This review presents exactly old Helios-44 lens 2/58 for M39 thread, and not its subsequent modifications. Its number 0220423, issued at the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant (KMZ), as evidenced by the emblem of the plant on the lens. Also, part of the old white Helios-44 was produced in Belarus.
Aperture limits 2.0-16.0
Number of aperture blades: 13
Thread: M39
Focal length: 58mm
Optical design: 6 elements in 4 groups
Helios 44 lens overview, front view on a modern camera
The optical design was taken from Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2 / 58. Zeiss lenses are still famous for their excellent quality and picture.
Photo at Helios-44
The lens has a classic white metal frame, typical of its years of production. Resolution 35/14 lines / mm. Focusing range from 0.5 meter to infinity. Note that there was also a Helios-44 for "Start" with a special bayonet mount. You can look at Helios-44 2/58 with 8 aperture blades.
Photo at Helios-44
The first thing, of course, that catches your eye is his white metal frame, which looks unusual on a black camera.
Sample photo on Helios 44
Advantages of the Helios 44 lens:
- Excellent aperture. What does the lens have enough sharp already at full aperture. On F / 2.0, good sharpness is obtained, which allows you to use it in poor lighting, and on 2.0 you can get good portraits.
- There is aperture preset ring. You can set the aperture to the desired value, focus on sharpness with the F / 2.0 aperture fully open, close the ring to the set value and take a picture.
The photo on Helios-44 is old, white, with 13 aperture blades. No processing.
- This lens can be used with full-frame cameras. On the crop matrix, the angle of the field of view is narrowed, the equivalent angle will be as for 87mm in the full frame. This is a great focal length. for portraiture, because the lens is great for photographing portraits - and therefore it is still very loved by modern photographers.
- Excellent sharpness. This lens is one of the first, after it there were a large number of modifications, different models were produced at different factories. In general, modifications of Helios-44 (m2, m3, m4, etc.) made it one of the most popular lenses in the world. Because of this, in later periods there was more marriage and later versions are considered to be worse in quality in comparison with such old people as Helios-44. Remember that when gossip becomes obsolete, they become myths. So the myth was created, that Helios are rather unpleasant lenses.
The photo on Helios-44 is old, white, with 13 aperture blades. No processing.
- Its design will survive both me and you, my dear reader. This is not modern Chinese plastic. Illusions about the super-high quality of modern lenses, like teeth, are lost with age. Helios-44 removes so far.
- 13-blade aperture... Only a few of the modern afto-focus lenses can boast of this number. From the manual: only Jupiter-37a, Jupiter-11, Tair-11 can compete with this Helios in terms of the number of petals and the correctness of circles in the blur zone. It's funny that the diaphragm has an odd number of blades, which is not typical for Soviet optics. With a circular aperture, you can easily get rid of the “nuts” in the bokeh, which are very undesirable for portraits.
The photo on Helios-44 is old, white, with 13 aperture blades. No processing.
Disadvantages:
- Inconvenient focuser ring, described the problem below.
- Weakly holds lateral light.
The bokeh is excellent, slightly twisted in the Helios (Biotar) style. But in my opinion Helios-44 twists bokeh much less than its subsequent modifications. HA noticeable only on open diaphragms when closely studied. Lens gives a sharp, but at the same time soft picture (sharp contours, but even and soft color filling). On crop, I did not notice a serious drop in sharpness at the edges of the frame, nor was there a visible vignette. In order not to read a lot - see the gallery on Helios-44 in this review. (Pictures 1600 * 1200 are adjusted to the size of your display to open the picture completely, just copy the address of the image and paste it into the browser line).
How to use with modern cameras?
Lenses with an M39 mounting thread (for SLR cameras, M39 X 1 / 45.2), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this you just need to choose correct adapter. The cheapest adapters can be found aliexpress.com.
For use on modern digital SLR cameras Canon EOS need M39-Canon EOS adapter, you can buy such an adapter (adapter) here. Also, an adapter M39-Canon EOS can be easily replaced with two adapters: M42-Canon EOS + M39-M42. Detailed information on the use of such lenses with any Canon EOS cameras will find here.
An adapter is required for use on Nikon SLR cameras M39-Nikon F, you can buy such an adapter (adapter) without a lens and a chip here. Also, one adapter M39-Nikon F can be easily replaced with two adapters: M42-Nikon F + M39-M42. Detailed information on the use of such lenses with any modern Nikon cameras will find here.
How to use this lens with cameras of other systems (Pentax, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, Sigma etc.) - ask in the comments and you will be prompted. If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters, ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all, any user can add a comment).
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
Sample photo on Helios 44
Features to watch out for:
It turned out to be quite enough for me inconvenient focusing ring. That is, the focuser is arranged rather inconveniently near the camera mount, the ribbed “nut” of the focuser is also located on the side of the mount, and the second part of the focuser is smooth metal, which is also not very pleasant and convenient to turn.
The photo on Helios-44 is old, white, with 13 aperture blades. No processing.
Aperture has fixed values from 2.0 to 16.0. The lens on the cropped matrix becomes very sharp at 2.8-5.6. Helios 44 has a single-layer enlightenment, which does not greatly help in the fight against backlight and side light. The resulting picture on a fully open aperture exceeds all my expectations.
The photo on Helios-44 is old, white, with 13 aperture blades. No processing.
Reviews for the Helios-44 2/58 lenses:
- Helios-44 2/58 [KMZ, 13 petals, M39, silver, No. 0220423]
- Helios-44 2/58 [KMZ, 8 petals, M39, silver]
- Helios-44 1: 2 F = 5,8 cm П [KMZ with replaced lenses, No. 0007220, review of the lens from the reader Radozhiva]
- HELIOS-44M 2/58 [KMZ, 8 petals, serial number 7843528]
- HELIOS-44M 2/58 [Jupiter plant, Valdai, 8 petals, serial number 8027170]
- HELIOS-44-2 2/58 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 8 petals, serial number 83052779] + autofocus review
- MS Helios 44-3 2/58 [MMZ, 8 petals, 8619437, 9167912]
- MC Helios-44M-4 2/58
- Helios-44K-4 58mm 1:2 [KMZ, 6 petals, Pentax K]
- MC Helios-44M-4 58mm 1: 2 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 6 petals] + autofocus review
- MC Helios-44M-5 58mm 1: 2 [Jupiter plant, Valdai, 6 petals]
- MC Helios-44M-6 58mm 1: 2 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 6 petals]
- MC Helios-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 6 petals]
- An article about most of the major modifications of the Helios-44 series
- Gallery of pictures on MC Helios-44M-4
- Look at modern the lenses 'Helios' can at this link
- A lot of Helios of all varieties can be found on ebay this link
Original 'Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2/58 ':
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 1: 2 f = 5,8cm T [17 diaphragm blades, M42]
- Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2 / 58 T [12 diaphragm blades, M42]
- A lot of Biotars of all varieties can be found on ebay this link
Look at modern the lenses 'Zenitar' и 'Helios' can at this link.
All photos in the gallery below and throughout the review - without processing (NEF, Auto tone, Resize and JPEG convert Q80%, watermark)
UPDATED
Examples of photos on Helios-44 2/58 (13 petals) and a camera Nikon D810 photographer shared with readers of Radozhiva Anastasia Tretyakova.
Results
A great old-tempered lens, suitable for all types of shooting. For cameras with a cropped matrix, it serves as a good short portrait portrait, since already at F2.0 it gives a high-quality image.
Familiarity with the Soviet Helios brand lenses I recommend starting with an inexpensive and common lens Helios-44-2 2/58 (aka HELIOS-44-2 2/58). The following links can look at modern lenses Zenitar и HELIOS.
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Which lens is better for nikon d3100 helios 81H or helios 44?
Helios 81H is much better - Nikon bayonet, hence there is infinity. Plus a jumping diaphragm, it is much more convenient than the preset on Helios 44 - you have to twist 2 rings
Why is there no review on the Helios-44M-5 lens? And which of the above is it most similar to evaluate its capabilities? Thank you in advance!
There is an overview - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/03/obzor-mc-helios-44m-5-58mm-f2/, everything is described there.
If there is a Helios 44m, does it make sense to buy 44 for the 13-blade aperture?
There is no special meaning, Helios on the figure is interesting primarily for the open diaphragm.
on a FF with a 13-blade aperture, will the picture be significantly better?
What is better than Helios 40-2 or Jupiter 9?
Helios-44
Arkady, good evening. Please help me understand what kind of lens I have. Helios 44 2/58 is written on the lens, but according to the description of Helios-44 you are writing about, it is different. Firstly, it is black, not metallic, and secondly, my 8 has aperture blades, not 13, and I don’t know whether it is important or not, my serial number is 6029272, and not 0220423 (I’m interested in what description my lenses are most suitable .. maybe to Helios 44-2, since there are also 8 petals). Thank you in advance.
You have a black Helios-44 2/58, a modification of the one in this review.
And the number of petals (in my 8, and your 13) does not affect the picture?)
On the open diaphragm is not affected.
Thank you!
You have an export Helios 44 2/58 Made in USSR. I think it should be of excellent quality. Congratulations!!!
Arkady, mistaken about his Helios, sorry, black metal, but not white
You have a black Helios, there were a million modifications :)
Good afternoon! Tell me what this copy is. Helios-44 is white (without letters and numbers) The number is only present. Thank you!
Good day to all!
Maybe someone will be interested, but someone will be easier to think about "how easy (in 5 minutes and without any damage to the lens) to remake the Helios 44-2 58mm to infinity."
1. Unscrew the rear block (tube with two lenses) of the lens - hereinafter referred to as “tube”. On the rim of the tube there are two cuts against each other. How to unscrew: we take either an awl or another object so that it can be inserted into one of the slots and twisted back clockwise with measured efforts (here you need to be careful not to scratch the lens).
2. Cut a strip of paper, for example from a regular A4 sheet, along the length of the sheet, approximately 5 mm wide.
3. We wind this strip onto the early twisted tube so that the tape covers the cavity before the thread and the thread itself and so that when the tube is inserted back into the lens, the paper (tape) does not wrinkle, thereby not interfering with the installation of the tube. The thickness of the wound tape should be such that the tube with this tape tightly penetrates 5 mm (approximately at a distance to the “meeting” the internal thread of the socket and the external thread of the tube, but in no case try to screw a little thread) into your socket in the lens (after 1-2 tube installation tests, you can precisely adjust the winding thickness). It is best to install a tube with a wound tape by scrolling and cramming it at the same time.
4. After installing the tube, you need to adjust it so that it does not bend to the side but fits perfectly into the socket. This is very simple: unscrew the sharpness ring so that the tube is almost hidden in the lens (the tube should protrude about 1-2 mm from the lens). We put the adapter (without a lens) on the lens, put the lens tube down on a flat table. We crouch so that our eyes are on the levels of the opening between the table and the adapter on the lens, and begin to slowly twist the lens while looking into the opening. If the size of the aperture at both ends is the same, then everything is ok, if not, then you need to click on the lens with an appropriate tilt so that the apertures at both ends are equal.
That's almost it!
If anyone succeeds - unsubscribe. Good luck!
Please make corrections (move to a suitable section): the scribbling concerns Helios 44-2, and here is a review of Helios 44.
Good day!) Tell me please, if I have Helios 44, Nikon D3100 and an adapter m42, can I find the M39 and all this can be assembled and it will work? But do not dream of infinity, right?
Elena, you just need one adapter m39 and that's it. But you don’t need to forget about infinity, just do what I wrote above. The adapter should be without a lens.
ps If I'm wrong, then someone correct me.
Є on the hands of Helios 44, biliy, 13 peels, enlightenment (cherona letter “P”). I would like to take a rik vipusku, ale serial number - №0001743. Who do you know about such a copy and how to read the data from this issue?
Hello everyone, Arkady, carefully read the review and never saw the mention of the Helios-15 44_ diaphragm diaphragm. Did such a thing exist? An advertisement for the sale of such an instance exists. Thank you!
Vladimir. Explained how to rearrange the z. lens-block is not quite intelligible. The essence of the proposed method is to increase the distance from the diaphragm petals to the z-lens. Did I understand the essence of the method correctly? I have not tried it yet, no adapter.
DIG, I strongly advise against getting into the lens block, the optical properties of the lens will not change for the better ...
Guys, maybe anyway, does anyone know how to determine the year of manufacture of the HELIOS-44 lens No. 0129885?
It was not about interfering with the lens block, but about moving it away from the diaphragm. When the lens is mounted, the rear lens will be closer to the matrix and infinity will appear.
DIG, what nonsense you wrote, how you are NOT going to interfere with the lens block if the lens block in the G-44 is all the glasses (front lens, front gluing, diaphragm, rear gluing, rear lens) standing strictly in certain places if you move the rear lens or the lens, together with the back gluing of the lenses, the optical properties of the lens will be violated and you can safely throw it away.
Strange people leave comments, all you need to do is scroll the wheel on the mouse and read above with Vladimir.
DIG, it looks like you and Vladimir need to study the materiel before climbing into the lens block with pieces of paper.
I would also strongly advise no one to do this.
Kindly tell me how to achieve infinity on this (and not only) lens without changing the distance between its optical elements ??? By the way, when focusing, the distance between the lens blocks also changes.
When focusing, the distance between the lenses does NOT change.
Hello, I really need to know what is the difference between Helios 44 and 44m-4, which is better for portraiture? it’s just 44 already (inherited), and 44m-4 does it make sense to buy? Answer please. which one has better bokeh, and indeed which one is better ???
Both of them are good under certain conditions (the presence of an adapter + infinity). I think you shouldn't bother - one is enough. Bokeh competition is silly. The perception of bokeh can be different - one likes it, the other does not.
Thank you very much, yes, the adapter will be soon :)
I’m glad to help, only if you are not in the know, without a lens on the adapter, the focus will be at a distance of 1.5-2.0 meters. And with the lens, the quality is slightly lost. The best option is HELIOS 81N. It has a Nikon mount.
Please tell me where can I find the adapter for Helios 44 on the Nikon 3100?
The difference between 44 and 44m4 in thread diameter. 44-39mm, 44m4-42mm. For 44, two adapters are needed: 39-42, and 42-N (under Nikon) is wound on top, by the way under any Nikon. At AUCRO there are such, and even 39-N.
Specifically on Helios 44mm
(on Nikon)
Read my answer carefully.
Will this fit?
PIXCO NIKON / M42 ADAPTER (Pixco Photo Accessories)
Reference: 66555
PIXCO NIKON M42 ADAPTER is an adapter-adapter for attaching lenses with M42 thread to the NIKON camera mount. The M42 adapter has no pins, so aperture control is not available. The exposure should be set in manual mode. Macro rings can be used with the adapter. Metal, silver color.
suit
the diaphragm control of the Soviet M42 optics is manual, there is not even a jump rope
so it will work without it
the contacts and the chip are needed in order for the focus confirmation to work for the younger Nikon DSLRs (D3XXX, D5XXX)