[RioRico]

you make it sound so good....

*cries*

There there now, hug a wollie and compose yourself. Thing is, the Helios-44 *IS* so good. I don't think you'll find many Helios-haters around. It's just one of those basic lenses we should all have and use. Don't worry, many more will appear. Sort of like toadstools after a storm, but without the funny taste.

[wolfiegirl]

hehe. fred came and put his head in my lap. he must've heard you. gotta love wolfies!

the one i'm eyeing is in kmount, which seems super convenient. but at $44 i'm feeling a little stingey. LOL. Esp when the m42 mount is going for at least $10 less. *mutters to self* another will come...

[RioRico]

the one i'm eyeing is in kmount, which seems super convenient. but at $44 i'm feeling a little stingey. LOL. Esp when the m42 mount is going for at least $10 less. *mutters to self* another will come...

I read that they're about US$5 in Prague and Warsaw, maybe US$1 in Kijev and Minsk. Common as dirt. Take a wheelbarrow.

[wolfiegirl]

thank god i didn't cave in and bid then. that would've stung otherwise. bwahaha

i think it might be bed time. *tries to step away from ebay*

[hoanpham]

I have to remember to get the helios next visit to prague. Still missing the russians. Have only kiev body, arsat and mir lenses ;-)
Do you have a list of good russians? Must-have you say?

[Clinton]

IMO, what you need to control your LBA and desire for different and unique lenses for a while is a Lensbaby and a few optics. It's relatively cheap LBA, and when you want to play with a new look or feel, you can pick up a new optic.

In my experience, I went through a phase where I nabbed a few random old inexpensive lenses to explore what different lenses would produce, including an Ouznon, that I've since sold or given away. What I've found is that if I really want to create these different looks, I've got the lensbaby and some exotic F1.2 glass that I use: Porst Color Reflex 55/1.2, or the Cosina 55/1.2. (The Pentax A 50/1.2 kinda qualifies, but it's really sharp enough it doesn't need to go in the exotic bin). In fairness though, I have eyeballed the Helios for the swirl bokeh.

I say try out a lensbaby composer base set, and then your next LBA will be the optics kit.

[drougge]

If it's listed as being for Leica or FED cameras, avoid it.

Or get a FED, that's what I did...

Uhm. I haven't bought a lens in months. Really. (Losing bids don't count, right?)

[photocanadian]

In my opinion, the Helios 40-2 is nothing like the Pentax-M 50/1.7 ... maybe on paper (but not the photographic type ... haha), but they produce two very distinctive "signatures" in real live. And, both are so cheap (look for an old Zenit, Zenith or 3enit camera (common misspellings) instead of the lens for $10-$20 or so ... usually comes with a working 40-2, even if the camera does not work anymore). I think the last one I bought cost me around $5 or so.

hehehe. unfortunately the helios i've been eyeing has just tipped over my budget. Considering it's similar kind've specs to the Pentax M 1.7 I think I'll sit it out. There's always gonna be another one out there somewhere, right?

And here's hoping another of my lenses arrives tomorrow. At the moment I'm playing with a new lens everyday! *squee*

[RioRico]

I have to remember to get the helios next visit to prague. Still missing the russians. Have only kiev body, arsat and mir lenses ;-)
Do you have a list of good russians? Must-have you say?

I can heartily recommend what I have:

Zenitar 16/2.8 fisheye -- Mir-1 37/2.8 -- Industar-50/3.5 -- Helios-44 58/2 -- Jupiter-9 85/2 -- Jupiter-11 135/4 -- Jupiter-21 200/4 -- Rubinar Makpo 1000/10 mirror -- and enlarging lenses, especially the Industar-58 75/3.5

Then I have a wish-list (badly remembered here):

Peleng 8mm fisheye -- Mir-20/2.8 -- Zenitar 50/2.8 -- Helios-40 85/1.5 -- Tair-?? 135/2.8 -- Tair-?? 300

Actually I have a long list somewhere of all the Russian prospects. I'll have to dig that up...

Or get a FED, that's what I did...

Yeah well, so did I, just to use a batch of LTM glass I'd inadvertently bought. Didn't use it. Sold all that at a profit, bought the Rubinar Makpo 1000/10. Things work out.

Uhm. I haven't bought a lens in months. Really. (Losing bids don't count, right?)

That's right. Only the money draining away from your account counts.

In my opinion, the Helios 40-2 is nothing like the Pentax-M 50/1.7 ... maybe on paper (but not the photographic type ... haha), but they produce two very distinctive "signatures" in real live. And, both are so cheap (look for an old Zenit, Zenith or 3enit camera (common misspellings) instead of the lens for $10-$20 or so ... usually comes with a working 40-2, even if the camera does not work anymore). I think the last one I bought cost me around $5 or so.

I think you're conflating the Helios twins. The H44 58/2 is the cheap common old standard lens. The H40 85/1.5 is a huge mass of glass and metal (with a tripod mount) for soft mushy romantic glowing portraits, definitely NOT cheap. But yeah, searching for Zenits [in all (mis)spellings] is rewarding, like finding a Pentax SF-1 to get its F35-70, or an MV1 for its M50/1.4.

Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit.
--Henry Adams

[hoanpham]

Thanks a lot for the list.
Our neighbour is from ukraine and visit their home yearly. I may ask them a favor ;-)

[RioRico]

Thanks a lot for the list.
Our neighbour is from ukraine and visit their home yearly. I may ask them a favor ;-)

Ooh ooh, maybe they'll help me too?!? Anyway, I must run right now, but in a few hours I'll dig up and post my Russians list. Stay tuned.

[RioRico]

This is a list I compiled long ago of what seem to be the most desirable Soviet lenses that will work on Pentax cams, ordered by focal length. Later, I'll add my canonical Russian list, but this is a good start.

Peleng 8/2.8
Zenitar 16/2.8
Peleng 17/2.8
Mir-47 20/2.5
Mir-20 20/3.5
Mir-1 37/2.8
Industar-61 L/Z 50/2.8
Industar-50-2 50/3.5
Helios-44 58/2
Helios-40 85/1.5
Jupiter-8 85/2
Tair-11 135/2.8
Jupiter-11 135/4
Jupiter-6 180/2.8
Jupiter-21 200/4
Tair-3 300/4.5

I'll leave out the enlarger lenses (suffixed with U) for now.

[wolfiegirl]

Wow! Lookee all those lenses!!! Thanks Rico!

*spends the rest of the day researching*

*wallet winces*

[abacus07]

My perception of russian lenses is that for the most part they are big and heavy. Obviously not the industar and I'll still buy a helios 58mm someday. but it reduces the desire for them.

[Clinton]

Uhm. I haven't bought a lens in months. Really. (Losing bids don't count, right?)

That's right. Only the money draining away from your account counts.

Heh, if AA worked this way: Nope, I haven't been drunk in months; just a few drinks here and there.

I hadn't bought a lens in months, until I put this low bid on an A* 1200mm... :P