why from Jupiter8 to Helios103 ?

[spiderfrank]

What's your opinion? Is the old Jupiter-8 good for colour? Why Arsenal decided at a certain moment to abandon the sonnar copy to make the double Gauss Helios 103 ? Colour rendition? Sharpness? Economy? f-stop? (f1.8 against f2...) Is the Helios cheaper to be produced? I noticed the shutter of the J-8 has curved blades, but the H-103 has rectilinear blades...
Gentlemen, start your brains! ;-)

Franco

 

[tripod]

Different lens design, different signature or look. Get both. The J8 is more about portraits and bokeh 😉, while the Helios is more modern and sharp.

 

[xayraa33]

Sonnar types are more expensive to make.
I prefer the Helios for colour work and the Jupiter for black and white.
They are both very good lenses in their own way, each with a wonderful signature and the bonus is that they are so inexpensive, that having both for your Kiev is a must.

 

[spiderfrank]

I'have found a lot of photos in the Net, made by Jupiter-8 and Helios-103, but it's difficult to judge the colour rendition from a scan by a PC screen. About the bokeh, I definitely like the bokeh of the Jupiter, and now I'm waiting to have my first roll of colour slides developed, to see how it works with colours.

 

[Roberto]

I'have found a lot of photos in the Net, made by Jupiter-8 and Helios-103, but it's difficult to judge the colour rendition from a scan by a PC screen. About the bokeh, I definitely like the bokeh of the Jupiter, and now I'm waiting to have my first roll of colour slides developed, to see how it works with colours.

They are both great lenses.. I think the Helios is a bit more sharp and it's better for color rendition. I just got both of them and I'm happy to have them both 🙂

 

[zhang xk]

Franco,

I think it was for economy reasons, plus the Helios is a bit faster. If KMZ has a M mount rangefinder, they might have used a M mount Helios-103.Sonnar lens was expensive.

 

[spiderfrank]

have you noticed how ugly are the painted f-numbers on the Helios, compared to the engraved ones on the Jupiter?

 

[Roberto]

have you noticed how ugly are the painted f-numbers on the Helios, compared to the engraved ones on the Jupiter?

yes, but late Jupiters from late 70s or 80s are even worst..

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I like my Helios and Menopta's. The J-8 is 6 elements in three groups, the Helios is 6 elements in 4 groups. The Helios/Menopta is sharper, and has a flatter field of focus. The helios has more "swirlies" from astigmatism found in lenses such as the Summarit.

They are inexpensive lenses, and well worth owning one of each.

Thread on reducing flare in Helios/Menopta lenses:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51076&highlight=helios

 

[spiderfrank]

I've a Jupiter-8 (came with my Kiev II), and just bought at a flea market an Helios 103 , only because it was really mint (1981), but looking at the body of the lens I cannot avoid to notice how the Jupiter-8 is more well built. I'm thinking to use the J-8 for black and white (guys, I like the rendition of that lens on B&W), and perhaps to use the H-103 for colour photos. In fact I'm waiting to have my first roll of J-8 Provia developed, and it will be a severe test bench...

 

[nzeeman]

have anyone tried to adjust helios for m-mount?

 

[Roberto]

have anyone tried to adjust helios for m-mount?

Maybe passing through a contax/screw adapter.. but it's a very expensive one...

R.

 

[windraider]

Personally I prefer the Helios.
Sharper, faster and still have that classical lens signature in pics.
I can't seem to find any reason why a Jupiter would be better except it is slightly more compact.

 

[tripod]

Many people like the image characteristics produced by a Sonnar design lens like the J8.

If there is a lens adaptation to be tried, I hear that Brian S is the guy.

 

[santino]

I guess it wasn't Arsenal's intention to produce "vintage" lenses like the old Sonnar design. They just moved forward, the Helios is a bit faster, and a bit sharper = ergo modern 🙂
evolution I guess 😀

 

[januaryman]

I bought a Kiev for the sole purpose to use the Helios, which to me is a superoir lens. Talk of worse bokeh on the Helios I find funny, because it'swhy I got hooked on it in the first place. Either the shot below or one just like it sold me.