04-25-2022, 06:56 AM
(04-24-2022, 10:40 AM)Klaus Wrote: The review of the RF 28-70mm f/2 USM L will be out tomorrow or so. As good as it gets, of course.
But I'm a bit bored. I think it's time to do a couple of vintage lenses again.
The Helios 44m-4 seems interesting ... but given the war, it's hard to get a cheap one.
Any idea for a cheap and cheerful "swirly bokeh" lens?
Maybe a Minolta MD 135mm f/3.5 or so?
Any suggestions for bokehlicious lenses that doesn't cost an arm or a leg?
The Helios 44M -4 unfortunately is not a very interesting lens in terms of bubble bokeh/ old look ...... mine has been transformed into a front reversed element model btw. and thus gives that dreamy only sharp in the dead center look ..... in it's standard form it's like many 50+mm F2 lenses.
The only Helios that's worth it's salt is the 42M -2 58mm F2 preset lens ....... good bubble bokeh and a good usable all round lens ....... (the preset feature is a very useful one on all ML bodies)
I guess Australia wasn't the prime market for Helios lenses so looking further afield would be required withal the extra expense of postage/ Customs...
Ebay UK has some relatively cheap 42M-2 58 mm examples ..... see here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=helios+lenses+&_sacat=625
there's one for twenty bucks US with a bit of fungus ....... the lens is super easy to disassemble !!
....... a technical review of this popular ubiquitous lens would probably go down well .......
Once you step away from heritage Helios bubble bokeh glass prices rise considerably !!