helios 103

[nzeeman]

im very interested in performance of this lens. please put some h103 photos in this thread.
i recently got it with kiev 4am from 1982 for 3 euro . it looks like both are in good condition. i noticed one more thing - in older kievs viewfinder has rectangular window on its back side, and on 4am it have circular window. that really made brightness and visibility better.

 

[steamer]

Here are a couple taken with 4am and the Helios 103

 

[furcafe]

Some of my pix:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/arsenal5318helios3c1983/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/arsenal5318helios3c1985/

Re: the increase in size of the VF window on the Kiev 4am-- Zeiss Ikon did basically the same thing w/the Contax IIa/IIIa.

 

[varjag]

Wide open:

 

[wotalegend]

The Menopta 53/1.8 is basically an export version of the Helios

This might be splitting hairs, but I remember reading recently, perhaps on another forum, someone quoting Princelle, no less, that the Menopta is actually a Helios-94, not a Helios-103. (Different formula?) In fact if I look at my trusty FSU bible, Princelle 2nd edition p212, the Menopta is listed under Helios-94 and the accompanying picture is actually of a Menopta. I own examples of both. The only visible difference is the milling on the aperture ring, but that may only be because they were made 11 years apart - the Helios-103 in 1983 and the Menopta in 1994.

 

[VinceC]

I recently got a Helios from Brian Sweeney. It's a surprising lens. I think much less contrast than the Nikkors I am used to shooting, but with very pleasing results overall.

 

[pshinkaw]

Kiev-4A , Helios-103 and Fuji Neopan 400

 

[pshinkaw]

Kiev-4A , Helios-103 and Fuji Neopan 400

 

[VinceC]

This is one of the lenses that Brian modified to focus properly with Nikon RF, which differs a bit from the Kiev/Contax mount. Interestingly, it doesn't quite fit onto my S3-2000 but fits quite well on my original 1958 S3.

I didn't have high expectations when I got the lens. But after a test roll, I'm very pleasantly surprised by the image quality.