Russian lenses

[Screamin Scott]

I'm going to start looking for some Russian lenses. I'd appreciate comments as to what to look for & what to stay away from....Thanks

[Poolhall]

You cant go far wrong IMHO with a Jupiter 9, a Zenitar 16mm, any of the Helios 44's, or the Industar 50-2 or 61L/Z. There are others of course that people here will recommend. The key thing with Russian lenses is the quality control, which varies widely, so that one helios, for example, is a gem and the next a total lemon. Having said that I have around 10 Russian lenses of varying types and every one is worth keeping!

[Lazzaros]

I have two Helios: 44-2 and 40-2
I love the 40-2 and 44-2 is very good too.

I had a Jupiter9 but I sold it to buy Helios 40-2. It was very sharp after f/4

[no-X]

Helios 44-2, 44-3, 77M, 40-2.

50mm Zenitars - they are not very known, but they are sharp and sometimes very cheap.

There are some interesting Russian lenses, but they are mostly not available in M42 versions, or they are very rare. E.g.:

Zenitar K 50/1.4
Zenitar K 85/1.4
Zenitar 1K 85/1.4
Jupiter 3 50/1.5
MIR 24 35/2
MIR 51M 15/3.5
MIR 64K 20/2.8
ERA 6M 50/1.5
Volna 4 50/1.4
Volna 10K 35/1.8
Rekord 4 52/0.9

[peterqd]

Are you looking at Nikon mount Scott? Some of the lenses mentioned above are in M42 mount only and won't focus to infinity on a Nikon without a glass adapter. If you could confirm the mount and the FL you're looking for we can give you better help.

[Orio]

For your Nikons, you have a best buy, the MIR-24N in Nikon mount. One of the best 35mm lenses that I have ever tried.

The Kaleinar 2.8/100 (also Nikon mount) is worth considering as well.

I would stay away from M42 mount lenses because they are not useable with Nikons without an optical adapter. Consider instead the Pentacon 6 lenses, amongst which you can find very good ones, such as the MIR-36B (65mm) and the Kaleinar-3 (150mm).

[revinhood]

I just buy a jupiter 37A, everyone speaks well of him.

[NikonD]

I have Zenitar 16/2.8 and Mir 35/2.... both are excellent lenses

[Screamin Scott]

peterqd,
I'm aware of the infinity focus issue with M42 mount & Nikon. I'd like to find some in Nikon mount, but they tend to be priced higher than the M42. I'm looking for any FL really, to compare against what I already have in similar FL...I just don't have any Russian or German lenses....All Japanese.

[sichko]

I have the following in Nikon mount

Zenitar N 2.8/16, MIR 24N 2/35, Telear N 3.5/200
Jupiter 11A 4/135, Jupiter 37A 3.5/135. Tair 11A 2.8/135, Jupiter 21A 4/200

The first 3 have automatic aperture; the others are preset.

Pentacon 6/Kiev88CM lenses will focus to infinity with a simple mechanical adapter. At the moment I have the Volna 3 2.8/80 - but I'm looking at others !!!

I also have the MIR 1 2.8/37, Industar 61 LZ 2.8/50 and Volna 9 2.8/50 which require a "glass adapter" for infinity focus on Nikon.

I have been very happy with each of these lenses. In my experience they compare favourably with German counterparts (CZJ 2.4/35, 2.8/50, 3.5/135, Pentacon 2.8/135) - and they are sometimes cheaper !!!

[peterqd]

[peterqd]

[patrickh]

I have a few in the P6 mount with adapter. They mainly focus to infinity. The Vega 11 is highly recommended (mine was a dud, but I was reimbursed and I shall try again soon.) The mir 65 seems very nice and the Kaleinar 150. These are fun pieces of galss on the little nikon because they are so big. Personally I love the character of the good russian lenses.


patrickh

[voytek]

Do not forget old Tair-11 2.8/133 - I can write one of my best portrait lenses. This is M39 mount but with simple M39/M42 adapter focusing to infinity. Amazing, like "zeiss" bokeh.

[Attila]

I can confirm what Voytek said real jewelery.

[patrickh]

Agree the Tair is one of my favourites. Jup 40 of course. Plenty of great Russian lenses


patrickh

[voytek]

I forgot to mention that Tair is my only lens with 20 aperture leaves. The second position - Pentacon 4/300 - 19 leaves