Todd Frederick
Todd Frederick
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
Hello Todd, I'm fairly sure your lens is coated. Try approaching it to a light source, near a window for example and you might notice a very faint light-purple reflection. 
Todd Frederick
Todd Frederick
Max, I do see the light...uh, purple, that is. (^U^)
It IS a truly fine lens!
The seller from whom I bought it sells them in bulk with a huge discount.
What's the story on this? How can such truly fine lenses be sold for so little?
These are far, far more superior than many lenses costing 5 times+ as much.
It IS a truly fine lens!
The seller from whom I bought it sells them in bulk with a huge discount.
What's the story on this? How can such truly fine lenses be sold for so little?
These are far, far more superior than many lenses costing 5 times+ as much.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Todd Frederick said:
I do think that if the Helios 103 was made in LTM it would sell for more money as there would be more demand for it.
Stu W
Well-known
The Helios 103 was made for the 4m or the 4AM. The lens mounts on these cameras are slightly different than the Contax mount. Stu
Todd Frederick
Todd Frederick
Stu, yup, but I got mine to work. It can be done.
Todd Frederick
Todd Frederick
If we don't shut up about how good these are the prices will go way up!
It seems that so many of these lenses are totally new-"old stock" going back to 1984, and never been used!
These camera companies could make a fortune and revive their businesses if they just promoted the quality of these cameras and lenses.
It seems that so many of these lenses are totally new-"old stock" going back to 1984, and never been used!
These camera companies could make a fortune and revive their businesses if they just promoted the quality of these cameras and lenses.
Xmas
Veteran
First the remaindered stock is sold then the prices go up.
The guys probably got a loan from brother in laws to buy them and need to pay it back.
Noel
The guys probably got a loan from brother in laws to buy them and need to pay it back.
Noel
GeneW
Veteran
It was such a good deal I bought one on spec. Haven't even found a decent Kiev body yet for it, but one is on my horizon.
Gene
Gene
Murray Kelly
Well-known
I agree with xray. I have even thought of sacrificing a J-8 if I could get the Helios lens assembly into the body. I am stuck at getting the J-8 apart! :-(
My two Helios-103s (both 1980s, of course) were not interchangeable between the 4 and 4A. One lens fitted both and one only fitted the camera it came with. When I looked, the lens was fouling the inside of the camera it wouldn't fit - that is, it wasn't a problem with the mount.
Really close inspection revealed that someone had glooped matte black paint in the camera body, on a part that wasn't actually visible to the film when a lens was fitted. I scraped some off, looking thru the gate on 'B' with the shutter open to find the exact spot and the recalcitrant 103 slipped in just fine.
Now I can use either lens in either body. This is good because one has an annoying flare - it needs some balsam on the front group, but I just put in some black paint. Temporary I know, but effective.
Happy ending.
Murray
My two Helios-103s (both 1980s, of course) were not interchangeable between the 4 and 4A. One lens fitted both and one only fitted the camera it came with. When I looked, the lens was fouling the inside of the camera it wouldn't fit - that is, it wasn't a problem with the mount.
Really close inspection revealed that someone had glooped matte black paint in the camera body, on a part that wasn't actually visible to the film when a lens was fitted. I scraped some off, looking thru the gate on 'B' with the shutter open to find the exact spot and the recalcitrant 103 slipped in just fine.
Now I can use either lens in either body. This is good because one has an annoying flare - it needs some balsam on the front group, but I just put in some black paint. Temporary I know, but effective.
Happy ending.
Murray