[Poirier812]

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

---

What do you guys estimate the worth of this being? the only one i can find on ebay that is clean and well kept is 550 dollars with 30 dollar shipping. Figuring I've read about people buying them for 135 a little over a year ago, I'm a little concerned about this. Any thoughts would be helpful

Thanks!
Matt

[Ira]

Go to The Soviet Lens Club.

But I can't imagine $550, though I'm not familiar with the lens.

[ryan s]

$300+

You'd have to go back probably 2-3 years to hear about people getting them for $135...unless someone got a deal with a poorly-described auction, bad pics on Craiglist, seller thought it was a "junk" lens, etc...even the weird and difficult to convert Exacta mounts are still in demand, hence the high prices.

Get a Helios 44 for 80% of the 40's swirly bokeh...for about $20

[Ira]

$300+

You'd have to go back probably 2-3 years to hear about people getting them for $135...unless someone got a deal with a poorly-described auction, bad pics on Craiglist, seller thought it was a "junk" lens, etc...even the weird and difficult to convert Exacta mounts are still in demand, hence the high prices.

Get a Helios 44 for 80% of the 40's swirly bokeh...for about $20

$20 is 80% of $300?

[Rense]

$20 is 80% of $300?

Please, send me the remaining 20%!

[Poirier812]

Haha thanks for the posts guys! The lens is for my girlfriend. I have a 44m on the way that i got of ebay. She just fell in love with the bokeh of the helios 40-2. I just didn't think 550 plus 30 dollar shipping was fair. I would recommend she gets the 44 but she wants the 85mm. This lens would probably be used as a portrait lens for her most of the time.

Helios 40-2 1.5 85 Russian Lens screw M42 0685 - eBay (item 320635317541 end time Jan-25-11 23:32:58 PST)

Heres the link if you guys want to tell me what you think.

[geauxpez]

I sold one over the summer for $375 plus estimated shipping. $580 seems a little steep to me. If you are patient, you may find one for less. You might want to wait for an auction instead of a Buy It Now. The bokeh of the 85mm is nice, but I hated the ergonmics of the thing and the chore of loosening the tripod mount to screw the lens on, then re-positioning & re-tightening the tripod mount...whoops -- the shot's gone... so I never used it. I had a screwmount Schacht 90mm/2.8 that had great bokeh, was compact, light & easy to focus -- a far superior and less expensive lens in my opinion. I still have a Helios 44-2 which will do the swirlies when I "need them."

Cheers,

Adam

[Poirier812]

Thanks Adam! I'll have to look into the Schacht. I do think that if she decide to go for the 40-2 We'll definitely wait for a better auction.

There also is a cheaper version just called a Helios 40. Would any of you happen to know the difference? If not I can just dig a bit deeper on google. So far I havent found much.

[abacus07]

Now I know what to look for if my trip to Russia in two years pans out. Although I'll be in Siberia.

I was planning on finding a 44-2 while there as a keepsake. But I'm planning on researching the Russian lenses to find some more elusive targets.

[Ira]

I was planning on finding a 44-2 while there [Siberia] as a keepsake. But I'm planning on researching the Russian lenses to find some more elusive targets.

You'll have better luck finding a 44-2 in Pittsburgh, which is where I bought mine for 15 bucks via eBay.

[ducdao]

Current price of vintage lenses on eBay is driving me nuts hence my LBA is killing me...and my wallet

[geauxpez]

Thanks Adam! I'll have to look into the Schacht. I do think that if she decide to go for the 40-2 We'll definitely wait for a better auction.

There also is a cheaper version just called a Helios 40. Would any of you happen to know the difference? If not I can just dig a bit deeper on google. So far I havent found much.

If I'm not mistaken, the Helios 40 is the earlier version with the silver barrel and the optics may have fewer coatings and a slightly softer output, especially wide open. That's why I held out for the 40-2.

The Schacht is a nice little lens, but not terribly easy to find. I imported mine from Greece! Alas, although it was a beautiful lens, I had a tendency to pick up my tack-sharp Tamron 90mm/2.8 macro autofocus lens instead, so I sold the Schacht (besides, I had just bought this Helios 40-2 that I thought would be the answer to everything ) Check out the photos for a size comparison. I think that bbluesman still has and uses that lens.

There are some real gems in M42 mount than can be had for under $200. Just keep reading and keep looking.

Cheers,

Adam

[fiveseven]

Now I know what to look for if my trip to Russia in two years pans out. Although I'll be in Siberia.

I was planning on finding a 44-2 while there as a keepsake. But I'm planning on researching the Russian lenses to find some more elusive targets.

Good luck, Helios 40-2 or even 40 are rare and even in Russia and are quite expensive locally as well.
I see plenty of Canon or Nikon 85mm primes that are in the same price range or even double and in my opinion Helios is just as good and in many cases better.

Supply and demand. If there was no demand than you would see them sit on Ebay forever but 40-2's are gone pretty quick even for their high listed prices.

BTW, the link to Helios 40-2 on Ebay, The lens in my opition does not worth asking price because it's not original. Tripod collar is missing. This is the same seller that is selling badly damaged 40-2 for $370 +

[abacus07]

You'll have better luck finding a 44-2 in Pittsburgh, which is where I bought mine for 15 bucks via eBay.

The siberia part will be tricky but it has a lot more sentimental value if bought in its homeland. And it definitely won't be easier to find in Taiwan (where I live).

[xjjohnno]

Silver versions around $350, black versions $500+