I originally created this post in 2012. Since then I’ve learned a lot about these lenses and Helios 44-2 has become my favorite lens, so I decided to revise it with more up to date info and additional test (second part of the post) Original Test (revised): A lot of people claim that the Helios… Continue Reading
Over the last few years I’ve been testing and reviewing all sorts of vintage lenses, rarely touching on a subject of adapters. Eventually I will do an in-depth post about all the adapters I use for vintage lenses, but this time I want to take a closer look at a very unusual adapter, which in… Continue Reading
There are a few reasons why people choose vintage lenses over the modern equivalents. One of them is that organic, film-like character that is missing in most modern lenses. The E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm F2.9 is one of such lenses, bursting with character that many of us really love! The only lens I’ve tried so far… Continue Reading
Industar 50-2 is the lens that I meant to buy a long time ago. A lot of photographers and cinematographers around already have one of these and that got me wondering what all the fuss is about. The first thing that you notice about this lens is its tiny size and yet it will work… Continue Reading
I am real Helios 44-2 58mm F2 “fanboy”; I recommend it to everyone who asks me for a vintage lens advice, but thanks to the video made by fellow vintage lens fan, Victor Bart, there is a “new” kid on the block that we should be taking the notice of. The lens in question is… Continue Reading
Recently one of VLFV readers, Phil Abatecola got in touch to share his experience using (mostly) Russian vintage lenses to shoot his feature length web series. There were loads of things Phil had to take into consideration when building up his “Kremlin Kit” for the series and I felt that it will definitely be a… Continue Reading
This shootout has been long time coming! I’ve collected quite a few vintage 20mm lenses in the last few years with Canon FD being my latest addition. I just sold my Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 and I decided that I have to do this shootout before I send it out to its new owner. It would… Continue Reading
I’m very excited to share an amazing guide to vintage lenses (above), put together by really talented filmmaker and simply a cool dude, Khairil Bahar. This one will be particularly interesting (but no limited) to Sony E-mount camera users, new to vintage lenses. Khairil talks a lot about how to get the best out of… Continue Reading
Here is a short test video I’ve shot with my favorite 135mm prime, the Helios 135mm f/2.8. The video above was shot on my little Sony NEX 5N with a simple neck brace for support, so the footage is not the most stable (sorry). Nevertheless, I think it’s easy to agree that this lens produces… Continue Reading
