998. Due to the economic default in Russia, the production of photographic optics became a dubious business (the people had more pressing priorities), the question of the survival of the plant was more important. Perhaps that is why the Jupiter Plant completely curtailed its civil activities, and a small batch of already manufactured lenses went to the warehouse as an unwanted commodity.

Other standard prime lenses in the Zenit M42 system

Lenses with similar focal length