Brian Sweeney is back at RFF.

[Dante_Stella]

Welcome back!

Dante

 

[former member]

What is the difference between German elements and German glass? Is this what you meant to type?

German Elements: the optics were made in Germany by Zeiss, used in the Russian Lens. These usually have Zeiss Serial numbers stamped into the fixtures that are visible on disassembly.

German Glass: Schott glass made into elements in Russia, then used in the Russian lens.

Some very subtle differences in coatings, etc.

 

[raid]

Thanks for the clarification, Brian. I was sure that you have a typo!

 

[raid]

Ref: Chris
Skyllaney Opto-Mechanics
Warwickshire, England

 

[former member]

sonnar_1607_1 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

sonnar_1607_4 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

It turns out that I was an inspiration...

Best of all, I have a company to refer people to for doing this conversion. Easily 16 hours of work, and I only did half of what Chris at Skyllaney does.

But I do like my 1934 Nickel Finish 5cm F1.5 Sonnar. The days of finding these Sonnars for $75 are over. Or $70 Summicrons and Canon 50/1.5's, and all the other bargains before the M8 came out.

Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Glass like Wax Paper when received. Can't complain- for $67.

Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr


After cleaning gobs of 80 year old grease off the barrel and aperture blades- just a little vacuum pump grease tp dampen the aperture ring.

Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr



Sonnar Conversion by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Manassas Christmastime by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

 

[raid]

Both you and I collected many Sonnars over the years. It was a lot of fun to dig into history. Your lens is very beautiful.

 

[xayraa33]

Hmm Brian...I wonder if there is a way to get a Helios 103 lens module into a J-8 or J-3 LTM focusing mount?

 

[former member]

You can get it into a Canon 50mm F1.8 mount, but not a J-3 or J-8.

You can also get it into the close-up adapter for the Summitar, rethread the helical, and polish down the back of the adapter for an RF coupling...

 

[raid]

I have missed seeing such Sonnar discussions at RFF.

 

[xayraa33]

You can get it into a Canon 50mm F1.8 mount, but not a J-3 or J-8.

You can also get it into the close-up adapter for the Summitar, rethread the helical, and polish down the back of the adapter for an RF coupling...

Ah...so a spare Canon 50mm F1.8 mount would do it.

I also remember you had a way to make the Helios 103 focus well on Nikon RF cameras, something about loosening two screws and rotating the lens out by half a full turn.

It would be nice if you posted some photos on how this done on a Helios 103 lens, if you don't mind.

 

[former member]

Some Helios-103 lenses have a Shim for the rear group, I've seen this in the 1981 and 1982. FOR THOSE- reducing the thickness of the rear shim about 0.4mm and moving the rear group in works.

I'll post some shots of the Helios-103. I also found that using a Black Sharpie on the aperture blades greatly reduces flare. After 10+ years, lens still looks good.

 

[xayraa33]

Some Helios-103 lenses have a Shim for the rear group, I've seen this in the 1981 and 1982. FOR THOSE- reducing the thickness of the rear shim about 0.4mm and moving the rear group in works.

I'll post some shots of the Helios-103. I also found that using a Black Sharpie on the aperture blades greatly reduces flare. After 10+ years, lens still looks good.

That will be great, Brian... I will look forward to the Helios 103 modification photos.

 

[bennyng]

Last weekend I took a couple of Canon 100/3.5's apart to clean haze out- I'll document this. Two were sent to be after being pronounced "not worth opening for an estimate". They cleaned up well. Turns out that the optics of the much cheaper R and FL series can be substituted for bad glass.

Hey Brian,

Good to see you back!! I've always enjoyed your sharing and look forward to your 100/3.5 sessions with excitment!

Cheers,

 

[oftheherd]

So good to see you back Brian.