Camera Talk

Hello, people!
I am very interested in buying the Helios 44-2 lens, also known as the Swirly Bokeh Monster.

I'd love to see your images and reviews about it, and I hope many people are using it.

Have a nice day!

Hello Deniel,

I’m afraid I have not that lens.

Alex

Depends on your definition of "old lenses" yes, we have several users here

I owned an Helios 44 (58/2) for a while, it came standard in the Zenit cameras in the late 80s, and never really liked the quality of the pictures that came form it, lots of flare, not very sharp and very unpredictable.
I always preferred the Takumar 50/1.4; so I ended up selling the Helios.

However, there are endless discussions about either lens and a few 50mm shoot-outs like :
https://pbase.com/carpents/nlsr1m1
https://www.flickr.com/groups/98706667@ ... 702715394/

Check flickr for examples and decide for yourself

BUT it seems there are many versions of the lens and depends on the factory, date, amount of vodka, etc quality is very variable
List of variations : http://forum.mflenses.com/complete-list ... 26100.html

I suppose that a Voigtlander Skopar from the mid-1930's might qualify as old. But the camera is being serviced, so I don't yet have an opinion.

The oldest lens I've used was some brass one, probably meniscus, that dated to the mid 1800s IIRC. I'll have to dig a photo out.

Re: the Helios. I have the Helios-44M 58/2. I used it briefly, then got the Takumar 50/1.4 also. That lens I LOVE. The Helios was always just meh. I never noticed any swirls with it, but I didn't use it much, never realized that was part of its character, and I generally consider swirling bokeh a flaw - I've owned tons of Petzvals for LF from 4x5 to 10x12 and generally sold off any Petzvals that obviously swirled. Never liked the effect. YMMV.

Anyway, because of this thread, I mounted the Helios on my 70D the other day. Figured I'd shoot a little with it, even though it's a crop sensor, and see what happens. Took a few shots of Winston last night. One decent one (the lens is hard to focus for me these days):
WInston by Scott, on Flickr

I guess there's a some swirling even with the smaller sensor. It's a nice day today; I'm thinking Maddie and I may go for a stroll in Birdsboro and just see how it performs. I'm happy, and somewhat impressed, with this one picture from this lens.

I have a copy of the 44M-4 around somewhere. As I recall, it wasn't remarkable, but I think I shot it stopped down somewhat when I tested it. Looking at the few snapshots I took at the time, there is no interesting OOF behavior at all. If I can find it, I may take a few wide open shots and see what it does.

Robert

I shoot almost entirely with older lenses on digital.

If you get a chance, pick up the Meyer-Optik Trioplan. I converted one of these lenses to the Sony E-mount. It's a very cool lens. I did a writeup on it.

My next project is a Meyer Domiplan (from a Pemtacon Electra) which has very swirly bokeh.

Here's a film photo: