Helios 28mm f/2.8 M42 Lens – Wide Angle Prime – Minor Fungus – Bargain

Description:

Vintage Helios 28mm f/2.8 wide-angle prime lens with M42 screw mount. Compact and well-built, this lens offers classic rendering and solid performance for film and digital shooters alike. Focus ring is smooth, aperture blades are snappy, and the lens mounts securely.

Optics show minor fungus, visible under inspection but not expected to significantly affect image quality for most use cases. Priced accordingly for collectors, tinkerers, or those seeking a budget-friendly wide-angle with character. Overall condition is Good.

Key Features:

• Focal Length: 28mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
• Mount: M42 screw thread (compatible with many vintage and digital bodies via adapter)
• Coating: BBAR-style multi-coating (varies by version)
• Aperture Blades: 6
• Filter Thread: 49mm
• Focus: Manual, close focus ~0.3m
• Build: Metal barrel, compact form factor

Included:

• Helios 28mm f/2.8 lens
• Front and rear caps 

Condition Notes:

• Optics: Minor fungus present; no haze or separation
• Mechanics: Focus and aperture rings operate smoothly
• Cosmetics: Light wear consistent with age; lettering and markings intact

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Helios 28mm f/2.8 M42 lens, vintage wide angle lens, manual focus prime, Russian Helios lens, budget M42 lens, lens with fungus, classic 28mm screw mount lens

Collector Notes:

This lens is part of the lesser-known Helios lineup, often Japanese-made and distinct from the Soviet Helios 44 series. It’s appreciated for its compact build and vintage rendering, especially when stopped down. The M42 mount makes it adaptable to a wide range of systems, from Pentax Spotmatics to modern mirrorless bodies.

Minor fungus is common in vintage lenses and often has minimal impact unless shooting into strong light. This piece could be a great candidate for cleaning, experimentation, or simply enjoying the quirks of vintage glass.