Today I was using my Helios 40-2 with an extension tube. And a hoverfly came along at just the right moment. (5D, f/1.5, heavy crop) Yes, I do like the look of shallow depth of field and soft focus. And the Helios 40-2 is good at both of those when wide open. And, yes, it does sharpen up when stopped down... but that's not what I bought it for! So my lens stays wide open 90% of the time.
