Lens Lab
    Helios-40 85 mm f/ 1.5
    Helios-40 85 mm f/ 1.5

    Helios-40 85 mm f/ 1.5

    85mm · f/1.5

    Overview

    The Helios-40 85mm f/1.5 is a vintage lens famed for its swirly bokeh, especially at wide apertures. Optically, it has strong distortion control and low chromatic aberration, but wide-open sharpness is poor in the corners and edges, improving when stopped down to f/5.6-f/8. Build is all-metal and heavy, with a preset aperture ring. It flares easily without a hood. Best suited for portrait photographers seeking a dreamy, characterful look and willing to work around its quirks.