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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

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Helios81n - 50mm f2 - samples
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:45 pm
Post subject: Helios81n - 50mm f2 - samples
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:45 pm
Post subject: Helios81n - 50mm f2 - samples
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See I don't just collect Nikkor 50mm's... Wink

Canterbury Cathedral memorial garden.

at f8:



f8 100% crop unsharpened:


[img]

https://forum.mflenses.com/userpix/202610/311_helios81n_f8_crop_1.jpg[/img]

at f2.8:



f2.8 100% crop unsharpened:



f2:



and 100% crop at f2 (yes I did just clip the highlights Sad )



What do people think?


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:05 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:05 pm
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Quote:
What do people think?


I think it's very sharp!!
What Helios is it? 50mm f/2, I never heard of it.
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:38 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:38 pm
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Orio wrote:
Quote:
What do people think?


I think it's very sharp!!
What Helios is it? 50mm f/2, I never heard of it.
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Orio:

Helios 81n - it's the standard lens for Kiev 19's - the physical design is almost identical to the Nikkor 1.8 AIS - short version, I wouldn't be surprised if the optics weren't ermmm 'inspired' by it. Flare resistance isn't great, but other than that it's a very good performer.

I think it's possibly sharper than my new Nikkor 1.8 AI. Bokeh's not quite as smooth as I'd really like, but hardly unpleasant.

Easiest way to pick one up is buy a Kiev (Ł22 ish) with one attached.


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:52 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:52 pm
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Exteriorly, it looks entirely like the Volna-3, do you think it's possible that it's the Volna-3 renamed?

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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:53 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:53 pm
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Look very good to me Richard
at 2.8 it look quite sharp
interesting that you find it sharper than your nikkor 1.8
Of course flare is important and I am sure your nikkor 1.8 is first class


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:22 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:22 pm
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very sharp lens with Lanthan glass ... Wink




OLYMPUS E-330 + Helios-81 (50/2)

all f/2, resize









full-size photo:
http://oly43club.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=312


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:25 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:25 pm
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poilu wrote:
Look very good to me Richard
at 2.8 it look quite sharp
interesting that you find it sharper than your nikkor 1.8
Of course flare is important and I am sure your nikkor 1.8 is first class


I've only had the Nikkor 1.8 a few days (and not used it in great weather)so it's difficult to fully judge - I think the Nikkor might be better wide open but the Helios at 2.8. Both are plenty sharp enough for me to be happy with them - I suppose a tripod test with identical subject and lighting would be the only real way of comparing them.


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:29 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:29 pm
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VGR wrote:
very sharp lens with Lanthan glass ... Wink




OLYMPUS E-330 + Helios-81 (50/2)

all f/2, resize









full-size photo:
http://oly43club.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=312


Prettier examples than mine Wink


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:34 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:34 pm
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I love your samples!


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:35 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:35 pm
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Wow, what blue eyes!! Shocked


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:44 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:44 pm
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wow VGR you make great portrait with every lenses
that's great samples and everybody will want this lens


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:55 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:55 pm
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Orio wrote:
Exteriorly, it looks entirely like the Volna-3, do you think it's possible that it's the Volna-3 renamed?

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I thought the Volna-3 was an 80mm lens?

My Helios 81n looks pretty much like a slightly rougher finished and heavier built 50mm E Series Nikkor.

It could be another lens renamed though. Maybe Jupiter 8 based?


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:02 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:02 pm
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Richard_D wrote:

I thought the Volna-3 was an 80mm lens?


Yes it is. And I thought that the Helios 81n was a medium format lens (being associated to a Kiev camera) Laughing
OK - reset everything Wink


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:29 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:29 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:29 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:29 pm
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Hey kids ! You're contemplating masterpieces ... ! Down hats ! Helios is THE LENS !
I proudly took this name as pseudo years ago ... Today it can seem a bit pretentious . I apologize.


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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:35 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:35 pm
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Certainly looks very good. Not sure it is actually sharper than the later 1.8 nikkor, but gives a real run for little money.


patrickh


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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:07 pm
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:07 pm
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Hi:

I have two types of Helios 58mm-f:2. One came with Zenit B in 1984.

If I am not wrong, this lens corresponds to Biotar Zeiss, designed in 1936.

Regards: David


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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:54 pm
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:54 pm
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Petzval 1840 wrote:
Hi:

I have two types of Helios 58mm-f:2. One came with Zenit B in 1984.

If I am not wrong, this lens corresponds to Biotar Zeiss, designed in 1936.

Regards: David


Looks like you are talking about a different lens, the Helios 44 Smile
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