KMZ Helios 40 - 85mm f/1.5 (old) : Specifications and Opinions

KMZ Helios 40 - 85mm f/1.5 (old)

The KMZ Helios 40 - 85mm f/1.5 (old) is a tele lens for FF and APS-C, manufactured from 1957 to 1969 (discontinued). The focus is done by Manual Focus, it does not have image stabilization. The average price was 300 €;

5 users have given it an average vote of 8.8 out of 10.

Specifications
Focal lenght	85 mm
Angle of view	28.6°
Format	FF, APS-C
Max. aperture	f/1.5
Aperture blades	10
Lenses/Groups	6 elements in 4 groups
Min. focus distance	1.15 meters
Reproduction ratio
Features
Stabilization	No
Focus	Manual Focus
Internal Focus	No
Built and notes
Tripod ring	No
Extenders	No
Filters	66 mm
Lens hood	Yes (not supplied)
Weather sealing	No
Weight	900 g
Dimensions	x 110 mm
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Reviews

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Giorgio Carlet

sent on 29 Aprile 2025

Pros: Unbeatable swirl bokeh, great contrast,

Cons: weight, poor edge sharpness, prone to flare, embarrassing chromatic aberration

Opinion: Let's start by specifying the model in my possession: it is one of the first steel-colored versions of the 59/60 with M39 screw mount, I have been using it for years, first on 1100D with 1.6 crop which made it similar to a 135mm, then on canon 6D and now on sony A73. Only with sony I was able to enjoy a correct focus thanks to a forum on this site where the problem of the draw was explained: although it is an M39, it does not have the Leica draw, but it corresponds to the draw of an M42 so to use it correctly you have to buy an m39-m42 conversion ring and then mount an m42 - Sony E adapter. Otherwise, at the very least, you lose focus to infinity. In handheld use, it is necessary to shoot in live view, zooming in on the relevant detail on the screen to get the focus right. The focus area highlighting functions help, but at f/1.5 it happens that they are not enough. Add to this that it is a beast of over 900g to which you add adapter and camera and you too understand how normal it is to get the focus of a photo right every 10 shots. Once the desired focus shot is obtained, the result is generally very good, it is generally not a "clean" shot, the sharpness is valid only in the center and moving towards the edges it degrades strongly, the contrast is good, but the chromatic aberration is strong and as soon as you play with a little saturation in post production you will realize it, In any case, Lighroom does a good job of removing this defect. Another defect in shots against light: it can have strong flare problems. So put your subject in the center of the frame, zoom in on the detail, hope it doesn't move too much, focus and shoot as soon as you feel it's in focus. The photo will show you a spectacular bokeh that spirals behind the subject in focus, anyone who looks at that photo will not see problems of sharpness, flare, chromatic aberration and not even focus errors and will be amazed by the result.

Giorgio Carlet

Frank_Z

sent on 07 Febbraio 2023

Pros: Extremely easy maintenance, spectacular bokeh, with aperture at f1.5 is extremely bright

Cons: Manual focus is not suitable for moving shots

Opinion: Mine is a prototype of the 58/59 with a triple zero serial number so not one of the versions "for ordinary people" assembled after the early 60s nor one of the new Helios 40. Obviously its characteristic feature is the bokeh that seems to make a vortex around the subject in focus, for the rest the contrast is quite good for the coatings of the time and the lens is very sharp. I shoot on a 5DMkIII with two adapters, M39>M42 and M42>EOS so the accuracy of the focus is not the best but with a few days of practice you already get good results! Soon I will also put some shots for completeness!

Photos taken with KMZ Helios 40 - 85mm f/1.5 (old)

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KMZ Helios 40 - 85mm f/1.5 (old) : Specifications and Opinions

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Reviews

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Photos taken with KMZ Helios 40 - 85mm f/1.5 (old)