Arsat H 1.4/50
The Arsat H 1.4/50 is a fast 50mm prime lens for Nikon F mount, made by the Kyiv Arsenal plant. It's the serial production version of the experimental Гелиос-123 (Helios-123), a trial batch of about 30 pieces of which was made in 1990. One documented example of the production lens carries a 2000 build date. One collector's estimate puts total production at roughly 2,000 units. The lens is described as one of the few Soviet ultra-fast "fifty" lenses that actually reached serial production.
The optical design is 7 elements in 6 groups. It covers 24×36 format and stops down to f/16. The mount is Nikon F AI, and period material describes it as allowing use of lenses intended for the Nikon FM2. The lens was aimed at amateur photographers.
Opinions on it are mixed. One Russian forum calls it "rare and controversial," and suggests that above ~2,000 RUB you would be better off looking for an old Nikkor, since the Arsat is claimed to be essentially a clone of a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4. A seller listing takes the other side. It calls the lens valuable both as a collector's item and for practical use, and asks 8,000 RUB. The same listing describes the mechanics as in excellent condition.
The record has one conflict. The model designation and most sources say f/1.4, but a lens-club.ru PDF describes it as an "ARSAT H 50 mm f2 lens." The model name itself is "H 1.4/50," and the same source's spec block lists the aperture ratio as 1:1.4. That makes f/1.4 the better reading.
Known Specs
- Focal length: 50mm
- Maximum aperture: f/1.4 (aperture ratio 1:1.4)
- Minimum aperture: f/16
- Optical construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
- Format: 24×36
- Mount: Nikon F AI (compatible with Nikon FM2)
- Production: serial version of Helios-123 (trial batch ~30 pcs, 1990); estimated ~2,000 total units
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