Marvellous Menopta!

[Duncan Ross]

Got the firework pictures back!! First time I've used the Menopta extensively with the Kiev; seems to have better contrast than the Jupiter. Thanks for the advice everyone!

http://members.aol.com/dunxuk/fireworks.jpg

Only problem is the case doesn't shut with it on. :(

[robin a]

Fireworks pictures are too cool,this is great.......Robin

[rolleistef]

what's this menopta lens? Seems to be a modern rebadged Helios 103?? or is it a completely differnt lens?

[Duncan Ross]

It does indeed seem to be a modern Helios; years of manufacture seem to be restricted to 1993 to 1994 and judging by serial numbers less than 1000 were made. Definitely nothing to do with Meopta.

Not sure what triggered manufacture. Most agree they were an export model although international demand for Kiev lenses in '90s pre-ebay west was probably nonexistent. Maybe a stock of unsold Kiev bodies were found in the '90s and a short run of lenses were made to measure but the project never materialised and the lenses and bodies quietly drifted out onto the market. Very puzzling, perhaps its a conspiracy.

[rolleistef]

right... it might be time to get one before it got too expensive... it's so rare that nobody knows it, and it cost 8 little Uk-quids to buy one!

[rolleistef]

holy crap! I will never be able to buy any menopta lens! the ebay seller that sells it refuses to ship to France... :'(
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lens-Menopta-f-1-8-53-Contax-Kiev-Brand-new_W0QQitemZ180057036043QQihZ008QQcategoryZ30062Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[Joao]

holy crap! I will never be able to buy any menopta lens! the ebay seller that sells it refuses to ship to France... :'(
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lens-Menopta-f-1-8-53-Contax-Kiev-Brand-new_W0QQitemZ180057036043QQihZ008QQcategoryZ30062Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Hi
Did he told you why? It seems strange, as he has just shipped one to Portugal (I’m just waiting for the usual customs bureaucracy to pick it up). OTOH there are some interesting Helios 103 at an acceptable price in
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170046928422 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170046928422)
(I’ve no ties to this seller ) I’ve read that there is no difference in performance between the Menopta and the Helios103
Regards
Joao

RF: Zork(1, 4), Fed(5, 2), Sokol (Automat, 2), Junost, Iskra, Kiev-4,
TLR: Komsomolyets, Lubitel (2, 166B), Flexaret
SLR: Zenit (3M, E, EM, ET, TTL, 12XP, 122K,19, Photosniper), Kiev-10, Olympus OM-2
Other: FED-50, Kiev35A, Smena (7, 8M), Estafeta

[rolleistef]

thanks but this one is an Helios, unfortunetely... :(

[fidget]

Only problem is the case doesn't shut with it on. :(

Hi Duncan, I found that the case was difficult to pull over my Helios lens, which looks identical to the Menopta. When I re-fixed the top of the case with new popper studs, it went on fine, leaving both studs unpopped until the case was on. It was similar for the J12 also..

Here's some pics/details. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18576&highlight=fed+case

Dave..

[Xmas]

Dave
The 4am cases i.e. for the helios are different from the normal Kiev cases. They have a much larger snout.
The 4 cases are indeed tight with a j8 or J8m especially with a cap or filter fitted.
The 4am cases smell nicer, not nice just nicer...
Noel

[fidget]

Dave
The 4am cases i.e. for the helios are different from the normal Kiev cases. They have a much larger snout.
The 4 cases are indeed tight with a j8 or J8m especially with a cap or filter fitted.
The 4am cases smell nicer, not nice just nicer...
Noel
Thanks Noel, I recall that all the 4M and 4AM were fitted with the Helios lens, so a bigger lens snout would be right, I didn't say that my Kiev(s) are all 4 or 4a models
But what's this? Smells nicer?!? I couldn't comment except to say that some of my FED and Zorki cases smell fantastic, I think it's a part of the FSU experience, or maybe it's something else! Someone posted about an outrageous alleged treatment that the leather received as part of its curing process, put me off for a while, but then, only for a while......
.......Tonight i have a task to replace the rivet which joins the case halves on my Zorki 5 case and my Zorki 6 case. I will use the same popper studs. The Kiev case is almost made for this mod, but the Zorkis join halves and fasten on the same stud, so I have to add an extra stud to fasten. I wish I could remember where i left the popper stud kit!
Dave....