Anyone ever do this? Mounting Kiev lenses.

[iggers]

With Russian rangefinders, I'm like the klutzy suitor who can't do anything right.This time its mounting lenses. Usually its messing up the loading of bottom-loaders.

Before mid-roll, I removed a Jupiter-12 from my Kiev (not sure which model - newer, hot shoe, no meter), and put on a Helios-103. I haven't had much experience mounting and removing lenses from the Kiev. The Helios didn't seem entirely right on the mount, but I couldn't see anything wrong. To my dismay, all of the Helios shots (many but not all close up and at or near wide open 1.8) were out of focus.

After I got the photos back, I turned the lens on the mount. I don't recall re-seating the lens, but maybe I did. I noticed the red dot on the body and the one on the lens lining up. When I tested the rangefinder distances against other cameras, it was right on. I am guessing that the lens was not on right when I shot, and now is seated properly.


Here are a couple:

http://photos21.flickr.com/31923800_355a72147c.jpg

http://photos21.flickr.com/31923799_2c371daef9.jpg

The J-12 shots were all fine:

http://photos21.flickr.com/31740509_8deca9b735.jpg

 

[FrankS]

Hi Dan! I agree that the Kievs are more difficult to mount lenses on than the screw mounts. One thing that you may have neglected doing is setting the camera body's focussing helix to infinity. Hope this helps. 🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Helios-103 uses the internal mount of the Kiev. Even if it was not completely seated, it should have been in the ballpark. It is possible to improperly mount a lens on the external mount, such as the J-12, and not engage the RF cam. But that is not possible with the Helios-103. When mounting any lens on the Kiev, turn the focus-wheel on the body to infinity and make sure it locks. For lenses with their own focus, like the J-12, turn it to infinity before mounting. Then turn the focus ring and make sure the little focus wheel moves as well.

Back to the Helsios-103. Be more careful putting it on and shoot a few test shots. Check those before relying on the lens for anything important. The pictures you showed could also indicate an improperly re-assembled lens. Do not trust the lens until you see some sharp results.