bad lens fix?

[giovatony]

Images from my Kiev 4AM are just fine with my Jupiter 12 but the Helios 103 that came with it are really way out of focus.
The lens looks like it was never used and I can understand why but it`s a shame to have to toss it.
The seller (Alex) is going to send me another but I`d still like to see this one fixed.
Suggestions?
Thank you,
John

 

[Stu W]

Is everything out or focus or is the point of focus off? Big difference. If the point of focus is off just follow the same collimation technique used by all the Jupiter lenses. A single set screw I believe holds the optics to the mount. If everything is out of focus you have an optics problem. Stu

 

[giovatony]

Everything is OOF.

 

[former member]

It's easy to get the rear-most element in backwards. When I take mine apart, I use a marker to put a dot on the outside glass so that I get it back in correctly. It's also possible not to seat the front elements correctly.

This lens has two shims, a main stand-off for the optics module to fit in the mount, and a second shim to space the rear module with regard to the front optics.

There are several ways to mess up this lens.

Here are some photo's of the lens and tools required to take it apart. This was done to blacken the blades. Two set screws hold the main optics module in the mount. Taking the rear element out also requires the spanner, or needle-nose pliers and a steady hand.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51076

 

[Stu W]

Brian just jogged my memory with this one. I had a Sonnar that did the same thing-everything out of focus. The problem was an element installed backwards. Stu

 

[ruben]

My firsst Helios showed crappy performance. Afterwards came another 2, one bought by itself and another with a camera - both of high performance.

I would take Alex offer and use the opportunity to purchase some small items Alex sells almost for nothing, like an old Kiev case of the 2/2a type, to fit a 4am through a bit of your hand work, or a full chrome self timer knob, or a front black plate - or all of these together. Chances are you will asked to pay for the items but not extra for the shipment along another Helios.

Notice that all these mentioned parts will highly improve the looking of your 4am.

Cheers,
ruben

 

[giovatony]

My firsst Helios showed crappy performance. Afterwards came another 2, one bought by itself and another with a camera - both of high performance.

I would take Alex offer and use the opportunity to purchase some small items Alex sells almost for nothing, like an old Kiev case of the 2/2a type, to fit a 4am through a bit of your hand work, or a full chrome self timer knob, or a front black plate - or all of these together. Chances are you will asked to pay for the items but not extra for the shipment along another Helios.

Notice that all these mentioned parts will highly improve the looking of your 4am.

Cheers,
ruben

Alex has already sent me another Helios 103 along with a Fed 5 and Industar 61 I ordered . He has been very good.
John

 

[giovatony]

It's easy to get the rear-most element in backwards. When I take mine apart, I use a marker to put a dot on the outside glass so that I get it back in correctly. It's also possible not to seat the front elements correctly.

This lens has two shims, a main stand-off for the optics module to fit in the mount, and a second shim to space the rear module with regard to the front optics.

There are several ways to mess up this lens.

Here are some photo's of the lens and tools required to take it apart. This was done to blacken the blades. Two set screws hold the main optics module in the mount. Taking the rear element out also requires the spanner, or needle-nose pliers and a steady hand.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51076

I might just try that. Thanks.
John

 

[oftheherd]

Pretty impressive Brian. Thanks, since I missed that post when you first did it.

Giovatony - hope that next lens does better for you. I have found my recently acquired Helios to be kind of nice.