Menopta with Contax IIIa

raid

raid

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I got a 53mm/1.8 Menopta lens from Brian Sweeney to be my first lens for a Contax IIIa. Today, I got back my first roll of film (NPS 160). I am very happy about the performance of the Menopta. I used with the lens a squarish lens hood in all photos. Any unsharpness is due to my focusing, but I did OK with my daugher [always moving around]. Iamtold that the Menopta is basically a Helios lens.

What do you think about the performace of the lens?

Raid

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Raid, this is characteristic Sonnar performance. Great images of Dana. This proves that a Sweeny-fied Menopta is a fine performer.
 
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Very nice, Raid! On the computer screen, there is no way one could find fault with this lens, IMO.

I think it is really cool to have a Contax (or good Kiev) camera around to give you that alternative feel to the Leica M cameras we have. Same with a screwmount Leica (or Fed/Zorki).
 
I've read that the Jupiter 3 and 8 lenses are Sonnar copies, but that the Helios (and Menopta) are a different optical design. I agree though that these "look Sonnar".
 
very nice pictures Raid.
that lens is very good by any standard.
the Menopta/Helios 103 is a Gauss/Planar design, not a Sonnar design BTW.
 
If it is a Sonnar or Planar design, either way I like the results that I am getting. The Contax, though, will be mailed back for a more complete shutter repair. There still are issues with side bands from the shutter curtains in the first 9 images in the roll.

Raid
 
dexdog said:
Raid, this is characteristic Sonnar performance. Great images of Dana. This proves that a Sweeny-fied Menopta is a fine performer.
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Mark: I am not sure whether Brian needed to adjust this lens or not. He sounded as if the lens was already in good shape.

Raid
 
FrankS said:
Very nice, Raid! On the computer screen, there is no way one could find fault with this lens, IMO.

I think it is really cool to have a Contax (or good Kiev) camera around to give you that alternative feel to the Leica M cameras we have. Same with a screwmount Leica (or Fed/Zorki).
Click to expand...

Frank: I am very pleased with the Menopta, satisfying my current wish for a lens to go with the Contax. I donot find myself pressed to get a Zeiss lens.

Raid
 
I'm happy with those beautiful shots of your daughter!

> this is characteristic Sonnar performance.

It is a Planar design. I've read it is a Summitar/Summicron copy. As per the data sheet with it, center performance is better than 55 LP/mm.

I left two Menopta's of six in Contax mount. I checked them on my Contax IIIa at the film gate and with film. They were good as received. The ones converted to Nikon S-Mount required that the optics module be moved out 1/2 turn in the focus mount.

The Menopta lenses strike me as being better machined/better tolerance in the mount than the later Helios-103's. I ended up filing the mount of a 1985 Helios-103 to fit the Contax and Kiev. Not much, but some of the flanges protruded too far. The Menopta's were all good.

HOWEVER: Every Helios-103 and Menopta that I've tested with film, 10 in all, have been great performers.

The color rendition of this lens is really special. It is "gentle" like original Kodachrome
 
Brian Sweeney said:
I'm happy with those beautiful shots of your daughter!

> this is characteristic Sonnar performance.

It is a Planar design. I've read it is a Summitar/Summicron copy. As per the data sheet with it, center performance is better than 55 LP/mm.

I left two Menopta's of six in Contax mount. I checked them on my Contax IIIa at the film gate and with film. They were good as received. The ones converted to Nikon S-Mount required that the optics module be moved out 1/2 turn in the focus mount.

The Menopta lenses strike me as being better machined/better tolerance in the mount than the later Helios-103's. I ended up filing the mount of a 1985 Helios-103 to fit the Contax and Kiev. Not much, but some of the flanges protruded too far. The Menopta's were all good.

HOWEVER: Every Helios-103 and Menopta that I've tested with film, 10 in all, have been great performers.

The color rendition of this lens is really special. It is "gentle" like original Kodachrome
Click to expand...


Brian: The images remind me of images I have taken with a very clean Summar. The vintage look is really great. Yes, the color rendition is gentle, as you put it.

Thanks for the lens.

Raid
 
raid said:
Mike: No, I do not have such a lens cloth. Why?

Raid
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Why? I was just wondering if you have the limited edition version that commands much higher prices. The monogrammed cloth is highly valued amongst Sweeney collectors.
 
MikeL said:
Why? I was just wondering if you have the limited edition version that commands much higher prices. The monogrammed cloth is highly valued amongst Sweeney collectors.
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Hi Mike,

Is the cloth more valuable than the lens here?
I really don't know how to identify whether the lens is a special edition lens or not.

By the way, what is a Sweeney Collector?



Raid
 
FrankS said:
Dear Raid. It was a joke.
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I feel so silly now! :bang:
Thanks for clearing this up, Frank.

I must appear as very "serious".

Recently, I went to a wedding reception on the beach, along with two professors [one Chinese and one Italian]. The Italian colleague started laughing when he saw me and the Chinese professor. He asked us "did you agree on the same wear"? You really look like conservative professors."

We had black pants, black shoes, white shirts, red tie on.

Oh well ... this is me.

Raid
 
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