Helios 40 85mm f1.5 M39 Vintage Lens Review
– Russian Helios 40 is one of the most sought after lenses made in the USSR. The lens has a 39mm SLR mount, and was made for use with the older Zenit cameras (Zenit, Zenit-S, Zenit-3, Zenit-3M), but its optical registration spacing is the same as in the standard Pentax Screw Mount. Just add a m39 to m42 adapter ring and the Helios 40 can be used with any 42mm Pentax Screw mount camera or adapter to mirrorless cameras.
The Helios 40 85mm f1.5 is large, very heavy, and it has a plenty of glass. The aperture ring is a preset design with two rings. The lens has a built-in 3/8″ tripod mount to hold the heavy beast steady.
Thanks to tuber channel ‘Simon’s utak’ for the great vintage lens review and breakdown. More Helios lens info here.
Focal length: 85mm
Aperture: Settings from f1.5 to f22
Focusing: 1 meter to just past infinity
Filter size: 66mm x0.75mm
Optical registration or back focus: 45.2mm
Mount: m39 x 1mm
You can find the Helios 85mm lens here in all variations.
The Helios 40 is my favorite head and shoulder vintage portrait lens. My second is the Carl Zeiss Jena Visionar 100mm 1.6 projection lens.