Wow-thanks for that! Nice all encompassing flickr search. When I did a manual search on flickr a couple of years back, all I found were the Francisco Lepri shots-the D. Kafka work that flickriver found seems to indicate the Summarex and the Helios are basically interchangeable. I have seen beat up Summarexes go for around $600.00, but $1000.00 and up is more typical, and you still have the problem of not being able to use it on a dslr.
Ok, LeadyGonzales, you're going to have to stop posting images from the Helios 40, I'm worried the price will double before I get one.
That last one is like a wonderful water color painting, but with more vibrancy.
LightShow wrote:
Ok, LeadyGonzales, you're going to have to stop posting images from the Helios 40, I'm worried the price will double before I get one.
That last one is like a wonderful water color painting, but with more vibrancy. my thoughts exactly - please stop, before I break down and buy one !
Q on the last one: Was their selective sharpening done on the flower/infocus part? If it's straight out of camera it's impressive.
I have looked for this lens for months in the CONUS, can never find it. I hate to order from the east because it takes for ever, and how do you send it back?
I broke down and bought a Canon LTM 85/1.5 which is on it's way from the UK---I have seen some 40 like shots from that lens, we'll see.
Hhehe, satanic underworld coinage... And a nice pic of it too.
praktinafan wrote:
My Helios-40 did clear the mirror on my EOS 5D in landscape mode but not clear sometimes in portrait mode.
The missing hood was some of a shortcoming.
Wiat, what? Really? Just by turning the camera on it's side cause the lens to extend into the camera further? huh? Fascinating! OK, you gotta explain that one.
Bifurcator wrote:
Wiat, what? Really? Just by turning the camera on it's side cause the lens to extend into the camera further? huh? Fascinating! OK, you gotta explain that one.
low tolerances on canon mirror mechanisms, the mirror doesn't travel in exactly the same path when you turn the camera on it's side.
nixland wrote:
On February/March, the price of the 40-2 on eBay is about $400.
On May/June it's already gone mad to $600!
I could get $200 if I sell it now.
They seem to average between $400 & $500 with a few near $600 right now.
uhoh7 wrote:
I hate you all
I have looked for this lens for months in the CONUS, can never find it. I hate to order from the east because it takes for ever, and how do you send it back?
I broke down and bought a Canon LTM 85/1.5 which is on it's way from the UK---I have seen some 40 like shots from that lens, we'll see.
It's not much of an issue when the lens costs <$50, but when it's >$400...
LeadyGonzales wrote:
this one is at f=4: (with 2cm extension M42). By the way, my helios is a M39 silver version.
M39 lens mount with m39 to m42 adapter, and a m42 extension tube. right?
but you normally shoot it m39 to m42 to EF adapter(s)?
Ive been thinking that the m39 versions of lenses will help make the travel kit smaller when I get an EVIL cam.
the M39 does not mean, that it is a rangefinderlens. it is just an old format, like the 66mm filter, which is hard to find.
it has instead of M42 a M39 mount. However, a ring to M42 makes it a M42 lens. My M42 EOS adapter is a bit thick, so that i removed already 0.5 mm of the adapter, but there is still maybe 0.2mm missing. actually it is only at infinity if i use f=8 or higher. on my OlympusE520 it was clearly at infinity (better adapter). the last picture i posted shows the "infinity" at f1.5 which is actually 10 meters.
most pictures, which i for example post are made at f=1.5, because of the crazy bokeh effects. but you can use it at f=4 to 8 as a very sharp lens. for example with extension rings at f=8:
Ah ok, I was not sure what the the registration distance was since I just started to look at m39 lenses as an option, thanks for clarifying.
As my old shop teacher would ask "Clear as mud?" after giving directions.
You guys made me buy one... A silver 40 (v1) for 400 dollars. It seems to have been produced in 1963, from the serial. I didnt notice that the 40-2 has a shorter minimum distance until after I won the auction, but otherwise I look very much forward to getting this lens in my hands! Swirly Bokeh for President!
my thoughts exactly - please stop, before I break down and buy one 
Fascinating! OK, you gotta explain that one.