Helios 103 1.8/53

[Martolod]

i seemed to have acquired a Helios lens ...the 103 1.8/53
the thing is it is in Contax/Kiev inner bayonet mount. now i am going to have source an adapter.
from the research i have done , the Nikon RF 2 adapter appears to be the same mount.
anyone confirm this?

i would not mind using this lens it appears to be NOS. the s/n dates it to 1984, so just before production ceased. lens itself is pristine no marks on the glass and the lens looks like it never was used. finish is a little rough in the milled out recesses oft the mount,there is evidence of tool chatter, either because the mill tool is worn or the cutting piece was forced a little too quick thought the material. but as it is never seen ..not a problem. the overall aesthetics and finish are actually very good.came in it's original box and with a cloth lined lens Cap with the Kiev logo stamped.

[Julio1fer]

I do hope that you can use that Helios. IMHO it is the best normal lens that the Soviets ever made. I have used it only on Kievs and Contaxes, so cannot confirm the Nikon RF issue. Hope someone else chimes in.

[Martolod]

i hope so too.turns out that i actually have 2 103's.
i just might have to buy a kiev or contax.....well that is my argument to convince the good lady wife.

[Martolod]

i just had a looksee at two dealers i have dealt with in the past -iskracamera and GrizzlyBear- both who i can recomend based on my past dealings with them.both of them have a loooooooooooot of FSU gear. i think both are Ukranian.
i managed to to get an adapter from iskracamera. basically it's a Kiev heliciod mounted in a NEX adapter.cobbled together.but it looks professionally done.and it was 1/5th of the price of the Kipon adapter. included was a Jupiter 8 lens as a Gift.


but then again with some of the rigs i have been using and seen what other guys knock up and create.....i think tinkering is half the fun in making stuff work. ..even if it looks fugly. it's image that counts , not the rig.

[melek]

The Contax RF and Nikon RF mounts are slightly different in the pitch of their rotation.

It has something to do with the actual vs. marked focal length of the Zeiss/Soviet 50mm lens vs. the Nikon lens. I was on the losing end of an online argument about this.

[Captain Slack]

I do hope that you can use that Helios. IMHO it is the best normal lens that the Soviets ever made. I have used it only on Kievs and Contaxes, so cannot confirm the Nikon RF issue. Hope someone else chimes in.

I agree completely. Had one on an old Kiev I had years ago and it was an excellent shooter. Better than the Jupiter 8 and I don't say that very often.

Check out Fedka if you're interested in getting a body for it. He's in New York and has a good reputation.

[Martolod]

just had a look at Fedka........oooooohhhhhhhhhhh bbbbooooyyyyyyyy.....glad i did not see that sooner. i could have spend soooooo much money there...a divorce would have been the best possible outcome.i would have survived a divorce.but i would not survive what my missus promised to do to me if i came home with a sack full of cameras and gear....