Review Helios 44-3 2/58 MS

This review presents a rather rare version of Helios-44-3 2/58 MS from the Helios-44-X series of lenses.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58. Lens shown on a film camera Nikon EL-2 installed using a conventional adapter M42-Nikon F

In short

MC Helios 44-3 2/58 is one of the best lenses among all versions of 'Helios-44' with manual aperture setting. This is the only lens in this series with multi-coated optics.

In general, it looks like very common options Helios-44-2 2/58 (HELIOS-44-2 2/58).

The general list of HELIOS-44 lenses can be found in the 'A Thousand and One Nights with HELIOS-44'.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

The main technical characteristics of Helios 44-3 2/58:

The name of the instance from the review (as it is written on the lens itself) Helios 44-3 2/58 MS with the VOMZ logo; two lenses participated in the review: 8619437 and 9167912
Basic properties
  • M42x1 / 45.5 - common 'M42' seating thread.
  • manual focus only
  • aperture control ring
  • diaphragm preset ring
  • MS - multi-layer optical coating.
  • lens suitable for full-frame cameras
  • metal case
Front Filter Diameter 52 mm
Focal length 58 m
Zoom ratio 1 x
Designed by for film cameras with a frame size of 36 mm X 24 mm
Number of aperture blades 8 rounded petals. Petals form an octagon of approximately regular shape.
Tags
  • focusing distance only in meters
  • depth of field scale for values ​​F / 2, 4, 5.6 (dash only), 8, 11 (dash only), 16
  • arrow on aperture ring
  • aperture values ​​F / 2, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16
Diaphragm From F / 2 to F / 16.0, it is regulated by a diaphragm ring, there is a diaphragm preset ring. The aperture can be adjusted smoothly, without clicks.
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.5 m
The weight 250 g
Optical design 6 elements in 4 groups
Lens hood screwed into the front filter, marking of the original hood not found.
Manufacturer country USSR, made at the Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant
Instructions My scan
Period Around 1983 (?) To 1995 (?)

MC Helios 44-3 2/58 is well built, but from the obvious shortcomings I can note the following:

  • the chamfers of the lenses are not blacked out, which adversely affects the contrast of the image
  • aperture blades are not blackened, which adversely affects image contrast on covered apertures
  • micro-play of the aperture setting ring, but this does not affect the performance or usability of the lens
  • the lens hood is screwed into the thread of the front light filter, and is not installed in the bayonet grooves, as in modern lenses. Although, for that time, I do not know any similar lens with a bayonet type hood
  • focus ring design poorly compatible with adapters. This trouble will be described in detail below and it relates more to adapters / adapters than to lens flaws
  • at F / 4-F / 16 values, the aperture blades form an insufficiently round hole
  • For Soviet lenses, a characteristic feature is the presence of a focus distance scale only in meters (metric system). Some Western users may complain about this.
  • the focus ring is too close to the mount, it is not always convenient to work, especially when used on some modern cameras, for example, equipped with a battery grip
MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

The focus ring is metal, not rubberized, rotates approximately 270 degrees, the stroke of the ring is smooth. During focusing, the front retractable body does not rotate. Focusing occurs by moving the entire lens block.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58 has a ring presets diaphragm. It allows you to select one of the fixed values: F / 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. Unlike the preset ring, the aperture setting ring rotates smoothly and can be used to set any intermediate value. The smooth movement of the aperture ring is useful when shooting video. The diaphragm consists of 8 blades that form a hole in the form of regular octahedrons.

Helios 44-3 2/58 MS has an unusual for the Helios-44 series lenses red-yellow marking of the aperture and focusing distance.

The difference between the lenses of the Helios-44-X series and the Helios-44 seriesМ-X is that versions without letter 'М'in the name of the lens do not have a jumping ('Мaperture), therefore, the diaphragm on such a lens works only in manual mode. Such lenses are more convenient to use on modern digital cameras (there is no need to block the mechanism of the aperture jumping device for manual control). Lenses with an 'M' in their name, such as HELIOS-44M 2/58, have a jumping (blinking) diaphragm mechanism and do not have a manual diaphragm control mode (the diaphragm is always open until the diaphragm pin on the bayonet side is pressed).

MS Helios-44-3 is interesting in that it has multi-illuminated optics, as indicated by the letters MS in the name of the lens (МultiproСbranching). MS versions are rare, and usually these are Helios-44 lensesМ-X, not Helios-44-X series.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

Difficulty using with adapters

MC Helios-44-3 2/58 has one very characteristic and unpleasant feature. When using the adapter, which is screwed onto the native thread of the M42, it rests against the focusing ring and locks it (the focusing ring cannot be rotated). There will be serious focusing problems with any 'M42-desired mount' adapter. I only observe this design of the focusing ring on MC Helios 44-3 2/58. To treat this ailment, either cut the back of the focusing ring a little or use a homemade thin spacer between the focusing ring and adapter.

It's important: all lenses manufactured before 1991 suffer from this ailment. After 1991, the lens was finalized and its use with adapters / adapters does not cause any problems.

Important: Helios-44-3 MS 2/58 using a conventional adapter M42-Canon EOS can catch a mirror full-frame Canon EOS cameras. So MC Helios-44-3 2/58 clings to the mirror of my Canon EOS 5D camera during focusing from infinity to 6 meters. FROM cropped Canon EOS camerasas well as mirrorless cameras Canon M, Canon r there will be no problems.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

Image quality

Due to the use of multi-brightening, the color rendition of Helios-44-3 2/58 is better than some other lenses of the Helios-44 family, which can spoil the color rendition with a parasitic greenish or yellowish tint. Also, Helios-44-3 2/58 MC behaves a little better in back and side light and generally creates a more contrasting image than it can be assembled without multi-enlightenment. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the chamfers of the lenses are not blackened, and the aperture blades are also not blackened, excessive re-reflection can reduce the image contrast, especially in the same backlight and side light. In real shooting conditions, sometimes you have to add contrast to the pictures.

The lens is sharp enough in the center of the frame already at F / 2.0. There is a noticeable drop in resolution to the edges and corners of the frame. Covering the aperture by 1-2 steps of the edge and the corners of the image are slightly aligned.

Many users love Helios lenses for the optical design of the Biotar / Biotar type with 6 elements in 4 groups, which in some cases creates a pleasant looking picture. The main feature of all Helios-44 lenses is the special nature of the out-of-focus zone - twisted bokeh... From a technical point of view, this feature is an optical flaw, namely, geometric vignetting, but from an artistic point of view it can act as an additional technique to create a pleasant picture.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

Sample Photos

Photos on Nikon D40 without processing, JPEG L Basic. On Nikon cameras, I used the lens with a regular adapter M42-Nikon F.

Photos on Canon EOS 5D converted using Canon Digital Photo Pprofessional 4 (Canon DPP) with minor adjustments. On Canon EOS cameras, I used the lens with a regular adapter M42-Canon EOS.

Original photos on Canon EOS 5D can be download from this link... Several photos can be found more here.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58. On a Canon EOS 5D full frame DSLR I used this lens with a simple adapter M42-Canon EOS

My experience

Of all the tried and tested lenses of the Helios-44 family, this Helios-44-3 MS 2/58 has personally sunk into me the most. I had several copies that I used in different years of my photo practice, all of them were good. Even problems with the use of adapters could not prevent sympathy for the Helios-44-3 MS 2/58. At the same time, for many years I tried a whole bucket of Helios-44-2 (about 10 different copies, different plants, different years of production) and not one of them stuck with me.

Personally, I believe that the Helios-44-3 2/58 is the best lens in the Helios-44 line without a blinking aperture. This is my personal opinion, it may not coincide with the opinion of other users. If in Helios-44-3 2/58 there were 13 petals, as in earlier versions of Helios-44, then he would not have a price.

Typically, Helios-44-3 2/58 MS is significantly more expensive than Helios 44-2 2/58. Despite his love for Helios-44-3 MS 2/58, they are not chasing after him. You can safely get acquainted with Soviet optics starting with Helios-44-2 2/58.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

Reviews for the Helios-44 2/58 lenses:

  1. Helios-44 2/58 [KMZ, 13 petals, M39, silver, No. 0220423]
  2. Helios-44 2/58 [KMZ, 8 petals, M39, silver]
  3. Helios-44 1: 2 F = 5,8 cm П [KMZ with replaced lenses, No. 0007220, review of the lens from the reader Radozhiva]
  4. HELIOS-44M 2/58 [KMZ, 8 petals, serial number 7843528]
  5. HELIOS-44M 2/58 [Jupiter plant, Valdai, 8 petals, serial number 8027170]
  6. HELIOS-44-2 2/58 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 8 petals, serial number 83052779] + autofocus review
  7. MS Helios 44-3 2/58 [MMZ, 8 petals, 8619437, 9167912]
  8. MC Helios-44M-4 2/58
  9. Helios-44K-4 58mm 1:2 [KMZ, 6 petals, Pentax K]
  10. MC Helios-44M-4 58mm 1: 2 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 6 petals] + autofocus review
  11. MC Helios-44M-5 58mm 1: 2 [Jupiter plant, Valdai, 6 petals]
  12. MC Helios-44M-6 58mm 1: 2 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 6 petals]
  13. MC Helios-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 [plant 'Jupiter', Valdai, 6 petals]
  14. An article about most of the major modifications of the Helios-44 series
  15. Gallery of pictures on MC Helios-44M-4
  16. Look at modern the lenses 'Helios' can at this link
  17. A lot of Helios of all varieties can be found on ebay this link

Original 'Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2/58 ':

  1. Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 1: 2 f = 5,8cm T [17 diaphragm blades, M42]
  2. Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2 / 58 T [12 diaphragm blades, M42]
  3. 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.

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58

MS Helios 44-3 2/58. Lens shown on a film camera Nikon EL-2 mounted using a conventional adapter M42-Nikon F

Conclusions

MC Helios 44-3 2/58 is a good standard (in terms of focal length) fast lens. Some units are difficult to use on modern digital cameras due to the unusual design of the focusing ring, which complicates the use of adapters. Many amateur photographers use lenses of the Helios-44 family for a very wide range of photographic tasks, but they are mainly bought for creative photography, and in particular for creating a twisted bokeh effect.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 226, on the topic: Overview of Helios 44-3 2/58

  • anonym

    pretty rare? so 44-3 MC without “MC” was not done at all.

  • Alexey

    MS doesn’t mean “Multi-Clarification”, but “Multi-Layer Enlightenment”.

  • Eugene

    welcome all! I got Helios-44-3M MS, of the same factory as 44-3 ms. number 930610.
    there is almost no information on "M", except on flea markets in the form of advertisements for sale, nothing came across. do you have something on this lens?

    • Vladimir

      rare lens! Best of 44x. and by the look of another, even the thread under the hood is 34,5 sort of. And the price is 3 times more expensive

      • Leonid

        Such lenses were used in Standby cameras in combination with a remote-controlled Seagull camera.

  • anonym

    Multi Coating (MS)
    multilayer insulating coating

  • serega

    Helios 44-3 does not focus quite sharply on the Nikon D90 with the adapter ring-lens. What's the matter? Everything is normal with the G-44-2.

  • Alexey

    Today I bought such a lens of the 92nd century. I am delighted with him. The focuser does not rest against the adapter, there is a gap of approx. in 1 mm. It is believed that lenses released after 1991 lack such a problem.

  • anonym

    “… Multi-coating, as indicated by the letters MC in the lens name (Multi-Coating).”
    MS indicates Multi-Layer Enlightenment, i.e. MultiCoated

  • anonym

    Please tell me how to put the Helios 44-3 lens on the Nikon D5100. What kind of adapters are needed? Thank you in advance!

    • anonym

      there is a special adapter (ring) q me DICOM M42-NIK

  • Daniel

    My 92nd copy does not suffer from the problem you described: "When using an adapter, the adapter that is screwed onto the native thread of the M42 lens rests against the focusing ring and locks it."
    Through the adapter for alpha, it became like a native and the gap is still visible to the focus ring. In general, a very good portraiture. In my opinion one of the best 44 helios.

    • Istvan

      The problem is the following: there were two types of these lenses in production (see photo)

      It is easy to solve the problem: you need to unscrew the crimson bolts on the sharpness ring, remove the ring and remove a thin layer from the ring on abrasive paper.

      Istvan
      Hungary

      • Istvan

        After grinding

        • Den

          I have a Helios 44-3 MC of the 91st year from MMZ and don’t cling to it. I put an ordinary Nikon adapter without a lens on it and the focus ring does not rest, it moves freely and smoothly. In general, the lens is assembled very high quality, it is nice to hold in your hands.

      • Rustam Zagromov

        To grind a lot at a sample of 1986. And what to do if the back lenticular block rests against the adapter lens?

  • anonym

    Will it fit on the Canon 1100D on the Kit 18-55 IS II?

  • Ivan

    I use it on the Pentax with an adapter, but it did not correspond to the flange distance of 45,5 mm. when the adapter was screwed on, the flange distance increased. The problem was solved by cutting off 1 mm of metal at the focusing ring. Then I connected the adapter tightly, the flange began to correspond, tk. for the “K” mount and for the “M42” thread it is 45,5 mm. It began to focus both on infinity and in general it shows better focusing than before the artisanal modernization. I think that this is why he and Helios with an aperture of F2.0, so that you can shoot only at an open aperture. For me, the best alternative I use is Pentax - M 50mm series. F1,7, but a significant difference in color rendering due to enlightenment (Pentax's fifty-kopeck piece has warm yellowish colors, Helios has colder colors)

    • Evgenij

      on the pentax you need to use a metal-color adapter, not black. Then the problem will not be like that. http://olx.ua/list/user/Bewr/

  • anonym

    In Belarus, we have a craftsman who puts a Helios 44-3 or 44-2 lens into a whale Nikon 18-55, which makes an excellent autofocus lens for Nikon non-motorized cameras. True diaphragm is only manual. and so super.
    If I give my two lenses for alteration, then I will post the alteration photo.

  • Vyacheslav

    I also want to add an adapter, which is screwed onto the native thread of the M42 lens, rests on the focus ring and blocks it, only in lenses made before 1991, after 1991, the adapter does not rest on the focus ring.

  • Evgenij

    m42-nikon adapter (or canon) can be bought here http://olx.ua/list/user/Bewr/

  • Den

    Gentlemen, the owners of such a Helios 44-3, tell me this question. On my Helios, the diaphragm ring (which is in the middle) moves very freely. It turns out that by setting an aperture of f 5,6 or f 4 on the front ring, this ring “rides off” if you shake the camera a little (normal workflow) - as a result, the aperture opens more. That is how it should be? Or can it be squeezed somehow? How are you?

    • Evgenij

      Yes, such a design feature.

  • Nika

    Tell me, please, if the lens, along with the 1991 camera, is completely new, lying all this time in the box, does this mean that everything is in order with it. I want to buy, but I can’t hold it in my hands. Thanks in advance for your reply!

    • KalekseyG

      Well, if the seller is not lying, then everything should be in order, except for the lubricant - it could dry out. One can doubt the virginity of 1991 birth

      • Nika

        I got a completely new Zenith ET with this lens. In fact, I can’t try it yet, I’m waiting for the adapter from China, but the aperture blades are blackened, I suspect that there will be problems with focusing ..

  • Andrei

    Hello Arkady! Thank you for the informative articles! In my collection there is also such MC Helios 44-3. Somehow I haven't used it yet ... I bought a Chinese adapter with a Pixco for M42-Nik lens, the lens was no better than window glass, I had to throw it away. But without a lens, this adapter worked well for this lens, without overwriting the focusing ring. It’s understandable without aiming at infinity.

  • ñ

    Helios 44-2 mmz 86 year. Thanks to the Hungarian comrade for the tip-it really helped)

  • a lion

    Helios 44-3 stood on my Zenith, bought an adapter with a chip, removed the focusing ring, removed very simply - three screws, worked for half an hour, grinded it on sandpaper and that's it. I am very pleased with the lens, I use it with Canon EOS 550D. in aperture priority mode ... the images are sharp and high quality. Although there is no autofocus and the aperture has to be set manually, the native kit lens EF-S 18-55mmf / 3,5-5,6IS is not desirable.

  • Andrey Vyunenko

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go3LZP65Xtw&index=5&list=FLRpRoan8eWuZj761HJECpIg
    -I bought this one, ready for use on Nikon. here is the link to the album -https: //www.facebook.com/media/set/? set = a.1691037494302715.1073741865.100001894422240 & type = 1 & l = cd4d2d4f58

  • Sergei

    when you start taking a picture with each lens to the world. it's a good habit

    • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

      Here the site is more about art photography, not technical.

      • Sergei

        the eternal excuse ... it is useful for everyone to know about sharpness, both for an artist and a technician

  • Alexey Z

    the problem with installing the lens on the SONY F7RII was solved simply by putting 2 gaskets from a very thin cardboard, about 0,25 mm, between the lens and the adapter

  • Sergei

    very interesting lens, gorgeous bokeh, used on canon 1100d. 550d. the problem of focusing - the tight fit of the adapter and the focusing ring was solved elementarily - I put two rings of paper with a density of 200g / m2, infinity was absent, but there were 50 adjustment rings in the lens, removing one of them, everything appeared. soft colors, I also use zenitar 1 f7 / 44, but helios 3/XNUMX is more interesting for me personally. excellent portraitist.

    • Rustam Zagromov

      And what year is your lens, 1986?

  • Artyom

    They offer to buy Zenith ET with Helios 44-3, there is an MS marking on the lens. Outwardly, everything is beautiful, but the focus ring moves with noticeable effort. Tell me, is it worth taking and will it be better than mine 44-2?

    • KalekseyG

      Better worse will depend on the instance. But MC will certainly add contrast. And the fact that it walks tight is nonsense, a drop of oil will spin a finger

    • Rustam zagromov

      If you have access to a lathe or you are not too lazy to saw and work with emery - wellkids. Usually the multi-lumen of Helios-44-3 is slightly sharper than that of the second.
      The focus ring bluntly rests against the adapter, even if it rotates smoothly with you. From the side it looks like this: you rotate the focus ring by a centimeter, it abuts, slightly twist the lens out of the adapter, again it rests after half a centimeter, again twists a little. Or you can stamp the rings under the lens and fix the leash the very edge of the thread in the adapter.
      I tried to solve the problem by carefully inserting a piece of round cable from the computer’s power supply and putting it on the bottom of the adapter with the lens. Slightly improved the situation, but not by much. This thing often has problems with infinity, and you need to disassemble, pull out the adjustment rings, sort of.

  • Rustam Zagromov

    Hello friends! Think.
    Yes, on M42 adapters the focusing ring rests on and slows down the whole process ... But !!!
    If you have a similar artifact, I advise you to rearrange the front MS windows on Helios-44-2. You will be pleasantly surprised.
    Change the front lenticular block and the front lens using the distance between Helios44-3 between the lenses.

    • KalekseyG

      Generally not an option. From 1 and 2 do two times 1.5
      Remove the focus ring and grind this unfortunate millimeter from the back and everything will spin and rotate.

      • Rustam Zagromov

        There you have to shoot all 5 millimeters. Yes, and it’s easier in general to throw out the focus ring and screw in the lever lever. I’m talking about something else, that the lenses from the third are very appropriate on the second. My third one had a very sharp picture, the second one was too yellow. Now an excellent lens has turned out. And from the three I will do macro with the M42 nozzle and possibly with an external +2 or +4 52mm lens. Let's see esho)

      • Rustam Zagromov

        By the way, the rear lens block rests on the adapter with a compensation lens. It is not so simple to grind it. This is the second, you can vary the fit of the rear lens with an internal thread, and cut off an empty segment.

        • KalekseyG

          Then replace all the lenses, but I had about 1mm to grind

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Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2012/07/obzor-ms-gelios-44-3-2-58/comment-page-3/

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