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The Zenit Helios-103 53mm f/1.8 is a standard lens for FF and APS-C, discontinued. The focus is done by Manual Focus, it does not have image stabilization. The average price, when it has been added to the JuzaPhoto database, is 40 €;
4 users have given it an average vote of 8.8 out of 10.
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Cons: I think there are no bad sides in this lens. Maybe, maybe, lack of EBC - but if you add coats, you will change the 'taste' of the resulting image.
Opinion: I too had this lens before. On an original Zenith camera (film). Took some thousands of black and white images, all developed and printed by hand. Back then, I would have rated that lens 10/10. Today I think it is 9/10 - because some modern lenses are truly so well corrected for chroma, distortion, vigneting, etc. I do not have one now but a friend is bringing me one to work with my mirrorless camera. I am very glad Nesti mentioned this lens as it is a good choice for creative work with mirrorless cameras.
The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
Pros:Detail, sharpness, black-and-white contrast on mid-aperture closed, price
Cons:Without anti-reflective treatment (but for the black and white film is perhaps a merit), suffers the strong contrasts of light at very open diaphragms.
Opinion:I write these few lines simply for two reasons: 1 ° because no one has yet written anything about this Russian jewel, and he does not deserve it. 2 ° Because if someone was going to buy it maybe a more opinion does not hurt. The first thing to say for sure is that at least from what I understand is found only with a bayonet mount Contax RF (where RF stands for rangefinder = Telemeter) which is then the usual attack of the Kiev rangefinder, not to be confused with Contax bayonet for reflex. There are for sure some adapters rings to turn the Contax RF mount into the screw M39 x 1 (Leica), they are pretty rare and expensive, I personally use this gorgeous lens on Kiev4 so I don't use this ring. I have to say then that the use I make of the Helios 103 is exclusively on film, where it behaves great, has an incredible definition and sharpness, better than many goals even more modern and emblazoned. It has a resolution of 55 lines x mm in the center and 28 on the sides, considering that the mythical Jupiter 8 had 32 in the center says a lot, although I know perfectly well that the resolution is not all in photography, especially with the film. The minimum focus is 0.9 meters, in line with all the Fifties for rangefinder machines, is also devoid of anti-glare, and maybe even for this in the presence of strong lights and contrasts is a bit ' diaphragmed, but once considered this use is pure pleasure. With the color I have not used much, I prefer it with black and white, but I can say that as all lenses not designed for color does not generally give bright tones, but also this more than a defect could be a peculiarity. It has an excellent blurred, due also to the nine blades of the diaphragm. As availability is good and at fair prices, just by virtue of the fact that adapting it to a modern digital is a bit ' difficult compared for example to a Jupiter 8 with screw attack, then my advice is to take it together with a Kiev 4 and have fun to load on a beautiful Film and do some old fashioned photography. Last thing the construction is entirely in metal, from good Russian school. I hope I could have been in some way useful to someone. Hello Alessio
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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.
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