If you want to shoot at f16, for example, best set the clicked aperture ring to f16. The best way to focus the Helios-40 is wide open. Focusing is an interesting thing to do with the two aperture rings. I mentioned it already, this lens is a very old design. If you are walking around with this lens and are using just a wrist strap, you will certainly feel it later. The lens is very heavy–almost like I am holding a Sigma 300mm lens in a much smaller package. There are no electronics of any kind present on the lens, so nothing can go wrong in that department. It’s an old design and that shows–both in terms of optics and mechanics. The Helios-40 stands well apart from any other 85mm lens on the market. It’s not a Zeiss lens, but it has personality. The Helios is built from metal and glass, and you can feel it. It’s a bit tight on my copy, but it allows for smooth focusing. The focusing ring, located further towards the back of the lens, has a knurled surface and is thus easy to use. It takes a bit of thought to use at first, but you do get used to it. The second ring allows for free aperture movement between f1.5 and whatever f-stop you set the first ring to. The first ring has stopped positions which go from f1.5 down to f22. If you do not have have a good camera strap, your arm will feel this lens. With a 67mm thread, the lens has a screw-on lens cap which protects the front glass element. This is a big Russian lens, and it has a decent amount of weight to it. One of the most important tools during the testing phase were my black rapid straps–this lens is heavy on photo walks. I also used the Panasonic GX7 with a Fotga adapter for this review. The setup was usually put on a Brian 3 Legged thing tripod as well as a Manfrotto 682b monopod. I used a Nikon D700 and D90 as well as a Sony A7 with a Metabones adapter to test this lens.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |