What better way to start than with one of the most legendary lenses in history, first introduced all the way back in 1900? The name Heliar is such a prized family heirloom that it has survived to this day and is still in production—though now for digital cameras (I am crossing myself). However, it must be said that the modern versions share no more than the name with the originals.
- There were a ton of versions—enough to fill an entire book. The pre-Dynar version, produced between 1900 and 1902, was followed by the famous (and by many considered the best) Dynar design in 1903, and then the most widespread post-Dynar iterations, which gradually phased out the Dynar model entirely from the beginning of World War I. Apertures varied (f3.5 to f5.5), as did focal lengths, construction, and dimensions, and later versions even introduced anti-reflective coatings. There was also experimentation with materials—lightweight aluminium alloys were initially favored, but during World War I, as aluminium became scarce due to its use in airframes, production switched to brass.
- I've owned various types—aluminium Dynars, modern black-brass versions, and even a fascinating Frankenstein hybrid with a mix of aluminium alloy and a later design. You can also come across rare, unpainted golden brass versions (factory-made, I should clarify—if you scrub the paint off with steel wool until you hit the brass underneath, sure, you'll get a gold-colored lens too, but don't you dare!). There are also structurally different aerial versions designed for reconnaissance planes, and I've even seen a model with a textured Schrumpflack finish, similar to German Zimmerit coating. That's the dream—Panzerkampfwagen Heliar, resistant to magnetic mines!
Though some will surely swear on their mother's honor that there are obvious and glaring differences in image quality between versions, I—begrudgingly—must admit that I haven't noticed any. I'm sure there is a difference (Dynar versions are supposed to have slightly better coverage and tonal reproduction), but alas, my eyes were not blessed with the ability to see it.
One thing you can be absolutely certain of, though, is that no matter which version you get your hands on, the character of the glass (gangster slang for "lens," reserved exclusively for the coolest members of the photography underworld) is tailor-made for portraiture. The rendering is sharp even wide open (though not excessively so, like with process lenses) but at the same time, it has a velvety, soft, and gentle quality. The creamy bokeh in the background is just the cherry on top. And write this down on your ground glass—stopping down a Heliar is murdering a Heliar!
Over time, they earned a reputation as the crème de la crème of portrait photography—so much so that many prominent figures, from kings and maharajas to movie stars, generals, and common folk alike, refused to be photographed with any other lens. This was especially true for the Universal Heliar. But more on that next time.
Now, let's finally take a look at the lovely bunch that had the decency to show up! There were a wide range of focal lengths varying from those made for 35mm toys all the way up to proper ULF monsters (ultra large format). Personally, I'm into the bigger ones—can't afford a Hummer, so I make up for my tiny weenie with large lenses. And obviously the bigger the lens and the camera, the better the photographer. That's just science.
- 360mm f4.5—2,5kg heavy hunk of glass and blackened brass (or, to put it more academically, a modern iteration of considerable weight and refined materials), which is just perfect for eliminating your toes when this totally ergonomic piece of gear slips out of your hands. It features an asymmetrical five-element design, with a cemented biconvex rear group, a convex-concave front group, and blah blah blah—for the handful of eccentrics who revel in optical diagrams, I'll simply direct you to Lens Vade Mecum, the ultimate (and hefty) bible that every lens aficionado should own. For the less committed, Wikipedia or Camera-wiki will do just fine. The coverage is more than enough for 8x10", and even wide open at infinity it shouldn't give you any grief with 24x30cm either.
- 420mm f4.5—a version an order of magnitude larger, tipping the scales at around 2,6kg. The weight increase compared to the previous one is suspiciously minimal—but that's thanks to aluminium instead of good ol' brass. Distinctive features are the Heliar knobs for aperture control, which, on standard versions, sometimes appeared only on the 420mm, 480mm, and possibly the 600mm models. Otherwise, they were a signature of the Universal Heliar, where they also controlled the soft-focus mechanism. Their shape and size evolved over time. The projected image circle is obscene—easily 30x40cm, and once you stop it down greatly, maybe even more.
- 480mm f4.5 – to si takhle o víkendu, nic zlého netuše, jdete jako správnej kavárenskej povaleč místo do polí a továren na bezkofeinový sójový pumpkin-spice venti latté – a najednou bum! Zničehonic vás místo oříšku cvrnkne do nosu pořádnej ořech, úplnej kokos a jeden z nejraritnějších objektivů, co se kdy po týhle planetě kutálely. No to je zas neděle, kam už to má člověk dávat. V každém případě má má (má máma nemá) verze krásných 3,6kg, což z ní dělá standardy lámající těžký kokos ze skla a černěnýho hliníku, který za ty drahný léta svý existence musel totálně anihilovat snad už celej batalion prstů u nohy. Pramálo vyrobených kusů, ještě pramalejší počet těch dochovaných. Cenovka musela být tehdy úplně očiprotáčející pro kmány i pány. Signování se bohužel nedochovalo, protože se v některých případech nacházelo na sluneční cloně, která v tomto případě bohužel chybí (jiné verze měly ražbu na šasi a sluneční clonu napevno přidělanou k tělu objektivu, takže jste jí aspoň neztratili). Pokryv „políčka“ je olbřímí – 40x50cm slupne jako malinu.
Wait, what? A 600mm Heliar? Yep, it existed. Entire generations of big toes have been trying to forget. Very, very few were made. Even fewer survived. So just forget about it too.
- Update: according to Japanese historical optics expert Masayoshi Hayashi, at least 485 pieces of 480mm and 74 pieces of 600mm were produced according to available sources (based mostly on publications by Hartmut Thiele). What's more, there were also custom-made variants not appearing in official catalogues—for example 500mm f3.5 and 700mm f4.5. In the case of the discovery of such a piece, it can be likened to finding the Holy Grail.
Slovo Heliar je derivátem Hélia – řeckého boha Slunce. Co takhle postavit se po bok velikánů a nechat se zvěčnit, než nás zas opustí pěkný počasí? Protože jak říkával nebožtík Ned Stark, budiž mu země lehká, zima se blíží! Takže napište a než si poportrétujem, nezoufejte. Uvidíme se u dalšího dílu. Máte to marný, nic s tím nenaděláte.
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