Avid readers* of my Russian camera saga will recall that I carried out an exhaustive** trial of the various lenses that had come into my possession following the acquisition of too many Kiev cameras. The winner was the Helios 103, a vision in metal and plastic representing the finest Russian craftsmanship of its time (joke).
The Helios was produced between 1978 and 1984 and was shipped with Kiev rangefinder cameras. Problem was that the quality control on the cameras reached such a low point that entire production runs were sent for scrap, to reappear later as wheelbarrows. So by 1984, the lenses that were being produced had no associated camera, and hundreds (thousands?) of Helios 103 lenses ended up in a warehouse, unloved and forgotten.
But with the resurgence of interest in film cameras, and the medium of eBay, these spare lenses are being dragged out of storage and put up for sale. The going rate is between $25 and $40, and I paid near the upper limit, $39 for a lens with caps, a rather dirty box, and a piece of paper which is worth nothing more than amusement value; although thirty year old Russian paper does have an interesting aroma.
The lens itself, dating from 1984, is very clean, after some dusting. How would it compare with my existing Helios, a 1981 model? I carried out an exhaustive** comparison and the older lens won. Perhaps, like the cameras, the lenses reduced in quality over the years.
Never mind, having two of them allowed me to take a photograph of a Helios 103 with a Helios 103, and Spanky tells me there is nothing like a bit of Russian on Russian action.
This is the new lens being shot by the old lens at F1.8 on a Panasonic GX1 with an adapter. Nice bokeh.
- Just me really ** Brief and unscientific
Comments 🔗
2012-10-17| Spanky saysMMm.. lens lust. Me want!!!
You threw me off with the Russian on Russian action. I have a weakness for Russians having had an ex-Russian girlfriend. Notice I said ex. It involved Vodka and a wild night that I barely recall.
2012-10-17| Grant saysIf she’s an ex-Russian, what is she now, Finnish?
2012-10-17| Spike saysI notice you said “a wild night” and “girlfriend”. At what point in the timescale of your relationships does a young lady get promoted from “short time” to “girlfriend”? Two hours?
2012-10-17| Grant saysTo be fair Spike he was under the influence of the dreaded Wodka. Could have been three hours, he won’t remember, he was blotto. I think in young Spanky’s lexicon if he wakes up and his wallet’s gone it’s ‘short time’ and if he wakes up and is wallet is still there but empty it’s ‘girlfriend’…
2012-10-17| Spike saysAnd if this happens every month, it’s “wife”.
2012-10-17| Grant saysIn which case we missed the divorce party of the decade!
2012-10-17| Spanky saysWhile my sordid habits are documented I did have an actual girlfriend that didn’t involve short time or long time! She was from Russia had a lovely accent. Was tall and blond. She used to take Grey Goose and add fruit to it for flavor. We killed a couple of liters one night and after that she never talked to me again.
It’s good to know I can express my heart here and find sympathy. NOT!
2012-10-17| Spike saysOh dear. Over to you Grant; say something soothing.
2012-10-17| Spanky saysI would not be able to read it through my weepy eyes as I go through emotional breakup again. Well…. not that emotional. I miss the sex more than anything.
Others complain about Russians in Pattaya where I drool. I thought I was going to get lucky one night until Igor the Mono Brow showed up and collected his girlfriend from my evil clutches at a rock bar up on Walking St. I found solace in San Miguel Light. I had a ladyboy that worked there offer to comfort me but I declined and went on my merry way back to the room after the show around 5 that morning.
2012-10-17| Grant saysOh, alright then Spike. Ah, Something Soothing, there, I’ve said it. That’s no help at all, is it Spanky? There is no help for a chap who tries to find solace in weasels, as we already know…
2012-10-17| Clive saysNot that I have any intention to go off and get more toys you understand [nervous glance at a GX1 and stack of 7 lenses]… But this is all Spike’s fault, your Honour… he said this was a cracking lens and, well, he’s not wrong, is he? … But on the extremely unlikely probability that I might want to experiment with non-MFT optics on my [now somewhat intimidated] GX1, where does one start?
Is there are do’s and don’t’s guide for this sort of thing, or is it a case of finding an MFT adapter ring and then seeing what you can bolt on the front? In this line of thought, is there a relevant factor of “quality” with a lens adapter? Fit? Weight? Or is it a question of connectivity options? Asking as I notice that Kipon has announced an adapter to fit Canon EF glass on to an MFT body and I’ve got a nice collection of L-Series lenses and I don’t friggin believe it, that Spike is one baaad influence: that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it…
2012-10-17| Spanky saysCool stuff on the Kipon. Not sure how I missed. Now I can not feeling guilty buying Canon glass for my for profit business. You too Spike! Welcome back to the fold!
When I buy adapters I tend to stick to Fotodiox. I can find them on Amazon for a reasonable price and return them. You can get cheaper ones off eBay but they are usually Chinese and the quality isn’t as good but there isn’t that much difference. You need to by an adapter per mount type. Like I have a OM, FD, MD, Konica, M42, and a C-mount adapter. Most adapters will run you around $20 US off of Amazon.
Blaming Spike for you addiction is noble and true practice around here. Short of his Nokton 25mm and his 100-300 I have matched him native lens for lens. I have made it the difference for the Nokton and 100-300 with Canon glass purchases. I blame Spike for my lack of body organs I have sold many to finance these purchases. I’m moving on to stem cells next. I hear thats its a vertical market.
2012-10-18| Grant saysOh, I understand now, all this multiple lens acquisition is really just a pissing contest done under much more civilised circumstances than just going out and finding a concrete wall…
2012-10-18| Spike saysThe process is as follows:
- Have a couple of your favourite beverages.
- Under no circumstances click on this link: http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/4-3rds-cameras/10029-photographing-your-bokeh.html
- Oh, you did. Now you have 96 pages of bokeh photos using a diverse collection of lenses awaiting your attention.
- Find a photo you like and decide you have to have that lens.
- eBay
- eBay again to buy the adapter
- Sell lens and adapter after a few months because you are bored
Most adapters are simple and cheap. Others, like the one for the Contax G series, are complex and expensive. Kipon are good, as are Metabones. For the straightforward adapters, any old shit will probably do, although I have found variations on C mount adapters which are about as simple as you can get.
2012-10-18| Spike saysYes; but then isn’t most of life?
2012-10-18| Spike saysI think your last sentence would have been more believable if shortened to “I had a ladyboy that worked there.”
2012-10-18| Spanky saysSadly its true. The worst part is the next new shiny lens comes along and I have to oh and ah over it. Stem cells! Vertical market!
Sadly I’m now buying diffusers, light boxes, octos, grids, reflectors, and other various lighting garbage I need. Looking at Paul Buff lights and I cringe.
2012-10-18| Grant saysTruely that is all so very sad. Clearly you were weaned early and only photographic suppliers have reaped the enormous on-going benefits. Very very sad. Now we feel sad too… Cheer up! Have an ice-cold weasels…
Yes Spike, your acute, pertinent and timely observation is quite correct. The results are divided between those who keep their feet dry, and the rest…
2012-10-18| Grant saysWatch it Lola,he’s a comin’ to town…
2012-10-18| Grant saysI opened the link. I thought I’d lost my contact lenses. Clearly someone is going to have to sit me down and carefully explain to me, patiently because I’m not quick, just what this great and all consuming enthusiasm for ‘out-of-focus’ is really all about… I’m hoping it may mean that the photographs I was taking with my Box Brownie over fifty years ago (I still have them) are now great art. I fear I shall be sadly (there’s that word again) disappointed, but not disheartened, for I know the ways of the world. Spanky! Cheer me up! Have another weasels…
2012-11-02| ukraine-vacation-guide.com saysWhen you come to Kiev for business or vacation, you will definitely want to have some fun and meet charming Ukrainian girls. In Kiev they are just perfect. All you need to do is to go to a bar and buy a couple of drinks for girls you meet there. This is my list of the best Kiev bars http://ukraine-vacation-guide.com/dir/bar/kiev/828 the best doesn’t mean the most expensive in this case. If you explore some more good bars in Kiev, add them please to my directory.
2012-11-02| Spike saysObviously this is spam; but it is excellent.
“Naturally, there is no sushi, no water pipes.But there is a certain amount of whiskey.”
Damn right.
2012-11-02| Grant saysYoung Spanky’s on his way, I just heard the plane take off! Perhaps you should chance a trip,old chap, and entertain us with a portfolio of photographs taken with a camera of the same name. “Kiev on Kiev”, that sort of thing…