Revisiting the Helios 44M: Finally Swirly Bokeh?

[@davidclippinger3987]

I have a KMZ 44-2 and usually choose to use a tripod. Just something interesting to play around with. I haven’t mastered the lens but I’m trying to edit the photos as to give a softer look to the swirls. It’s a good time of year to experiment with the autumn colors.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@davidclippinger3987 I agree a tripod would be better than trying to hand hold. Thanks for watching.

[@celestialinfinities987]

I have a 44M-4 that I use for portraits. The bokeh swirls from that lens are crazy. You are getting some of it here but it should be able to do far more in the right conditions. For portraits the trick is to shoot wide open on a bright day with trees in the background. All the highlights on the leaves and the bright spaces between them make the swirls.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@celestialinfinities987 Thank you. I will give that a try.

[@celestialinfinities987]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 No problem. 🙂 I also use a good deep hood with added flocking on the inside on all my vintage lenses to get the best performance and contrast possible. That can also help make the bokeh pop and appear more dramatic.

[@leod1671]

The bokeh on that lens is definitely interesting. Nice job on the review of that unique lens.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@leod1671 Thank you Leo.

[@drJ0422]

If you invest in the Neewer Z to Sony E adapter and the add an inexpensive E to N42 adapter, suddenly the Z8's focus confirmation feature works. The focus point box turns green when focus is achieved.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@drJ0422 I didn’t know that. Thanks for the information and for watching.

[@drJ0422]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 I use it for all my old f mount lenses. With a cheap E to F adapter. It works great! The subject detection works as well for finding the focus point, I think. Still experimenting with that. Makes the Z8 autofocus system sort of a rangefinder on steroids.

[@cruzdesangre2850]

I read a post about what's the best way to get swirly bokeh with the Helios 44M and the Helios 44M-4/5/6/7, I tried what it said and I believe it's true.
What you have to do is to put the focus to around 2m, 1.7-2.5m should be fine enough. Shooting wide open would be required too.

[@julesvuottosphotofocus4696]

@@cruzdesangre2850 Thank you. You are very limited to what you can shoot and in what conditions with those requirements.

[@cruzdesangre2850]

@@julesvuottosphotofocus4696 I think the same. I guess the ones who designed the lens didn't expect people to appreciate the effect, so they tried to reduce it the most they could.
At least the swirly bokeh can show up without meeting these conditions, even if it's more difficult.