3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500 mm 1:6.3 [M42]

There was a break in lens sampling and testing due to the fact that my G2 was sent away. I got a really nice B4 lens, but it needed major adjustments and service. I'll get it back after Christmas.

Most of my tests so far were wide angles, portrait lenses and some standards. Now I decided to take some shots with my biggest piece: 3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500 mm 1:6.3 M42 lens. It's absolutely stunning and huge mirror lens.

 3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500 mm 1:6.3 (M42) - mirror lens (Maksutov) - built-in lens hood. You have to pull it to access focusing ring - I find that a great solution!

Today's samples are going to be unusual. What I want to show you first are photos from modified lens. Frankly speaking, when I got it, I realised it was very soft, so I just put it on the shelf and forgot about it. It looked rather used and price was very low, so I thought I had a bad luck with the crappy piece.
I reminded about the Soviet Maksutov a month ago, when I was looking for something and decided to give it a second chance.

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (M42) compared to:

TV lens 25/1.4 aka Fujian (C-mount)

and Jupiter-37A 135/3.5 (M42)

I shot with my Olympus E-3. Those turned out really blurry and soft, but on the other hand, kind of mesmerising.
Objects placed on focus plane are very soft, but bokeh is insanely soft and dreamy. Also the rendering of lights and shadows is delicate and captivating. I find that as a pretty unique quality.

Camera: Olympus E-3
Mount: M42 > Four Thirds
Aperture: 6.3
Edit: PS CS6 scaling

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (modified rear lens unit)

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (modified rear lens unit)

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (modified rear lens unit)

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (modified rear lens unit)

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (modified rear lens unit)

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (modified rear lens unit)

I wanted to learn some more about 3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 so I just googled it. I've found a rear lens unit scheme, which suggested different configuration than what was used in my example.

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (M42) proper order of rear element lens unit.

After I had unscrewed and adjusted the rear set, here's what I got. I didn't see that difference coming!

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit) - medium distance shot

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit) - medium distance shot

It's a mirror lens construction with no aperture control. It means F6.3 is all you get. Unique build with a mirror in the middle of the front creates special kind of bokeh.

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit) - bokeh rings characteristic for mirror lenses caused by front mirror in the middle of front lens.

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit) - taken form the same place as above

Those long mirror lenses were very popular locally (in Eastern Poland) and widely used by nature photographers, e.g. Wiktor Wołkow or Jerzy Fedorowicz. Why? Because 20-30 years ago those were cheap and easily available. As it's common for Soviet hardware, there were better ones and crappy pieces. I've heard a story from Wołkow, when he'd dropped one of his most favourite and sharpest "mirrors" into the river. He jumped in and picked it out, but mirror's coating got badly damaged already. He bought several more, but none of those were so sharp. His suspicion was "the diver" was an unmarked unit manufactured for army. I guess we'll never know...

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit)

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit)

What's more so special about this lens? Used on 4/3 sensor it gives you an FF equivalent of 1000 mm! It's almost impossible to shoot it with your bare hands. When I took those samples, I used a tripod with mirror lift and a 10 sec. timer to reduce shaking. On a summer day you might be able to shoot distortions from hot air.

If you want to use it - you need a firm tripod and/or a lot of light. It was a hard thing to focus on my old and loose one. Every tiny shake moved an object away from the frame!
Luckily lens has 2 tripod mounts, each with 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. Another advantage is adjustable M42 mount locked by 3 screws. It gives the ability to set lens perfectly horizontal/vertical with any camera/adaptor without major changes. Incredibly important, when you attach your lens to tripod, not the camera.

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit) - close distance

3M-6A (ZM-6A) 500/6.3 (correct rear lens unit) - close distance

It's definitely not a lens for everybody, but kind of legendary for me. I've heard and saw a lot of those in my early youth. Those who'll love and learn to use it, will get a great tool!