Helios 103 another seldom mentioned lens

[pakeha]

Greetings, anyone using the Helios 103 on their contax mount camera/ kiev?
I am interested in how this lens compares to the Jupiter , is it sharper? Any other issues worth considering.
I guess the same QC issues are valid - i am looking at later production new- old stock.
Also, in the sticky this lens is listed as an f2, i am seeing f1.8, so which is correct please.

regards,
CW.

 

[summar]

I have both the Jupiter and the Helios 103 for my Kiev 4a, can't really tell the difference. Both are good lenses. The Jupiter is an f/2, the Helios is an f/1.8.

 

[dexdog]

The Helios is a Planar design, and typically is somewhat sharper away than the center of the image (in the corners of the frame) than the Sonnar design of the Jupiter. I have a Menopta version of the Helios, and use it on my Contaxes occasionally.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I've onwed several, and the Menopta. Shimmed several for the Nikon S-Mount.

The build quality on the 1981 and 1982 lenses is better than the later ones; build quality on the Menopta versions is also better. The Menopta was probably an export version.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I also have a Menopta as well as the Helios version. I have one of Brian's Nikon conversions and use it often as well as the std on my Contax. I find these lenses to be remarkable especially for the money. I agree they produce sharper images in the corners than the Jupiter and its the perfect lens to complement the Sonnar.

 

[batterytypehah!]

For the money you can't go wrong. I think I paid $20 for mine, 1984 NOS from Fedka, although that must have been a special offer.

Cons: I find it big (the standard ER case won't close) and ugly. Flares badly from those shiny aperture blades. I hear more adventurous guys than me open it up and paint them black. Sharp edges that will scratch up the mount on the camera if you're not super careful.

I ended up getting a good deal on a collapsible Sonnar so the Helios is not getting much use anymore.

Two shots on Efke 400. Peony shot is wide open, lupines must have been f/5.6 or so.

 

[dexdog]

Flares badly from those shiny aperture blades. I hear more adventurous guys than me open it up and paint them black.

I blackened the shiny aperture blades on my Menopta with a Sharpie marker, following instructions provided by Brian Sweeney. Pretty easy to do, provided you have a lens spanner.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Somehow I knew Brian must have had something to do with this hack 😉 How's the black holding up in use? Doesn't it rub off?

 

[pakeha]

quote from batterytypehah!
Two shots on Efke 400. Peony shot is wide open, lupines must have been f/5.6 or so.

thanx for posting these, i did not know my peonies from my lupines, now i do! these shots give me some idea for a comparison



quote from batterytypehah!
Somehow I knew Brian must have had something to do with this hack 😉 How's the black holding up in use? Doesn't it rub off?

Lenswork 101, take some tinfoil and a black vivid 😀 yep, i thought the same when i read dexdog`s post.

I`ll get one from Alex, thanks all, regards
CW.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Marker is holding up on my Menopta. Somewhere I have a before/after comparison, and the difference was remarkable.

 

[julio1fer]

Another great Soviet lens!

Helios-103, Kiev 4M, FP4+