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Sell a Helios 40-2 for a summicron 90?
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:07 pm    Post subject: Sell a Helios 40-2 for a summicron 90? Reply with quote

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with both of these lenses. I have the Helios which I love but I find it the most difficult of all my lenses to focus. Im not sure if it's because of the thin DOF or because of the overly rugged build. It feels a bit like a old tank attached to my camera.

I personally love the bokeh but have to be quite careful where I point it. Being a preset lens somewhat makes up for the time lost in focusing.

Im using a sony so m42 and Leica R are my only options. I will have to convert the summicron but it seems like a fairly painless (and reversible) process.

Does anybody else find the Helios difficult to focus? Im looking for THE portrait lens in m42 or Leica R.

Thanks


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi, Connor12

In my humble opinion, they are different lenses that offer different options for pictures.

I believe that it would be convenient for you to have both. And, like first option, for my form to see, the Summicron.

Regards, R I N O


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Having both of them would be nice. Leica may not suitable for lady's portrait.


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hmmmm, keep both.... I'd love to but can't afford it. In fact I would have to sell the Helios first before buying the summicron.

Im a bit scared about losing some of the helios "magic" that can sometimes turn a boring picture into something special.

dekiller, the summicron would be too sharp for female portraits? That would be what I use it for most. I've been lookin at flickr but you can never tell how much post processing they've done.


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh...

Well, if you have the Helios, don't sell it.

I would be very happy if have it

USE IT, i think that it's the better choice.

Rino.


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would give up a 40-2 for a Cron 90 anytime!
OK, I do not have either lens, but the Helios is huge and the bokeh is not my taste.
The pics that I have seen taken with the Cron are amazing.
If it is only half as good as the Cron 50, it's THE lens!


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The price for the Helios has gone up so much that it would be a straight swap for a summicron. A mint condition helios-40-2 just went for 390 euro (495 dollars) on ebay!

How is the 50 for focusing? I find that some lenses just pop into focus easier than others.


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unless you are quite sure you really need f/2, I suggest that you also consider Elmarit 90, even the first version is quite good, see http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/eos350d_elmarit90.html, especially the linked full-size versions of the photos.

I had a Helios-40-2, but I found out I practically never used apertures larger than f/4 even for portraits due to the difficulty of getting the focus just so.

Veijo


PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

LucisPictor wrote:
I would give up a 40-2 for a Cron 90 anytime!
OK, I do not have either lens, but the Helios is huge and the bokeh is not my taste.
The pics that I have seen taken with the Cron are amazing.
If it is only half as good as the Cron 50, it's THE lens!


Hi, LP!!

The LEICA lenses, specially the M series, is the better choice.

I had lot of M series lenses.

One of my favorite is the summicron M 50/2 second series. One time I went to a church that had a gallery. I took pics of this. When I saw them, thought than anything in the slides was wrong. They had spots in the walls . I became to the church to see the walls. The spots were there, but simply with your eyes you can't see them.

I try, as the mayority if us, lenses of almost all the brands, but LEICA M is the best (Leica R and Zeiss are similar, But M is better than both).

They are expensivo, but. . . . . .

Rino.


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I Have A Summicron-R 90, it's one of my top lenses, it's a little bit soft wide open, sharp @ 2.8 and razor sharp @ 4...11.
I love this lens but i don't know the Helios.
Let me know If you want me to show some Images taken with the Summicron.

Timo


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had both lenses from them I vote for Helios, but from all choices I vote for Carl Zeiss lenses either Jena or Oberkochen


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry no experience with 40-2.

But I got a Cron-R 90 (non-APO) from Andy and it's one of my fav. A little soft at f2, but sharp thereon. The bokeh...ahhhhh, it's Leica creamy. The softness at f2 is IMHO is very beautiful for portraits. I think 'dekiller' must have been referring to the APO version when he mentioned that it may not be suitable for lady's portrait, which is reputed to be very sharp.


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bawang wrote:
Sorry no experience with 40-2.

But I got a Cron-R 90 (non-APO) from Andy and it's one of my fav. A little soft at f2, but sharp thereon. The bokeh...ahhhhh, it's Leica creamy. The softness at f2 is IMHO is very beautiful for portraits. I think 'dekiller' must have been referring to the APO version when he mentioned that it may not be suitable for lady's portrait, which is reputed to be very sharp.


Bawang

I see that you appreciate the LEICA quality. I dare to suggest, since you

likes the portraits , that use the LEICA M series. You can choose between

the summilux M 75/1,4, Summicron M 90/2 (any version), Elmarit M

90/2,8 (any version). But if you want to more soft lens you have the two

Screw lenses Summarex and thambar.

My option M 75/1,4 .

Leica M lenses aren't so used than can be - excelent quality, beleave me.

Rino.


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

conor12 wrote:

dekiller, the summicron would be too sharp for female portraits?


No.
I used to have the Summicron-R 90 and it's quite dreamy wide open. Not as dreamy as the Helios-40, but still surely on the soft side.
Stopped down the cron 90 sharpens up, but it's never as sharp as the Elmarit-90.
I ended up selling the Summicron because it's too soft for my liking wide open. I prefer the crystal clarity of the Elmarit. Fact is I know how to make a sharp lens take soft photos - but I don't know how to do the other way around.

The Helios-40 is dreamier than the cron 90 wide open, but it's also sharper than the cron when stopped down.

At the moment in that focal range I own Planar 85, Sonnar 85, Elmarit 90 and Helios-40 (75mm) and I sold the Summicron.
So I guess my choices explain better than my words what I prefer.
-


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Orio wrote:
Stopped down the cron 90 sharpens up, but it's never as sharp as the Elmarit-90.-


I agree.

Orio wrote:
.... Fact is I know how to make a sharp lens take soft photos - but I don't know how to do the other way around.-



And who know? Laughing Laughing

Rino.


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would stick to the helios or look for a pancolar 80 (for M42).
The Cron 90 that I traded to Khidhir was a sweet little lens but, I always chose my my Zeiss lenses or the H-40 first.
For me it was simply a matter of personal preference.
I agree with the assessment Orio gives us.
The lens is softish before f4 with nice Bokeh.
Sharpens up nicely but never as sharp as my Planar 85 or the H-40.
The older model has a collapsible built in hood that is almost effective (sometimes to short to really help).
There is no difference between the 3 early versions optically if I understand correctly.

The Helios 40-2 that I had was also sold. Optically it performed as my old one.
In use I found the older one was easier to get to focus accuracy. The model of H-40 I have is a Prototype. I swear that the Helicoid is better (no play and more response with less turning effort) than the late production lenses.

Just to encourage you if you choose to sell your H-40-2. I sold mine with a BIN for $500. You should have no trouble with nice pics and description. Smile


PostPosted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My 40-2 focuses like a dream on 40d LiveView. I suspect it could be a nightmare on my 400d.


PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Orio wrote:

Stopped down the cron 90 sharpens up, but it's never as sharp as the Elmarit-90.
I ended up selling the Summicron because it's too soft for my liking wide open. I prefer the crystal clarity of the Elmarit. Fact is I know how to make a sharp lens take soft photos - but I don't know how to do the other way around.
-


As I dont shoot film, that is a very good point. I have had a quick look and the elmarit seems like incredibly good value at in and around the 160 euro mark. I am also pretty sure that with my tiny a100 viewfinder and manual focussing "skills" even I can make the elmarit dreamily soft. Thanks for all advice everyone.


PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:45 am    Post subject: Re: Sell a Helios 40-2 for a summicron 90? Reply with quote

conor12 wrote:

Im using a sony so m42 and Leica R are my only options. I will have to convert the summicron but it seems like a fairly painless (and reversible) process.


I am also using Minolta/Sony. Do you have a link how to convert Leica R to Minolta AF mount? I am also trying to fine alternate to Sony lenses.


PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here you go....

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1037&message=27937593


PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

well I just sold the Helios for 400 euro!!! I reckon I can pick up a 90 and a 135 elmarit for that price. A fair swap I think. Happy days... Very Happy My steinheil quinar 135 is a beautiful lens but it attracts so much attention. It can be difficult getting candid shots when everyone is watching you.

According to http://www.pebbleplace.com/Personal/Leica_db.html there are 3 versions of the 135. Im guessing either of the last two versions are worth while. There is quite a bit of contradictory information on the net though.

Any advice on this?


PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

conor12 wrote:
According to http://www.pebbleplace.com/Personal/Leica_db.html there are 3 versions of the 135. Im guessing either of the last two versions are worth while. There is quite a bit of contradictory information on the net though.

Any advice on this?


The differences are rather slight, but the close-up and full aperture performance of the newest version is better. It is a good but quite heavy lens, much heavier than the 4/180 Elmar-R. I've got one of the first specimens of the last version (serial number starting 2773..), and it is my favorite SLR 135.
Test shots at http://galactinus.net/vilva/retro/eos350d_elmarit135.html

Veijo


PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup the h40-2 is heavy beast alright but on the DCS520/560 it felt balanced, which I can shoot hand held all day. Can't say that on the 20d - keep shooting the feet - hahaha only jokingly of course.

I rather like the range of DOF Helios offers.
Never used the other lens though for comparison sake.

I guessed no harm keeping the Helios judging from the price hikes recently.
I paid $150, 2 years ago and the saying goes kilograms in your hand is better then the pounds in the bank LOL.