Not every relationship is roses and champagne, and that is certainly true of my ongoing affair with the Helios-40 v1. I own the first version of the Helios 85mm f/1.5, whose optical design is derived from the Carl Zeiss Biotar formula. The Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 75mm f/1.5 is a famous and expensive lens, often celebrated for its bokeh. The Helios-40 offers a different, more affordable route into that distinctive rendering.
It is a difficult lens to judge. In general use, particularly wide open, my copy can produce images that look flat or soft. Get the subject distance and background relationship right, however, and it can create a very distinctive result. The bokeh can be wonderful, and the softer rendering can work beautifully for portraits with a romantic feel.
Forgiving and kind
Modern lenses can be extraordinarily sharp. That is useful for many kinds of photography, but sharpness is not the only quality that matters. Wide open, the Helios-40 can be more forgiving of skin texture and produce a softer, more nostalgic portrait. That is not the same as saying that softness is always desirable; it is simply part of this lens’s character.
More than a one-trick pony
Some lenses are known for one particular bokeh effect. The Helios-40 can produce several different looks depending on subject distance, background detail and aperture. At closer portrait distances, it can create a relatively conventional out-of-focus background. With more distance between subject and camera, and a background containing bright highlights, the swirling effect can become much more pronounced.
I also enjoy the sense of depth it can create. Under the right conditions, the subject seems to stand apart from the background, almost as if the different elements occupy separate planes.
Not always an easy ride
This lens is at its most distinctive when used with a wide aperture, but focusing accurately at f/1.5 is demanding. I have never found infinity focus particularly straightforward on my copy. Stopping down improves the usable sharpness, but the character of the bokeh changes as well.
My own preference is to use it for portraits and to accept its limitations. I would not choose it when I need consistent sharpness across the frame or fast, dependable operation. It rewards patience and careful focusing.
Historical note: These observations reflect my experience with one vintage copy. Condition, optical alignment and rendering can vary between individual lenses.
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