HELIOS LENS RENTAL SET FULL
HELIOS LENS RENTAL SET SERIES

Looking at these results, I'd suggest that all three Helios-44 variants (specifically, my copies of them) display the effect to a very similar extent so close, in fact, that I couldn't say which is which if shown the test shots in random order. Then, with each lens fitted to the camera in turn, I set the focus distance to 0.7m (thus throwing the test image's white dots out of focus) and took photos at f/2 (wide open), f/2.8 and f/4.įor all three lenses, the effect is most pronounced with the aperture wide open, significantly diminished by f/2.8, and almost completely gone by f/4 - hence, I only show below the shots taken at f/2 and f/2.8: I set up a tripod approximately 1.3m from the TV, and mounted my Sony A7 MkII on it. To compare the three Helios lenses, I first produced a test image of white dots on a black background, and displayed this on a 42-inch LCD television.

HELIOS LENS RENTAL SET FULL

The classic example is a portrait, with the subject in the centre and framed by a background of well-lit trees in full leaf (the leaves providing those many small points of detail). The effect manifests most commonly when the background contains many small points of individual detail (especially specular highlights) that are sufficiently distant from the focal point to be somewhat out-of-focus, yet close enough that they retain some definition of form. In this post, I show the results of some informal testing with these three lenses to conclude which, if any, produces the most pronounced swirl effect. Many different versions of the same basic design were produced, and there's a repeating topic of discussion across photography forums debating which version produces the most pronounced 'swirl'.Īmongst my collection of former Soviet Union lenses, I have several Helios-44 models - the 44-2, 44M and and 44M-4.

HELIOS LENS RENTAL SET SERIES

The Helios-44 2/58 series of lenses is particularly well-known for this effect. Although this is due to weaknesses in the optical design, some photographers find the effect appealing, and most find it at least curious. When used in certain way and with an appropriate background, some lenses produce what is often referred to as 'swirly bokeh' (or words to that effect).

Helios lens rental set