If you're interested in a specific lens, here are links to the different parts of the video 00:25 List of some other film era 85mm prime lenses Lens spec's: 01:05 Helios 40 02:55 Jupiter-9 03:38 Takumar Discussion of performance: 06:17 Super-Takumar 85mm f1.9 09:22 Jupiter-9 12:18 Helios 40 Conclusions 16:20 Which lens is best? 16:54 Do you really need a 85mm prime lens?
It's hard to overstate how much character these vintage lenses can bring to modern cameras. I'm sure there are modern equivalents to any of these which can be made to produce similar effects, but photographs with vintage lenses always seem to have an effortless quality to their effects.
I always love these comparisons of great, well-built vintage lenses :) I got my first Takumar with the 135mm F/3.5 only a week ago, and was able to add the 55mm F/1.8 this week. Cleaned up the helicoid and added new grease. They really are spectacular works of craftsmanship. Of course I'm also dreaming about a faster 85mm or 135mm lens, but that's where the price really starts to hike up. Alas, something to aspire to :)
I cannot consider myself as a Vintage Lens freak in any manner... But the only thing I can say about this Vintage Lens Review, is that it deserves nothing less than ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!!
I had the Jupiter-9 and eventually picked up the SMC Super Takumar 1.8. I sold the Jupiter-8 the next day. The Jupiter was so stiff to focus, the Takumar was a pleasure, buttery smooth to focus. The difference between driving a Yugo and a Rolls. Different strokes for different folks. The Takumar produces lovely images and because it is so smooth, I hit my focus more than I did with the Jupiter. I'll add the price of the Jupiter 9 has skyrocketed since I bought mine 2006. I think I paid $80.. It seems to be running $220 now.
Hi. The grease used for the helicoid of Helios 40 is VNII NP-290. This is a mixture of synthetic oils and organosiliconic fluids thickened by an inorganic additive. After sixty years the viscosity may not be the same as the original formulation, so it is recommendable to clean and relubricate the helicoid. By the way the viscosity of VNII NP-290 is quite affected by temperature: - 1,2 Pa • s at 80 °C - 1000 Pa • s at -30 °C
Thanks, I'll try this, as the focus ring really is stiff. I've got the grease (and used it successfully on other lenses), I just haven't taken the Helios 40 apart yet!!
@@Simonsutak Just be very careful if you are going to clean the glass after disassembling the lens. The chemical coating is very delicate and can be removed very easily. I do not know if this is because the bond between the coating and the glass surface are weakened after 60 years ageing, because the standard chemicals employed for cleaning are too aggressive for this coating, or if the rubbing force can mechanically detach some flakes (maybe a combination of all three factors). P.S. I realize that if you want to find some additional info about the grease you should look it up in cyrillic: ВНИИНП-290
In 1968, I started with a Zeiss Pro-Tessar 3.2/85mm on my Contaflex SLR; in 1971, the Nikkor-H 1.8/85 was the prime lens on my Nikon F. So I'm accustomed to 85mm lenses especially because of my prefence to portraits. On my Nikon D300 I only need a 55mm lens to getting 82.5mm lens results.
Several videos can be found on the lenses presented here however your presentation skills and style are second to none. I own an early version J9. I took a long time before buying one as I dreaded ending up with a bad copy. I was patient but I was also lucky to find a very good copy. The lens is a pleasure to use.
Bravo on an excellent video. Recent owner of both a new (2016) 40 and some 44 variants, including one with a variable square aperture, because why not? So far I'm loving them all.
I inherited a Nikkor-H-C Auto 85mm f 1:1.8 lens which, after I adapted it to my Sony system, fast became one of my favorite lenses. The "C" in Nikkor-H-C stands for coating. Apparently there was an earlier version of this lens without coatings. It is very sharp and produces bokeh that I find pleasing. After I took it apart for a lens cleaning it is as good as new.
I picked up that Super-Takumar 85/1.9 a couple years ago at a bargain price of $15 USD as it had fungus and was dirty. I friend opened up the lens and was able to clean it nicely. I have a number of M42 Pentax lenses. However, in 85mm my Nikkor-P C 8.5cm F2 (made in 1950 in occupied Japan) is perhaps more interesting with its 10 blades and wonderful early Nikon brilliance. It’s rather heavy, it being a Nikon S rangefinder lens it is narrower and overall smaller than 85mm SLR lenses. Adapted from Nikon S to Sony E the adapter itself is really small, so it balances nicely on mirrorless.
Another great review. I have the J9, a late one, a black '88 which is quite sharp and does color and IQ well. I am very fond of the FSU lenses, Jupiters, and like the KMZ's most. I have a weakness for Sonnars. Thanks for the insights.
85mm has been my favorite lens focal length for years. It just works so well for portrait, street and event photography. Sadly as you mention, the prices for vintage lenses are way out of proportion to their value. As luck would have, I recently switched to crop sensor Fuji. So now I dabble with various 50-56mm lenses to get a 85mm-ish focal length. Still I miss that feeling OF A BIG HONKING 85MM.
I found your channel recently and have been watching all the old stuff. Great content and info. As for 85mm lenses, these old M42 mount lenses are not cheap currently! I already have a 85 for my Canon R7. Years ago I bought a then used, Canon 85mm EF f1.8 USM lens and have never looked back. The copy I got is insanely sharp and the focus system is very, very good. But I enjoy switching it off and using the lens in manual focus mode. And yes, its more of a 136mm lens on that R7 body, but I simply love it. The bokeh is very smooth, dreamy. Ever since getting it years back, its been one of my favorite lenses all time. So when I'm looking at the prices of these older M42 85mm lenses, I have to stop and ask myself, "Do I really need another one?" I'm thinking the answer is no. Spending that money on a different lens is probably a better idea. Thanks for all the great content!
000.... в серийном номере это очень круто .Есть версия что с таким номером делались эталонные образцы которые лежали на заводах для сравнения с серийными . 000.... in the serial number is very cool .There is a version that reference samples were made with this number , which were lying in factories for comparison with serial ones .
I always wanted the Takumar, but it has always been over budget for me, but I'm poor. I have three different Jupiter 9 lenses, and I adore these lenses. Mine have all gotten a lot of use. My favorite is the M42 version I bought from Roman at Retro Photo House, a wonderful seller.
Thanks for the excellent video. Update in 2023: Takumars and Jupiters are actually quite close in price. Usually over 250 USD for a good copy. But you have exceptional copy of Jupiter. I have sent many requests for sending me a photos taken by Jupiter before buying and all of them were terribly out of focus. They start to wake up at f2.8 and F4, but I don't want that. So I'm still searching and if I can't find good Jupiter, I'll buy Takumar :) I was also looking for Canon FD 85 1.8, but they seem clinically good to me. Without character.
I bought an older silver Helios 40 for my Fujis and it has been a real problem finding a tripod collar (I had to jerry-rig a Canon) and a lens hood. Plus it's huge, weighs a ton, not easy to lug around all day. And it's soft, and not very contrasty. And changing aperture is a little bit of a nuisance. But the images from this thing are just sublime, OMG!
I started with street photography with film cameras.Within a year i got a Fuji X-Pro 1 and started concert photography semi-profesionally.I knew I was into prime lenses after a couple of failed trials of using zoom lenses.My first lens was a Jupiter 8 and even though I tried a variety of primes (Fujinon,Fujica, LTM lenses,Konica, Minolta etc.). My favourite so far has been KMZ lenses for some reason the Jupiter series is one of the one filled with character and industar more sharp lenses overall.Helios can be all over the place but I would say they are all rounders.
I own both the m39 Jupiter 9 and the Helios 40-2. I am a fan of both. The Helios has taken some of my favorite photos while the Jupiter 9 was purchased because I wanted something similar, but sharper and better Bokeh stopped down. I am not a bit fan of the saw tooth bokeh of the Helios when its stopped down.
I do not own an 85mm lens, but I have always enjoyed using my Zeiss Jena 80mm f2.8 lens on my Exakta, it has a lovely smooth bokeh. I hope that one day you review the Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 50mm f1.4 lens, (thorium version). It would be very interesting to see how this seven element beauty performs.
I have the Helios 40-2 and a 44-2. I love both, and the first portrait photo I took of myself with the 40-2 confirmed I made the right choice between it and the Helios 40 for my kinds of photos. For me it was the yellow coating that fits my rustic style. When matched with Fujifilm's Eterna/Bleach Bypass film emulation, the combo brings out beautiful warmth, especially in slightly warm greys and whites. If I had the opportunity to try out a Helios 40, I'd love to experiment with it just to see how differently the coatings would effect the way I use it!
I bought a Chinese adapter ring 66mm to 77mm which was not so expensive and in my case extremely helpful, since most of my modern lenses have M77x0.75 filter threads. By the way, most of the old Helios 40-2 produced between 1969 and 1992 have a M67x0.75 filter thread - only a few have the M66 filter thread. The current production of Helios 40-2 N with Nikon F bayonet and Helios 40-2 C for Canon EF bayonet have a 67mm filter thread.
Yes, I got a Chinese 66mm (step-up) adapter, but when people ask me where I got it, it doesn't seem for sale (at least on ebay) any more. I listed the changed filter size on the details, but should have mentioned it verbally as well! Cheers, Simon
@@Simonsutak If that can be helpful, I found mine on Aliexpress and paid about 15£ including shipment (delivered in a really short time). Quite expensive, compared to the prices of adapter rings for standard diameters, but more useful in my case since I have a lot of screw on 77mm filters (along with a NiSi filter holder where the 77mm is usually mounted). I know some precision mechanical workshops that could produce it manually, but I doubt that the price of such an adapter including shipment will be lower...
You have such great breakdowns. I love the painstaking work you do to give all of the visual comparison and examples In a creative fog right now but I'm hopeful to get back out this summer 😁👍
What I like about buying vintage glass is that it lets me experiment with focal lengths I haven't tried before. After I used a Jupiter 9 for a while, I but the bullet and got an autofocus Canon one for my EOS1V and 5DII.
I don't have any of these lovely 85mm M42 lenses, but what I do have is a nice Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm f/2.5 SP macro lens with M42 mount. Not quite as fast as the three lenses you review, but a long macro focusing throw makes grabbing sharp focus easy, if not necessarily fast. Have you any experience with this or similar lens? Good for portraits and somewhat close up shots, with 1:2 reproduction ratio.
Differences in sharpness with older lens copies is probably common. The only two lenses where I have had two copies to examin exhibited this. Two Takumar Auto 35mms and two Zeiss Pancolar zebra thorium versions although the Pancolar is so sharp that any copy will probably be very sharp.
This video is giving me ideas. The only lens I ever paid serious money for is my Tamron SP AF Di 90mm f2.8 Macro (K-mount). It's in the same focal length class as the lenses mentioned here, maybe I should take it out more. I bought it mainly for macro work, but maybe it'd be a good walk-around and landscape lens as well. I looked, there are people using it for portraits and fashion photography (I found most of these videos rather uninteresting, though, since they didn't actually talk about the lens, they were just people taking photos of models). It's supposedly pretty sharp, the reviewers on the Pentax forums seem to like it. On another note, I'm going to buy a M42 to K mount adapter and a M39 to K mount adapter - I plan to try those lenses I have on my FED 2 and FED 5 on the Pentax bodies, and maybe later get one of those Helios 44s (I see a number for sale on Ebay from the Ukraine, for under $30).
I've tried the Jupiter-9 from a friend of mine for quite a few weeks and I really didn't like it. The click-less aperture ring in film photography is pretty annoying, the lens is really big and bulky, and I tend to invert the two aperture rings. Focus ring is big and not that pleasant to use. I've never tried the 85/1.9 and being in possession of 28/3.5, 50/1.4 and 135/3.5 Takumar lenses, i would definitely go for it ! Takumar lenses are the greatest ergonomic experience I've ever had in my life. Focus ring are smooth as heaven, there are built like tanks, feel solid with no gaps between any part : just astonishing ! Reminds me my old Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35/2.8, stold in my car 😢
not sure if I've already posted here but I have the Jupiter9 in a custom converted kiev to m42 mount in silver - it's a bit fiddly but still very nice - and I have Super Takumar 85mm f1.9 and the Auto Takumar 85mm f1.8 which are some real treasures. off the top of my head I also have a Nikkor 85mm f2 ai(or ais?) which I also really like. Last thing I'd say regarding post processing is that having a good phone and using Lightroom mobile has truly been game changing for me.
I really want to pick up a tair11 - it's been at the top of my shortlist for years, would you even be able to make a comparison of this Helios with it?
An other very interesting video, i love my Helios 44-2 as a walk around must have and i have a Konica hexanon AR 85mm f/1.8 witch is tricky to use with my Nikon until now as i don't use adapter jaja (to expensive) it's a pleasure to use this old manual lenses
You might enjoy the 85mm Nikon. The all metal pre ai lenses are pretty abundant. I have a thing for a 50mm 3.5 Elmar. I need to get an adapter for my digital Leica.
And I thought all my life that the J-9 was too big and too heavy (compared to the J-3, J-12, and J-11), .... so it's nice to learn a different approach.
I concur with your observations :) This video has convinced me to try and look for a copy of the Jupiter-9 again - I don't think it'll ever take away my preference for the Helios-40-2, but... assuming previous experience with the sharpness was just a poor copy, it may well be worth another try. And of course having a walkaround-friendly 85mm may be a good option to have in reserve, with its softer quality being quite different from the feel of the big Helios.
Hey Simon, found your excellent channel last week, been binge watching. I had a Spotmatic kit donated which came with a range of lenses, notably Super Takumar 50, 55, and 150. Loving this kit. Getting Interested in vintage lens options. Awesome channel kind regards Paul
Thanks Simon. Another great video on a focal length that is a favorite of many photographers (including me). You made one minor mistake with the list of lenses at the beginning. Minolta never made an MD 85MM F1.4 (they made F1.7, F2, and also F2.8 Varisoft versions, but NOT F1.4). Cheers!
@@Simonsutak No problem. There are so many lenses & versions out there that it's difficult to keep track of them all and to get the nomenclature right in all instances.
I still find the Leitz Colorplan 90mm f2.5 (made in Portugal) to be my best 85mm-ish lens. It cost me 15bucks, its sharp as f, and it swirls like crazy. Sadly just f2.5. (even sharper than my modern 85mm)
Interesting, thank you ! I don’t understand how a given focal length can be a step up from another one though (50 vs 85). Just different use case and very subjective in terms of preference .
Yes, good point. When I said that I was thinking more in terms of a step-up in physical size and glass (and cost) - the Takumar 85 just feels like a more serious and substantial lens than the Takumar 50/55. But then 135 and 200 (etc) lenses are even more substantial lenses by that criteria, except cost!
@@jc.baptiste Your point is a really good one! For a manufacturer, historically the easiest and cheapest lens to manufacture is often the normal focal length and often came as a cheap kit lens. However, I do agree that stepping up could mean going to a faster lens within the same category such as a 50MM f1.2 (or faster) or more specialized such as a normal macro lens or going to a fast short telephoto such as an 85MM f1.8 or faster. One focal length is not necessarily superior in all cases, they all have their unique use cases.
Nice hood attached to the Helios 40 😉 I've got the same hood for my Helios 44M's, Φ52 . For a portrait lens i think it's okay to be a little soft, not all models have perfect skin. can increase sharpness in post processing anyway. Great video and photos as usual, Thanks
Love the older lenses but they definitely need hood lenses. I have 2 Canon FD lenses, 50mm and 70-210mm. They give a bit of an older look which makes sense being as old as they are, the coatings have aged a great deal
Hi. While looking again at the video, I noticed that you indicate as minimum focusing distance for the Helios-40 as 1.15m. In the early copies the focusing distance is something like 0.77m: the distance ring after 1,15 is marked 1, 0.9, 0.8, then M and then keeps turning for an extra 7mm or so. For the record, the serial number of my lens is 004240 (red P).
Good idea! I'm interested myself in the differences between tinted coatings, radio-active glass and clear multi-coatings, and how coatings have evolved.
I bought a Jupiter 9 with a broken focus ring that I had to return, wasn't a fan of the focal length on my Sony A6400. Prefer to use a wider or longer lens
Sorry to hear about your Jupiter. It was very noticeable switching between FF to a crop sensor (with my Sony)....that the 85mm turns into nearly a 135mm style lens. And 135mm is a more standard kind of prime, not (as you say) everyone's favorite length.
@@Simonsutak one of the first vintage lenses I bought was a Jupiter 11, so was always looking to get a 9 as well. I'd have been happy to have it, if it worked, but I don't see myself actively looking for a lens at that length, considering how much they usually cost (unless I discover a bargain)
Try it with a focal reducer like the Zhongji Lens Turbo ll This will give a more relaxed focal length of 93mm . Nice thing to have for all the other vintage lenses too.
l bought a new jupter-9 85mm f2 (V2) with $50 and a 135mm f3.5 with $40 thirty years ago，the 135mm f3.5 give me unbelievable sharp and solid images .maybe sharper than pentax.
I have a 1973 Jupiter-9 which I use on my X-T4; it's quite sharp and one of my favorite lenses, usually brought along with a Jupiter-3 and a Helios-89. These 3 make a good team for me and suit my walk about style. I've liked the Jupiter-9 with the vivid simulation for some landscapes or more often the closer-in nature scenes and also Pro-negative std. for portraits. Also like it with the Acros B&W simulations at nighttime. Just have to watch out when shooting into the sun; easy to lose contrast.
Helios-40-2. Heavy, not simple to use, very need a hood (but you'll need a costly custom made 66-to-67stepring which cost more than that used lens here in Russia).
Спасибо за ролик!!! Было у меня два Юпитера 9, 80 годов, черные и оба продал. Вообще нет резкости, даже со штатива трудно попасть в фокус. Вот более ранние может быть и лучше?! Вам повезло значит.
Thanks so much for a wonderful review, as always.I have a Helios 40 and it's wonderful to use,I really am a fan of older lenses. I cannot seem to find a hood for the Helios I'm afraid. If you know where I could obtain one perhaps? It would be greatly appreciated.Thanks again cheers.
Many thanks for you kind words. If you have the old Helios 40 with a 66mm filter ring, you can use a step-up filter ring from 66mm to 67mm, and then use a 67mm hood on that. I got my 66mm to 67mm step-up filter ring from a Chinese supplier, some years ago. Unfortunately I don't have records of the supplier. I haven't seen a 66mm to 67mm step up filter ring for sale for a while now, but if you approach a Chinese supplier on ebay, maybe they can find you one. All the best, Simon
@@Simonsutak Thank you for your reply, since I last wrote you. I have in fact managed to find both said items on Ebay, after many extensive searches. I was lucky to find these recently and am waiting for their delivery, your reviews are very much appreciated, all the very best to you, David.
Great video. I knew the verdict before you gave it based on your other videos but I had to watch it anyway. How about a tutorial on how to get those swirly shots? I've got the 40 & 44 but not yet found the right conditions.
I have a Cyclop 85 f 1.5. I just want a way to stop down properly this lens or a complete diy rehousing. But I know they're both impossible so i Will keep it until I get so much frustrated that i cannot hold it more
You could always try attaching a DIY diaphragm/small ring to the rear glass element. I know someone who does this to projector lenses. They put a plastic plumbing washer on the rear element and that acts to stop down the lens - like a set of blades. Or you could cut out your own DIY diaphragm to fit. Good luck, Simon
@@Simonsutak My fav for my eye is the 69'..I think its the purple coating.optically thhere all the same but what i have noticed the coating make a difference .My earlly 60 and just added 61 has a blue coating and are stellar in b/.w..In color you will get a pastel look to your pictures that are very atractive and dreamy ..overall if you cant tell I like them ..I enjoy your channel for learning ty very much Simon ..
I have the Jupiter 9 and 3. They are like old friends with some character flaws. When they’re good, they’re very good, both sometimes temperamental. I’d get tired of them and left them alone for a while, then came back to them and it’s wonderful again. Modern lens are more trustworthy, but not so interesting…..
I managed to find a Helios 40, the whole kit in a bag for much less that what many sellers are asking. You need to dig into people’s stores sometimes. I was curious about the Helios 40-2. It’s coatings are yellows as opposed to the blues. I also managed to find a very inexpensive Jupiter 9, black, M39, 15 blades. Plus after much searching, I did find an Auto Takumar 85, which I need to service and clean.. I wanted the earlier version specifically for lack of coatings. I have been utterly disgusted with 85mm takumar prices. A lot of that is due to video/film makers who seem to prize that size. They keep getting snapped up, some $5-600. So over priced but I guess that is the market. I have a Nikkor 85 1.4 as well, modern, which I use for most of my professional work. Some of my modern lenses can have as many as 15 elements. They are very different lenses with great results, but sometimes a little clinical. I am really looking at bokeh now, those transition areas and how things render. I’m still working with the Helios to get the most out of that lens. I’m interested in playing with the Jupiter.. it just recently arrived, after seeing this video. There are often intangible differences in the way these lenses arrive at an image I find very fascinating. Most of my images are of fleeting subjects and swapping lenses to do side by side comparisons is not often possible. The result is not always technical but rather about aesthetics.
The first single layer chemical coating that was initially applied is responsible for the typical blue tint of early (i.e s/n starting with 00 or 000) - Helios 44 for Start camera (silver body, 13 blades) - Helios 44 for M39 (silver body, 13 blades) - Helios 40 (silver body) In the glass of these early lenses you can also find sometimes tiny bubbles of incorporated air. If you check carefully against a white background (no backlighting please) those specks of black "dust" that do not move when you shake the lens, you will notice that they have a transparent center... Be extremely CAREFUL if you are considering to clean these early lenses, especially with chemicals! The single layer coating is very delicate and after 60 years you can easily detach tiny specs of it (you will not even notice the damage until you disassemble the lens). During the years, the composition and thickness of the coating changed, therefore you will find later lenses with different tints (eg. yellow - yellow greenish - amber yellow etc)
@Patrizio d'Alessandro most interesting.. as I understand, the Helios 40-2 was a later update. I found several Helios 44, 44-2, 44-3.. etc which are of course much different. I purchased a few of the early versions.. literally the most produced lens EVER.. very inexpensive and worth the purchase. No, specially I found a silver Helios 40, blue coatings, M39. I did see a few Helios 40-2 lenses, yellowish coating and I believe black bodies, M42 mount which I had not known.
@@Just-a-bystander Helios 40 (M39) was produced from 1956 until 1969/1970. After that, Helios 40-2 (M42) was produced with no changes in internal design, but a different body (weight and size), until 1990 (with a slightly better optical resolution). Production resumed in August 2012 and in May 2013 the Nikon and Canon versions were released (modifed body without tripod mount and multicoating). Additionally a very early version for Contax/Kiev bayonet was produced as a prototipe by the State Institute of Optics and in 1990, when the production was moved to the Rostov Optical Mechanical Plant, it was produced for the NZT-1 night scope.
Samyang 85/1.4 is probably corrected better for chromatic aberrations and lighter than the others. That said, I was never in love with the smooth bokeh it rendered.
Many thanks. I'm sorry, I didn't purchase my Helios 40 from a dealer. Hopefully, someone reading this can recommend a dealer. ...But reading a comment below, I see someone recommended Roman at Retro Foto House...
For the price of two of that 85mm lenses I could buy a Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 DI USD. I don't understand why someone would spend so much money on a vintage lens unless they don't care about sharpness and are collectors. I don't own the Tamron and I don't own any of That 85mm vintage but I don't need to own them to know that the Tamron would be the winner.
Hi I enjoy watching your videos on m42 Jupiter hellos and all the other lens now by watching your videos I was pleased to buy loads of Jupiter and I need your help everyone I purchase from Jupiter range 35 to 135 acts like a macro lens help me please Roy
Hi. I'm not sure I can help you, except to say that there are two different types of some lenses - the conventional SLR type lens and secondly, the rangefinder type lens. So maybe you are trying use the rangefinder type on a SLR type camera body? (In which case sell the lens and buy a SLR type!).
@@Simonsutak Hi Simon Thanks for getting back to me not sure how I tell the difference and I brought a few of them ill look into it and will have to do just as you say I just got a keiv 4 but the lens I have are m43 mounts help. Roy
I have a love-hate relationship with 85mm lenses. I hate the angle of view for portraits on FF cameras, the model has to be SO FAR away that the pictures can't be as intimate and subtle as I'd like. On the other hand Helios 40 easily covers 44x33mm "medium format" sensors and with some trickery could be used on some 645 format film cameras for a very special combination of shallow DoF and rich bokeh. Also on bigger formats the swirl isn't as strong anymore so it stops being a one-trick-pony.
If you're interested in a specific lens, here are links to the different parts of the video
00:25 List of some other film era 85mm prime lenses
Lens spec's:
01:05 Helios 40
02:55 Jupiter-9
03:38 Takumar
Discussion of performance:
06:17 Super-Takumar 85mm f1.9
09:22 Jupiter-9
12:18 Helios 40
Conclusions
16:20 Which lens is best?
16:54 Do you really need a 85mm prime lens?
It's hard to overstate how much character these vintage lenses can bring to modern cameras. I'm sure there are modern equivalents to any of these which can be made to produce similar effects, but photographs with vintage lenses always seem to have an effortless quality to their effects.
Thank you for your insights Simon -- much appreciated!
I always love these comparisons of great, well-built vintage lenses :)
I got my first Takumar with the 135mm F/3.5 only a week ago, and was able to add the 55mm F/1.8 this week. Cleaned up the helicoid and added new grease. They really are spectacular works of craftsmanship.
Of course I'm also dreaming about a faster 85mm or 135mm lens, but that's where the price really starts to hike up.
Alas, something to aspire to :)
The Jupiter-9 is my favourite lens. I have the silver LTM 39 mount, '57 series. 😊
I cannot consider myself as a Vintage Lens freak in any manner...
But the only thing I can say about this Vintage Lens Review, is that it deserves nothing less than ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!!
Thank you so much!
I had the Jupiter-9 and eventually picked up the SMC Super Takumar 1.8. I sold the Jupiter-8 the next day. The Jupiter was so stiff to focus, the Takumar was a pleasure, buttery smooth to focus. The difference between driving a Yugo and a Rolls. Different strokes for different folks. The Takumar produces lovely images and because it is so smooth, I hit my focus more than I did with the Jupiter. I'll add the price of the Jupiter 9 has skyrocketed since I bought mine 2006. I think I paid $80.. It seems to be running $220 now.
this is what happens when lube gets old lol. J9 will focus smooth when there’s new lube
I enjoy reading this review over and over,like your photography and the lens description.Thank you for this valuable information......
Hi.
The grease used for the helicoid of Helios 40 is VNII NP-290.
This is a mixture of synthetic oils and organosiliconic fluids thickened by an inorganic additive.
After sixty years the viscosity may not be the same as the original formulation, so it is recommendable to clean and relubricate the helicoid.
By the way the viscosity of VNII NP-290 is quite affected by temperature:
- 1,2 Pa • s at 80 °C
- 1000 Pa • s at -30 °C
Thanks, I'll try this, as the focus ring really is stiff. I've got the grease (and used it successfully on other lenses), I just haven't taken the Helios 40 apart yet!!
@@Simonsutak Just be very careful if you are going to clean the glass after disassembling the lens.
The chemical coating is very delicate and can be removed very easily.
I do not know if this is because the bond between the coating and the glass surface are weakened after 60 years ageing, because the standard chemicals employed for cleaning are too aggressive for this coating, or if the rubbing force can mechanically detach some flakes (maybe a combination of all three factors).
P.S. I realize that if you want to find some additional info about the grease you should look it up in cyrillic: ВНИИНП-290
Awesome review. Something that cannot be done simply by looking at specs. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
A great video comparison Simon ! Its always a pleasure to watch you review these lenses!
Same here!
In 1968, I started with a Zeiss Pro-Tessar 3.2/85mm on my Contaflex SLR; in 1971, the Nikkor-H 1.8/85 was the prime lens on my Nikon F. So I'm accustomed to 85mm lenses especially because of my prefence to portraits. On my Nikon D300 I only need a 55mm lens to getting 82.5mm lens results.
Several videos can be found on the lenses presented here however your presentation skills and style are second to none. I own an early version J9. I took a long time before buying one as I dreaded ending up with a bad copy. I was patient but I was also lucky to find a very good copy. The lens is a pleasure to use.
Bravo on an excellent video. Recent owner of both a new (2016) 40 and some 44 variants, including one with a variable square aperture, because why not? So far I'm loving them all.
the Helios 40 85mm is a real beauty! thanks for sharing your content. keep it up Simon!
It's a bit too swirly to my liking. But put it on a Fuji GFX and the swirl is much less prominent, and the lens is even better!
Enjoyed the video! Thanks Simon.
I now have much more appreciation for these old (vintage) lenses.
I inherited a Nikkor-H-C Auto 85mm f 1:1.8 lens which, after I adapted it to my Sony system, fast became one of my favorite lenses. The "C" in Nikkor-H-C stands for coating. Apparently there was an earlier version of this lens without coatings. It is very sharp and produces bokeh that I find pleasing. After I took it apart for a lens cleaning it is as good as new.
I picked up that Super-Takumar 85/1.9 a couple years ago at a bargain price of $15 USD as it had fungus and was dirty. I friend opened up the lens and was able to clean it nicely. I have a number of M42 Pentax lenses. However, in 85mm my Nikkor-P C 8.5cm F2 (made in 1950 in occupied Japan) is perhaps more interesting with its 10 blades and wonderful early Nikon brilliance. It’s rather heavy, it being a Nikon S rangefinder lens it is narrower and overall smaller than 85mm SLR lenses. Adapted from Nikon S to Sony E the adapter itself is really small, so it balances nicely on mirrorless.
I've had the Takumar 85mm f1.9 for a while, but picked up the Minolta Rokkor f1.7. Both produce excellent images.
I have 2 Jupiter-9’s, one for the 50s, one from 61. Great lens
Another great review. I have the J9, a late one, a black '88 which is quite sharp and does color and IQ well. I am very fond of the FSU lenses, Jupiters, and like the KMZ's most. I have a weakness for Sonnars. Thanks for the insights.
85mm has been my favorite lens focal length for years. It just works so well for portrait, street and event photography.
Sadly as you mention, the prices for vintage lenses are way out of proportion to their value.
As luck would have, I recently switched to crop sensor Fuji. So now I dabble with various 50-56mm lenses to get a 85mm-ish focal length.
Still I miss that feeling OF A BIG HONKING 85MM.
The Contax C/Y 85 1.4 just might be my favorite lens, even though I don’t use it often.
Best 100 and 105mm lens review. Just idea I really enjoy your videos. Thank you
I have a Konica Hexanon 85mm f/1.8; it's great!
Perfect timing - I’ve been researching this exact topic lately, looking to purchase a sharp vintage 85mm. Thanks! 👍
Same haha. This video couldn't have came out at a better time
I found your channel recently and have been watching all the old stuff. Great content and info.
As for 85mm lenses, these old M42 mount lenses are not cheap currently! I already have a 85 for my Canon R7. Years ago I bought a then used, Canon 85mm EF f1.8 USM lens and have never looked back. The copy I got is insanely sharp and the focus system is very, very good. But I enjoy switching it off and using the lens in manual focus mode. And yes, its more of a 136mm lens on that R7 body, but I simply love it. The bokeh is very smooth, dreamy. Ever since getting it years back, its been one of my favorite lenses all time.
So when I'm looking at the prices of these older M42 85mm lenses, I have to stop and ask myself, "Do I really need another one?"
I'm thinking the answer is no. Spending that money on a different lens is probably a better idea.
Thanks for all the great content!
000.... в серийном номере это очень круто .Есть версия что с таким номером делались эталонные образцы которые лежали на заводах для сравнения с серийными .
000.... in the serial number is very cool .There is a version that reference samples were made with this number , which were lying in factories for comparison with serial ones .
I always wanted the Takumar, but it has always been over budget for me, but I'm poor. I have three different Jupiter 9 lenses, and I adore these lenses. Mine have all gotten a lot of use. My favorite is the M42 version I bought from Roman at Retro Photo House, a wonderful seller.
I have never owned an 85mm lens. Very impressed by each of these and would love to stumble into any one of them. Thanks for the video!!
Thanks for the excellent video.
Update in 2023: Takumars and Jupiters are actually quite close in price. Usually over 250 USD for a good copy.
But you have exceptional copy of Jupiter. I have sent many requests for sending me a photos taken by Jupiter before buying and all of them were terribly out of focus. They start to wake up at f2.8 and F4, but I don't want that.
So I'm still searching and if I can't find good Jupiter, I'll buy Takumar :)
I was also looking for Canon FD 85 1.8, but they seem clinically good to me. Without character.
I bought an older silver Helios 40 for my Fujis and it has been a real problem finding a tripod collar (I had to jerry-rig a Canon) and a lens hood. Plus it's huge, weighs a ton, not easy to lug around all day. And it's soft, and not very contrasty. And changing aperture is a little bit of a nuisance. But the images from this thing are just sublime, OMG!
Great summary of the irritations and wonders of this lens!!! (I also find the focus ring irritating).
I started with street photography with film cameras.Within a year i got a Fuji X-Pro 1 and started concert photography semi-profesionally.I knew I was into prime lenses after a couple of failed trials of using zoom lenses.My first lens was a Jupiter 8 and even though I tried a variety of primes (Fujinon,Fujica, LTM lenses,Konica, Minolta etc.).
My favourite so far has been KMZ lenses for some reason the Jupiter series is one of the one filled with character and industar more sharp lenses overall.Helios can be all over the place but I would say they are all rounders.
Wow, I would really like to find a nice copy of the Jupiter! Beautiful.
I own both the m39 Jupiter 9 and the Helios 40-2. I am a fan of both. The Helios has taken some of my favorite photos while the Jupiter 9 was purchased because I wanted something similar, but sharper and better Bokeh stopped down. I am not a bit fan of the saw tooth bokeh of the Helios when its stopped down.
Wow. A KMZ Helios with such a low number is so rare. It really makes some beautiful images.
I do not own an 85mm lens, but I have always enjoyed using my Zeiss Jena 80mm f2.8 lens on my Exakta, it has a lovely smooth bokeh. I hope that one day you review the Carl Zeiss Jena Prakticar 50mm f1.4 lens, (thorium version). It would be very interesting to see how this seven element beauty performs.
One day would I'd like to try and review this lens!
I have the Helios 40-2 and a 44-2. I love both, and the first portrait photo I took of myself with the 40-2 confirmed I made the right choice between it and the Helios 40 for my kinds of photos. For me it was the yellow coating that fits my rustic style. When matched with Fujifilm's Eterna/Bleach Bypass film emulation, the combo brings out beautiful warmth, especially in slightly warm greys and whites. If I had the opportunity to try out a Helios 40, I'd love to experiment with it just to see how differently the coatings would effect the way I use it!
I bought a Chinese adapter ring 66mm to 77mm which was not so expensive and in my case extremely helpful, since most of my modern lenses have M77x0.75 filter threads.
By the way, most of the old Helios 40-2 produced between 1969 and 1992 have a M67x0.75 filter thread - only a few have the M66 filter thread.
The current production of Helios 40-2 N with Nikon F bayonet and Helios 40-2 C for Canon EF bayonet have a 67mm filter thread.
Yes, I got a Chinese 66mm (step-up) adapter, but when people ask me where I got it, it doesn't seem for sale (at least on ebay) any more. I listed the changed filter size on the details, but should have mentioned it verbally as well! Cheers, Simon
@@Simonsutak If that can be helpful, I found mine on Aliexpress and paid about 15£ including shipment (delivered in a really short time).
Quite expensive, compared to the prices of adapter rings for standard diameters, but more useful in my case since I have a lot of screw on 77mm filters (along with a NiSi filter holder where the 77mm is usually mounted).
I know some precision mechanical workshops that could produce it manually, but I doubt that the price of such an adapter including shipment will be lower...
That was a really well put together video. Very informative and easy to follow.
You have such great breakdowns. I love the painstaking work you do to give all of the visual comparison and examples
In a creative fog right now but I'm hopeful to get back out this summer 😁👍
What I like about buying vintage glass is that it lets me experiment with focal lengths I haven't tried before. After I used a Jupiter 9 for a while, I but the bullet and got an autofocus Canon one for my EOS1V and 5DII.
I don't have any of these lovely 85mm M42 lenses, but what I do have is a nice Tamron Adaptall 2 90mm f/2.5 SP macro lens with M42 mount. Not quite as fast as the three lenses you review, but a long macro focusing throw makes grabbing sharp focus easy, if not necessarily fast. Have you any experience with this or similar lens? Good for portraits and somewhat close up shots, with 1:2 reproduction ratio.
I don't own a Tamron Adaptall 90mm myself, but I know a number of people who do, and they really like the lens. It's on my hit list!!
Differences in sharpness with older lens copies is probably common. The only two lenses where I have had two copies to examin exhibited this. Two Takumar Auto 35mms and two Zeiss Pancolar zebra thorium versions although the Pancolar is so sharp that any copy will probably be very sharp.
This video is giving me ideas. The only lens I ever paid serious money for is my Tamron SP AF Di 90mm f2.8 Macro (K-mount). It's in the same focal length class as the lenses mentioned here, maybe I should take it out more. I bought it mainly for macro work, but maybe it'd be a good walk-around and landscape lens as well. I looked, there are people using it for portraits and fashion photography (I found most of these videos rather uninteresting, though, since they didn't actually talk about the lens, they were just people taking photos of models). It's supposedly pretty sharp, the reviewers on the Pentax forums seem to like it. On another note, I'm going to buy a M42 to K mount adapter and a M39 to K mount adapter - I plan to try those lenses I have on my FED 2 and FED 5 on the Pentax bodies, and maybe later get one of those Helios 44s (I see a number for sale on Ebay from the Ukraine, for under $30).
Great video, both the 40-2 and a Jupiter 9 are on my list to acquire one day.
I've tried the Jupiter-9 from a friend of mine for quite a few weeks and I really didn't like it. The click-less aperture ring in film photography is pretty annoying, the lens is really big and bulky, and I tend to invert the two aperture rings. Focus ring is big and not that pleasant to use.
I've never tried the 85/1.9 and being in possession of 28/3.5, 50/1.4 and 135/3.5 Takumar lenses, i would definitely go for it ! Takumar lenses are the greatest ergonomic experience I've ever had in my life. Focus ring are smooth as heaven, there are built like tanks, feel solid with no gaps between any part : just astonishing ! Reminds me my old Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35/2.8, stold in my car 😢
not sure if I've already posted here but I have the Jupiter9 in a custom converted kiev to m42 mount in silver - it's a bit fiddly but still very nice - and I have Super Takumar 85mm f1.9 and the Auto Takumar 85mm f1.8 which are some real treasures. off the top of my head I also have a Nikkor 85mm f2 ai(or ais?) which I also really like. Last thing I'd say regarding post processing is that having a good phone and using Lightroom mobile has truly been game changing for me.
I really want to pick up a tair11 - it's been at the top of my shortlist for years, would you even be able to make a comparison of this Helios with it?
An other very interesting video, i love my Helios 44-2 as a walk around must have and i have a Konica hexanon AR 85mm f/1.8 witch is tricky to use with my Nikon until now as i don't use adapter jaja (to expensive)
it's a pleasure to use this old manual lenses
You might enjoy the 85mm Nikon. The all metal pre ai lenses are pretty abundant. I have a thing for a 50mm 3.5 Elmar. I need to get an adapter for my digital Leica.
And I thought all my life that the J-9 was too big and too heavy (compared to the J-3, J-12, and J-11), .... so it's nice to learn a different approach.
I concur with your observations :)
This video has convinced me to try and look for a copy of the Jupiter-9 again - I don't think it'll ever take away my preference for the Helios-40-2, but... assuming previous experience with the sharpness was just a poor copy, it may well be worth another try. And of course having a walkaround-friendly 85mm may be a good option to have in reserve, with its softer quality being quite different from the feel of the big Helios.
Thank you!
Thanks for the review.
Hey Simon, found your excellent channel last week, been binge watching. I had a Spotmatic kit donated which came with a range of lenses, notably Super Takumar 50, 55, and 150. Loving this kit. Getting Interested in vintage lens options. Awesome channel kind regards Paul
Thanks Simon. Another great video on a focal length that is a favorite of many photographers (including me). You made one minor mistake with the list of lenses at the beginning. Minolta never made an MD 85MM F1.4 (they made F1.7, F2, and also F2.8 Varisoft versions, but NOT F1.4). Cheers!
Thanks for this, I wish I could correct the slide, but it's locked now.
@@Simonsutak No problem. There are so many lenses & versions out there that it's difficult to keep track of them all and to get the nomenclature right in all instances.
I still find the Leitz Colorplan 90mm f2.5 (made in Portugal) to be my best 85mm-ish lens. It cost me 15bucks, its sharp as f, and it swirls like crazy. Sadly just f2.5. (even sharper than my modern 85mm)
Interesting, thank you !
I don’t understand how a given focal length can be a step up from another one though (50 vs 85).
Just different use case and very subjective in terms of preference .
Yes, good point. When I said that I was thinking more in terms of a step-up in physical size and glass (and cost) - the Takumar 85 just feels like a more serious and substantial lens than the Takumar 50/55. But then 135 and 200 (etc) lenses are even more substantial lenses by that criteria, except cost!
@@Simonsutak Sure, I got it! ;)
@@jc.baptiste Your point is a really good one! For a manufacturer, historically the easiest and cheapest lens to manufacture is often the normal focal length and often came as a cheap kit lens. However, I do agree that stepping up could mean going to a faster lens within the same category such as a 50MM f1.2 (or faster) or more specialized such as a normal macro lens or going to a fast short telephoto such as an 85MM f1.8 or faster. One focal length is not necessarily superior in all cases, they all have their unique use cases.
Very good. Thank you. I have the Nikkor 85mm F2 ... a jewel!
Nice hood attached to the Helios 40 😉 I've got the same hood for my Helios 44M's, Φ52 . For a portrait lens i think it's okay to be a little soft, not all models have perfect skin. can increase sharpness in post processing anyway. Great video and photos as usual, Thanks
Love the older lenses but they definitely need hood lenses. I have 2 Canon FD lenses, 50mm and 70-210mm. They give a bit of an older look which makes sense being as old as they are, the coatings have aged a great deal
Hi.
While looking again at the video, I noticed that you indicate as minimum focusing distance for the Helios-40 as 1.15m.
In the early copies the focusing distance is something like 0.77m: the distance ring after 1,15 is marked 1, 0.9, 0.8, then M and then keeps turning for an extra 7mm or so.
For the record, the serial number of my lens is 004240 (red P).
can you make a video about what coating really is and how its made and why
Good idea! I'm interested myself in the differences between tinted coatings, radio-active glass and clear multi-coatings, and how coatings have evolved.
Enna Werk Munchen Ennaston 85mm f/ 1.5 in m42 is my gold lens :)
Not much info on the Internet, got it for 3 dollars at a flemarket
I bought a Jupiter 9 with a broken focus ring that I had to return, wasn't a fan of the focal length on my Sony A6400. Prefer to use a wider or longer lens
Sorry to hear about your Jupiter. It was very noticeable switching between FF to a crop sensor (with my Sony)....that the 85mm turns into nearly a 135mm style lens. And 135mm is a more standard kind of prime, not (as you say) everyone's favorite length.
@@Simonsutak one of the first vintage lenses I bought was a Jupiter 11, so was always looking to get a 9 as well. I'd have been happy to have it, if it worked, but I don't see myself actively looking for a lens at that length, considering how much they usually cost (unless I discover a bargain)
Try it with a focal reducer like the Zhongji Lens Turbo ll This will give a more relaxed focal length of 93mm . Nice thing to have for all the other vintage lenses too.
To me, the 135mm is that wierd focal lengh that I can't use to it's full potential ! 85~90mm is a sweetspot for me, as well as 35 mm !
l bought a new jupter-9 85mm f2 (V2) with $50 and a 135mm f3.5 with $40 thirty years ago，the 135mm f3.5 give me unbelievable sharp and solid images .maybe sharper than pentax.
Not surprised to read this. My Takumar 135mm f3.5 is not the best 135mm I own. (The Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f3.5 is very good stopped down).
I need to try these lenses on Fuji. I want to see the film sim with these lense
I have a 1973 Jupiter-9 which I use on my X-T4; it's quite sharp and one of my favorite lenses, usually brought along with a Jupiter-3 and a Helios-89. These 3 make a good team for me and suit my walk about style. I've liked the Jupiter-9 with the vivid simulation for some landscapes or more often the closer-in nature scenes and also Pro-negative std. for portraits. Also like it with the Acros B&W simulations at nighttime. Just have to watch out when shooting into the sun; easy to lose contrast.
Helios-40-2. Heavy, not simple to use, very need a hood (but you'll need a costly custom made 66-to-67stepring which cost more than that used lens here in Russia).
Have you ever used the MAMIYA SEKOR C 80mm f2.8 645?
Very good review! Only test charts are lacking)
Спасибо за ролик!!! Было у меня два Юпитера 9, 80 годов, черные и оба продал. Вообще нет резкости, даже со штатива трудно попасть в фокус. Вот более ранние может быть и лучше?! Вам повезло значит.
Thanks so much for a wonderful review, as always.I have a Helios 40 and it's wonderful to use,I really am a fan of older lenses. I cannot seem to find a hood for the Helios I'm afraid. If you know where I could obtain one perhaps? It would be greatly appreciated.Thanks again cheers.
Many thanks for you kind words. If you have the old Helios 40 with a 66mm filter ring, you can use a step-up filter ring from 66mm to 67mm, and then use a 67mm hood on that. I got my 66mm to 67mm step-up filter ring from a Chinese supplier, some years ago. Unfortunately I don't have records of the supplier. I haven't seen a 66mm to 67mm step up filter ring for sale for a while now, but if you approach a Chinese supplier on ebay, maybe they can find you one. All the best, Simon
@@Simonsutak Thank you for your reply, since I last wrote you. I have in fact managed to find both said items on Ebay, after many extensive searches. I was lucky to find these recently and am waiting for their delivery, your reviews are very much appreciated, all the very best to you, David.
I have in fact purchased a Jupiter 9 also, and am waiting for that also, cheers.
I have the elusive Mamiya 85mm f2.8 (M42) and it has SUBSTANTIALLY higher contrast than the SMC Pentax 85/1.8 (Early K) or the Pentax-M 85/2.
Great video. I knew the verdict before you gave it based on your other videos but I had to watch it anyway. How about a tutorial on how to get those swirly shots? I've got the 40 & 44 but not yet found the right conditions.
Just make sure your point light sources are about 12 to 14 feet behind your subject. Then you et the swirl.
I have a Cyclop 85 f 1.5. I just want a way to stop down properly this lens or a complete diy rehousing. But I know they're both impossible so i Will keep it until I get so much frustrated that i cannot hold it more
You could always try attaching a DIY diaphragm/small ring to the rear glass element. I know someone who does this to projector lenses. They put a plastic plumbing washer on the rear element and that acts to stop down the lens - like a set of blades. Or you could cut out your own DIY diaphragm to fit. Good luck, Simon
Do these require an adapter for K-mount?
Yes, you need a M42 to K-mount adapter. Some old USSR lenses have M39 mounts so they need a M39 to M42 adapter as well.
It was really interesting, thank you 🤝
Great review!
Thank you for the video!
I have several j-9's..all slr's ..60-64-67-69-70-71,the latter 3 are black glossy.None of them are exports...
That's a great collection! Do they all perform optically at similar levels (sharpness and contrast etc), or are there big differences?
@@Simonsutak My fav for my eye is the 69'..I think its the purple coating.optically thhere all the same but what i have noticed the coating make a difference .My earlly 60 and just added 61 has a blue coating and are stellar in b/.w..In color you will get a pastel look to your pictures that are very atractive and dreamy ..overall if you cant tell I like them ..I enjoy your channel for learning ty very much Simon ..
I have the Jupiter 9 and 3. They are like old friends with some character flaws. When they’re good, they’re very good, both sometimes temperamental. I’d get tired of them and left them alone for a while, then came back to them and it’s wonderful again. Modern lens are more trustworthy, but not so interesting…..
Just found a helios 40 (m39 silver version) for 45 bucks.
What? Where?
@@julianprzybysawski8543 Thrift shop. Had a bit of unremovable fungus, but not really visible in the photos.
i once had a Jupiter-9 but it almost unusable @ f2 ，sharpness needs stop down to f4
sad，now my main telephoto is nikon 105 2.5， superb lens
How about an honorable mention to the Pentax-A* SMC 85mm 1:1.4
Yes, good point. A great lens that deserves an honorable mention even in this video.
Thx for this video. I have heard other Russian channels pronounce Zenit as Zee-knit' (accent on the second syllable). I m so confused now.
I managed to find a Helios 40, the whole kit in a bag for much less that what many sellers are asking. You need to dig into people’s stores sometimes. I was curious about the Helios 40-2. It’s coatings are yellows as opposed to the blues. I also managed to find a very inexpensive Jupiter 9, black, M39, 15 blades. Plus after much searching, I did find an Auto Takumar 85, which I need to service and clean.. I wanted the earlier version specifically for lack of coatings. I have been utterly disgusted with 85mm takumar prices. A lot of that is due to video/film makers who seem to prize that size. They keep getting snapped up, some $5-600. So over priced but I guess that is the market. I have a Nikkor 85 1.4 as well, modern, which I use for most of my professional work. Some of my modern lenses can have as many as 15 elements. They are very different lenses with great results, but sometimes a little clinical. I am really looking at bokeh now, those transition areas and how things render. I’m still working with the Helios to get the most out of that lens. I’m interested in playing with the Jupiter.. it just recently arrived, after seeing this video. There are often intangible differences in the way these lenses arrive at an image I find very fascinating. Most of my images are of fleeting subjects and swapping lenses to do side by side comparisons is not often possible. The result is not always technical but rather about aesthetics.
The first single layer chemical coating that was initially applied is responsible for the typical blue tint of early (i.e s/n starting with 00 or 000)
- Helios 44 for Start camera (silver body, 13 blades)
- Helios 44 for M39 (silver body, 13 blades)
- Helios 40 (silver body)
In the glass of these early lenses you can also find sometimes tiny bubbles of incorporated air. If you check carefully against a white background (no backlighting please) those specks of black "dust" that do not move when you shake the lens, you will notice that they have a transparent center...
Be extremely CAREFUL if you are considering to clean these early lenses, especially with chemicals!
The single layer coating is very delicate and after 60 years you can easily detach tiny specs of it (you will not even notice the damage until you disassemble the lens).
During the years, the composition and thickness of the coating changed, therefore you will find later lenses with different tints (eg. yellow - yellow greenish - amber yellow etc)
@Patrizio d'Alessandro most interesting.. as I understand, the Helios 40-2 was a later update. I found several Helios 44, 44-2, 44-3.. etc which are of course much different. I purchased a few of the early versions.. literally the most produced lens EVER.. very inexpensive and worth the purchase. No, specially I found a silver Helios 40, blue coatings, M39. I did see a few Helios 40-2 lenses, yellowish coating and I believe black bodies, M42 mount which I had not known.
@@Just-a-bystander Helios 40 (M39) was produced from 1956 until 1969/1970.
After that, Helios 40-2 (M42) was produced with no changes in internal design, but a different body (weight and size), until 1990 (with a slightly better optical resolution).
Production resumed in August 2012 and in May 2013 the Nikon and Canon versions were released (modifed body without tripod mount and multicoating).
Additionally a very early version for Contax/Kiev bayonet was produced as a prototipe by the State Institute of Optics and in 1990, when the production was moved to the Rostov Optical Mechanical Plant, it was produced for the NZT-1 night scope.
Автор, а портреты-то где? )) ♡♡
I’ve got a Jupiter made in the 80’s but it’s not that sharp, seems like you can’t have a decent sharp photo with that copy. 😪
Helios 40 is a very nice lens but (i have 2 that i bought 25-30 years ago) but the price in nowdays is a nonsense.
Has anyone compared any of these to the cyclop 85mm?
Simon
I was unaware of these lenses at the time so I bought a Samyang 85 1.4
Samyang 85/1.4 is probably corrected better for chromatic aberrations and lighter than the others. That said, I was never in love with the smooth bokeh it rendered.
Thank you Simon , a fine review .
Du you know of a reliable dealer for a Helios 40 85mm you sold me for one. Thank you reinhart
Many thanks. I'm sorry, I didn't purchase my Helios 40 from a dealer. Hopefully, someone reading this can recommend a dealer. ...But reading a comment below, I see someone recommended Roman at Retro Foto House...
Thank you Simon
For the price of two of that 85mm lenses I could buy a Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 DI USD. I don't understand why someone would spend so much money on a vintage lens unless they don't care about sharpness and are collectors. I don't own the Tamron and I don't own any of That 85mm vintage but I don't need to own them to know that the Tamron would be the winner.
Yeah! , I have the Jupiter 9.
OLYMPUS OMD 75MM F1.8; NIKKOR 85 mm/F2.8
I love hexagons 🤷♂
Hi I enjoy watching your videos on m42 Jupiter hellos and all the other lens now by watching your videos I was pleased to buy loads of Jupiter and I need your help everyone I purchase from Jupiter range 35 to 135 acts like a macro lens help me please Roy
Hi. I'm not sure I can help you, except to say that there are two different types of some lenses - the conventional SLR type lens and secondly, the rangefinder type lens. So maybe you are trying use the rangefinder type on a SLR type camera body? (In which case sell the lens and buy a SLR type!).
@@Simonsutak
Hi Simon
Thanks for getting back to me not sure how I tell the difference and I brought a few of them ill look into it and will have to do just as you say I just got a keiv 4 but the lens I have are m43 mounts help.
Roy
Helios 40 on full frame with speed booster and a pot noodle as a lens hood.
Pot Noodle hood is a good idea! Hope it's not too shiny though..
I have a love-hate relationship with 85mm lenses. I hate the angle of view for portraits on FF cameras, the model has to be SO FAR away that the pictures can't be as intimate and subtle as I'd like. On the other hand Helios 40 easily covers 44x33mm "medium format" sensors and with some trickery could be used on some 645 format film cameras for a very special combination of shallow DoF and rich bokeh. Also on bigger formats the swirl isn't as strong anymore so it stops being a one-trick-pony.
thank u