HELIOS 40-2 85mm F1.5 Joins IronGlass’ MKII Set

HELIOS 40-2 85mm F1.5 Joins IronGlass’ MKII Set

The legendary Helios 40-2 85mm f/1.5 is joining IronGlass’ MKII rehousing lineup. While its little brother, the Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 get all the fame, the 40-2 is actually the true king of swirly bokeh, which makes it a perfect addition to the IronGlass’s Soviet MKII series. The Helios 40-2 has an interesting history, being…

WIN a Modified IronGlass HELIOS 44-2 58mm F2 PL Lens

WIN a Modified IronGlass HELIOS 44-2 58mm F2 PL Lens

  It has been a while since we’ve done a giveaway, but let’s inject some positivity and excitement into this somewhat gloomy time. This time VLFV is teaming up with IronGlass! Many will know this company for their modifications and also for the rehousing project we co-developed together. On this occasion IronGlass provided a fully…

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Helios 44-2 VLFV Cine Edition | Rehoused by IronGlass

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Helios 44-2 VLFV Cine Edition | Rehoused by IronGlass

  Helios 44-2 58mm F2 is a legendary lens, but it just got even better! Welcome the new Helios 44-2 VLFV Cine Edition, proficiently rehoused by IronGlass! Mission: Our main goal with was to bring out the best in this lens but addressing the mechanical quirks and limitations of the original body that make it unsuitable…

MY TOP 3 GO-TO “Vintage Lenses For Video”

MY TOP 3 GO-TO “Vintage Lenses For Video”

I’ve reviewed so many vintage lenses in the last few years, but which ones do I actually use on daily basis? The video above and info below should finally answer this question. My top 3 most used vintage lenses are: Helios 44-2 58mm F2 Canon FD 50mm F1.4 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 35mm F2.4 I…

Buying Bargain Lenses! Which? Where? When?

Buying Bargain Lenses! Which? Where? When?

Foreword: This post is aimed at people who are just getting into vintage lenses, but maybe even a seasoned vintage lens user will find some useful info here. When it comes to buying lenses, things can get pretty confusing, especially at the start. There are so many brands, models, types, focal lengths, etc and there…

Using M42 lenses on PL cameras | Comparability List

Using M42 lenses on PL cameras | Comparability List

  Once in awhile, I get asked about vintage lenses adaptable to PL mount cameras like Red Epic or Blackmagic URSA Mini (which can be bought with a native PL mount). Unfortunately, the options are limited to Arri Standard/Bayonet and LOMO OCT18 mount lenses with not much else to choose from, at least not without…

DSO “TRUMP” Rehoused Helios Lenses | REVIEW

DSO “TRUMP” Rehoused Helios Lenses | REVIEW

You might know how much I love the Helios 44-2, the cult Soviet 58mm F2.0 prime, but a very skilled lens technician, Richard Gale obviously took his love for this lens much further. His DSO FF58 modified Helios 44-2 lens is well known and used by many DOPs, who looking for that magical look you…

Comparing Helios 58mm F2 Lenses

Comparing Helios 58mm F2 Lenses

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…

SANKOR 16F Anamorphic Lens REVIEW

SANKOR 16F Anamorphic Lens REVIEW

I’ve very excited to finally share this post with you guys. Some time ago I came across an Instagram user SAMAMORPHIC, who produces some of the most beautiful, atmospheric and dreamy anamorphic content. Eventually we got taking and I found out that Sam uses a Sankor 16F (an anamorphic lens that is new to me)…

Super-Takumar 55mm F2 vs Helios 44-2 58mm F2

Super-Takumar 55mm F2 vs Helios 44-2 58mm F2

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…