MY FAV LENS is $60— why everyone needs this cheap lens

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[FilmSphere]

For those trying to purchase a Helios: Try to find a silver Helios 44 made in the early 1960's from KMZ optical plant. KMZ was the best factory for lenses in the USSR and they used actual Zeiss glass that was seized from Germany after WWII.

A lot of these lenses vary in quality from manufacturer to manufacturer, not to mention age and storage conditions. The symbol of the factory is printed near the front ring. You can find a list of the symbols online.

[LucaBono.Studio]

Hey Mark, you're probably aware of them...but there are individual step up filters like 49mm to 77mm. Creating that huge cone of step up rings that keep your ND filter so far from the front element will introduce extra bad flares...just for who doesn't know about them.

I loved the video, the Helios 44-2 was my first vintage lens for video and I still use it sometimes! Then I got addicted and I start to buy dozen of great vintage glasses 😂

[JRAlli]

played around with one a few weeks ago, love the character of the lens, all the imperfections make it really interesting, great video homie. Hope you're doing well

[philadams]

As soon as I saw that first shot, I knew what the lens was. So unique. If you have a bit more money to spend, there’s an 85mm with more swirl too.

[markbone]

WHERE MY HELIOS USERS AT?! (Also: Look out for next weeks video as we'll be announcing the gimbal giveaway!)

[timovehkaoja]

Got mine from dad, who bought it waaay back in the 80's. Still a rock solid piece of metal and glass, and works perfectly! I was shooting with Nikon before, and you couldn't get it to focus to infinity, but with Canon body that I now use, the focus works like a charm.

[oracleofvalerius]

I bloody love this lens, got mine from etsy and have been playing around with it over the past couple of days. it just makes things happen, so much character!

[ClaudioDesideriFilms]

Mate I couldn't agree with you more. I've bought not one but two of this jewels a couple of years ago and still I'm impressed how interesting the image looks. Colors are juicy and intense, contrast is nice and fat, I love it for photography too. I'm so glad you decided to make a video about this little gem ❤

[Weirdanimator]

Just looked through my dad's old lenses and wow, I already have one. Need to get a converter 😁

[al]

The Helios was my first vintage lens and while I don't use it much now, it's always a joy when I come back to it. Lovely lovely results with this little wonder and so cheap - everyone should have one, whether for video or still work.

[rjackson]

Mark, I just tried my Helios lens and I’m getting the same flares and artifacts that you showed here. I’m looking forward to using it for real. Thanks for posting this.

[aaronsambeyfilm]

This lens and it's "cleaner sister" (Takumar 50mm 1.4) are gorgeous lenses on any system I've brought them forward with. Currently shooting with it on my Pocket 6K and the results are magical. Whoever said "old lenses can't resolve over 4K" are simply being dishonest, or at minimum: ignorant.

Also, love your channel, as always.

[VinnieCamilleriMusic]

This looks great Mark, it's my birthday on the weekend was waiting out until your competition for the Sony FX3 but I'm on the hunt for one of these now, there are loads to choose from, cheers 🙂

[nathandavis]

I like how you mentioned the grit that sometimes comes out of this lens. I've never heard anyone else talk about it, but for me it's one of the most prominent characteristics of the lens.

[frozenrb]

Hello from Russia, comrade! KGB officers are happy with this video. We will transfer the promised money today.

[darrenzane]

Yeah I have the 44-4 and absolutely love it. I also have an old vintage sigma 28mm too. My only recommendation to people with these lenses is to get a monitor too. Sometimes it can be hard to see whether you have nailed the focus and although it doesn’t have to be perfect, you want to be able to hit focus perfectly when you need to.

[bruxxcam]

I have 34 helios 44-2 lenses alone without a body and like 20 more on my zenits. I buy them super cheap here on flea markets in super good condition. One zenit with helios is like 3 to 5 euros and just the lens is atound 2- 3 euros. I love it so much i buy them every time i see them.

[pascaldeshayes]

Good stuff! I love my Helios a lot, too. So thick and poetic.
I like your urgent/not overly produced tone with this channel, by the way. Thanks for putting the effort into it and making it available for the masses!

[scottmorgason]

Love the Lens! I have been testing it for over a year now and it feels so retro and 70's to me. Thanks for sharing the love.

[TacticalCactusMedia]

Just adapted my Helios onto my Sigma FP, love this glass. The other big one for me is I just got a Mamiya 80mm f/1.9 medium format and boosted it onto my FP (my very first YT video was on this topic). The character and distinct looks these lenses provide is the exact reason I covet them so much. Loved this, keep up the great content.