Description
The Soviet Helios-103 is a high quality normal lens for the Contax/Kiev type rangefinder cameras.
It was sold as a standard lens on the last Kiev models – Kiev-4m and Kiev-4am.
The lens is faster than a usual Jupiter-8M, modern-looking and has the best aperture stop-clicks I’ve ever tried.
It is also very sharp and contarsty.
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53 mm |
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1:1.8 (settings from 1.8 to 22) |
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0.9 m – Infinity |
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M40.5×0.5 mm |
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Contax (Kiev) Internal Bayonet |
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This Helios-103 was made in the 1980’s. It is in EXC condition. The lens is shown mounted on a Contax III (not included).
The Helios-103 was supplied as a standard equipment on the Kiev-4m and Kiev-4am cameras.
Please note: the Helios-103 was apparently made to different tolerances and though it fits nicely on all newer Kievs (from the 60’s and up) I had difficulties mounting it on the early Kievs and prewar Contax cameras. I was always able to mount it, but it required some wiggling and, sometimes, more force than one would anticipate.
I had no problem mounting this Helios-103 on a prewar Contax III, but I had to mention this potential problem.
Jesse Hearndon –
Yuri found me one of these for my later Kiev 4 and it’s really a treat. The aperture click stops feel tactile and overall it’s a great lens to shoot on, one of the USSR’s best lenses.
Olivier Sylvestre –
This is a hell of a nice lens! It looks gorgeous on my new Kiev and it’s of amazing quality! I love it! Love the black part, the very shiny chrome, the very very very near to mint glass! Beautiful! Superb results! If you have a Kiev but a scrap lens, get one of these NOW!