JonR
Well-known
Friends
Some advice please... I know some Kiev lenses can be used in Nikon RF and there is now a possibility for me to buy some with the description below. The seller has not specified it very well so I need your advice on if any of the lenses might work on my S2 or S3:
- Kiev 4M with Helios 103 50 1,8 --> will I be able to use that lense on a S2 or S3 ??
- Jupiter 8 and Inudustar 50 lenses for Kiev ---> what about those, will they fit on a S2 or S3 ?
Appreciate your comments!
/Jon
Some advice please... I know some Kiev lenses can be used in Nikon RF and there is now a possibility for me to buy some with the description below. The seller has not specified it very well so I need your advice on if any of the lenses might work on my S2 or S3:
- Kiev 4M with Helios 103 50 1,8 --> will I be able to use that lense on a S2 or S3 ??
- Jupiter 8 and Inudustar 50 lenses for Kiev ---> what about those, will they fit on a S2 or S3 ?
Appreciate your comments!
/Jon
JonR
Well-known
OK, thanks all for quick comments.
Long and short story seems to be that the Helios 103 and Jupiter 8 will mount but will not focus correctly.... Since I am only interested in them to experiment with a CCCP lens and not to replace my Nikon and CV lenses I will make an offer on those for a small amount.
Everyone seems to praise the Jupiter 12 35 mm lens.... unfortunately it does not seem to surface at all on auction sites here in Sweden - somehow those lenses never made it to this part of the world! If anyone here at RFF has one for sale - please let me know!
Thanks for comments!
Jon
Long and short story seems to be that the Helios 103 and Jupiter 8 will mount but will not focus correctly.... Since I am only interested in them to experiment with a CCCP lens and not to replace my Nikon and CV lenses I will make an offer on those for a small amount.
Everyone seems to praise the Jupiter 12 35 mm lens.... unfortunately it does not seem to surface at all on auction sites here in Sweden - somehow those lenses never made it to this part of the world! If anyone here at RFF has one for sale - please let me know!
Thanks for comments!
Jon
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dll927
Well-known
The main Russian contenders were either Leica or Contax mounts. In some cases (Jupiter-8, etc.) the lenses were furnished in both mounts. But I don't think Nikon had much of a position in the situation - wrong country??? And it might be worth raising the question of why the Exaktas didn't make the grade, although an SLR has a different set of lens-to-film plane measurements.
Be that as it may, generally the Russian lenses have a pretty decent reputation at least optically. Maybe not always mechanically, which they in that regard tend to share with the camera bodies.
As for whether Leica is "unsuccessful", that may be a pretty debatable position. True, RF cameras eventually got overtaken by the SLRs, but not for reasons that had to do with country of origin or of optical quality.
Be that as it may, generally the Russian lenses have a pretty decent reputation at least optically. Maybe not always mechanically, which they in that regard tend to share with the camera bodies.
As for whether Leica is "unsuccessful", that may be a pretty debatable position. True, RF cameras eventually got overtaken by the SLRs, but not for reasons that had to do with country of origin or of optical quality.
NIKON KIU
Did you say Nippon Kogaku
Do you really wanna know?
Read Mr. Gandy's take on this very same topic:
http://www.cameraquest.com/NRF-Contax.htm
Funny thing is that the Russian lenses are so unpredictable from the get go that they may just focus fine on a Nikon!
I have a Menopta that was shimmed by a friend...
Kiu
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NIKON KIU
Did you say Nippon Kogaku
Another solution to this mess would be f8 and beyond...
Kiu
Kiu
blw
Well-known
JonR,
I just got a Kiev 4a last weekend w/ a J-12 on it from Fedka. So I was looking for more lenses for it on here this morning & saw the Spyderman has a black J-12 for sale.http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=5507&cat=2
Check him out & see if he does really still have it.
I just got a Kiev 4a last weekend w/ a J-12 on it from Fedka. So I was looking for more lenses for it on here this morning & saw the Spyderman has a black J-12 for sale.http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=5507&cat=2
Check him out & see if he does really still have it.
JonR
Well-known
blw;
thanks for tip.... I have been in contact with Spyderman about that lens but dispite having it for sale in the Classified section he is having second thoughts about seeling it so it is not available right now........ he knows where I am so maybe I will be able to buy that one later !??
Jon
thanks for tip.... I have been in contact with Spyderman about that lens but dispite having it for sale in the Classified section he is having second thoughts about seeling it so it is not available right now........ he knows where I am so maybe I will be able to buy that one later !??
Jon
S
Stanton
Guest
I use a J8 and a J12 regularly on my SP and S2 -- no problems. I don't find any material difference for normal use between the J8 and my Nikon 50mm f1.4. I use the jupiter 85mm f2 or f1.8 (can't recall the "J" number) on my SP and S2, no problems out ofmdoors, meaning probably at f8 or higher. I am careful about mounting -- no forcing, but again, no problems. I use a Nikon 135, but they are very cheap. Dave
shadetree
Newbie
Kiev lenses for Nikon RF
Kiev lenses for Nikon RF
I have a Nikon S2 and the Kiev lenses are suppose to be copies of the Contax so they should fit the Nikons BUT I have a Helos 50/1.8 and it won't fit the Kiev or the Nikon. The 50/2 that was on the Kiev 4 will fit the Nikon so you never know without trying.
Kiev lenses for Nikon RF
I have a Nikon S2 and the Kiev lenses are suppose to be copies of the Contax so they should fit the Nikons BUT I have a Helos 50/1.8 and it won't fit the Kiev or the Nikon. The 50/2 that was on the Kiev 4 will fit the Nikon so you never know without trying.
JonR
Well-known
Friends
Just a follow up question on this matter of interchangable lenses.... I have been offered a Contax G2 with a Carl Zeiss Biogon 2,8/28mm T lens for a very good price. I am not really interested in the Contax but does this version of the Biogon mount on a Nikon RF !? I understand some does but does the G2-version !?
Jon
Just a follow up question on this matter of interchangable lenses.... I have been offered a Contax G2 with a Carl Zeiss Biogon 2,8/28mm T lens for a very good price. I am not really interested in the Contax but does this version of the Biogon mount on a Nikon RF !? I understand some does but does the G2-version !?
Jon
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steamer
Well-known
No way. but the g2 and lens are are a fine combo.
oscroft
Veteran
They come up fairly often on eBay UK, and most eBay sellers should be happy to post to Sweden.
VinceC
Veteran
>>I have been offered a Contax G2 <<
The G2 is an entirely differnt mount from the RF Contax of the 1930s-1960s.
The G2 is an entirely differnt mount from the RF Contax of the 1930s-1960s.
JonR
Well-known
Thanks Vince and Steamer for comments - in the same auction as the G2 and Biogon that I asked about there is also a Nikon SP --- very tempting to go for that one 
, asking price is 1500 Euro but in very good condition. Given the "price drop" noticed on E-bay etc it will be interesting to see what the price will really be.
/Jon
, asking price is 1500 Euro but in very good condition. Given the "price drop" noticed on E-bay etc it will be interesting to see what the price will really be./Jon
Xmas
Veteran
There are people who use FSU lenses on Nikons.
The J12 (35mm) does not fit easily on all Kievs (or Contax) this will also apply to Nikons, and some will scratch Nikon facia plates. The fit problems may be alleviated if you are practical with Swiss files and watchmakers screwdrivers set, dont worry it is only the J12 that you file and screw driver. The error (difference) in the focusing cam wont be (much of) a problem. After you finish the fit filing the J12 be easy & it will focus ok with the wheel if you want.
The J12 is a double gauss symmetric lens, and may need a clean, and more black paint (both internally and externally), one needs a small pair of pliers to do this internal paint. It does need great care. Even when clean and painted it can still flare, - pronounced iris images are typical.
The Helous 103 can be used at or near infinity with the rangefinder as it is, or can be easily adjusted to be ok at six or ten foot, (but then out at infinity) only a small screw driver set is required. It is more difficult to replace its spacer to alter its its focal length to the Nikon (Leitz) standard, which would allow rangefinder coupling at all distances on a Nikon, but would disable its similar use on a Kiev or Contax, this wont alter resolution performance too much, as the lens is so symmetrical.
The 103 is a double Gauss like the 2000 f/1.4 Nikon lens. It seems to be a rip off copy of the Mandler designed Summicron, a high refractive glass six element in four groups with two plane (internal plass to glass) surfaces for ease of (cost effective - cheap) manufacture. The Zeiss f/2 lens for G or Z are rather similar. High contrast very well corrected. The 103 (all the copies I've seen) are missing black paint that would have helped in high contrast situations, it can flare, though it is more difficult to provoke this, than with the J12, you get radial lines from light sources, some way separate from the source.
The 103 will give different out of focus effects from the sonnar clones, it will be more like the post 2000 Nikon lens.
If you are in to 'dabbling' or really poor any of these FSU lenses are interesting performers but the pre 103 Kiev lenses are pre WWII (sonnar) designs, - the edge performance is poor at large aperatures. The J8M or J3 (FSU 5cm) are sonnar clones and high contrast, especially if you paint them (internally). They are not as flare free as a Nikon, some of the J8 do come painted at the factory, even the ones that are 'unpainted' will do well 1/3 of s stop from wide open.
If you are just taking snaps and have only paid 30 USD for your Kiev (and lens) they are stellar performers. If it is a present for a seven year old expect real photos... And you will be able to fix other cameras.
I've only troubled to paint one lens internally and that only because it need the fungus removed, and was in small pieces.
Noel
The J12 (35mm) does not fit easily on all Kievs (or Contax) this will also apply to Nikons, and some will scratch Nikon facia plates. The fit problems may be alleviated if you are practical with Swiss files and watchmakers screwdrivers set, dont worry it is only the J12 that you file and screw driver. The error (difference) in the focusing cam wont be (much of) a problem. After you finish the fit filing the J12 be easy & it will focus ok with the wheel if you want.
The J12 is a double gauss symmetric lens, and may need a clean, and more black paint (both internally and externally), one needs a small pair of pliers to do this internal paint. It does need great care. Even when clean and painted it can still flare, - pronounced iris images are typical.
The Helous 103 can be used at or near infinity with the rangefinder as it is, or can be easily adjusted to be ok at six or ten foot, (but then out at infinity) only a small screw driver set is required. It is more difficult to replace its spacer to alter its its focal length to the Nikon (Leitz) standard, which would allow rangefinder coupling at all distances on a Nikon, but would disable its similar use on a Kiev or Contax, this wont alter resolution performance too much, as the lens is so symmetrical.
The 103 is a double Gauss like the 2000 f/1.4 Nikon lens. It seems to be a rip off copy of the Mandler designed Summicron, a high refractive glass six element in four groups with two plane (internal plass to glass) surfaces for ease of (cost effective - cheap) manufacture. The Zeiss f/2 lens for G or Z are rather similar. High contrast very well corrected. The 103 (all the copies I've seen) are missing black paint that would have helped in high contrast situations, it can flare, though it is more difficult to provoke this, than with the J12, you get radial lines from light sources, some way separate from the source.
The 103 will give different out of focus effects from the sonnar clones, it will be more like the post 2000 Nikon lens.
If you are in to 'dabbling' or really poor any of these FSU lenses are interesting performers but the pre 103 Kiev lenses are pre WWII (sonnar) designs, - the edge performance is poor at large aperatures. The J8M or J3 (FSU 5cm) are sonnar clones and high contrast, especially if you paint them (internally). They are not as flare free as a Nikon, some of the J8 do come painted at the factory, even the ones that are 'unpainted' will do well 1/3 of s stop from wide open.
If you are just taking snaps and have only paid 30 USD for your Kiev (and lens) they are stellar performers. If it is a present for a seven year old expect real photos... And you will be able to fix other cameras.
I've only troubled to paint one lens internally and that only because it need the fungus removed, and was in small pieces.
Noel
JonR
Well-known
Thanks Xmas for a long reply! I am fascinated by the possibilities to combine the Russian Kiev camera, the Jupiter lenses and the Nikon cameras and your comments made it more clear to me what can be done.... I will be searching for some lenses to test - today I got an old Kiev 4 with a Jupiter 8M for 60 USD incl postage that at least seems to be working OK.... will be great to test! I will be looking out for the J12 lens,..../Jon
Xmas
Veteran
Jon
RussPinchbecks site is your friend. 60USD inclusive is not too bad. Try slow film and smaller than f/5.6, prepare to be surprised. If you hold up the lens to a artificial light source, and look through it at f/2 you will see the ring of diamonds problem, ignore that and take some night shots at f2.2...
Noel
RussPinchbecks site is your friend. 60USD inclusive is not too bad. Try slow film and smaller than f/5.6, prepare to be surprised. If you hold up the lens to a artificial light source, and look through it at f/2 you will see the ring of diamonds problem, ignore that and take some night shots at f2.2...
Noel
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I frequently use Zeiss and a couple of Russian lenses on my Nikon Rf's. As a matter of fact I have just started a small project, shooting 1or 2 rolls with each of them and downloading them on to Flickr. There was this lonley roll of 100ft of Tmax 100 sitting in the darkroom so I was looking for something to do with it! I did open a new set on our flickr' site called "Zeikon" and stuck some stuff on it already. Some was stuff I shot when I was testing the new ZM 21f4.5 against the classic 21/4,5 and some of the shots are from earlier this summer. i will upload more as I shot through the stuff (there are about 11 lenses compatible with the Nikon's in my lens drawer). There has been a promise of reasonable weather this week so that helps.
JonR
Well-known
Will take a look at your Zeikon Flickr place later today!
/jon
/jon