Jean
Member
Hello,
I agree they look identical, but inside they aren't. the Menopta lens design is - according to M Princelle based upon the same as the one inside the Helios 94.
Jean
I agree they look identical, but inside they aren't. the Menopta lens design is - according to M Princelle based upon the same as the one inside the Helios 94.
Jean
zhang xk
Well-known
My Helios 94 for Kiev 5 was made in 1970. Helios 103 was made in 1984. I am surprised both lenses were made in 1994 when Kiev rangefnder cameras were out of production long time ago.
fidget said:
zhang xk
Well-known
Hello Jean,
You are lucky. You could talk to M. Princelle. Does he visit those forums for Russian cameras?
A new book for Chinese cameras could be very interesting.
Cheers,
Zhang
You are lucky. You could talk to M. Princelle. Does he visit those forums for Russian cameras?
A new book for Chinese cameras could be very interesting.
Cheers,
Zhang
Jean said:
raid
Dad Photographer
Is the Helios 94 a Sonnar design and the Helios 103 a Planar or is it vice versa? If it has been already stated, I am sorry.
Jean
Member
Hello Zhang,
You wrote : "Does he visit those forums for Russian cameras?
A new book for Chinese cameras could be very interesting "
I'll ask him, I promise
BTW, I'm not sure but we have no proof the Menoptas were made in 1994 !
All the best,
Jean
You wrote : "Does he visit those forums for Russian cameras?
A new book for Chinese cameras could be very interesting "
I'll ask him, I promise
BTW, I'm not sure but we have no proof the Menoptas were made in 1994 !
All the best,
Jean
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M. Valdemar
Well-known
1) Are you Jean Loup Princelle? I admire your books, have both editions.
2) Vadim, tell me more about the Orchid-1 Summicron copy. I was aware there are two M-mount Russian lenses, such as the Helios-113, but I thought the Orchid-1 was only a prototype. Have you ever seen one?
2) Vadim, tell me more about the Orchid-1 Summicron copy. I was aware there are two M-mount Russian lenses, such as the Helios-113, but I thought the Orchid-1 was only a prototype. Have you ever seen one?
You wrote : "Does he visit those forums for Russian cameras?
A new book for Chinese cameras could be very interesting "
I'll ask him, I promise
BTW, I'm not sure but we have no proof the Menoptas were made in 1994 !
All the best,
Jean
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Jean
Member
Hello,
No, I'm only a "Kontax" lover
All the best,
Jean
No, I'm only a "Kontax" lover
All the best,
Jean
fidget
Lemon magnet
zhang xk said:My Helios 94 for Kiev 5 was made in 1970. Helios 103 was made in 1984. I am surprised both lenses were made in 1994 when Kiev rangefnder cameras were out of production long time ago.
Yes. I have made an incorrect assumption. The serial number on the Menopta is 940193, wrongly assumed by me to be 1994?
Just checking my H103, I should have said 84 as the serial number starts 84, my apologies.
Looking carefully at the reflections from the lens elements and how deep in the assembly they appear to be, it is indeed identical to the H103.
Could this have been a sly ploy to sell off a few H103 seconds in disguise?
Incidentally, this and the first Menopta (which I returned for replacement) are clearly substandard in one way or another.
raid
Dad Photographer
I got my Menopta from Brian Sweeney. He told me that the lens was good without needing any adjustments. He also told me that it is an export version of the Helios 103.
My Menopta example is an excellent performer. I have posted a thread with results a while ago at RFF.
My Menopta example is an excellent performer. I have posted a thread with results a while ago at RFF.
QUAsit
Established
Never saw Orchid-1 except picture in G.Abramov`s book, like shown above...
By the way, the scheme of Helios-94 is the following:
DG - yes, but not Leitz like...
By the way, the scheme of Helios-94 is the following:
DG - yes, but not Leitz like...
raid
Dad Photographer
From my Menopta:
TVphotog
Television Grunt
Ruben, forgive the late entry into this thread. Stick with your J8 and H103s. If you really need a half or even a full stop, buy the J3. I lusted after a J3 for months, spending way too much time searching Ebay and such for just the perfect lens. While I was searching I took my J8 on both my Kiev 2 and my Z4 out for some shooting. After a few pics like these....
and my favorite so far with this lens
I gave up on looking. I hardly ever need the extra stop as I tend to shoot with 400 speed film. I really like the look and the warmth of the J8. Take your J8 and learn to love it. Who cares about lines per mm resolution and such. If you like the way it renders the photograph then buy one. I myself don't feel the need to hunt one down.
Of course, all this is just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
Now get back to work on the Kiev Project!!!
and my favorite so far with this lens
I gave up on looking. I hardly ever need the extra stop as I tend to shoot with 400 speed film. I really like the look and the warmth of the J8. Take your J8 and learn to love it. Who cares about lines per mm resolution and such. If you like the way it renders the photograph then buy one. I myself don't feel the need to hunt one down.
Of course, all this is just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
Now get back to work on the Kiev Project!!!
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Jean
Member
Hello,
Well, I was wrong. Thanks Brian for the info.
All the best,
Jean
Well, I was wrong. Thanks Brian for the info.
All the best,
Jean
raid
Dad Photographer
Brian seems to be right about flare.
Take a look at my second image posted above [or see here]. It is the only shot having flare. It comes from aiming the lens away from the open shade of the front porch.
Take a look at my second image posted above [or see here]. It is the only shot having flare. It comes from aiming the lens away from the open shade of the front porch.
40oz
...
raid, stop. you make us all look incompetent. Maybe it's the professional models, maybe it's the talent of the shooter. Either way it's unfair lol.
(please don't stop.)
(please don't stop.)
Murray Kelly
Well-known
Brian, looking at both my H-103s I can see what you mean about the iris blades being 'reflective' and could well explain my flare with the first copy I bought.
What do you recommend as a blackener? I would imagine that regular paint would foul the blades so as to make it very hard, if not impossible, to use.
Next question - do you recommend blackening both the inner and the outer face of the blades?
Thanks for the pointer.
Murray
Brisbane, Oz
quote=Brian Sweeney
Original Question: I prefer the look of the J-3. The Helios and Menopta are sharp. If you blacken the aperture blades, you can reduce the pesky flare that pops up on them.
What do you recommend as a blackener? I would imagine that regular paint would foul the blades so as to make it very hard, if not impossible, to use.
Next question - do you recommend blackening both the inner and the outer face of the blades?
Thanks for the pointer.
Murray
Brisbane, Oz
quote=Brian Sweeney
Original Question: I prefer the look of the J-3. The Helios and Menopta are sharp. If you blacken the aperture blades, you can reduce the pesky flare that pops up on them.
Murray Kelly
Well-known
I suppose it's only fair to answer Ruben's question after asking one of my own (above).
I have great respect fot the Helios and acquired the J-3 out of curiosity, I admit. For the extra 1/2 stop it's probably not worth the money. I was very surprised at the quality of the J-3 and the cleanness of the images.
I have not done any scientific comparisons but my final decision is - the J-3 stays on the camera and I cannot forsee why I would use a J-8 or H-103 while I have it. I like it that much.
If you have a H-103 and like it, however, there isn't a lot of point moving to a J-3.
Confused? Sorry
Murray
Brisbane, Oz
I have great respect fot the Helios and acquired the J-3 out of curiosity, I admit. For the extra 1/2 stop it's probably not worth the money. I was very surprised at the quality of the J-3 and the cleanness of the images.
I have not done any scientific comparisons but my final decision is - the J-3 stays on the camera and I cannot forsee why I would use a J-8 or H-103 while I have it. I like it that much.
If you have a H-103 and like it, however, there isn't a lot of point moving to a J-3.
Confused? Sorry
Murray
Brisbane, Oz
CONNOR MJ
Member
Well I have just paid for a J 3 on our well known internet auction shop from the fsu
I don't know about the dregs no one wants;the lens seemed very clean indeed,we
shall see,who has some good bright test pictures we can see.
I don't know about the dregs no one wants;the lens seemed very clean indeed,we
shall see,who has some good bright test pictures we can see.