For the opportunity HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 lens review Many thanks to Bohdan Moysyuk.
Overview of the MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2
Interesting, but I never met lenses 44m-5 (6,7) with the name written in Cyrillic - MS Helios-44m-5 (6, 7) 2/58, but saw only the names in Latin - MC Helios-44M-5 (6, 7) 2/58for example, such MC Helios-44M-7 58mm F2.0as in this review. If someone has information about the existence of lenses 44m-5, 44-m6,44m-7 with Cyrillic designation, please unsubscribe in the comments. The four latest versions of the MC Helios-44m-X series lenses, where X = 4, 5, 6, 7, come with the inscription 'Zenit' next to the name of the lens, and the logo of the optical-mechanical plant on Valdai.
As an exception, you can still find 'MC Helios 44M-4 2/58' (Valdai) without the Zenit inscription and without a dash between the name and number, or with the Latin script 'MC Helios 44m-4 2/58' (Krasnogorsk plant).
Lens MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 and its aperture. The diaphragm petals are metallic, which is embarrassing.
By the way, there is another interesting modification of class 2/58 lenses - this is a rare version Helios44-7 (not MS) from the Zenith-7 camera, it should not be confused with version 44m-7.
MC Helios-44m-7 2 58 - front view
Concerning MC Helios-44M-7 2/58 - that is the sharpest a copy among all lenses of the 'Helios' brand with the specification 2/58. Its resolution is 50 lines / mm in the center and 30 lines / mm at the edges of the image. Information on the resolution of Helios 2/58 you can see here. I do not recommend overpaying for the best option in the face of MC Helios-44m-7, since the real situation with the sharpness of the lens very much depends on its real state, because Soviet lenses pretty old. Personally, the 44m-7 lens that I had for this review seemed less sharp than the version Helios-44m-6 58mm F2.0 MS. You can read an interesting comparison of sharpness Carl Zeiss Planar 50 / 1.4 and Helios 44M-7 MS 58/2.
MC Helios-44m-7 2 58 - side view with MDF and focusing at infinity
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 Helios lenses with F2.0 58mm were built on the basis of the optical scheme of grandfather Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2/58. MC Helios-44M-7 2/58 - is a kind of flagship of the Helios-44m-X line. If I were asked what modification of the Helios-44 lens I kept for myself, then my choice would have stopped at one of the first Helios-44 lenses with a white body due to the fact that the first Helios-44 lenses had a 13-blade diaphragm and a diaphragm control ring ... You can read about the 13-petal white version for the m39 thread here.
MC Helios-44m-7 2 58 - serial number. My copy came to me for review in perfect condition.
Also, interesting conclusions about the Helios-44x-X line are written on the website of Sergei Elizarov here. By the way, there are rumors that the first white Helios-44 lenses were made from German glass, which was taken out of Germany after the end of the war. If you have information about this, please leave it in the comments on this review.
A characteristic highlight of the MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 is the twist of the bokeh. Many people like the 'twisted' bokeh, and MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 also has a nice 'pattern' in photographs, especially when used at open apertures.
Type of enlightenment of the lenses of the MC Helios 44m-7 2 58 lens
The lens has a smooth focusing, a metal focusing ring. When focusing, the front lens does not rotate, and the lens trunk extends by 1 cm. The focus ring rotates approximately 220 degrees. The minimum focusing distance is 50 cm. The aperture ring can be fixed at F2.0 to F16. The number of aperture blades is 6 pieces. With the number of diaphragm blades, their shape and blackening, 44m-7 disappointed.
The lens has a blinking aperture device. In order to MC Helios-44M-7 2/58 to obtain aperture control when used on digital cameras, you need to lock (clamp) the automatic aperture control lever. Lenses that have a blinking aperture are designated by the letter 'm', for example, 'Heli0s-44м'. Personally, I shot everything at F2.0.
View of the lens Helios 44m-7 2 58 on a digital camera
Sample photos from crop factor 1.6x (Canon APS-C), while EGF equals 93mm.
Photos without processing. Shot on Canon 350D, RAW, converted to JPEG with automatic levels.
Sample photos on APS
Photos without processing. Shot on Nikon D700.
In general, 58mm lenses cannot be called fifty dollars, because of the longer focal length they are stronger blur the backgroundthat can be used for creative ideas and highlight key elements in the photo.
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).
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.
Two lenses: MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 and Helios 44-2 2 58. Strong differences are seen in the frame of the case.
Conclusions:
MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 is an excellent sharp lens. On modern digital cameras MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 can serve as a good portrait lens, a lens for creative shooting. The lens gives an interesting 'twisted bokeh' effect.
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.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
For example, lenses with m-42 Helios 44 m 7 thread and Pentacon auto1,5 / 50mm MC, which one has a blinking aperture, and which one has a jumping?
Jumping is not quite the correct naming of a blinking diaphragm. It's just that the people say 'jumping' and 'jumping rope'.
Nice lens 44m-7. Compared with the 77m-4, both are quite sharp. 44m-7 seemed a little sharper, but not significantly, still allowing 50 against 45 lines in the center. In general, my copy pleased me.
hello .. help to complete the canon eos 1100d with a sovetsky portrait lens and telephoto lens please ... along with adapters, hoods, etc. and so on .. thanks in advance !!
you can throw here info ilyailyashevich @ gmail, com
As a rule, the name of the Latin alphabet is written in export versions
in Latin
question to Arkady: Arkady, please compare 2 lenses: MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 and MC Helios 81N 2/50. Which of these lenses would you choose? (they have different mounts, on the first thread, on the second baoynet). But despite these differences, which one did you like best in the picture? (sharpness, ductility, etc.). Thanks.
Hello, can you help? which is better Zenith 11 helios 44M-4 or Zenith 122 Helios 44M-7? Thanks !!!
Vladimir, or whoever is not lazy, throw off the "Vladimir" method to my mail sti-v@mail.ru with photos and explanations. You are welcome.
Arkady, hello, on the front lens of the helios 81 m sparkles are yellowish, all the glass is evenly covered with these sparkles. What is it, dead enlightenment or is it necessary? Because the picture does not spoil and does not seem to affect anything.
Tell me where? you can purchase an adapter, its characteristics, options from this 44m-7ms lens to the Canon 100D carcass, what should I look for?
I recently purchased this lens, before that I used its younger brother - 44-2.
I don’t know the correct terminology, so I’ll say as I understand it, with Helios 44-2, the focusing distance is much wider than with 44m-7. In addition, the 44m-7 requires alteration to be able to change the aperture using the aperture ring on the lens, however, I found a simple way to fix it. Who cares is the link:http://youtu.be/-qo3RQJuo0o
By the way, on my 44m-7 lens, 50 cm. This is the maximum focusing distance. Even a human face cannot be completely photographed. Suitable only for macro photography. I have not tried macro photography since I just purchased this device.
The lens is completely new, I bought it with a completely new Zenith 122. Why is such a strange focal length for me a mystery. No one has obviously redone the lens, such from birth. Maybe someone has the same focal length?
Hello everyone, there is such a problem on my helios. The photos on the laptop look with some kind of fog, when viewed on a TV, there is no special fog. There is an adapter with a lens at infinity, I sin on the lens on this adapter.
The second problem is with the diaphragm. It is tight, the hole can only open, closes only after shaking the lens. lubricated with oil for sewing machines, did not help.
Maybe you know the solution to this problem?
What did they lubricate? The diaphragm? It should be dry and clean, the oil will only hurt. In any case, the diaphragm with such a disease will need cleaning ..
All reviews indicate the possibility of a portrait. I would like the maximum portrait to be included in the test (in the sense of head. chest. waist that can). and photo to infinity. as some specimens adequately display for an artistic photo. thanks
Here is a crop from a vertical frame.
FujiXA1 camera, 1/1200 ISO200 aperture 2-2,4 (I do not remember exactly) the shooting distance is 3-4 meters, I shot myself, but it seems to be in focus.
I had about 30 Helios 44M - ... all sorts of different. So, I have not established any relationship between sharpness and lens markings. Everything from copy to copy. And he kept Helios-44-2 for himself. And as a sharper, and rounder aperture, and cheaper (the rest of Helios 44m_ ... sold to suckers), and even then gathering dust on the shelf.
I'll tell you a seditious thing. Of all the Helios-44, Helios-44-2 is the most sensible for the amateur photographer. The fact is that it can be disassembled in 0,5 seconds. I just turned the lens unit counterclockwise by the aperture ring and unrolled it. And if so, then the adjustment rings are in hand. That is, if the ring is millimeter or a little thicker, then boldly throwing it out, we immediately get a ready-made lens for any device, including Nikon. It is possible to run over infinity, so what? But no hassle. And in terms of quality - well, they are very much the same. Any of them starting from 5,6 makes KIT on this focal point. So don't waste your time. For manual aiming, the 44-2 has the lightest move and all the necessary amenities. And the jump rope of the subsequent episodes still does not work. Is it necessary? Nope.
And further. Look at how clean the lenses are. I had one Krasnogorsk M39 from the old whites that gave an interesting effect - at 11-16 the center began to turn white. Was dirty. But you can't see it by eye.
There is Helios 44-2, if it is so easy to understand, is it possible to reduce the focal length? I use canon on crop. If possible, how?
The question is, which Helik 44M-7 is better (sharper / better), old with 8 aperture blades, or new with 6?
There are no old ones. Sevens are only new, beginning of the 90s. The rest of the alteration of the first Helios, which would be more expensive to sell
I have only the following inscriptions on the lens: “HELIOS-44M”, “2/58”, and a picture that resembles a ray through a truncated prism. After 44M there are no numbers - is this some kind of zero lens? On the side is the serial number 8277033 (the lens is produced in '82 as Japanese), a little lower is the switch - A / M - does it switch the jumping aperture? And what is this?
I compared six different helios between them One of them was 1964, 13 petals. I put a tripod by the window and shot the same picture. Then in Photoshop I enlarged and looked for the difference in sharpness by color scheme, chromatic aberration. Differences in sharpness from one to the other scanty, The latest models of helios have a slightly better color gamut than helios of the 70-80s. Chromatic aberrations are worse than all helios of 1964.
Hello. Tell me, is there an early version of the M7, eight-petal and with a diaphragm lock?
I can’t say 100%, but it didn’t seem to be like that. There are fakes on sale. If the lock is a mode switching wheel like in Helios-44m, then most likely this is it (helios-44m) and the inscription is forged or the front decorative ring from the real G44m-7 is simply screwed in to sell at an expensive price.
Can I put the front lens with Helios 44M-6 on Helios 44 (8 petals, 39 threads)?
There are 2 Helios practically new HELIOS 44M and MC HELIOS 44M-4, Which one to choose and what is the difference between them?
The main difference is multi-coating (denoted by the letters MC).
How can one achieve this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBDtt8n0O5k did iris control work?
Helios 44 m 7 is the best of all Helios with an M-72 thread in terms of resolution better than G 44m 6, go to the KMZ website, there are all the optical and technical characteristics of the Helios line! My Helios 44 m7 has sharpness. How can I compare with m 6 and say that I don’t understand better.
very simple: if the new ones are only manufactured, it makes sense to blindly trust the tech. characteristics, and after so many years you need to look at each copy separately
Good afternoon, I also bother with a remake of the Helios 44M-7. Interested in the method of Vladimir, if anyone has information, please reset: stevanya@mail.ru