Photography is not just a method to document the world around us—it is also a means of expressing creativity. Achieving this creative expression, however, can be more challenging than expected. Perhaps the use of vintage lenses can stimulate the creativity of the photographer.
Vintage lenses have become increasingly popular, and for good reason. These lenses often produce images with a distinct character. Due to their imperfections, these lenses offer a unique aesthetic compared to modern optics.
Modern lenses are engineered to deliver near-perfect image quality, emphasizing corner sharpness, chromatic aberration control, coma performance, and minimal distortion. If a lens falls short in these areas, it is often dismissed as poorly designed. Furthermore, lens correction software can compensate for minor or even large shortcomings, as mentioned in a previous article I wrote about this, ensuring consistently near-perfect images.
This can be up to a point when the image becomes too perfect, resulting in a clinical appearance. While this level of precision is vital in certain photography disciplines, it can sometimes strip an image of personality and warmth.
Embracing Lens Defects
Compared to modern lenses, vintage lenses are typically simpler in design, often with fewer lens elements and no electronics. This makes them much easier to clean, lubricate, and even modify. However, lenses over 60 years old often show their age. Mold, dried lubricants, and rusted or oily diaphragms that hinder smooth operation can be a problem.
These issues can typically be addressed with proper cleaning and maintenance. With a set of precision screwdrivers, a lens wrench spanner, and cleaning solutions, a vintage lens can be taken apart and cleaned without a lot of issues. Numerous instructional videos on platforms like YouTube can guide this process.
However, not all issues can be fixed. The simpler designs of vintage lenses inherently come with imperfections such as chromatic aberration, vignetting, and less effective or absent lens coatings. Corner sharpness may be an issue, and flares and fringes can be prominent, especially when shooting wide open.
Rather than drawbacks, these “defects” are part of what gives vintage lenses their charm. These imperfections can encourage photographers to think differently about their subjects and compositions, and even stimulate them to think in a more creative way.
Using the Meyer-Optik Trioplan and the Helios 44-2
My journey into vintage lenses began with the Meyer-Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 and, more recently, the Helios 44-2 Zebra version from the Valdai factory series. The Trioplan was chosen for its bubble-bokeh effect, while the Helios was selected for its typical swirl-bokeh.
Modern prime lenses with wide apertures produce beautifully smooth bokeh and a nice transition between in-focus and out-of-focus areas. However, vintage lenses offer a more distinct and often memorable effect. Achieving these effects in a proper way requires careful consideration of composition.
Without thoughtful framing, the resulting images can feel chaotic and overly busy. Using vintage lenses often demands more time and effort during the shooting process, as the lens requires fully manual control. Also, characteristics must be incorporated into the composition for the best results. Often, this requires a creative way of thinking and composing.
Experimenting With Multiple Exposure Techniques
I’ve been experimenting with multiple exposures for quite some time, often combining in-focus shots of subjects with out-of-focus backgrounds featuring highlights. This technique has proven particularly effective with the Meyer-Optik Trioplan 100mm, allowing me to create dreamy autumnal images of fungi.
While it doesn’t work in every situation, this approach opens the door to more creative possibilities. Incorporating the heavy but distinct lens flares into these compositions adds another layer of complexity, requiring both precision and a creative eye to achieve balanced results.
Reversing the Front Lens Element
Searching for the signature swirl-bokeh of the Helios 44-2 proved challenging, as finding the right conditions for the effect is tricky. To be honest, I haven’t succeeded yet.
While its standard bokeh was pleasing, I discovered a method to enhance its character: reversing the front lens element. This simple modification, which is easy to do, intensifies the lens’s inherent imperfections, creating a fairytale-like aesthetic. Although this effect may not appeal to everyone, I found it produced the look I had hoped for when purchasing the lens.
Using the modified lens required even more attention to composition, as the enhanced defects demand careful consideration of the subject and its surroundings. Strong backlighting not only produced the swirl-bokeh effect but also introduced strong blooming effects that added to the atmosphere and overall feeling of the images. It reminds me of a strong Orton effect without the need for post-processing.
This modification is quick and straightforward. Many tutorials can be found on platforms like YouTube. However, since the Helios 44-2 is a relatively cheap lens, I’m tempted to purchase a second one so I can use both the modified and original versions without the need of reversing the front lens element time and time again.
Vintage Lenses and Creativity
While vintage lenses themselves don’t inherently make a photographer more creative, they can inspire creativity in meaningful ways. Unlike modern, high-quality optics that often allow for quick, straightforward shooting, vintage lenses slow down the process, encouraging deeper thought about composition and technique.
By embracing the unique characteristics of these old lenses, photographers can be stimulated to think in a more creative way. Who knows—this process may even help refine your skills and make you a better photographer in the long run.