My Favorite Portrait Photography Gear: Vintage Lens Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 with Stunning Swirly Bokeh

There is a lens I have been wanting to buy for quite a while—maybe a decade or so. Ironically, I almost feel like I had to move to another continent to finally find the exact variation of my dream lens. The Helios 44-2 (KMZ) is a 35+ year-old Soviet lens that produces instantly recognizable swirly bokeh—the exact look I seek for my dreamy, vintage, and ethereal portrait sessions.

Before buying it, I thought it would produce this swirly bokeh in pretty much all scenarios, assuming you shoot with the aperture wide open. The reality is that you really need a busy background to make it pop. For the most prominent effect, consider positioning your subject right in front of sun-lit bushes. After testing different scenarios, this one seems to create the most intense swirly bokeh.

In comparison to my all-time favorite Minolta Rokkor 58mm f/1.4, the Helios produces images that appear more contrasty, saturated, and generally cooler in tone. Since the widest possible aperture is f/2, I find this lens handy for sessions with two or more people, as there are better odds they’ll both stay in focus.

All in all, if you are looking for a lens that produces bold, artistic, and dramatic images while also retaining that vintage look, the Helios 44-2 is definitely worth checking out. If you’re not frustrated by manual focus (which I looove and shoot exclusively with—it gives me so much freedom and precision), then I can’t think of anything even remotely worth the doubt.

Photographer and author: Alina Veksler @veksalinaphotography
Models: Shantel @shantelvahnizzi and Jocelyn @joce_mcfarland

Location: Royce E. Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden, Vancouver, Washington, USA
Event: “Sakura and Tea” Portrait Meet by Capture Collective PNW and Pro Photo Supply

Alina Veksler – a creative portrait photographer based near Portland, Oregon, offering professional photography and creative direction for individuals and businesses seeking unique, tailor-made sessions defined by quality and artistry.

Want your unique story told like this? Let’s make it happen—inquire at veksalinaphotography.com