Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:26 PM 10/4/01 +0200, Franck Maubuisson wrote: > >I don't know much about the history of the lens - except a Helios 40 existed in 39mm Zenit SLR mount long ago - but I have a Helios 40-2 I bought new a long time ago and used quite a lot. Image quality wide open is rather poor, little definition (less than my summarit 1.5/50) and poor contrast. It doesn't like strong backlighting, either. Getting an appropriate shade (3 filters came with the lens but no shade) is quite essential. Colors are warm but nice, only slightly warmer than the canon FD lenses I believe. It weighs about 1.1 Kg, turning photography into a real sport. Still, it has its own charm and will give you an image at f:1.5. When stopped down, the definition becomes very good and uniform but it still lack a little contrast - good for B&W prints. - --------------------------- This proves my point. I have one of these which has pretty fair image quality wide open, solid definition and sound contrast. But it was the SECOND one I bought: the first one was like yours, and was a probable victim of poor SPS QC/QA. These guys take standard 67mm filters and hoods, so I just went down to my local camera emporium and picked up a Tiffen or somesuch rubber hood for $5. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bąs fir gun ghrąs fir! - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html