The Nikkor-H 5cm F2, later black version is lighter than the F1.4. It is a Sonnar formula lens.
The Helios will need to be calibrated for the Nikon. Not hard to do, easiest way- undo the two set screws, unscrew 1/2 turn, tighten the set screws.
The Helios will need to be calibrated for the Nikon. Not hard to do, easiest way- undo the two set screws, unscrew 1/2 turn, tighten the set screws.
drangus
Member
Thank you! You writing how to calibrate the Helios previously is the reason I’m considering it so thank you for that as well.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Even I managed to do it so I can tell you it's easy 
and the Helios takes lovely pictures.
Honestly though, I simply unlock the lens and then focus it with the barrel. I don't use the wheel any more than I did on the Kiev/Contax cameras I used in the past. Just too painful on my finger
and the Helios takes lovely pictures. Honestly though, I simply unlock the lens and then focus it with the barrel. I don't use the wheel any more than I did on the Kiev/Contax cameras I used in the past. Just too painful on my finger
UV76
Established
there are light aluminum barrel 50/1.4 (sonnar type) Nikkor lenses in chrome and black paint but at a high price due to its rarity.
RichLegg
Newbie
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
I love my Nokton 50/1.5 on LTM and would like to get one for S mount too but they're always hazy when I find them.
stephen_lumsden
Well-known
Is it possible to recalibrate the Nikon s 50mm to a contax mount? I would be interested in trying the skopar on my contax ii.
It can be done- usually the shim needs to be thinned by 0.1mm. I've done that for one RFF member for a 5cm F1.4 Nikkor for use on the Contax.
stephen_lumsden
Well-known
Is this a service you provide? I would be very interested at some stage in the future..after I try the czj tessar f3.5 and the sonnar f1.5, of course.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The Sonnar 50mm f1.5 from the 1930's is not light, but incredible good.
gelatin silver print (sonnar 50mm f1.5) nikon s2
gelatin silver print (sonnar 50mm f1.5) nikon s2
hap
Well-known
I like the CV CS 50 2.5 skopar.
drangus
Member
That really has a great look to it!
Bingley
Veteran
I like the Nikkor-SC 5cm f1.4 on my Nikon S2:
Martinez, CA by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr
I also like the Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50mm f2.0, an incredible lens…:
Beach grasses by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr
Martinez, CA by Steve Macfarlane, on FlickrI also like the Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50mm f2.0, an incredible lens…:
Beach grasses by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr
Erik van Straten
Veteran
gelatin silver print (nikkor 50mm f2) nikon s2
Amsterdam, KNSM, 2016
Amsterdam, KNSM, 2016
Erik van Straten
Veteran
gelatin silver print (nikkor 50mm f2) nikon s2
Amsterdam, KNSM, 2019
Amsterdam, KNSM, 2019
drangus
Member
How important are those screws? I got a Helios from Fedka but both of the screws were stripped. I doubt it was already adjusted for S mount since I had to file the lock tab on the lens.
das
Well-known
The Y2K Olympic version, but mostly use it with an Amedeo adapter on a Leica. It is a lovely lens with nice modern coatings for color film and excels at available light. Nice vintage design with no focus shift, unlike old Summiluxes.
The Helios is calibrated for the Contax standard. The lens will usually focus behind what the RF of a Nikon camera indicates.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Here is a chart from Cosina showing where a Contax lens will be in focus on a Nikon mount camera. The O is ok, the X is not.
If you can get the screws out, turn the optical block one half turn out, and replace with good set screws, you'll be fine but otherwise...
The Helios is worth the effort - it's a wonderful lens, arguably the best truly Soviet design as it did not come from something pilfered from Germany. If you can't get the screws out, I'd suggest selling it to someone with a Kiev camera and getting a different Helios instead.
(edit: Just noticed that it was from Fedka. If you mean _JUST_ got it, talk to him. IME he'll work with you. If not, well we need to know that too... )
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
A slightly-off-topic thought: as the difference between Contax and Nikon RF is exactly the same as the difference between Soviet LTM and true LTM, this chart should apply there, too.