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Abbreviations

Model history (2)

Specification

Source of data

• Manufacturer's technical data.

Manufacturer description

The "МС ЗМ-5СА" photographic lens is intended as an interchangeable lens for SLR cameras of the "Зенит" type with a curtain shutter and manual aperture control.

The lens is available in two versions: with an adapter having a М42х1 thread, or with an adapter having a М39х1 thread.

The lens is used for black and white and color photography.

The lens is mainly used for shooting distant objects, inaccessible areas of terrain, landscapes, architectural details and sports events. The "МС ЗМ-5СА" is an indispensable lens for photo hunting for photographing animals and birds that are difficult to approach at close range.

Light transmission: 0.70. Resolving power, mm^-1: at the center of the field: 40, at the edges of the field: 20.

Typical characteristics of mirror (reflex) lenses

• Catadioptric system consisting of curved mirrors and optical glass;
• Much shorter, lighter and less expensive designs than conventional super telephoto lenses;
• Outstanding correction of chromatic aberrations;
• Since the aperture is fixed, neutral density filters are used to obtain a smaller aperture;
• Doughnut-shaped out-of-focus highlights.

From the editor

The lens was produced by the Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant (USSR) in the late 1980s and most likely in the first half of the 1990s. First shown at the All-Union Exhibition in 1984.

The ZM-5SA is an improved version of the ZM-5A with the same optical design but reduced weight and size. It also lacks a built-in hood and tripod mounts. Despite the letter "A" in the lens name, the ZM-5SA has a fixed M42 screw mount, not an interchangeable mount of the "A" type, as in the case of the ZM-5A.

The following filters were supplied with the lens: УФ-1х (UV), ЖЗ-2х (Yellow/Green), О-2,8х (Orange) and Н-4х (Neutral).

Notes

• "ЗМ" is an abbreviation for "зеркально-менисковый [объектив]", which means "mirror-meniscus [lens]", or "зеркальный [объектив] Максутова", which means "Maksutov's mirror [lens]".
• Dmitry Dmitrievich Maksutov (1896-1964) is a Soviet scientist, optician, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1946). Inventor of the meniscus optical system bearing his name, which is now widely used in telescope construction.

Other super telephoto prime lenses in the Zenit M42 system

Lenses with similar focal length