Category Archives: Vintage

Review: KMZ Helios 40, 85mm f/1.5 – Can the Legend Live up to Its Reputation?

March 7, 2024 Martin 36 Comments

Introduction

Review KMZ Helios 40 40-2 Zenit 85mm 1.5 nikon z6 Z6ii z50 z30 zfc z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f fc Sony FE Fuji X canon rf m43 review nikon z z-fc z30 z50 test sharpness bokeh coma vignetting Flare 24mp nikon z6 z6ii 46mp nikon z7 z7ii Z8 Z9 Zf nikon z f — Helios 40 85mm f/1.5 on a Nikon Z 7II

Impact-Site-Verification: a2860072-f116-4f45-9cf9-c8b7959dd6e4

This time we take a look at another famed vintage lens, namely the legendary Helios 40. It’s an 85mm f/1.5 lens, known for, let´s see if we get it from its many titles: The King of Bokeh, The Bokeh King, the Russian Bokeh King, The Funky Bokeh King, The King of Russian Weird Bokeh, The Vintage Lenses’ King of Bokeh, etc. etc. etc. Dear child has many names. You get it, it has a reputation for its bokeh. It is also very popular among videographers seeking a dreamy vintage look with beautiful bokeh in their footage. While this lens was quite popular even back in the day, it has grown in popularity during the digital era to new heights and created kind of a cult around itself.

It was made by KMZ in the former Soviet Union for the Zenit range of SLR cameras. Like the previously reviewed “Helios 44”, there is a belief that when Russians got their hands on Zeiss Jena factory by the end of WWII, they took back the technology and drawings of many lenses to the Soviet Union, copied, and manufactured them. This one is believed to be a “copy” of Carl Zeiss Biotar 75mm f/1.5 from 1938. While the optical formula is very similar, it is a widespread Double Gauss Planar design. Besides, it is an 85mm lens. Therefore, some claim it was designed by Russian engineers themselves “based on” the Biotar 75/1.5 in 1950. Anyway, let’s have a closer look at it!

Sample Images

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Leica M, Minolta, Review, Vintage

Review: Minolta 40mm 2.0 M-Rokkor

January 28, 2024 BastianK 11 Comments

Introduction

minolta 40mm 2.0 m-rokkor leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution — Minolta 40mm 2.0 M-Rokkor on Minolta CLE

Originally designed as Leica Summicron-C 40mm 2.0 to ship with the Leica/Minolta CL, this Minolta 40mm 2.0 M-Rokkor version with same optical design (but allegedly improved coatings) was one of the three M-mount lenses destined to be used with the improved Minolta CLE. This is still one of the most compact M-mount lenses and one of few options if you are looking for a 40mm, so let’s have a closer look.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

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Leica M, Minolta, MS-Optics, Review, Vintage

Review: Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 Rokkor-QF

October 6, 2023 BastianK 12 Comments

Introduction

review minolta ltm m39 leica 40mm 1.7 hi-matic e miyazaki sadayasu modified lens contrast resolution m10 42mp 24mp 61mp m6 analogue contrast bokeh vignetting — Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 Rokkor-QF on Leica M10

In 1971 – two years before the Leitz/Minolta CL with its 40mm 2.0 lens – Minolta released the Hi-Matic E, a compact fixed lens 35mm rangefinder camera with a 40mm 1.7 Rokkor-QF lens.
While this lens is manual focus its aperture is being controlled electronically, which is why it is very difficult to turn it into an interchangeable lens that can be used on other cameras.
There might be only one person crazy enough to salvage the lens elements from such a Hi-Matic E camera, design a new housing for them and adding a manually controlled aperture diaphragm and that is Miyazaki Sadayasu from MS-Optics.
I came across one of these rare lenses in a small camera shop in Hong Kong and as this was a bit of a “once in a lifetime opportunity” I bought it without really knowing what I am getting myself into, so here we are.
This lens will be reviewed on the 42mp Sony A7rII and the 24mp Leica M10.

Sample Images

Leica M10 | Minolta/MS-Optics 40mm 1.7 | f/5.6

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Leica M, Minolta, Review, Vintage

Review: Minolta 28mm 2.8 M-Rokkor

September 3, 2023 BastianK 20 Comments

Introduction

minolta 28mm 2.8 m-rokkor leica review contrast sharpness vignetting 24mp m10 42mp m11 resolution — Minolta 28mm 2.8 M-Rokkor on Minolta CLE

The Minolta 28mm 2.8 M-Rokkor was released alongside the Minolta CLE and is one of the most affordable 28mm M-mount lenses these days. Unfortunately it is also infamous for developing “white dot issues”, probably the main reason for this lens still being affordable on the used market. What is this all about and is it still a good idea to buy this lens or should you rather stay away from it? Let’s find out.
Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10

Sample Images

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Nikon, Nikon Z, Review, Vintage

Review: Nikon NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 Ai-S

July 13, 2023 Martin 47 Comments

Introduction

Nikon Nikkor 50mm 1.4 Ai-s vintage review sharpness bokeh come vignetting 24mp 46mp nikon z6 z7 z6ii

The NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4 was the lens that almost all the pro photographers had on their cameras most of the time during the 60s, 70s and 80s and most young and aspiring photographers dreamed of having on their cameras. From an era when Nikon was the undisputed number one 35mm camera/lens system among professional photographers worldwide. The NIKKOR lenses had a reputation for being tough with outstanding quality, both optically and mechanically. This lens was, because of its popularity, in production long after the advent of the autofocus and even digital cameras and was sold new alongside AF and digital lenses until mid 2005. Let’s see how it fares today!