I was out with a photography friend yesterday, and I took this portrait of him at the Only Cafe. The technology was old and new; the camera was my Sony A7ii, but the lens was my old Soviet era Helios 44/2 lens, mounted via adapter. The light was from an overcast day, coming in through a window. I love what this lens can do!
I was in the Beaches again this past weekend, and my lens of choice was my 58mm/f2 Helios 44/2. I love the overall look and swirl of this lens when used wide open!
Every now and then a candid portrait clicks. 🙂 Taken at a recent meet-up of Toronto film shooters.
Nikon N90s, Helios 44/2 58mm/2 lens, adapted for Nikon
Ilford FP4 film, developed as positive by DR5Â
The combination of the glove and the spike on the fence caught my eye.
Nikon F4S, Helios 44/2 58mm lens (adapted for Nikon)
Rollei Retro 80s film
In the Starbucks on Front Street in Toronto last Saturday. Great window light made for a scene I had to capture.
Nikon N90s 345mm SLR,
Helios 44/2 58mm f2 lens (M42 adapted for Nikon)
Kodak TMax 400 film
Last Saturday while out as part of one Photowalk, while a couple of us were in a Starbucks another film photographer friend Sean Patenaude walked in. The light coming in through the window was perfect.
Nikon N90s, Helios 44/2 58mm/f2 lens, adapted for Nikon
Kodak TMax 400 film
https://www.podbean.com/media/player/rvwq2-690507?from=yiiadmin
Imperfection is the common theme this week; I talk about how I love the artistic effect of the optical imperfections of the Helios 44/2 lens, and the copy of got for my Nikon, tricked out to work on a Nikon body, by this clever technician (fascinating video by the way).
The other aspect of Imperfection is a reflection on my piano lessons and music, and dealing with the ups and downs of the creative process.
Here are a couple of examples of the swirly effect that is possible with the Helios 44 series of lenses.
Another image from St. James Cemetery, using my Helios 44/2 58mm/2 lens mounted on my Nikon N90s. Shot on Kodak TMax 400 film.
I am continuing to experiment with my Helios 44/2 58mm f2 lens adapted for the Nikon mount. To get the signature swirly, out of focus bokeh this lens is known for having a suitable background a few feet away from the subject, as well as shooting wide open at f2. This attempt is from St. James Cemetery in Toronto, the subject being a tilted old memorial.
Nikon N90s, Helios 44/2 lens
Kodak TMax 400 film
The Soviet-era Helios 44/2 lens (actually a 58mm lens, and a direct copy of the Zeiss Biotar 58mm lens) has a cult following for the way it renders out of focus areas at wide apertures. I recently got one that had been adapted to work on the Nikon F mount and still focus to infinity, and I have started to experiment with it. The person who did the work on the lens has an interesting YouTube video that explains the process.
Nikon F4, Helios 44/2 58mm lens
Rollei RPX25 film
My Third Eye 