Krasnogorskiy Zavod (KMZ) restarts production of 'vintage' lenses

Came across this on Reddit. Here is the link to the official news page.

Here it is fed through google translate.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

• The Mir-20M 20mm f/3.5 for roughly USD240.00
  
  
• The Helios-40-2 85mm f/1.5 at roughly USD260.00
  
  
• and the MS APO Telezenitar M 135mm f/2.8 at roughly USD350.00
  

I visitet KMZ / Zenit at the Photokina fair.
The Helios 40-2 looks very much like a 1:1 redesign (I have the older chrome Helios 40 version with M39). Very interessting news.

There was a 50mm/1.2 and 85/1.4 prototype as well. Don´t loved the 85/1.4 mechanics, but it would be a interessting alternative to the Samyang 85/1.4. I suppose more metal, so probably better mechanics, and no aspherical lens, better bokeh without onion rings.
The 50/1.2 would probably be interessting for some, but price seems to be higher than some old manual alternatives, they talked about 500 Euros. Seems not to be fixed yet.
I wonder why they not pubished it, probably they are not sure wheter to build it or not.

ZoneV wrote in post #15034444
I and no aspherical lens, better bokeh without onion rings.

I may be wrong, but my impression is that purely spherical surface designs have the worst onion rings (think nifty-fifty), whereas adding at least one aspherical surface stirs up things a bit to result in smoother bokeh (think 135L).

Onion rings - several rings like a cut onion is different from one brighter ring on the bokeh border.
And these onion rings seem to be only on aspherical lenses.
There aspherical lenses with no bokeh onion rings, but for example some wolly structure (some Samyang lenses). I think this is even worse.

ZoneV wrote in post #15034444
I visitet KMZ / Zenit at the Photokina fair.
The Helios 40-2 looks very much like a 1:1 redesign (I have the older chrome Helios 40 version with M39). Very interessting news.

There was a 50mm/1.2 and 85/1.4 prototype as well. Don´t loved the 85/1.4 mechanics, but it would be a interessting alternative to the Samyang 85/1.4. I suppose more metal, so probably better mechanics, and no aspherical lens, better bokeh without onion rings.
The 50/1.2 would probably be interessting for some, but price seems to be higher than some old manual alternatives, they talked about 500 Euros. Seems not to be fixed yet.
I wonder why they not pubished it, probably they are not sure wheter to build it or not.

Interesting news for sure, thanks for sharing the info!

Btw zonev, any news about KMZ plans for international distribution? I know some of zenit lens were available on rugift website but I haven't heard much about their distribution plans...

darosk wrote in post #15036415
Btw zonev, any news about KMZ plans for international distribution? I know some of zenit lens were available on rugift website but I haven't heard much about their distribution plans...

Not sure about that. But probably I should tell, that I understood they plan a price about 450-500 Euro for the Helios 40-2 in Germany. Probably the difference to the ~200 Euro stated in their shop is for shipping, tax and international distribution.

But it could be some miss-understanding too, and price is not that much here in Europe.
Did´t asked, because I own the older chrome Helios 40 with M39 mount. And a lenas like the 50/1.2 or better - the Minolta 58/1.2.

Ok thanks for info. I have a friend lives in Moscow, maybe I will try to ask him for help.

Could someone tell me where i could possibly get one of those new Helios 40-2 from KMZ?

I'm from Germany.

Would be very very grateful.

Xylence wrote in post #15772863
Could someone tell me where i could possibly get one of those new Helios 40-2 from KMZ?..

Search Ebay for "Helios-40-2 new"

By the way, I have uploaded some images made with the 50mm f/1.2 prototype lens.

Xylence wrote in post #15772863
Could someone tell me where i could possibly get one of those new Helios 40-2 from KMZ?

I'm from Germany.

Would be very very grateful.

Theres not much point; sellers are jacking up prices on ebay thanks to low supply, might as well get the old version.

Pretty ridiculous. Probably because the old versions sold for as much as they did. I was all excited at original prices they mentioned too.

I think at the moment I would buy the old lens too - or better wait, probably prices come down - either for the used or new ones.
But I have an old one, version one, so no need for this lens