Please note that there are many different versions of the lens named HELIOS-44-2 (or HELIOS-44-2). The lenses were produced in different bodies, at different factories and had many options even among the same version. You can find a general list of them in the section 'A Thousand and One Nights with HELIOS-44'.
As for this review, it shows a lens named HELIOS-44-2 2/58 and serial number 83052779 produced by the Jupiter Optical and Mechanical Plant, Valdai. Judging by the number, the lens was released in 1983. Different versions of HELIOS-44-2 lenses do not differ in principle. In general, HELIOS-44-2 is a common modification / revision of the previous version - HELIOS-44 2 / 58 (names are similar: 44 and 44-2, do not be confused).
Гелиос-44-2 (HELIOS-44-2 2/58)
HELIOS-44-2 2/58 looks like this:
HELIOS-44-2 2/58 has a ring presets aperture. With it, you can select one of the fixed values: F / 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. Unlike the preset ring, the aperture ring rotates smoothly and with it you can set any intermediate value. The smooth running of the aperture ring is useful when shooting video. The diaphragm consists of 8 petals that form a hole in the form of regular polyhedrons. Unfortunately, the diaphragm blades are poorly blackened.
The focus ring rotates 270 degrees (!), The progress of the ring is smooth. Manual focus is quite convenient. During focusing, the front lens does not rotate, only the frame rim lengthens. HELIOS-44-2 2/58 has a focus distance scale (only in meters) and a depth of field scale for F / 2, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16.
The lens uses simple chemical enlightenment and poorly tolerates side and back light. Also, HELIOS-44-2 2/58 does not have blackened chamfers of lenses, which can adversely affect the contrast of the final image.
Image quality and sample photos
In the center of the image, the lens is sharp enough even at F / 2.0. On covered diaphragms, the edges and corners of the image return to normal. HELIOS-44-2 2/58 is a little yellow. Like other lenses of the HELIOS-44 family, version 44-2 twists the background (legendary 'twisted bokeh' of helios). Such a lens can be a great find for the amateur photographer :).
Source files can download from this link (26 photos in the '.ARW' format, 623 Mb). On camera Sony a7 I used HELIOS-44-2 2/58 with no problem adapter M42-NEX.
UPDATE 1
Examples of photos on Helios-44-2 2/58 and cameras Nikon D5100, D5300 photographer shared with readers of Radozhiva Vladlena Lapshina:
UPDATE 2
Examples of photos on Helios-44-2 2/58 and a camera Canon EOS 60D photographer shared with readers of Radozhiva Andreeva Elena:
UPDATE 3
Examples of photos on Helios-44-2 2/58 and cameras Canon EOS 60D / Canon EOS 5D Makr II a photographer shared with readers of Radozhiva Dmitry Gusalov:
UPDATE 4
Examples of photos on Helios-44-2 2/58 and cameras Nikon D5100 / Nikon D750 photographer shared with readers of Radozhiva Lilia Nemykina:
UPDATE 5
Examples of photos on Helios-44-2 2/58 and a Sony Alpha 7s II camera with readers of Radozhiva shared photographer Ksenia Orlova:
I have been using about 10 lenses HELIOS-44-2 2/58 different manufacturers, the specimens did not differ in any way from each other. For some reason it so happened that this review, which you are reading now, is the most popular of all reviews of the old Soviet optics. This is most likely due to the mass and availability of this lens at flea markets. If you come across a normal Helios-44-2, then it will not be any worse than other lenses in the HELIOS-44 line, which use simple (not 'MC') enlightenment.
Supplement: video review of such a lens - Helios-44 2/58 (KMZ, 8 petals, metal case)can see on my channel here.
Helios-44-2 2/58 (HELIOS-44-2 2/58). Lens shown on camera Sony a7. Attaching the lens to the camera using adapter M42-SONY E NEX.
How to use with modern cameras?
Lenses with mounting thread M42 (M42 X 1 / 45.5), such as the lens from this review, are very easy to use on almost any modern digital camera (both SLR and mirrorless), for this it is enough to choose the right adapter (adapter). You do not need to carry out any additional steps to modify the lens.
The cheapest adapters can be found at Aliexpress.com... There are adapters (adapters) with a chip that provide more convenience during shooting, usually chips are used to confirm focus and / or metering exposure, and form the correct EXIF. The chip does not affect the image quality in any way.
For some SLR cameras (for example, with the Nikon F-mount), you need to use adapters with a corrective lens, which allows you to focus correctly at all focusing distances. For any mirrorless cameras, such a lens is not needed, and the adapter is a simple decorated hollow metal tube with an appropriate mount.
For SLR cameras
- Canon: For cameras Canon EOS with bayonet mount EF / EF-S need an M42-Canon EOS adapter, such an adapter with a chip can be found herewithout chip here.
- NIKON: For cameras Nikon DX / FXas well as for cameras Fujifilm и Kodak with a Nikon F mount, you need an M42-Nikon F adapter, you can buy such an adapter without a lens and a chip here, with a lens without a chip herewith chip without lens here, with lens and chip here. Why a lens? Why chip?
- PENTAX: For Pentax cameras with K mount, you need an M42-Pentax K adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
- SONY/MINOLTA: For cameras with a Sony / Minolta A mount, you need the M42-Sony A adapter, you can find such an adapter without a chip at this linkwith a chip at this link.
- OLYMPUS/PANASONIC/LEICA: For cameras with a 4/3 bayonet mount (not to be confused with Micro 4/3!) You need an M42-4 / 3 adapter, you can buy such an adapter here.
For mirrorless cameras
- SONY: For cameras with 'E'/'FE' mount series SonyNEX и Sony Alpha you need an adapter M42-Sony E (aka M42-Sony Nex), you can find it at this link. An autofocus adapter is also available for these cameras. Techart PRO Leica M - Sony E Autofocus Adapterwhich can be found at this link.
- OLYMPUS / PANASONIC / KODAK / XIAOMI: For cameras with a bayonet mount Micro 4/3 (Micro 4:3) you need an adapter M42-Micro 4/3, you can find it at this link.
- CANON M: For cameras with Canon EF-M mount need adapter M42-Canon M, it can be found at this link.
- CANON R and RF-S: For cameras with Canon RF mount need adapter M42-Canon R, it can be found at this link.
- Nikon 1: For cameras Nikon 1 Series need adapter M42-Nikon 1, you can find it at this link.
- Nikon Z: For cameras Nikon Z series (FX/DX) need an adapter M42-Nikon Z, it can be found at this link.
- FUJIFILM X: For cameras with mount X need an M42-Fuji X adapter, you can find it at this link.
- FUJIFILM GFX: For medium format cameras G-mount need M42-Fuji GFX adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SAMSUNG: For cameras with NX mount, you need an M42-Samsung NX adapter, you can find it at this link. There are no adapters for the NX mini camera yet.
- PENTAX: For Q-mount cameras, you need an M42-Pentax Q adapter, you can find it at this link.
- SIGMA / PANASONIC / LEICA: For cameras with L mount you need an M42-Leica L adapter, you can find it at this link.
- LEICA: For cameras with a bayonet mount Leica M need adapter M42-L / M, you can find it at this link.
If you have any questions on compatibility and adapters - ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).
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.
Results
HELIOS-44-2 2/58 (aka Helios-44-2 2/58) - one of the most common lenses of the Helios-44 series. The mass production of such lenses did not benefit the image quality. The lens can and should be used for any creative ideas. On cropped cameras, it can serve good portrait lens.
Share the review on social networks. If you have any questions about the lens or about compatibility and adapters, ask in the comments (comments do not require any registration at all).
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
Please tell me I want to buy a Helios lens somewhere
because the photos on it are very good, is it suitable for canon 600 D ??
Yes, it fits with the M42-Canon EOS adapter, in more detail in the old Canon lenses section.
Where can I buy such a lens?
Helios 44-2 Russian lens
really needed
i have can sell
Hello. Tomorrow I get Helios 44m to the eos 600d camera. Can you please tell me to take the adapter simply with a dandelion or is it better to program a dandelion?
Better programmable.
Thank you
Hello everyone. I have Helios 44-2. I fight for infinity as follows. I twisted it into two halves (I couldn’t do it with my hands, I had to carefully use a vise and a gas key), I sharpened an adjustment ring with 2 mm on a sharpener. to somewhere around 0,8. He began to focus up to 4 meters. Now I’m going to take the file and grind the pad under the lens thread to drown it in the adapter. I tried the idea of twisting the rear lens. The indicator seems to show focus on endless., But the pictures are blurry. The shutter mirror should not hurt. Checked by unscrewing the frame of the rear lens by 1,5 mm.
The device is Nikon D3100.
By the way, there is an adapter with a lens. And although the lens rests on the lens barrel, infinity is still there, since it comes earlier (somewhere at 6 meters on the focus scale).
Hello. I would like to share my experience of using the Helios 44-2 lens with M42 thread on the Sony a37 camera. I use the adapter M42 - Sony AF, focusing at infinity works great, exposure metering works and you can take pictures not only in M mode, but also in everyone's favorite A or in any other mode (taking into account the lack of autofocus). It is also worth noting that there is no confirmation of focus with manual focusing, which can be partially compensated by a focusing magnifier and highlighting the contours of the object in focus (color and intensity are set in the menu). Also, in the menu, you need to give the go-ahead to release the shutter without a lens.
Good afternoon !!! Help who can !!!! I need a fastening scheme for the jumping rope on Helios 44m-4 !!! I decided to clean it myself ((((((it didn’t work out ((((((((
Arkady, good afternoon! Help, pliz, figure out the adapters! Found in the online store "Adapter ring M42 - Nikon (with lens) HQ" http://strobist.ua/adaptery/m42-nikon-hq.html
And I can't decide whether it's worth taking it for the sake of a multi-coated lens and why is this adapter better than the one with an ordinary lens? Or is it better to buy without a lens at all and sacrifice infinity ... What I would not want to lose is the quality of the picture.
And one more question: if I do take an adapter with a lens, will the lenses of the objective and the adapter be in contact, because if they rub against each other, the lens can be damaged ... or am I mistaken?
In stock Nikon D5100, Helios 44-2 and Jupiter 37A.
Thank you in advance for your reply!
It is better for the money spent on the adapter with a lens to take it to the workshop, so that it is remade to infinity on Nikon.
But do not tell the proven workshop in Kiev?
Call Sasha from the manual optics section, he will tell you, maybe he will remake himself.
Arkady, thanks for the answer and for your site!
First of all, Arkady, thank you for the review and in general for all your work, I regularly read this blog!
And, secondly, I wanted to ask Olga if she found a workshop?
If possible, send an answer to vadimavadim@ukr.net.
Good day! Tell the teapot, it’s possible to mount a Hanimex Pentax K lens on a Nikon carcass (F). Thank you
Multiply, but there will be no infinity, or the lens of the adapter will distort the image.
Thanks Arkady! Do not tell me which adapter is needed for this. Thanks. You learn a lot from your tips and reviews.
Adapter pentax K - Nikon F
Thanks. Only until now (3 weeks) have not been found anywhere. Good luck
Doctor, my lens, when focusing to infinity, the lens unit rests on the adapter (Betwix with lens) - as a result, 5-6 meters maximum. Is this normal for this brand of lens or should I cut it? There is no such problem on the Helios-44M-4. Thanks in advance!
I am not a doctor, but that’s normal.
Please tell me, is it possible to connect this lens to Sony a290L and what is needed for this?
Thank you
M42-Sonya Alpha adapter
Good day! I have a Canon EOS 650 d camera, for example, be a weasel, why do we need to use Helios-44-2 58mm F2.0 and what adapter is needed?
Suitable, you need an M42-Canon EOS adapter.
Dyakuyu much more for the opinion and for the cicavian look at the asset !!!
Dear Arkady! Please clarify for dummies (= me): there is a Helios 44-2, I'm shooting from Zenit-ET, there will be a Nikon D90 carcass in a couple of days, is an adapter needed? If so, which one (size, lens - if needed)? Thank you very much!
Yes, an adapter is needed, M42-Nikon with a lens, if you take the M42-Nikon without a lens, then the ability to focus on infinity will disappear.
Thank you very much! Arkady, please tell me, I read that it is possible in the workshop to “adjust” the native thread to fit Nikon, so that the picture quality does not suffer. With my Helios, is it real, or still not to suffer and put an adapter with a lens?
Really. An adapter will be needed anyway.
Thank you very much, dear Arkady!
It turns out a huge savings on the lens: you don't have to buy a Nikkorov fifty kopeck piece :). The new TV set will be delivered along with the new carcass, so for the first time the set is complete. I never thought that my old “Zenith” would still serve :).
You have an incredibly informative blog! I learned a lot! THANKS!!!
Finally, today we brought the Nikon d90 carcass. I put my Helios on it. Everything started, but the built-in flash does not work with this lens. I lift it up with the button and the camera refuses to work: the green flash symbol flashes in the viewfinder, but it does not take either focusing or the actual picture. Perhaps I finished something in the camera itself - I don't know. So far there is no other modern lens to eliminate the problem with the flash itself.
In the camera menu, you need to set the flash to M mode and everything will work.
Thank you so much! Already figured it out :). And at first I was scared: that's it, the camera is not working! :) :) :) But no, brains and little knobs are crooked, and the camera is super! And you know, I remembered this purely "Helios" haze ... Excellent pictures, I'll get out into the street tomorrow :). Thanks again, Arkady! :)
Hello. I, Nikon D3100, have Helios 44-2 in very good (in my opinion) condition. Unfortunately, in the city of Tver, it is not possible to find a master who can take up the installation of the lens on the camera so that there is infinity. I am afraid to do this work on my own, I'm sorry to spoil a good thing. Please tell me how to do this? ie where and to whom can I turn? Thanks.
Hello, what kind of adapter do you need for a Nikon D3100 camera?
Need an adapter M42-Nikon or M42-Nikon with a correction lens or KP-42 \ N or KP-42 \ N with a correction lens.
There is a Canon EF 1: 1,8 50mm lens and a Canon 40d lens, in the friend’s garage I found Helios-44-2, he gave it to me whether it’s worth bothering with buying an adapter for Canon or shooting further at a fifty-fifty.
You wrote about the need to block the jumping aperture, but all of these lenses have a manual mode, you just need to switch (position M) and that's it.
Not at all.
I have a whole set of M42 lenses, they work without problems on the canon, focus confirmation does not happen in most cases, but it doesn’t interfere, you need to look visually. Helios 44-2, a regular Zenith lens, was considered weak in the Soviet years, a familiar photographer said they only portraits to shoot, but you do it. I shot them at Zenith, landscapes are mostly poor quality, field sharpness is weak, contrast is also similar. Helios-44m is much better, sharper and more contrast. Somewhat surprised your assessment is good, obviously this is due to kind of shooting, for landscapes, he is clearly not the best.