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
In general, your site is excellent, very interesting, I myself shoot with Soviet lenses, I wrote above, branded ones are painfully expensive ...
Arkady, good afternoon! I never said .. but I will tell you with great pleasure .. you and your whole team are just SMART !!! The site is great in every sense .. sorry that only you have it .. what questions have arisen .. .. looking .. googling .. yandeks .. everything .. everywhere blablabla ... but the essence is not .. and all puffed up .. and they are measured by no one knows what ..
You were the last hope for me (to be honest, I didn’t expect an answer) - and apparently in vain !! IT IS NECESSARY TO TRUST PEOPLE ANYWHERE !! Arkady is very grateful for the answer regarding the lens Nikon AF 1.8 50mm !! Thank you !! Thank you !! Thank you !! !
And now, I became the proud owner of 2 different lenses:
one Helios 44-2 2/58-with whom I could not understand why there is no sharpness to infinity .. THANKS FOR DETAILED STORY !! Now the ignoramus knows !!
and the second lens Carl Zeiss Jena FLEKTOGON 2.8 / 35 - and immediately to the question (sorry again in the wrong topic) the question is this - how to fix the holder of the diaphragm-adapter M42 .. !!
It stands up perfectly (body Nikon D3100) I liked the lens very “tasty” right away, but damn it, without the work of the diaphragm-stop (stopper), the magnifying glass ... only on fences- “I was here”
burn out !!
If it does not bother you, tell me please !!!
I would really appreciate it !!
Thank you in advance !!! With great respect to you! Oleg
I don’t have a team, all the articles and resource support are on me, so do not forget about helping the project.
The diaphragm pusher can be sealed with super glue, or, plugged with a toothpick and break off the latter. You can still disassemble the lens, but it is difficult. I did as shown in the review https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/01/obzor-arsat-80-200-granit-11/
Dear Arkady. I have a Helios-44-2 2/58 lens. It is shot from a Soviet CCTV camera. His aperture at 2 is extremely closed, and at 16 is open. That is, the opposite is true. What needs to be done (redone) for the diaphragm to work as expected ???
Most likely everything is right there, you just need to understand the principle of work.
Arkady, I have the same problem. Could you help us sort it out? Apparently the principle of working another with him? Could you advise where to read about his principle of work? Thank you in advance.
All manual lenses have the same operating principle, you can read here https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/04/optika-na-nikon/
It is not extremely open. This is the position for focusing. Those. Aperture preset is set, say 5,6. In this case, the figure 5,6 is in the middle and the red dot is also opposite 5,6. In this case, the diaphragm is fully open for pointing to sharpness. After aiming, rotate the ring all the way to the right and remove. In fact, this is such a replacement for a jumping rope.
I have another question - I hold a 44-2 in my hands and see that when aiming at infinity, the rear part of the lens unit strongly moves back. In this regard, the question is - how in practice, does the mirror catch? Primarily on the 5d mark II camera. And that is scary :) The Internet is contradictory in this matter - someone says that it clings, someone that does not, someone only has it from 10 meters, and someone already clings almost from 4 meters ...
Another question from the teapot:
in fully manual mode, changing the aperture value is not available through the camera menu only if the ring is manually twisted. So it should be or not?
Sometimes you also get “dirty” bokeh, ie. on the rounds themselves there are dots or on the edge of the circles in all directions to diverge "cobweb" - is this normal? Is the glass dirty or scratched?
This is how it should be, for more details on how to manage the old lens, see here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/04/optika-na-nikon/
Many thanks! Figured out)
Hello! acquired canon EOS 1000D I want to put a lens helios-44M 2 \ 58. It remains to buy the adapter M42-Canon EOS ??? Am I right in the brand of adapter? Alexander
22.10.2012/20/15 at XNUMX:XNUMX Reply
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?
Arkady Shapoval
22.10.2012/20/21 at XNUMX:XNUMX Reply
Better programmable. what kind of dandelion ???? and what dandelion should I take ????
Everything is described here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/10/canon-super-perfom/
??? I was interested in the brand of adapter for helius
There is a Canon EF 1: 1,8 50mm lens and a Canon 40d lens, in a friend’s garage I found Helios-44-2 in very good condition, he gave it to me whether it’s worth bothering with buying an adapter for Canon or shooting further at a fifty-fifty.
Whether it is worth it or not is up to you. There are some examples of photos in the review, you can navigate by them.
Helios 44,2 fits Nikon D3100. Do you need an adapter?)
Does not fit, you need an adapter.
They offer a choice of lenses "Helios-44M 2/58" and "Helios 44-2 2/58". I want Canon 50d. Which one to prefer?
One that is better preserved.
Arkady, good night)
Your opinion is very interesting!)
I shoot with Nikon 3100 and am just madly in love with the picture from my Helios ...
But now I really want to buy a budget lens with a "wider angle", but I am very afraid to lose in aperture, sharpness and in general in the picture ...
Let this lens be completely manual or from Soviet times - nothing scares ... Only the price is scary ...
Tell me, please, some inexpensive lens that will adequately transmit what I see)))
R.S I am a student and I have an art education, so I do not like the bokeh from helios, and I would very much like the “wider” lens to have the same (or similar) bokeh)))
Thanks a lot in advance!
I will wait for an answer)
Wide-angle do not give normal bokeh.
I understand
let there be no such bokeh, but which lens is better?
http://igortsaplin.ru/images/blog/Baden_wedding/wed0573.jpg
What can give something like this?
Hello everyone) I bought the D40, I immediately had the idea to stick to it a helios 44-2 lying around. I read about adapters, about the lack of infinity, etc., I decided to do it myself. in the end, it cost me half a day of work, a little detail from Zenit and not a penny of money :) if anyone is interested, I can share my experience.
Of course it’s interesting, share your experience.
Tell me too!
Elementary. ) Unscrewed the lens, replaced the adjusting ring - with a thin one from a tin can, and everything works
Arkady, tell me where to send the photo?
Send links to photos in the comments.
Good day. I have such a question. it is possible to purchase Helios 44-2 and Jupiter-9 at a low cost. You need to choose one of them. which lens do you think is better.
Jupiter-9 will be more interesting.
I'll try, I already took the adapter with the lens, it remains only to understand all the digits and dashes on the lens.
forgot to subscribe
good evening
also nutrition: a kind of adapter for Nikon D90 schob prikrpiti Helios 44-2
so I read scho there shche bіrzha with adapter potіbna, Lіza kupuєutsya with adapter chi okremo?
the dog is a long one !!
There are two types of adapters - with and without a lens, for more details here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2011/04/optika-na-nikon/
Good day. He became the owner of Helios 44-2 (for 70 UAH along with Zenith). I want to try myself in the manual. There are a couple of enlightenment scratches on the back lens, is this critical? The adapter has not yet taken.
I also want to buy M42 macro rings for him. But tormented by the thought, will I be able to screw M39 optics onto these rings in the future? Or will you have to buy another set of macro rings for the M39?
The diaphragm pressure device can be locked, you write - I followed the link, but did not find a description. If not burdensome, repeat the description. Thank you in advance
I will clarify: Helios 44M-4 lens
I am faced with a choice, which is better to take - Helios 44-2 or Helios 44m? I photograph with Nikon 5100. Advise
I have Helios 44-2 and 44m-4, I use it with the same camera, with the first lens it is easier - after focusing (of course, manually), you need to turn the aperture presetting ring clockwise until it stops. The fact is that you can focus with a fully open aperture, and then close it to a predetermined value. It is quite convenient. The 44m-4 has a lever (on my copy) that does not interfere with installing the adapter (I use an adapter with a lens), but interferes with reducing the aperture opening, allowing it to work decently only at the maximum aperture, that is, in a very small range of depth of field. So I ask myself how it is better to block this lever
Good day! I have a question .. When shooting outdoors on a sunny day, the photos are very light, overexposed…. I tried various settings, the picture changes, but not drastically ... what to do? what is the reason? I heard that this lens is sensitive to light, what solution would you recommend ?? thanks!
The simplest solution is to close the diaphragm.
Where did the Leo go with the story and photographs for reworking to infinity? would like to watch …
Hello, I have a Sony NEX-C3. I want to buy Helios 44-2 for it .. Tell me, please, what kind of adapter is needed for it? Thank you in advance.
I have been using this lens recently. An adapter for Nikon without a lens ... Does this mean that portraits are only possible up to the chest? It turns out that his shooting capabilities are limited? I go further - does not focus on the object, everything is blurry .. or I did not understand the essence of handling it? Thanks!!
Yes, read above. What is needed is not just an adapter, but an adapter with a built-in lens. Then there will be a focus (including infinity)
but there is an opinion that the lens in the adapter spoils the picture quality ...
Hello! I have a canon 650d set the Helios-44-2 lens with a programmable dandelion does not work) Tell me, please, what can be? Thanks in advance.
Tell me, please, which lens is better to put on the Nikon D3100, as a portrait portrait, Mir-1, Helios 44-m6, Helios 44-m5, Helios 44-2?
I think Helios 44-m6 would be the best option.
Thank you very much) and if you put an adapter with a lens, then infinity will not be lost?
Tell me, please, if you still take an adapter with a lens, will the image quality deteriorate greatly or is it not so noticeable?
On this occasion, described in detail here. https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/02/adapter-m42-nikon-with-lens-quality/ on the example of the same lens.
Hi, I want to put Helios 44-2 on the canon 650d. but it seems that I heard that only original Lushnikov dandelions will work? Are Chinese adapters bad?
Hi! I got an adapter with a lens, put my Helios 44-2 on d3100, with an increase in the monitor, the difference compared to the whale lens is noticeable! We knew how to do it, about 15 years to my ZENITH ..