Helios loose fit

[Björn Ylinenpää]

Bought a Kiev 4a from ebay, mechanically the camera is very nice and it seems like there is no problem with the frame spacing. However the Helios-103 that i got with the camera doesn't seem to fit properly. There is no problem mounting the lens to the body but the lens seems to be loose in the bayonet. I tried mounting a Jupiter to the body, and it fits like it should.

Is this common?

 

[steamer]

Yes this is very common, you need to pry out ever so slightly the 3 little mounting nubs at the back of the lens.

 

[Malcolm_J]

Bought a Kiev 4a from ebay, mechanically the camera is very nice and it seems like there is no problem with the frame spacing. However the Helios-103 that i got with the camera doesn't seem to fit properly. There is no problem mounting the lens to the body but the lens seems to be loose in the bayonet. I tried mounting a Jupiter to the body, and it fits like it should.

Is this common?

The previous posts have dealt with this problem. I found with my Kiev that there was noticeable play between the focusing ring and the camera body. This does not appear to affect the pictures, but it irritates me. I have seen others here who have a similar problem.

I don't use the helios, preferring the Jupiter. You can't use the standard case with the helios, because it is too long. It also gives the camera a nose-heaviness, so that it does not stand upright. It is a fine lens though.

 

[Xmas]

The Helios was standard with Kiev (A)M and these came with a different ERC, which is useful as it offers more snout space, e.g. will accept a lens with both filter and cap.

Most Kievs/Contax with dry heliciods will rattle, a little PTFE grease inserted on a dental pick through the lens opening on to the rear threads exposed at close focus will reduce the perception problem but will slow focusing and is unnecessary.

Noel