Zenit 85mm f/1.5 (Helios 40-2)

[Jakov Minić]

The lens is heavy, rugged and the craftsmanship is not of the best quality. It is outdated and doesn’t have sophisticated nano coatings, ED lens elements, and it doesn't auto-focus. Focusing is not smooth and the aperture ring is placed unusually at the front of the barrel. It has no metering capabilities because it is not fitted with a CPU so it doesn’t communicate with your camera body. It easily flares and ghosts. Chromatic aberrations and purple fringing are also main characteristics of this lens. The list of imperfections goes on and on. It’s not about what a lens cannot do, but what a lens can do! It’s about knowing the flaws but using the good parts. In this case, the extraordinary parts it possesses - the out of focus areas of an image.
Oh, how I enjoy using it 

[tommiejeep]

Jakov, that second image is crazy wild... I like it 
Tom

[chris dees]

The lens is heavy, rugged and the craftsmanship is not of the best quality. It is outdated and doesn’t have sophisticated nano coatings, ED lens elements, and it doesn't auto-focus. Focusing is not smooth and the aperture ring is placed unusually at the front of the barrel. It has no metering capabilities because it is not fitted with a CPU so it doesn’t communicate with your camera body. It easily flares and ghosts. Chromatic aberrations and purple fringing are also main characteristics of this lens. The list of imperfections goes on and on. It’s not about what a lens cannot do, but what a lens can do! It’s about knowing the flaws but using the good parts. In this case, the extraordinary parts it possesses - the out of focus areas of an image.
Oh, how I enjoy using it 

So it's lens specially design and build for you. 
I agree, that second one is stunning. What a colors!

[Jakov Minić]

Yes, this lens seems to be designed for me 
Thank you Chris and Tommie!
Here are another two.
I forgot to mentioned that I used the outdated and not sophisticated D300 on this occasion.

[Olivier]

Jakov, the first two are magnificent! Did you work much on the colors?

[Hugh_3170]

Jakov, as others have commented, these are indeed magnificent.  With this lens, you are clearly a glass is half filled photographer!

I am sure that some form of CPU chip could be grafted onto the lens - even if it is a G-type chip and the lens is without any aperture linkage support.

[wesstl]

I have one of these and it's everything Jakov says it is. The best part: Thanks to the weight, the aperture system, the less than stellar optics, and the shallow DOF at 1.5, all areas are out of focus in my images. 
If only I had added the lens info to the images in my image database so they are easier to locate.

[Jakov Minić]

Olivier, yes. I forgot to mention that the saturation and contrast of this lens is rather poor.
You need to work on the levels and saturation. I hope I didn't exaggerate?
Thanks!

Hugh, thanks! I am not quite sure what a glass is half filled photographer means?  Erik took a look at it and said that it's not that easy to chip this lens. Erik will be chipping quite a few lenses in Scotland, so I don't want to bother him. But I agree, it would be nice if it had a dedicated CPU.

Wes, when you find them, please show them to us!

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

I have one of these and it's everything Jakov says it is. The best part: Thanks to the weight, the aperture system, the less than stellar optics, and the shallow DOF at 1.5, all areas are out of focus in my images. 
If only I had added the lens info to the images in my image database so they are easier to locate.

Sounds rather like a pilot problem than a lens problem (got a lemon?), mine works just fine. 

[Akira]

The coloration of the fringes of bokeh is gorgeous!  Jakov, this is a nice use of the character.

[Bruno Schroder]

Fantastic #2 Jakov

[Mongo]

Jakov, there has to be a market for this new found style/theme of yours. It is impossible not to notice or react to in an uplifting way. It can become pleasantly contagious. As with the similar
flags" series , Mongo likes it very much. Very nice stuff.

[Hugh_3170]

In general, an optimist says that a glass is half full, whilst a pessimist says that it is half empty. 

Jakov, in your case, your vision has allowed you to see beyond any defects the lens may have and this has in turn allowed you to exploit its positive features and to turn the lenses negative features into positives - to create these Jakovian visions as it were - and to the delight of us all. 

(On the other hand my ever practical mechanical engineer daughter would see a half empty glass as being twice as big as it needs to be. Aargh!    )

........................................

Hugh, thanks! I am not quite sure what a glass is half filled photographer means? .............................................
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[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Jakov, there has to be a market for this new found style/theme of yours. It is impossible not to notice or react to in an uplifting way. It can become pleasantly contagious. As with the similar
flags" series , Mongo likes it very much. Very nice stuff.

Not a "new style" at all, the whole of Asia has a craze for that since years,
and I'm "infected" long too

[Jakov Minić]

I am overwhelmed by the positive comments that I have received from such great photographers.

Thank you Akira, I will exploit the character further

Bruno, thanks I am glad you like it

Mongo, yet again you have provided me with a comment that is better than the photo itself. Much appreciated

Hugh, thank you for the positive remarks, but again you leave me with a question Being a civil engineer myself, I don't understand your daughter's comment at all? I suppose that if the glass was two times smaller it would be full Actually, if you are noble and follow bon ton, a glass should always be filled half-way. It would be impolite to fill it all the way up to the top...

Dr Klaus, I wasn't aware of the Asian craze. Show us your infectious grooves