Kiev Lenses

[mflannery]

I have recently purchased a 1954 era Kiev 2 with the f2/50mm lens combo. I know the history of the bodies with the factory, parts etc being moved from East Germany to Kiev after the war, but find no mention of the manufacturing of the lenses. I presume that was also moved from Jena (?) to Arsenal as well. Is this correct? and how does the quality of those early lenses compare to the similar Zeiss production? Just trying to fill in a few blanks. Thanks,
Mike Flannery

 

[varjag]

Initially it was moved to Krasnogorsk (KMZ), then transferred to Arsenal. Some were later made at Lytkarino (LZOS).

As of the quality, earlier lenses, and KMZ in particular, have better rep. I have 1956 Jupiter-9 (within first 3000 J-9 batch produced) and 1957 Jupiter-11, Both are excellent optically and in worksmanship, and are pleasure to use. Each came with a signed inspection certificate specifying the actual focal, resolution and working distance of the lens. The resolution figures there exceed the approved norms for the designs and I'm inclined to believe them.

OTOH my 1976 Jupiter-8 is so-so, 1982 Helios-103 is a fine performer but its internal surfaces poorly darkened, 1986 Jupiter-12 (LZOS) is the worst of the bunch.

 

[fidget]

It's a coincidence that you should mention that the Helios 103 has poorly darkened interior surfaces, My "new" 1984 H103 has a bare steel finish on its aperture blades, very unusual. Can this give problems?

 

[varjag]

Same with mine H103. It will result in flare at sunny days, so a hood is a must: otherwise the lens is surpisingly good even wide open. They say that the undarkened lens rims and innards of the barrel contribute more to the flare though.

One can only wonder how good a Helios could be if it was made properly.

 

[dll927]

The general spin on Soviet lenses seems to be that they were pretty darned good. There are various sites that say that quality started to suffer, especially with camera bodies, after about the mid-1960s. This seems to come up especially regarding Kievs.

For us here, probably the best take on the matter is to be sure who you buy from. It may cost more to buy from somebody who has a reputation for cleaning and checking equipment out, but the extra shekels avoid disapointment. If you go the ebay route, be sure and take a look at the feedback from previous purchasers. But like with many things, you can always wind up with a 'lemon'. And for a number of models, how much longer can the supply last?

 

[Mike Kovacs]

I presume that was also moved from Jena (?) to Arsenal as well. Is this correct?Mike Flannery

Incorrect - in fact Carl Zeiss Jena continued to supply Contax mount lenses for the postwar Contax built in Stuttgart for quite some time, and even built some of the prestige lenses like the 180/2.8 Olympia Sonnar with reflex housing:

http://www.cameraquest.com/oly180.htm