Russian Lens Helios 44M

The very old Russian Lens Helios 44M 58mm F/2

The lens was produced in the old Soviet Union by Jupiter among others from 1958 till 1992 and is one of most mass produced lenses in the world! This was a kit lens for the Russian Zenit Camera.  The lens is built like a tank! Seriously. METAL and GLASS….the USSR-way!! There is a cult following for this lens. Several companies made these lenses over several decades, in the millions of units, so they aren’t exactly rare.It is a copy of the Carl Zeiss Biotar 58mm.

The lens has, what is referred to as optical vignetting, meaning that out of focus “bokeh-balls” becomes more elipsoid as you move away from the center of the image. Also referred to, as “Cat-eye” effect, this phenomenon gives a pronounced feeling that the background “swirls” around the center focus subject. The maximum effect is when you have a focus subject about 2-3 meters away and the background about 10-15 meters away, so count a factor 1:5 ratio for foreground/background subject distance.

After I am laid up after a major surgery and convalescing for the last three months, I have been studying some remarkable lenses made 40/50 years ago such as some Russian lenses made in that period.

Here are some pictures shot with the lens mounted on my Nikon D50 with an adapter as the lens has the M42 mount.

Chowmahalla Palace

Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallatuu (4 Palaces), is a palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad state. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad while they ruled their state. The palace is unique for its style and elegance. Building of the palace began in the late 18th century and over the decades a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences emerged.

Click on the pictures to see the larger version.

Humayun's Tomb

The last refuge of Mughal Emperor Humayun reminds rather of a luxurious palace, than a tomb. Located in the eastern part of Dehli, India, Humayun’s tomb is one of the best preserved Mughal monuments.  This spellbinding mausoleum is the first example of Mughal architecture in India.After a century from its construction Humayun’s tomb inspired the construction of the more famous Taj Mahal.

Humayun’s tomb was built thanks to the initiative of his widow Hamida Banu Begum, who commenced the construction of a mausoleum for her deceased husband in 1565, nine years after his death. The construction was finished in 1572. Several Mughal emperors are even buried inside Humayun’s mausoleum.

The architecture of the tomb is strongly influenced by Persian architecture with the tomb constructed  in the center of a Persian-style garden in quadrilateral form. 

The mausoleum stands on a massive platform which has a height of up to 7 meters. The building is constructed from red sandstone, while the tomb itself is made of yellow and black marble. The two-storied mausoleum is crowned with white Persian style marble dome that seems weightless and imponderable. The height of Humayun's Tomb is 47 meters, and its breadth is 91 meters. The lower tier of this rectangular construction is decorated with graceful arches, which are located around the whole perimeter of the building.

The cenotaph of the ruler is located in the center of the upper tier in a large room decorated with several rows of arched windows.The central chamber is octagonal with corner-chambers which house the graves of other members of the royal family. The real grave of the emperor is on the basement floor.

Ramappa Temple

This is one of the beautiful temples of Kakatiya period built by Racherla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya Ganapati Deva. According to a contemporary record this temple was built in 1213 a.d. the temple stands on a raised platform with garbhagriha, an antarla, and maha mandapa with lateral porched entrances on three sides. The main entrance faces east.

The garbhagriha contains a black basalt linga installed on a high pedestal insideover the ceiling of the central ankana one finds a magnificient display of sculptures depicting scenes from ramayana, siva purana and other mythological narratives.

The striking peculiarity of the building lies in the arrangement of bracket figures. Above the kakshasana level decorated with slender, graceful madanikas, naginis etc. In different poses, the other units within the prakara are an imposing nandi mandapa, kameswara and kateswara shrines.

It’s probably the only one temple in the country to be known by the name of its architect. temple got its name Ramappa because of its chief architect Ramappa.

The Ramappa temple is the right destination for people who admire architectural brilliance and have a panoramic view of true scenic beauty. The temple is situated in Palampet village of the Venkatapur Mandal, in Mulug Taluq of Warangal, Telangana state.