1st use of Helios 2/58 M42 Lens

[jamesdavidboro]

I've had the lens for a few weeks but only just got the converter for my A450 today. Took a few shots of a flower indoors to check the sharpness (i've heard its pin sharp) and i'm quite pleased. I think its going to take a little getting used to with the manual stop down and focus but when you consider i only paid £15 for the lens its well worth it.

Carnations by jamesdavidboro2, on Flickr

Also i have a question for anyone who's used a M42 converter with an AF confirm chip. My question is, should the Cameras in body AF motor still run? Although i'm getting the focus confirm beep the AF motor is making alot of noise until the lens is focussed. Obviously trying to focus but i thought the AF chip tricked the Camera into going into Manual focus while keeping the AF confirm beep/light running(is that possible?). Anyway its making sounds like its not very happy.

 

[AgentDrex]

I thought the AF motor was in the lens. I use multiple M42 lenses and have never had any motor run. I use a Rebel XS though. I also have Nikkor, T2, FD, PK adapters. Soon I'll have a MD adapter as well.

BTW: if thats what a Helios will do, I'm totally getting one. Also I'm a fotodiox whr.

 

[eccs19]

I've got the same lens, havn't used it much, but it is a nice lens. Wide open it's nice and sharp in the middle, the the sharpness quickly dies at the edges, but open it up, and it's good all across the board. Nicely shot.

 

[enzodm]

I too have a Canon Xs and AF motor is on lenses. I know some Sony have motor on body, but I do not know how the chip is doing in that case.
Anyway, Helios is among my lenses... I bought one because many years ago was my (only) lens on a 35mm Zenit. As I have also other M42 lenses, I do not use it very often, although it has a focal length good for portraits.

 

[jamesdavidboro]

Thanks guys. Its seems the full Alpha range have in-body motors to ensure full compatability with Minolta AF Lenses. Apparently Cannon have never used in-body motors. I just don't like the idea of the motor running and struggling away to focus when its not attached to a lens, it doesn't sound happy. Think i'll just have to switch the motor off and do without the focus confirm beep. Might make it difficult in low light.

 

[AgentDrex]

That's always the toughest for me. Focusing in on something in the dark. Almost another person shining a light towards the subject so you can at least see something. Then all should be good. Thanks for showing a photo of the potential of a Helios. I'll be getting one too now.

 

[jamesdavidboro]

I took it out today for a proper session in the snow. I found it surprisingly easy to use. The manual stop down is so useful in bright weather like it was today. I took most of the shots around f/8 to f/16. The focus wasn't really a problem as i was taking landscape so most shots where done on infinity. The focal length was spot on for landscape.

Barbed Wire Snow by jamesdavidboro2, on Flickr

White stuff by jamesdavidboro2, on Flickr

I tried a few shots of my 2 year old daughter later which proved alot more difficult with the manual focus. With the f no' on 2.8 or 2.0 is was nearly impossible to get a focussed shot as the dof is so shallow its unreal! I pushed the f no' up to 5.6 and managed a few focussed shots despite her constant movement!

 

[enzodm]

The focus wasn't really a problem as i was taking landscape so most shots where done on infinity.

be careful with focus on infinity, as some adapters are too thin (at least on Canon), so that they can focus beyond infinity. Result is not as sharp as possible; solution is stopping slightly before the end of focus ring (although this is also typically suggested by AF confirm).