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Helios 44-2 58mm f2

Helios 44-2 58mm f2

Having heard alot about this popular collectors item I decided to get one for myself.  It is an old (1976) Russian made lens with a great reputation.  I found a good copy at a good price on ebay.

Sample images

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Tair 11A 135mm f2.8

Tair 11A 135mm f2.8

I read about this unique lens with some remarkable characteristics: made in the former USSR; known as a “bokeh monster”; small for a 135mm f2.8 (though still relatively heavy). It’s a novelty lens popular with photo enthusiasts and collectors. Intrigued, I checked it out on ebay and found a good quality copy for a good low price. So I bought it, and I bought an adaptor to marry the m42 screw mount to my Sony A7R cameras. From the serial number I understand it was made in 1988.

I have taken it down off the shelf several times for the fun of it. I would do it more often but the lens is clumsy and not so easy to use. It is manual focus only and the aperture adjustment is complicated by a limiter that has to be adjusted to move freely about the settings. There is no electronic transfer of information from the lens to the camera. I got use to these characteristics in time, and had some pleasant experiences testing out the capabilities and enjoying its features.

Here are some professional reviews:

Chris Harth Photography

en.fotografmania.com

And here are some sample photos taken by me.

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Sony 85mm f1.8

Great lens! Affordable, sharp, well constructed, and light.  Good for portraits and general use. I got some of my best portrait shots with this lens, as well as some favorite bird and butterfly shots. Dyxum users give the lens a 4.78 (out of 5) rating overall, and a 4.91 rating for sharpness.

Here is Sony’s promotional blurb:

There’s nothing like the sharpness and smooth bokeh of a well-designed mid-range telephoto prime lens for portraiture, and the SEL85F18 is a standout choice.

Reviews:

Phillip Reeve

Dustin Abbott

Sample images:

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