Topic: helios lenses

[gothamtomato]

Hi all,

Does anyone here have a Helios lens? They supposedly give great gorgeous swirly bokeh.

I've seen people online who sell them with adapters so they'll fit on a Nikon (or other cameras) and I was thinking of getting one but I'm a little hesitant to buy anything expensive sight unseen from someone in a foreign country. But if I'm thinking about it. A 40-2 85mm lens.

Any words of advice (or warning)??

Thanks!
GT

[gsgary]

Are you sure you have the right lens they are very cheap on ebay

[gsgary]

This one is Nikon mount and a bit more expensive
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zenit-MC-Helios-40-2-85mm-F-1-5-Lens-for-Nikon-F-mount-AI-D4-D90-D800-D600-D7100-/221495280335?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item339225c2cf

[gothamtomato]

Hmmm...I've only just started looking into them and saw someone selling one for 500 Euros (which I think is about $650). I guess I should look at eBay more, (though the ones I'd seen there were being sold out of Eastern Europe and I'd rather just deal with the UK or US.)

[Francois]

I know I've seen a few that are supposed to have a Nikon mount... though I think these were modified by Lomography, hence the high price.

But you can always get a cheap M42-Nikon adapter and get a cheap M42 lens for it. The adapter you need has a lens in it to correct for infinity. While you do loose a bit of contrast and sharpness, I don't think it matters much... heck, you were going to use an Helios in the first place!

Also, you need to use the lens in manual aperture mode and it has no aperture-meter interlink with the camera. But stop-down metering isn't too hard to master, it's just slower to operate.

[Ezzie]

I have a 44-M for M42. Can't say it is particular in any way. Standard fare really.

[gsgary]

The one he is interested in is based on the Zeiss Boitar and has quite a reputation for portraits

[Gimenosaiz]

Hi.

I've a couple of these lenses: 44M-5 58 f/2 and the 44-2 58 f/2. The first is much better althought the second has a more "different" bokeh.
Both of them were cheap .... around 25€.

I've only shot digital:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/antoniogb/sets/72157637447933173/

Eric Vanden has several Nikon film examples:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericvanden/13640080393/in/set-72157642221039085/

Regards

[Gimenosaiz]

The one he is interested in is based on the Zeiss Boitar and has quite a reputation for portraits

Oh! Sorry...

[gothamtomato]

The one he is interested in is based on the Zeiss Boitar and has quite a reputation for portraits

She.

[gsgary]

Oh sorry

[Fluminian]

I have a Helios 58mm f2.0 and I like it a lot. Example (sorry d.g.t.l):

At f2.0

[Aksel]

The Helios-40 is really nice wide open! It´s also really bulky, heavy and without much contrast.
I Had a cupel to test and did read up on them back then. Soft coating, questionable craftsmanship and a rule of thumb; the older the better. I ended up with Helioses younger sister, the Jupiter-9 85/2 - more contrast, 1/3 the size, a bit warmer tones and just nice!
Another gem based on the Biotar formula with the swirly bits is the Soligor 85/1.5 of the 60´s - they are pre-set and generic screw mount. Mine came with a Soligor f-mount adapter and I use it on the F100, way better contrast (is that your thing?) then the Helios, smaller and I guess, unfortunately even more obscure.

[Francois]

Another gem based on the Biotar formula with the swirly bits is the Soligor 85/1.5 of the 60´s - they are pre-set and generic screw mount. Mine came with a Soligor f-mount adapter and I use it on the F100, way better contrast (is that your thing?) then the Helios, smaller and I guess, unfortunately even more obscure.

And even more expensive!
Have you checked the prices lately?

[Aksel]

And even more expensive!
Have you checked the prices lately?

Someone are really optimistic out there, I knew they had gone up but in the region of £500 is plain crazy!
Still, I prefer it to the Helios and can think of no other lens that I would swap it for, exempt perhaps the original Biotar 75/1.5 or maybe a Hektor 125/2.5 would be fun. Sorry for going rather off topic here - Helios-40, go for the oldest you can, given it is in good optical and mechanical condition, it is truly a cool chunk of glass!

[imagesfrugales]

I have a Helios 44M-2 2/58 - the original Biotar design - and don't like it. For 5 shots I said "hey, that's something", then I found the swirly bokeh very obtrusive. 150 years old LF feeling for the poor. Not my cup of coffee.

My recommendation for a super creamy bokeh, cheap M42 lens is the ubiquitous Cosina, Porst, Revue or however branded japanese 1.4/55 standard lens of the 70s, they are all the same, get it multi-coated, a so-called 7/5 Berger-Planar, it soon was  by a 'better' Planar and was available cheap for japanese mass production. About 25 Eur in best condition, mostly with a camera as a back cap. E.g.:
http://www.ipernity.com/doc/imagesfrugales/28817071

PS: the 40-2 you can buy new (or NOS?) in Russia for 316 Eur:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Neu-Objektiv-Zenit-KMZ-Helios-40-2-1-5-85mm-Portrait-Nikon-s-n-131097-/161403947701?pt=DE_Foto_Camcorder_Objektive&hash=item25946ccab5
Quote: Lens have factory bayonet mount Nikon, focusing in full range, including infinity.