Dwayne Foong

Dwayne Foong I restore vintage Soviet lenses for filmmakers and photographers, making it easy to get authentic cinematic character—without the technical hassle.

Hey there, I'm Dwayne Foong, a digital content creator with a passion for vintage lenses and the great outdoors. I've been a professional photographer since 2007, specializing in editorial fashion and commercial photography. In 2018, I started venturing into videos and began sharing my experiences on YouTube and other social media platforms. Since 2020, I've transitioned into a full-time digital c

ontent creator, focusing on vintage lenses and solo camping and hiking content. I love exploring the unique qualities of vintage lenses, which are affordable, imperfect, and full of character. With my expertise in restoring these lenses, I'm able to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind images that capture the essence of each moment. I also dabble in cleaning, lubricating, and adjusting vintage lenses, and I also trade them for income. It's not just about making money, though. For me, there's something special about holding a piece of history in my hands and using it to create beautiful images. When I'm not working with vintage lenses, I enjoy immersing myself in nature through hiking and camping in the dense rainforests of South East Asia. These experiences serve as a mental recharge and a way to stay grounded in life. By subscribing to my content, you'll gain access to a world of unique and inspiring content, as well as become part of a community of adventure-seekers and photography enthusiasts. I'm excited to share my experiences and knowledge with you, so join me on this journey and let's explore new horizons together!

02/02/2026

If you’ve ever wondered why vintage Soviet lenses get called “unreliable,” this is why.

They are over 50 years old with no clear service history, reviewed by amateurs with shots of flowers and plants.

Here, you see what these lenses actually look like when they’re serviced and used the way filmmakers work.

I service and cine-mod vintage vintage Soviet lenses for filmmakers who want reliable tools.

Website link in bio.

Just wrapped up a full rebuild of three vintage Soviet lenses and shipped them back to the USA — including two prototype...
25/11/2025

Just wrapped up a full rebuild of three vintage Soviet lenses and shipped them back to the USA — including two prototypes: the MIR-46MA 35mm f1.4 and the Yantar-5M-2 40–80mm f2.9.

Their owner had already been turned down by several lens technicians before reaching out to me. The lenses were in rough shape, but with a full teardown, cleaning, fresh lubrication, and proper alignment, they’re now working the way they were meant to.

If you’re a filmmaker who depends on these unique optics and you want them serviced properly, my store link is in the bio. I handle every lens myself and make sure it leaves my bench ready for real-world use.

Packed up a cinemodded Helios-44-2 today for a filmmaker in England. This one was fully serviced, modded with 82mm front...
20/11/2025

Packed up a cinemodded Helios-44-2 today for a filmmaker in England. This one was fully serviced, modded with 82mm front ring, a custom 3D printed follow focus gear and a high quality adapter. . It’s always nice seeing these vintage Soviet lenses finding new homes around the world.

If you’re curious about my current stock, the link to my store is in my bio.

10/11/2025

New YT upload!

If you’ve spent any time on YouTube or Reddit, you’ve probably heard people rave about the Helios-44-2 — that vintage Soviet lens with the famous swirly bokeh that supposedly makes your footage look “cinematic.”

But here’s the problem: once you actually try to buy one, things get confusing fast. There are too many versions, serial number myths, and sellers claiming their copy is “rare” or “mint.” And the truth is, not all Helios-44-2 lenses are equal.

In this video, I break down 10 real questions every filmmaker should ask before buying a Helios-44-2 — based on years of shooting and servicing over a hundred vintage Soviet lenses.

You’ll learn:
What actually affects image quality (and what doesn’t)
How to spot a good copy before you buy
Common myths that waste filmmakers’ time and money
What to expect when using a serviced Helios on real productions

Whether you’re a filmmaker, DP, or content creator chasing that unique vintage look, this video will help you skip the guesswork and get a Helios that’s ready to shoot — not one that ends up stuck in a dry box.

12/10/2025

Everyone’s chasing sharp, modern lenses. I went the opposite way.

This entire fashion film was shot with vintage glass from the 80s — soft edges, low contrast, and a look that feels like a movie.

But it wasn’t just about the lenses.

It was how I directed the model, used natural light, and applied simple cinema techniques like coverage and pacing to pull it all together.

Curious how it all came together?

The full breakdown is on my YT channel.

Featuring:
💃🏻
🚘 .official
📌


film







03/10/2025

Everyone’s chasing sharp, modern lenses. I went the opposite way.

This entire fashion film was shot with vintage glass from the 80s — soft edges, low contrast, and a look that feels like a movie.

But it wasn’t just about the lenses.

It was how I directed the model, used natural light, and applied simple cinema techniques like coverage and pacing to pull it all together.

Curious how it all came together?

�The full breakdown is on my YouTube channel.

Day 21 of deleting social media app from my phone.Wanted to do SACF 7 lakes but failed, underestimated the effect of 800...
29/07/2025

Day 21 of deleting social media app from my phone.

Wanted to do SACF 7 lakes but failed, underestimated the effect of 800m elevation gain in 15km.

Wanted to do this trail since 2021 but my legs would tremble after 10+km, and it was delayed until now. Alas, Hutan Simpanan Kekal is apparently not Kekal and only it’s a Simpanan for property developers.

Many parts has been deforested to pour concrete for new buildings that will not be fully occupied.

Day 7 of deleting social media from my phone.When fast food became too convenient and your body goes haywire, it’s a sig...
15/07/2025

Day 7 of deleting social media from my phone.

When fast food became too convenient and your body goes haywire, it’s a sign. The fast food that everyone carries is social media apps on their phone.

Imagine someone put a hose in your mouth and the water taps turn on? It’s what we are doing to ourselves, every day.

We are feeding ourselves engineered, artificial dopamine we barely have mental space of our own thoughts and the capacity to build anything with our mind.

recharging negative ion is cheaper than recharging EV.
04/07/2025

recharging negative ion is cheaper than recharging EV.

30/05/2025

Full conversation on YT.

In this conversation, I sat down with automotive videographer .af who shoots car commercials and fast-paced race track stuff.

But even in that world, he’s found value in using older glass. We talked about the challenges—like convincing clients who only care about sharp, clean images—and the small wins that come from trusting your eye and sticking to what feels right.

We also talked about the industry here in Malaysia—how often the work we do behind the scenes goes unnoticed, and what we can do to change that.

Address

Subang Jaya

Website

https://www.youtube.com/@dwaynefoong

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