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Bubbabob · 04-13-2010, 07:50 AM

This popped up for sale semi-locally -

Russian Night Vision and lens set

Seller says both lenses are Russian with no brand name. Any bets on the quality? Im not familiar with mirror lenses; what would that 500mm be worth?

Ira · 04-13-2010, 07:59 AM

How can it be Russian and have the Pentax K mount, especially if it was made for military use?

I would take a drive, see if it goes on your camera, and take a few shots.

TRIPOD mounted to the LENS with those big boys.

**boriscleto** · 04-13-2010, 08:32 AM

The two lenses look like they are T-Mount with a T-Mount adapter. The Night Scope looks like a monocular lens to me. Unless there are two lenses mounted side by side inside the housing. It looks like it could have a binocular viewfinder.

Zebooka · 04-13-2010, 08:43 AM

They are all made by KMZ (Krasnogorskiy Zavod - Zenit cameras maker).
As I see, there are Tair-3 (300/4.5), Granit-11 (80-200/4.5) and some mirror lens - most likely Rubinar 500/5.6.

Central, small lens, with reddish back is unknown to me. Maybe it's Helios-44 58/2.0

Originally posted by Ira

How can it be Russian and have the Pentax K mount, especially if it was made for military use?

Because Pentax sent K-mount specifications to KMZ. And there were K-mount soviet Zenit cameras. And K-mount lenses are even still produced.

RioRico · 04-13-2010, 09:56 AM

The small lens doesn't much look like my Helios-44. Doesn't much look like a TC eithers. Too bad the photos aren't better.

IMHO the set is a bit overpriced. Tair 300's aren't too pricey on the bay. The zoom is rather slow. The mirror... well, I got mine for under US$20. If I had an extra US$300 and really really wanted that stuff, that would be my limit. I think the seller needs a reality check.

Bubbabob · 04-13-2010, 09:56 AM

Where do you see the 300mm? Also what is the quality and value of KMZ lenses? The seller claims and I have read elsewhere that they were made to Zeiss standards. If so I would imagine $450 a decent buy....?

The input is much appreciated from all!

EDIT -

Quote:

he small lens doesn't much look like my Helios-44. Doesn't much look like a TC eithers. Too bad the photos aren't better.

IMHO the set is a bit overpriced. Tair 300's aren't too pricey on the bay. The zoom is rather slow. The mirror... well, I got mine for under US$20. If I had an extra US$300 and really really wanted that stuff, that would be my limit. I think the seller needs a reality check.

Thank You for the info. Ive asked the seller for better photos. That's also what I needed to know about the price.

GerryL · 04-13-2010, 10:36 AM

The only thing that would look expensive there is the night vision binocular.
All the others are not that expensive.
The 500mm mirror (catadioptric) lens has in fact the T-mount which can be changed to any mount for any camera but this would only cost and an average of $40-$50 for an average mirror lens. This would be f:8
The zoom isn't too much either as it is on the 80-200mm only. I would guess that the widest f-stop on that would be 3.5-4.
The KMZ factory makes lenses of similar in optical formula as the Leica lenses and some are really good and command a good price but these are not it.
Have a read of this so you will know which ones are worth the price and which ones do not: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31430-soviet-lenses-club.html

Bubbabob · 04-13-2010, 07:59 PM

Thank Gerry! Not what I was hoping to hear, but better to hear before hand!

Got another reply from the seller with some better photos. All the lenses are 'Rubinar' branded. Photos are attatched. Still nothing special?

Also says he has a 10/1000 catadioptric and a 300mm MS Rubinar F4.5. Seems like a decently fast 300mm - Any good? [photo attatched]

Zebooka · 04-13-2010, 09:05 PM

Bubbabob · 04-13-2010, 09:07 PM

Thanks Zeb! Question though - The 300mm wasn't in the Craigslist ad so how did you know the guy had it? What special powers do you posses?

Zebooka · 04-13-2010, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by Bubbabob

Thanks Zeb! Question though - The 300mm wasn't in the Craigslist ad so how did you know the guy had it? What special powers do you posses?

I just looked at toolkit

Did not read anything in description.
Almost all soviet lenses have very specific design, and I have 300 and 80-200

RioRico · 04-14-2010, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by Bubbabob

Also says he has a 10/1000 catadioptric and a 300mm MS Rubinar F4.5. Seems like a decently fast 300mm - Any good?

I have the MC Makpo Rubinar 1000/10. Well, that's how it started out. (It cost me US$225 on the bay, shipping included.) It is BIG, weighs 1769g naked... and it won't mount directly on my K20D, because of the flash nub. I added about 20mm of macro extension tubes to get it to fit, so now it's more like 1200/12. I could mount it without the extension on my ZX-M but haven't tried shooting that yet.

It's not easy to use, even on a sturdy portable tripod. I weigh-down the 'pod to stabilize it, then pile a couple sand-filled beanbags atop the Rubinar to stabilize *IT*. Or I handhold it with SR on bright days, ha ha. The optics are fine, just what you'd expect from a big mirror. I haven't had much application for it yet, not in my dense dark forest; it's going on my upcoming long road trip, so I'll see what it can do.

seacapt · 04-14-2010, 08:50 AM

Bubba - to put it in laymans terms, I don't think I'd sell the farm to get that lens set!
Some of the Russian built glass is VERY nice stuff. Some copies of Zeiss designs. Problem is , it's become trendy to have Russian glass on your Pentax and prices have gone out of sight.
One of the main reasons Soviet Glass became so popular is because you used to be able to buy it cheap.

Blue · 04-14-2010, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by Ira

How can it be Russian and have the Pentax K mount, especially if it was made for military use?

I would take a drive, see if it goes on your camera, and take a few shots.

TRIPOD mounted to the LENS with those big boys.

The Russians used the K-mount on some lenses and bodies. They are no where near as common as m42 because they made those for 40-50 years.

GerryL · 04-14-2010, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by seacapt

Bubba - to put it in laymans terms, I don't think I'd sell the farm to get that lens set!
Some of the Russian built glass is VERY nice stuff. Some copies of Zeiss designs. Problem is , it's become trendy to have Russian glass on your Pentax and prices have gone out of sight.
One of the main reasons Soviet Glass became so popular is because you used to be able to buy it cheap.

Well said!
It has also been the same with the Pentax legacy lenses. They used to be so affordable (I don't want to use the word cheap) but since the demand ahs been up and most of the sellers also now know that the old lenses can be used on the new DSLR's, prices have ven shot up rather ridiculously!
A perfect example is the Pentax-A 50mm f:1.7!

04-13-2010, 07:50 AM	#1
Bubbabob Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SE Alabama Posts: 44	Russian Lenses This popped up for sale semi-locally - Russian Night Vision and lens set Seller says both lenses are Russian with no brand name. Any bets on the quality? Im not familiar with mirror lenses; what would that 500mm be worth?

04-13-2010, 09:56 AM	#6
Bubbabob Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SE Alabama Posts: 44 Original Poster	Where do you see the 300mm? Also what is the quality and value of KMZ lenses? The seller claims and I have read elsewhere that they were made to Zeiss standards. If so I would imagine $450 a decent buy....? The input is much appreciated from all! EDIT - Quote: he small lens doesn't much look like my Helios-44. Doesn't much look like a TC eithers. Too bad the photos aren't better. IMHO the set is a bit overpriced. Tair 300's aren't too pricey on the bay. The zoom is rather slow. The mirror... well, I got mine for under US$20. If I had an extra US$300 and really really wanted that stuff, that would be my limit. I think the seller needs a reality check. Thank You for the info. Ive asked the seller for better photos. That's also what I needed to know about the price. Last edited by Bubbabob; 04-13-2010 at 10:03 AM.

04-13-2010, 09:05 PM	#9
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	As I've said, it's: - MC Granit 11M 80-200/4.5 (m42 lens, may have K-m42 adapter) - MC Rubinar 500/8.0 mirror lens (mistaken by F-number, as there is 5/6 version also - MC Rubinar (which was named Tair-3 in the past) 300/4.5 mirror lens costs approx. - $70...$120 other lenses - $50...$100 (for each) (depending on quality of lenses) That was shot by Tair-3C (300/4.5): http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2009/052-various/W_BOA_e15773_lzn.jpg http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2009/052-various/W_BOA_e15854_lzn.jpg http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2009/085-ducks/W_BOA_e19770_lzn.jpg http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2009/085-ducks/W_BOA_e19718_lzn.jpg http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2009/085-ducks/W_BOA_e19733_lzn.jpg http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2008/080-avia/W_BOA_e10103_avia.jpg http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2008/080-avia/W_BOA_e10252_avia.jpg (with 2x m42 teleconverter) http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2008/081-eclipse/73_25__W_BOA_e9136.jpg That by Granit-11M 80-200/4.5: http://www.zebooka.com/SPGallery/Resize/Large/year/2009/010-020-various/W_BOA_e14878.jpg Last edited by Zebooka; 04-13-2010 at 09:11 PM.

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04-13-2010, 07:59 AM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	How can it be Russian and have the Pentax K mount, especially if it was made for military use? I would take a drive, see if it goes on your camera, and take a few shots. TRIPOD mounted to the LENS with those big boys.

04-13-2010, 08:32 AM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	The two lenses look like they are T-Mount with a T-Mount adapter. The Night Scope looks like a monocular lens to me. Unless there are two lenses mounted side by side inside the housing. It looks like it could have a binocular viewfinder.

04-13-2010, 08:43 AM	#4
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	They are all made by KMZ (Krasnogorskiy Zavod - Zenit cameras maker). As I see, there are Tair-3 (300/4.5), Granit-11 (80-200/4.5) and some mirror lens - most likely Rubinar 500/5.6. Central, small lens, with reddish back is unknown to me. Maybe it's Helios-44 58/2.0 Originally posted by Ira How can it be Russian and have the Pentax K mount, especially if it was made for military use? Because Pentax sent K-mount specifications to KMZ. And there were K-mount soviet Zenit cameras. And K-mount lenses are even still produced.

04-13-2010, 09:56 AM	#5
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The small lens doesn't much look like my Helios-44. Doesn't much look like a TC eithers. Too bad the photos aren't better. IMHO the set is a bit overpriced. Tair 300's aren't too pricey on the bay. The zoom is rather slow. The mirror... well, I got mine for under US$20. If I had an extra US$300 and really really wanted that stuff, that would be my limit. I think the seller needs a reality check.

04-13-2010, 10:36 AM	#7
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	The only thing that would look expensive there is the night vision binocular. All the others are not that expensive. The 500mm mirror (catadioptric) lens has in fact the T-mount which can be changed to any mount for any camera but this would only cost and an average of $40-$50 for an average mirror lens. This would be f:8 The zoom isn't too much either as it is on the 80-200mm only. I would guess that the widest f-stop on that would be 3.5-4. The KMZ factory makes lenses of similar in optical formula as the Leica lenses and some are really good and command a good price but these are not it. Have a read of this so you will know which ones are worth the price and which ones do not: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31430-soviet-lenses-club.html

04-13-2010, 09:07 PM	#10
Bubbabob Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SE Alabama Posts: 44 Original Poster	Thanks Zeb! Question though - The 300mm wasn't in the Craigslist ad so how did you know the guy had it? What special powers do you posses?

04-13-2010, 10:50 PM	#11
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	Originally posted by Bubbabob Thanks Zeb! Question though - The 300mm wasn't in the Craigslist ad so how did you know the guy had it? What special powers do you posses? I just looked at toolkit Did not read anything in description. Almost all soviet lenses have very specific design, and I have 300 and 80-200

04-14-2010, 12:34 AM	#12
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Bubbabob Also says he has a 10/1000 catadioptric and a 300mm MS Rubinar F4.5. Seems like a decently fast 300mm - Any good? I have the MC Makpo Rubinar 1000/10. Well, that's how it started out. (It cost me US$225 on the bay, shipping included.) It is BIG, weighs 1769g naked... and it won't mount directly on my K20D, because of the flash nub. I added about 20mm of macro extension tubes to get it to fit, so now it's more like 1200/12. I could mount it without the extension on my ZX-M but haven't tried shooting that yet. It's not easy to use, even on a sturdy portable tripod. I weigh-down the 'pod to stabilize it, then pile a couple sand-filled beanbags atop the Rubinar to stabilize IT. Or I handhold it with SR on bright days, ha ha. The optics are fine, just what you'd expect from a big mirror. I haven't had much application for it yet, not in my dense dark forest; it's going on my upcoming long road trip, so I'll see what it can do.

04-14-2010, 08:50 AM	#13
seacapt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina , USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,271	Bubba - to put it in laymans terms, I don't think I'd sell the farm to get that lens set! Some of the Russian built glass is VERY nice stuff. Some copies of Zeiss designs. Problem is , it's become trendy to have Russian glass on your Pentax and prices have gone out of sight. One of the main reasons Soviet Glass became so popular is because you used to be able to buy it cheap.

04-14-2010, 08:53 AM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Ira How can it be Russian and have the Pentax K mount, especially if it was made for military use? I would take a drive, see if it goes on your camera, and take a few shots. TRIPOD mounted to the LENS with those big boys. The Russians used the K-mount on some lenses and bodies. They are no where near as common as m42 because they made those for 40-50 years.

04-14-2010, 11:24 AM	#15
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by seacapt Bubba - to put it in laymans terms, I don't think I'd sell the farm to get that lens set! Some of the Russian built glass is VERY nice stuff. Some copies of Zeiss designs. Problem is , it's become trendy to have Russian glass on your Pentax and prices have gone out of sight. One of the main reasons Soviet Glass became so popular is because you used to be able to buy it cheap. Well said! It has also been the same with the Pentax legacy lenses. They used to be so affordable (I don't want to use the word cheap) but since the demand ahs been up and most of the sellers also now know that the old lenses can be used on the new DSLR's, prices have ven shot up rather ridiculously! A perfect example is the Pentax-A 50mm f:1.7!

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