What is up with Vega 3 ?

Printed from: USSRPhoto Forums

Topic URL: http://localhost:8088/modern/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=248

Printed on: 5/12/2026 10:53:02 PM

Topic

Topic author: okynek

Posted on: 20071210224816

I have four Vega-3 lenses from four Zenit 4 cameras. All of them happens to be different. I did not try to pick them this way. It just happens. So I check Mr. Abramov Photo history and found 2 more types. And Aidas has one more variation. And I believe Vlad has one more. And I did not check other members Web Sides. Did KMZ made unique design for every camera? How many variations are there? And why?

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/p 200.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/p 199.jpg

http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/p 201.jpg

Replies

Reply author: cedricfan

Replied on: 20071210232838

No, my #66933 is like #26820 in your picture. So at least two similar...

http://www.cedricfan.sivut.ws/Juhani's%20website%20ORIGINAALIT/

Reply author: okynek

Replied on: 20071211091354

Well, my is black, and your seems to have shiny firs ring. [;)]

Reply author: AidasCams

Replied on: 20071211095709

Well, I have already noticed that many of my Vega-3 lenses (i have at least 7 pieces) looks different. So, may be good start for the new collecting ... [:)]

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20071211103818

Are these for 135 rangefinder cameras, or for cine cameras? I thought these for cine cameras. I saw an I-50 cine version, but I did not buy it.

Reply author: okynek

Replied on: 20071211130827

This lens only good for 3 types of camera: Zenit 4, Zenit 5 and Zenit 6. I have one Vega-3 adopted for Zenit 3 using home-made adapter ring. But this construction does not work to good. Plus "author" of such creation had to kill aperture mechanic to get lens to work.

Reply author: Luiz Paracampo

Replied on: 20071211192539

Vlad
Obesrve
The lens Nº01912 and lens Nº11243 are really the same. The first one lost its chrome attached focusing ring a commom find with those lenses. Note the difficult hand catching in focusing. Ok the engravings are different but they are from different batches. If you go to Helios 44 one will see each batch with totally different parts. This is done to tooling tunings when starting each production series.

Reply author: okynek

Replied on: 20071211212020

I have to say they are really different. The 01912 has plastic handle for aperture and 11243 has metal ring. It better shown on second picture. The 01912 is on bottom right. It hard to see it numbers. But no matter, so many variations for less then 20.000 cameras made? You can not say this about 3+ mill Helios 44 for Zenit E .

Reply author: Kievuser

Replied on: 20071212061128

These four lenses are not the same. My Zenit 5 has a Vega-3 s/n 09980 that is the same as 01912. Which version is less often seen?