Contax IIa with a Helios 103 lens?

[ray*j*gun]

Fedka.com has brand new Helios 103 lenses listed on his web page for like $22.00. Does anyone have personal experience with this lens on a Contax IIa? Does it mount properly? I understand it is a great lens but am worried it might not fit....I have heard that some fit and some don't.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ray

 

[dexdog]

I have used the Menopta 53/1.8 on a Contax IIa, and it works just fine. Menopta appears to be a re-badged Helios 103.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Great.......for the price its just sooo hard to pass up.

Thanks dexdag.

Ray

 

[dexdog]

I am pretty sure that Raid has also used the Menopta/Helios on a Contax IIa with success. The Helios is a Planar design, and gives a somewhat different rendering than the Sonnar usually used on the Contax.

 

[robin a]

I have both and they're great.A J-8m is a good one also.I use a I-61l/d alot on my Kiev,also.A Brian Sweeney remount,very sharp.............Robin

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thank you all!! I have a very nice Sonnar now so a Planar design would be a nice alternative. I have also heard lots of good things about the J8...is that a Sonnar or Planar spec?

Ray

 

[dexdog]

The J8 is a copy of the Zeiss 50/2 Sonnar.

 

[Carlsen Highway]

I have a J8 (M) I use on my Contax and am impressed with it.

 

[FrankS]

What's the difference (besides the letter M) between a J8 and a J8M, pray tell?

 

[FrankS]

Got it. Search and ye shall find:

Jupiter8, 50mm f/2, Sonnar copy
Jupiter 8m, 50mm f/2, recalculated formula, click stops

 

[ray*j*gun]

OK.....So its the Helios 103 to give a different look than my Sonnar and also to get a great deal on a lens.

Again, great resource here and Merry Christmas!!

Ray

 

[john341]

I had heard that the Helios has a slightly different back-focus from the Jupiter 8M on the Kiev/Contax cameras, perhaps the earlier models? I have used a Helios on a Kiev 4M and I thought it was great!

 

[gdmcclintock]

Fedka.com has brand new Helios 103 lenses listed on his web page for like $22.00. Does anyone have personal experience with this lens on a Contax IIa? Does it mount properly? I understand it is a great lens but am worried it might not fit....I have heard that some fit and some don't.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ray

I purchased a Helios 103 from Fedka and use it on my Contax IIa. Although the fit is loose, the lens works great, very sharp and contrasty.

gdmcclintock

 

[ray*j*gun]

Well I ordered the H 3 today and will report back when I get it and run some film through.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Ray

 

[wlewisiii]

You should like it. The Helios 103 is a really nice lens (I have a Menopta labeled one). It reminds me of the collapsible Summicron I used to own - and given the FSUs proclivities towards borrowing lens designs that wouldn't exactly surprise me...

Hope you like it!

William

 

[raid]

I got a Menopta as my first lens for my IIIa. It has a beautiful look.
I am told [on RFF] that the Menopta/Helios 103 is a Gauss/Planar design.

 

[raid]

I am pretty sure that Raid has also used the Menopta/Helios on a Contax IIa with success. The Helios is a Planar design, and gives a somewhat different rendering than the Sonnar usually used on the Contax.

Hello Mark,
I have posted a few images above. Once, it was my only Contax mount lens. It is a very good lens. The cost is absurdly low. Brian changed a few such lenses to LTM for a while.

 

[wlewisiii]

Beautiful work, as always, Raid.

When you use the Contax you tend to take for granted the whole Tessar/Sonnar look which is why it is usually a pleasant surprise when folks discover the Gaussian Helios/Menopta lens. It's a nice drawing lens that feels a bit more modern due to it's design but it still holds up well at the 1.8 - 2.8 end of the range.

I'll be getting my Contax II back from Eddy next week. I may just have to break out that Menopta again.

William

 

[raid]

Thank you, William.

With lens designs such as the Tessar, Sonnar and Planar, Zeiss gave photographers a trio that was/is hard to beat.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Beautiful photos Raid and William!!

Well I received a Helios 103 (NOS) and a Jup 8m today from Yuri (Fedka.com). God they both look great and the Jup 8m was only $19.00........... holy s**t. Can't wait to try them out.

Thanks for your help as always.....happy newyear.

Ray