Review Helios-44 2/58 (8 petals)
Exist the largest number of lenses of the 'Helios-44' family. This review presents a Helios-44 2/58 lens with a white metal frame, 8 diaphragm blades and a M39 mounting thread. Manufactured at the Krasnogorsk plant, serial No. 0252188. This lens is almost the same Helios-44 2/58, the difference is only in the number of aperture blades.
Video review can be viewed at my youtube channel:
Everything described in the review about Helios-44 2/58 can be attributed to Helios-44 2/58 from this review. I did not describe anything in detail because of the similarity of the lenses.
Helios-44 on a modern camera
It is the 'Helios-44 2/58' lenses (without other letters in the name) that are found in white and black body frames, except for the frame color the lenses are no different. Lenses Helios-44 2/58 were produced in Krasnogorsk (KMZ) and in Minsk (MMZ), the manufacturer can be recognized by the logo. There are export versions of the lens with the name 'Helios-44 2/58' made in USSR, and there are also lenses with the letter 'P' in the name, and the name itself can be written as 'Helios-44 1: 2 F = 5,8cm P'.
Helios-44, one of the first
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.
Enlightenment of the front and rear lens Helios-44
Sample Photos
Photos without processing. Everything is filmed on Canon 350D using two adapters: M39-M42 + M42-Canon EOS.
Examples of photos on a full-format camera Nikon D700 (shot using two adapters: M39-M42 + M42-Nikon).
Examples of photos on a Sony a7R full-format camera (shot using as many as three adapters: M39-M42 + M42-Canon + Canon EF - Sony E ).
Here link to the archive with the originals - 738 MB, 21 photos in .ARW format (RAW)
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.
Helios-44 side view and aperture view
Interesting historical facts and thoughts about the history of Helios-44:
All G-44s, starting from the very first from KMZ and ending with the latest modifications, are made of the same grades of Lytkara optical glass without the use of STK (super heavy crowns). Another thing is that, probably, under Stalin and for some time under Khrushchev, glass was brewed more carefully than under Lelik (optical glass belongs to the defense industry!). At the beginning of perestroika, state acceptance was involved and the build quality of the optics became somewhat better.
The predecessor of the G-44 was the BTK-2/58 ("Biotar Krasnogorsk"), which was actually made in Krasnogorsk according to the German drawings of the Biotar from Shott glass. But G-44 was never made of it. The blanks of Schott's glasses were removed from Jena after the surrender of Germany together with German engineers and optical workers who taught ours in Krasnogorsk and Kiev at the Arsenal.
Valentin Kalenichenko.
If there is useful information about Helios, share it in the comments. You can also leave impressions about the lens there.
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
photos turned out super! I didn’t even think that my helios could produce such masterpieces .. it’s clear that the direct and significant roles of the photographer affect the quality of the image. but still .. unfortunately, Nikon does not focus on infinity .. now I think about buying a simple kenon))
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buy a dandelion if you want to keep the lens with you ...
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Remove the adjustment rings and unscrew the rear lens unit a couple of turns. Work for 5 minutes. On Nikon there will be, if not infinity, then 10 meters of focus. Also in 5 minutes you can return everything to its original state.
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google "finalization of helios to infinity for nikon" there are a bunch of options.
this is usually disassembly + screwing the helicoid into a deeper thread.
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What about the Canon EOS 1100D SLR? It looks like new, has been in use for less than half a year. I’m selling because I want to buy another.
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I will sell the lens Helios-44-2 Made in USSR bid ... mail ruslan_2208418@mail.ru
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he seems to have lenses without spraying and does not seem to be inferior to modern ones in aperture ratio) of the defects, only dusty outer glasses and a little rub on the paint on the side of the cover.
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Strongly something softit.
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It's not even about the software, most likely. As I suspect, the problem is that the lenses are not clean enough. This is a common headache for these old lenses. If it was perfectly sterile, like a tear, the result would be many times better. And in counter there would not be SUCH a veil ... And so, my experience shows that if the lenses are not perfectly clean, then there will be no good picture. Only in the shadow and not a light object. If you take exactly the same lens with the pristine purity of the optics, then the differences will be striking and cardinal.
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Is there a noticeable difference with the Minsk “zebra” (G44 in a black case with white elements)?
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My HELIOS-44 Made in USSR No. 7025750 MMZ (Minsk "zebra") - an export version of the first issues. The quality is better than the earlier KMZ-shnyhs (I also shot them), since it was produced according to the more stringent requirements of GOST (resolution 41/20 lines / mm instead of 35/15). MMZ, unlike Vileika BELOMO, has always been a defense enterprise with appropriate quality requirements.
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Hello! I have an adapter and two Helios lenses, tell me whether it is necessary to program an adapter for an objective, or not? I look at many who shoot on programmable dandelion adapters, they don’t program anything. Just put the lens and take off, without programming. Thank you!
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For which camera? For Canon it is advisable to program.
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Arkady! Yes for Canon, although the first pictures were taken without programming, they seemed to work fine.
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I was probably particularly lucky, because I got the export Helios 44-2 Made in USSR No. 0092226 manufactured by KMZ black, but with a white scale (like this was not listed). He takes stunning pictures, compared with other Helios, I will not say that it is much higher, but it is visible (they tried to please the export :)). A special distinguishing feature is the focus on 20 meters rather than 10 as in later ones. From experience with different options, I can say that the need to confirm focus is very subjective and very dependent on the specific lens, for example, I use a simple Chinese piece of metal without confirmation and do not experience any problems (Canon system)
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Recently I found one in a barn with trash: export EA No. 7007931, the rear lens is slightly worn. There are adapters at AUCRO. I know two are needed: 39-42 and 42-N. Question to Arkady: to buy with a lens for infinity or without it? How many meters will sharpness remain? This old man is very interesting.
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Without a lens, you can focus up to 1.5 m, that is, it can be used as a portrait portrait.
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I had a HELIOS 44m4 with an adapter with a lens. The sharpness is worse than that of the G-81 N. Probably because of the lens. It turns out that it will be the same with the G-44. Has anyone compared the G-81N and G-44?
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MC Helios-81 N and Helios-44 “zebra” MMZ are practically equivalent (of course, my copies).
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Hello. Please tell me which adapter is needed to attach this Helios-44 2/58 to the Nikon D5100 camera ???
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M39-Nikon F Aukro has such an adapter. Lot titled “M39 M39 Adapter - Nikon AI F”. It happens in stores, but I haven't come across for a long time.
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Read what people write. Scroll up.
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Yes, I read.
only on one site they say the first, on the other, the second.
there were doubts
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He has a thread of 39, so you need 39-42, and 42-N (under Nikon) is wound on top. Nothing complicated. DARE !!!
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Thank you very much :)
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This lens is interesting with an open hole, why does it need infinity.
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THAT: Alexey B.
If “… and unscrew the rear lens unit a couple of turns.” The alignment of the entire lens will be lost.
"Remove the adjusting rings" if there is no lathe but closer to the point.
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there are many helios 44 different models from 1700 to 3000 r per lens mail boss.wret@mail.ru Voronezh write or call 9003023540
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I bought one at a flea market with a fool !!! He brought home right in my hands, he fell apart, well, I think I tried to throw away all the rubbish money (((I sat on it a little, cleaned it, and collected a miracle, this old man turned into a wonderful portrait portrait, I did not even expect this from him. In my opinion namely, that he has such a resolution (35 \ 15), this lens has such a wonderful picture and gives odds to many famous brands !!! Only a copy needs to be well adjusted.
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I bought such a lens in St. Petersburg for 800 rubles and was very pleased with it! Boke is gorgeous. There is also Helios 44-3 2/58 inherited from my father in the best condition !!!, but I didn’t cut it (I can’t put it on the adapter ring for the canon unless you grind the focus ring on the lens, and the toad strangles me to cut such a gorgeous lens ), and turned it into a Macro lens, just bought a macro ring and voila, the lens stood up like a glove. If you need examples of photos, I will gladly share it.
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I wonder why you can’t put Helios 44-3 on the M42-EOS adapter? I have not yet met Helios with a threaded shank that would not fit on the adapter.
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It's okay, I sharpened 1-1,5mm and there is infinity and imperceptibly what is sewn.
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Cut a plastic gasket from some display case (from my headphones) between the lens and the adapter for 5 minutes. And immediately everything turns.
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Tell the portrait on Nikan 5100 to be sharp and blur the background well.
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Nikkor 85mm f / 1.8 super easy
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Bought one of these days a white experimental No. 02 .... KMZ and a black Belorussian GV.70. Both M39. Served, lubricated the helicoid, removed the backlashes as much as possible, extended the lens blocks (the lenses dangled on one) and resharpened for Nikon. Surprisingly, everything turned out not even very difficult: I replaced the adjustment ring with a thinner one and grinded off the backdrop (the thrust surface under the thread). Infinity is restored! I have never seen such sharpness on any lens! We liked it very much. I definitely advise you for an artistic photo! Write. I will gladly share a photo and experience of fitting on Nikon.
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Share in more detail how you sharpened it under Nikon, I have Gelik 44-2, with M42 thread, photos are obtained through the adapter, but there is no infinity and it is difficult to sharpen. If possible with drawings or diagrams
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Give your E-mail, I will drop the instruction on it. What is the difficulty of focusing? What kind of camera do you have?
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AleX, I ask you to send by E-mail schemes / photos with a detailed description of how you achieved infinity on a white Helios-44. Thank you
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Aryslan, but how do you know your E-mail? How to contact with you?
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AleX, my mail is 45678997 {dog} list.ru. Thank you
What else did you redo from Soviet optics?))
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Probably instead of digits there should be a name? In this form, the letter will not go away.
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AleX, there’s nothing right in the name of the email instead of letters.) I have been using this mailbox for a long time and no one has had problems with delivery.
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Hello, Alex write me a mail please (vanyazahar@mail.ru) how did you achieve infinity on Helios-44. Thank you
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I put the same one as in the Helios-44 2/58 review on the Canon 600D, excellent sharpness, but the focus on infinity was lost somewhere from 4 meters. I thought that such a problem exists only on Nikon :(, which is an example of a photo from this review. But Helios-44m-4 2/58 already has normal infinity on my camera.
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Victor tell me how you achieved infinity on the Kenon 600d with Helios 44
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I have Helios-44 2/58, No. 4006415, M39, produced by MMZ, judging by the logotope. Outwardly, it is no different from KMZ-shnogo. I haven’t shot yet, the way is a simple and reliable way to set infinity.
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PS: The case is white. The number of petals is 8 pieces.
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I took it, I liked it very much. Amber-colored enlightenment, does anyone know how they are better / worse?
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Why is this the first video review? was there already one?
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the review of the hare was a test review, a cursory, very short - and this is a full review, licked, filled with a lot of visual information. all other reviews will now be like that, only even better!
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Excellent video review, much better than the first! The lens is very interesting, I think it is good to apply it in a b / w image.
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It turned out great! Respect for the “M-male regime”! :) At 2:33, as I understand it, Vladimir with his hellish videotape setup? :)
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Yes :) it looks funny
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