Manual Focus Lenses Forum

pirius · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 133 Location: SoFla

I recently was on a trip to Belarus where I got a chance to acquire few Soviet/Russian lenses, among them an old Helios 40 85/1.5 specimen. It's a first version and it ruins every picture when there a strong background light, but when used in the right conditions - wow. I really like the personal retro feeling coming from portraits that it produces.

Here are couple of examples at f/1.5 with its signature whirlwind bokeh:

Here are couple more at f/2.8:

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Nice samples! Clearly shows how good this lens!

sichko · Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 2475 Location: South West UK

Nice shots.

Dco · Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 19 Location: Vigo, Spain

I really love the bokeh of the two firsts photos.
That helios really have some character on it. A very special retro rendering that I've always liked.
The first one is my favourite, the light, the expression, the rendering of the lens...Very nice capture

scsambrook · Expire: 2011-11-18

pirius · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 133 Location: SoFla

The glass is clean throughout although a little yellow. I thought about UV-treating it at first but now I think I like the colors the way they are. I have other 85mm lenses if I need accurate color Smile

I think this lens suffers from flare by design - at least I've seen exactly the same problem with another copy I tried. They also both had air bubbles in the glass and the coating on internal elements was uneven.

It may also be caused by an internal reflection from the 5D sensor to the rear element and back, I don't know. My copy at least has a hood that was custom made from a ring taken from one of filters that it comes with. It helps a bit, but not much.

aoleg · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 1387 Location: Berlin, DE

#1 and #3 for me (and I'd try #3 in black and white).

As to the yellowing, sunbathing most likely will not help: the yellowing is rumored to be caused by the blue coatings on the lens. BTW, be extra careful when cleaning the lens, as the coatings on the first versions were chemically applied (can be damaged and washed away with substances such as isopropyl alcohol). Anyway, the color cast is easy to correct in post if you don't like it.

Bruce · Expire: 2014-11-22

1 & 3 for me too, but Id leave it colored as is.
Another lens to get Mad

Mist · Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 134 Location: Toronto, Canada

Nice pictures.
This lens tens to flare and hood is a must for it.

Mist · Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 134 Location: Toronto, Canada

I love this lens, but o boy it is so heavy!

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

great pics! my favs #1#3#4

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

I used to hate this lens but having used a Helios 44-2 I'm warming to the bokeh. I think the price of the 40s is inflated though.