Unusual Kiev 50mm lens Menopta

[Duncan Ross]

I've never heard of them but they look very Heliosy. Anyone tried these...?

I think they are Contax/Kiev fit only.

[pshinkaw]

According to Nathan Dayton they are sharper and have a higher resolution than a Helios-103. Contax/Kiev mount only. I think there is a pho of one on the Commie Cameras site.

-Paul

[Duncan Ross]

According to Nathan Dayton they are sharper and have a higher resolution than a Helios-103. Contax/Kiev mount only. I think there is a pho of one on the Commie Cameras site.

-Paul

Well, there is a bunch of NOS menoptas on ebay at the moment for £18 each including shipping. I'm not deliberately advertising here but just giving the team a heads-up if anyone's interested!

[sychan]

Picked one up out of curiousity after I saw your initial question. Hopefully they aren't just Helios-103's with menopta faceplates!

[Duncan Ross]

Only one way to find out...... :)

[darkkavenger]

I'm curious about these! Sounds like Meopta, the Prerov-based Czech(oslovak) optic manufacturer that made the Flexaret, Etareta, Opema and more thingies...

[Bas]

I'm curious about these! Sounds like Meopta, the Prerov-based Czech(oslovak) optic manufacturer that made the Flexaret, Etareta, Opema and more thingies...

Yes, I thought the same, Meopta Artemis :)

Meota makes excellent quality optics... if these came from them, they should be good shooters!

Cheers
Bas

[Kragmeister]

I looked 'em up on the 'bay and I think these are re-badged Helios 103 lenses. The front lens cap has an Arsenal logo on it and the rear cap is identical to the one that came on my H-103. The specs are the same too as far as I can tell. Thing is, the price is right anyway even if it is an otherwise standard H-103, that is one sharp lens!

Later,
Greg

[darkkavenger]

You're probably right, it looks exactly like my helios-103. maybe it's a late series version for export. Who knows. I'll be happy to see results taken with this lens.

[sychan]

As far as I've heard, the Menopta is a tweaked Helios-103, so it should be pretty much the same in appearance - and according to this page http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmrangefindercameras/lenses/index.htm they look pretty much the same anyway.

Its the same price as a Helios-103 anyway - it may be an interesting lens for various hacking purposes :-)

[andy_v]

You're probably right, it looks exactly like my helios-103. maybe it's a late series version for export. Who knows. I'll be happy to see results taken with this lens.
Exactly, I had an opportunity to purchase one, but choosed Helios 103, because Meopta had so shiny diafragm blades. They looked the same. I`m convinced that Meopta lenses were made in Soviet Union for Meopta in Czech.

[darkkavenger]

All scenarios are possible with the complications of the eastern block, but why would meopta (who never produced a bayonet mount camera) would produce rebadged Helios-103 lenses in the Soviet Union ? And the lens seems to be from 1993 (if we believe the serial number), which makes it highly improbable. Just my 2 cents... that's a very curious thing!

[Duncan Ross]

All scenarios are possible with the complications of the eastern block, but why would meopta (who never produced a bayonet mount camera) would produce rebadged Helios-103 lenses in the Soviet Union ? And the lens seems to be from 1993 (if we believe the serial number), which makes it highly improbable. Just my 2 cents... that's a very curious thing!

Yes, I've dropped Meopta a line asking them if they were involved in these lenses - if I get a reply I'll post it here folks.

[Duncan Ross]

Just got a reply from a nice chap at Meopta, these lenses are nothing to do with them.

[Jean]

Hello all,

Last sunday I had an opportunity to meet Princelle and I asked him about that rare lens. He said that the Menopta is a redesigned Helios-94.

Hope this helps.
Jean

[xayraa33]

maybe these lenses were made for Minolta and they got the spelling wrong at Arsenal. ;)