Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

  1. #1
    rpcrowe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Southern California, USA
    Posts
    17,399
    Real Name
    Richard

    A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    I took my 58mm f/2 Russian Helios (copy of the Carl Zeiss Sonnar) to the Oktoberfest celebration in El Cajon, California. I had it mounted with an adapter on my crop sensor Sony A6500 which was a delight to shoot with this old (manufactured in 1984) totally manual lens. I have never had an easier time shooting with a manual focus lens. I shot everything wide open at f/2. I did use focus peaking. When the eyes lit up bright red, I was in focus.

    I was most interested in the unique swirly bokeh produced by the Russian lens. It is most apparent in image #1...

    1.
    A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    Images 2 and 3 do not have as prevalent a swirl in the bokeh. But, IMO, this lens is flattering to female subjects and can sepaate the subject from the background...

    2.
    A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    3.
    A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST
    Last edited by rpcrowe; 30th September 2018 at 06:04 AM.

  2. #2
    Shadowman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    36,716
    Real Name
    John

    Re: A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    Nice series.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Central Texas, USA
    Posts
    1,164

    Re: A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    I like seeing old lenses given new life through modern technology - especially when used by an expert photographer. Well done, indeed.

  4. #4
    wilgk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Victoria Australia
    Posts
    2,634
    Real Name
    Kay

    Re: A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    Nice set

  5. #5
    rpcrowe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Southern California, USA
    Posts
    17,399
    Real Name
    Richard

    Re: A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    Thanks all... The downside of this adaptation of the older lenses (especially those like the Helios that have special features such as the swirly bokeh) is these old lenses are no longer being sold at paper weight prices.

    On the other side of the coin, before the adaptation of old lenses, all they were good for was paperweights or ash trays I had a camera repairman friend who used an old, junked aerial camera lens as his ash tray. It was a strange feeling to see someone snuff out a cigarette on on the front element of an 8-inch wide lens

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    North West of England
    Posts
    7,178
    Real Name
    John

    Re: A Russian at the OKTOBERFEST

    Quote Originally Posted by rpcrowe View Post
    …………………………………………. It was a strange feeling to see someone snuff out a cigarette on on the front element of an 8-inch wide lens
    Ouch!

    That's a nice set oRichard. My favourite though, is the first. The first two certainly include context but in addition he is really enjoying the Fest.

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •