Lately, I’ve discovered a whole new dimension in my photography: vintage lenses.

I became interested in them for a reason: I wanted to create images with a different atmosphere. The goal was to achieve something softer, dreamier, and full of character. While modern lenses aim for sharpness, speed, and flawless automation, vintage lenses lead you down a slower, more manual path. They don’t do anything for you—but that’s the beauty. They keep you attentive. Some photo sessions may feel like nothing works. Still, when you review the images, you start noticing details. These details make you want to learn more.

I began my journey with two very different lenses: the Helios 44-2 and the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100 f/2.8. Neither is trying to be technically perfect. Instead, they invite you to explore, make mistakes, and enjoy visual surprises.

In this post, I’ll share more about the lenses and also photos I have photographed with them.

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Helios 44-2 with Reversed Front Element

The Helios doesn’t just capture an image — it interprets it. With the front element reversed, it creates dreamy, soft-edged images with a sharp center. Its signature swirly bokeh gives a sense of motion, as if the background spins around the subject. The result feels like an old film still: raw, unpredictable, and full of atmosphere.

Key Effects:

• Swirly bokeh
• Soft corners, sometimes with vignetting
• Imperfect sharpness that adds a sketch-like feel

Shooting with this Helios requires patience — and extension tubes. Because of the reversed front element, the lens’s focus distance changes dramatically. Extension tubes are essential to bring the subject into focus.

What are Extension Tubes?
They are spacers placed between your camera body and the lens. They push the lens further from the sensor, allowing you to focus at closer distances. In the beginning, I really struggled with focusing—but with practice, it gets easier. In case you are interested to learn more, here is a link to a Photography site.

What is Bokeh?

Bokeh refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph. It particularly describes the way light appears in these blurred regions. The term comes from the Japanese word “boke,” meaning “blur” or “haze.”

When you take a photo with a shallow depth of field, the background or foreground is soft and blurry. This is where bokeh comes in. It’s not just about how much of the background is blurred. It’s about how that blur looks. Some lenses create smooth, creamy bokeh, while others produce more distinct, shaped blurs, like circles or hexagons. The shape and quality of bokeh depend on the lens design. They also depend on the aperture shape and how light interacts with it.

In photography, bokeh can enhance the mood. It draws attention to the subject and gives the image a more artistic or dreamlike quality. It’s often used creatively to isolate the subject from the background and add visual interest.

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Helios and Trioplan Photos

Here are Helios photos mainly photographed during April 2025.

Flowers

Some facts of the flowers:

Liverleaf (Hepatica nobilis)
The liverleaf blooms in early spring with its deep blue or purple petals and unique, three-lobed leaves. Found in rich woodlands, it heralds the season’s change with its quiet, resilient beauty.

Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
The wood anemone is one of the first flowers of spring. It has delicate white petals. Its vibrant green leaves add to its charm. It thrives in shaded woodlands, carpeting the forest floor with its soft, ethereal beauty. My earlier photos of wood anemone can be found here.

This year, liver leaf and wood anemone bloomed two weeks earlier than usual. Exceptionally, their blooming has lasted longer, and they are still in bloom!

Moss and leaves

I was walking through a dark forest. The sun suddenly broke through and lit up a few leaves. BTW, if you recognize the plant, I would like to know what it is. Please comment.

Photographing moss spores has been fascinating, as with the Helios lens, the final result is always a surprise. Each of these four images carries a distinct atmosphere, largely shaped by the light and water droplets.

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Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100 f/2.8

The Trioplan is like a poetic lens. Its legendary “soap bubble” bokeh is unlike anything modern lenses produce. Background lights transform into glowing, dimensional rings that feel like delicate pearls suspended in air. This lens doesn’t aim for clinical sharpness—it reaches for emotion.

Key Effects:

• Soap bubble bokeh (especially with small light sources)
• Soft and dreamy rendering, especially in backlight
• A nostalgic, almost timeless mood

Here are my Trioplan photos mainly photographed during April and May 2025.

Cherry trees in Roihuvuori

These are my first photos with Trioplan lens. The background of these images are typical for the lens: soft and bubbling.

These photos are photographed in Roihuvuori sherry tree park. Roihuvuori Cherry Park is located in eastern Helsinki. Over 150 cherry trees bloom in soft shades of pink there. For many locals, it marks the true arrival of spring. It’s a time to slow down and take in the beauty.

A Hidden Wetland Sanctuary Near My Cabin

Not far from my cabin lies a precious wetland nature reserve, a tranquil place where time seems to slow down. The area is home to ancient trees, willows, and bird cherry trees that have witnessed the passing of many seasons. In spring, the forest floor comes alive with vibrant ferns, wood sorrels, and marsh marigolds. These plants create a colorful mosaic beneath the towering trees.

The decaying trunks of old trees provide a unique habitat for a wide variety of decomposing fungi. They also offer a home for insects. This contributes to the forest’s rich biodiversity. The lesser spotted woodpecker is among its inhabitants. You can hear its gentle tapping as it searches for food among the trees. This wetland is a hidden gem. It is a testament to nature’s resilience. It demonstrates nature’s ability to thrive in the most peaceful corners of the world.

Marsh Marigolds in the Wetland

As you may have noticed, the atmosphere in the Helios and Trioplan photos is quite distinct. Depending on the mood or intent of the photo, you can choose either lens to achieve the desired effect.

Let these images remind us to appreciate the quiet wonders around us. They encourage us to embrace the unique perspectives that each lens—and each moment—can offer.

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For a photographer, spring is a magical time. Flowers are blooming. Birds are singing. Best of all, there are no mosquitoes. The days grow longer, and the season unfolds. I hope that the soft glow of spring’s beauty inspires your own moments of reflection. Let it kindle your creativity.

By the way, do any of you have experience with vintage lenses? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Feel free to share your stories in the comments below.

If you enjoy my work, don’t forget to follow my blog for more updates and photography adventures. Wishing you all a wonderful spring!

By the way, today is Mother´s Day in Finland. I wish happy day to all mothers!!