Helios are lenses that have come into our digital age from film times. It is simply incorrect to compare their technical characteristics with the performance of modern optics, because technologies are developing at a tremendous pace. But still, Soviet lenses have their own charm, which allows them to win more and more fans, not only in the vastness of the former USSR, but also far abroad. Perhaps, the well-known Helios family holds the palm. Lenses are perfect for experimental photographers, artist photographers who love everything unusual. But due to a number of features, they are unlikely to be useful to the reporter.
Helios-44-2 Lens: History and Rebirth
This lens was once very common. They often came with a Zenith SLR camera. Soviet amateur photographers shot weddings and anniversaries, portraits, still lifes and landscapes. Thanks to the frugality of the older generation, a huge number of Soviet optics, which are quite suitable for operation, have survived to our days. Someone inherited the lens from a father or grandfather who is fond of photography. And someone got it as a result of a long search. In any case, the owner will have to acquire a special adapter. You can find it in any department of photo optics. Such an adapter is suitable for many other lenses made in the USSR. It is safe to say that the Helios-44-2 lens is experiencing a second youth.
Helios in numbers
A few dry facts about the "Glios-44-2" will help to obtain theoretical knowledge. But to understand how it works, you can only in practice. So, Helios shoots with a focal length of 58 mm (and 87 mm in crop); its optical system consists of 6 elements (in 4 groups). The aperture has 8 blades, and its value can be changed in the range from 2 to 16.
Helios in the world of high technology
The inability to autofocus, a relatively large weight, manual aperture control are indicators that a modern photographer has long lost the habit of. As for the quality of the frame itself, it is worth noting a rather modest sharpness compared to the standard optics of Nikon, Canon, Sigma. In addition, the Helios aperture is not so high, and vignetting or even lower sharpness is sometimes possible at the edges of the frame.
Unique charm
So what attracts modern photographers? First of all, what at first glance may seem like a flaw! The amazing soft colors that Helios draws, lenses from leading manufacturers are unlikely to be able to give without a bunch of additional settings or color correction in the editor. At first glance, low sharpness increases with f values ββabove 4, and sometimes blurriness becomes the focus of the frame. But the main feature of Helios is, of course, its bokeh. Truncated semi-oval familiar to all lovers of art photography.
The background, blurred, unusually curled, softened, allows you to sharply highlight the subject and makes each frame special and boring. For this, Helios photo artists love it - lenses that allow you to play and experiment, get completely unexpected effects, and create unique shots.