Helios 40-2 85mm f1.5

[kthoth]

Hi, I'm new user here (also new to MF lens, too) I just saw picture from Helios 40-2 85.
I've just stunned. I really hope that my Nikon can use with it, but I heard that it's a problem with infinity focusing.(I'm pretty sad)
A new Helios came out with EOS mount, do my nikon will have a chance like EOS?
Or I have to order a modified one? It's so expensive (about 900$) and I have to risk with a shipping thing.
Anybody have a news for Nikon user?
,Thank you

[parabellumfoto]

[Attila]

Welcome! 900 USD way too much, look another solution what you like Samyang 85mm with Nikon mount, Nikon lenses , Nikon 85mm f1.4 , 1.8

[Attila]

[kokuuji]

Hi, I think it might be one of solution for nikon mount.

http://www.rugift.com/photocameras/nikon_cameras_lenses.htm

Maybe it will work on nikon?
I don't try it yet so I don't know?
But you can mail seller for this lens.

Thank you.

[Attila]

Several Russian lenses are adjustable pretty well to Nikon for example Jupiter-9 adjustable to have infinity on Nikon. May Helios-2 too or at least to give enough distance for portrait work.

[tomasg]

The Helios works well for portraits on Nikon bodies, my copy gets in focus up to some 5 m, what s nice is that near this distance you get the swirl effect. I opened a Cyclop, it could be adapted but with some shaving off or a lathe, not worth the effort. Some samples:

http://www.pbase.com/tomasg_71/cyclop

http://www.pbase.com/tomasg_71/image/143132763

http://www.pbase.com/tomasg_71/image/142559606

Tomas

[ZoneV]

I think you should try to find out what you like on the Helios 40 pictures.
In case it is for example the swirly (~rotating) bokeh, other alternative lenses with that are hard to find.
In case it is only the small DOF, many other lenses could give you the same.

The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 has an aspheric lens inside, this gives sometimes onion ring bokeh - I don´t like this and prefer classic all spheric lenses.

[Oldhand]

If you are considering the Samyang 85mm f1.4, you would do well to have a look at the Nikon Nikkor 85 mm F/1.8 D AF Lens
These can be used in manual focusing if you desire, and are a much better lens than the Samyang, with very little difference in speed.
And they are not so much more expensive if you look at the new prices of both lenses.
There is a used one here:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-85-mm-F-1-8-D-AF-Lens-For-D80-D90-D5100-D7000-etc-Used-/230994335411?pt=AU_Lenses&hash=item35c855d6b3
and another:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-85-mm-F-1-8-D-AF-Lens-For-D80-D90-D5100-D7000-etc-Used/221025286598?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D8320656593178383501%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D5%26sd%3D261216020160%26
If you want a classic MF Nikkor 85mm here is one for the price of a Samyang:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-AI-85mm-f1-8-Lens-in-VGC-/261216020160?pt=AU_Lenses&hash=item3cd1b026c0

I know what I would buy
OH

[Sirrith]

I think you will regret paying current prices for the Helios 40. It is not worth that much IMO.

[ZoneV]

[Misha_M]

Regarding prices, nowadays (autumn 2013) a typical, silver ("white") Helios 40 lens, mainly non coated, with M39 or "home made" M42 mount (which is just an M39->M42 adapter ring glued \ welded onto the original mount), mainly from the 1960's, costs ~400$, both from sellers and on auctions (seen 2 such lenses go for 406$ and 428$ during the past 2 months) on ebay...

For example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/kmz-Helios-40-1-5-85-M39-M42-Very-Rare-/380646902567?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item58a052cb27

Price also depends on condition, and naturally a lens with some defects which is still operable (maybe oil on aperture blades, maybe damaged filter thread...) will cost a few dozen $ less.

More rare exemplars, such as earlier production lenses with "0" / "00" / "000" (and if you're really lucky, even "0000" ! ) in the beginning of their serial numbers, or lenses with blue / purple coating, or lenses with a red "P" or "n" on the front, etc. cost about 50$-100$ more.

For example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portrait-Helios-40-M39-M42-Canon-EOS-Excellent-s-n-002551-/161039458043?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item257eb31efb

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HELIOS-40-1-5-85mm-Russian-BOKEH-MONSTER-Lens-SLR-DSLR-Cameras-M39-M42-Zenit-KMZ-/261279471530?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item3cd57857aa

Helios 40-2 lenses, with the M42 mount, usually cost 500$ or more; I suppose it is becuase of the flange register issue, which causes the loss of infinity focus.
For example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-year-Mint-Helios-40-2-1-5-85-Early-Lens-SLR-screw-M42-831487-/321200930914?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4ac9114062

And from here on, the only limit to price is the sellers fantasy

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Helios-40-85mm-F-1-5-85-1-5-M42-Screw-Mount-Lens-With-The-Original-Case-/110956279682?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item19d5827782

[BurstMox]