Helios Helios 44-2

I have no idea where this Helios came from. The first Helios I had was a 44M-4, which I later gave to a friend who had just got into photography. Ever since reading about swirling bokeh, I knew I had to have a Helios, the older the better. (As I read it, older copies and versions had a more pronounced effect.)

Although this copy has some wear on the black paint and visible oil on the aperture blades, it works well. Focus is smooth, and the aperture works.

My copy has a small bubble in one of the internal elements. I recall I read up on those when I first noticed one in a lens I have from 1942. These little bubbles formed when glass was still made and polished by hand.

This is as simple and bare-bones as you can get with a lens. You get exactly what you need, no frills or bells. It's a good and pleasant lens to use.

Keep in mind that the "copy variation" everyone insists on mentioning when talking about old Russian lenses might mean your mileage may vary. (Whoops, I just did it too. Darn.)

Apart from the swirling bokeh you probably want when you get this lens, it has some other things going for it. Sharpness is okay, better in the centre, as expected.

Colors are natural, a bit on the colder side, which makes them feel a bit gloomy.

Contrast is lower than I usually like, but this is more of a package deal, where you go for the specific feel and "character". Flaring is common, washing over your images like a rainy day.

If you want film-looking, "Instagram-filtered without using Instagram" portraits, this is your go-to lens.

There's plenty to go around, and at the price you can find a Helios 44-2, go get one. Stop reading this. It's worth having one when you want cool portraits that make people ask, "When was this taken?"