Introducing the Helios 44-2
The Helios 44 is a vintage lens that was made in the USSR. There are several different versions of this model, but I was able to get a hold of the 44-2.
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It is a 58mm f/2 lens. This lens has pretty inexpensive for being a such a fast aperture and it is a pretty sturdy lens considering how old they are.
Photo Examples
I actually got the lens about a month ago off of Ebay, but the mount was not made for a Canon, so I had to order a mount for it and I wasn't paying attention to the shipping location of where the mount was coming from. It took forever to get the mount to my house from China, but once it came I was excited to throw the lens on my camera and test it out.
The lens is full manual focus and aperture control so it takes some getting used to if you aren't familiar with focusing in manual. Luckily with my video background and all of the macro photography that I do, manual focusing is becoming second nature.
The most distinctive feature about this lens and the one thing that has made it somewhat of a collectors item amongst the fine art photography community is the swirly bokeh effect.
The colors where very good with this lens. Overall I was very impressed with my $70 purchase on Ebay for such a cool little lens. I am planning on getting another one and modifying it. For more info on how to do it, check out this video made by an amazing photographer
How not to modify your lens (interesting result) - video and sample photos
The modified version gives a very drastic dreamlike effect that is awesome for video and dreamy pictures.
Well, before I end this post I want to share one last photo. This is what my dog Titus would do every time I would try and get him to look at me to get a photo of him.
