There are such a large number and variety of HELIOS-44 lenses that sometimes you can get lost among them and never be found again. This article shows the main versions and modifications of such lenses.
A Thousand and One Nights with HELIOS-44
Helios-44 lenses were produced at several factories:
- KMZ - Кrasnogorsk Мmechanical Зavod
- MMP - Мincan Мmechanical ЗAvod named after S. I. Vavilov, which since 1971 became BelOMO (Бelorussian ОbirdМmechanical Оunification)
- Optical and Mechanical Plant 'Jupiter‘, Valdai.
- Plant 'Zenith', Vileika
The manufacturer of the lens is very easy to identify by the logo:
Logos under which lenses of the HELIOS-44 brand were produced
The genealogical tree of the HELIOS-44 lenses was carried out by the manufacturers. Basically, different HELIOS-44 lenses differ in such things:
- manufacturer
- mounting thread or bayonet
- case rim
- the presence of a diaphragm repeater
- presence of aperture preset ring
- the presence of multi-coating (marking 'MS')
- names written in Latin or Cyrillic
- a bunch of other little things :)
In this article, the names and designations of the lenses are indicated as close as possible to the mark on the body frame. Therefore '58 mm 1: 2 'and' 2/58 'are considered different versions here. Please note that to make it easier to identify lenses, add new versions, as well as to accurately and quickly understand what modification is in question, I have introduced my additional lens numbering, starting with the letter 'h' (h1xx - KMZ, h2xx - MMZ, h3xx - Jupiter).
KMZ
BTK 1: 2 F = 5,8cm P h101 - BTK stands for BioTar Krasnogorskiy, the very first version of the lens, is a copy of Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 2/58. Most likely made from German glass blanks. Later, lenses under the name HELIOS-44 were produced according to a recalculated optical scheme for a domestic grade of optical glass. Uses a 13-blade diaphragm, M39x1 / 45,2 thread in a white body. It is of great collection value, since BTK 1: 2 F = 5,8 cm P was more experienced than a mass sample.
HELIOS-44 1: 2 F = 5,8cm P h102 - Uses 13-blade diaphragm, M39x1 / 45,2 thread in white body. The letter 'P' is responsible for the 'P' enlightened optics (simple chemical enlightenment), later this letter was not written. It differs from the h105 version in the minimum aperture, which is F / 22.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h103 - lens with bayonet mount for START cameras. 13 aperture blades, white body. Lenses for 'Start' cameras differ from other modifications of Helios-44 by an additional button on the body.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h103-a - lens with bayonet mount for START cameras. It differs from h103 in that the name is written in Latin letters.
HELIOS-44 1: 2 F = 5,8cm P h103-b - lens with bayonet mount for START cameras. It differs from h103 in that the lens parameters are indicated differently.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h104 - lens with bayonet mount for START cameras. 8 aperture blades, white body. Differs from h103 in the number of aperture blades.
No photos.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h105 - Uses 13-blade diaphragm, M39x1 / 45,2 thread in white body. It differs from the h102 version in the minimum aperture, which is F / 16, as well as the body frame. An overview of this modification can be viewed here.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h106 - Uses 13 flap diaphragm, M39x1 / 45,2 thread in white case. It differs from h105 in that the name is written in Latin letters.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h107 - Uses 8-blade diaphragm, M39x1 / 45,2 thread in white body. The body is similar to h105 / 106. An overview of this modification can be viewed here.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h108 - Uses 8 flap diaphragm, M39x1 / 45,2 thread in black housing. From h107 differs only in case color.
No photos. Perhaps there was no option from the KMZ plant with the spelling of the name in Cyrillic.
HELIOS-44 2/58 h108-a - Uses 8 flap diaphragm, M39x1 / 45,2 thread in black housing. From h108 differs only in the spelling of the name.
ГЕЛИОС-44-2 2/58 h109 - Uses 8-blade diaphragm, first modification with M42x1 / 45,5 thread.
No photos. Perhaps there was no option from the KMZ plant with the spelling of the name in Cyrillic.
HELIOS-44-2 2/58 h109-a - Uses an 8-blade diaphragm, M42x1 / 45,5 thread. It differs from h109 only in the spelling of the name.
HELIOS-44M 2/58 h110 - Uses an 8-blade diaphragm, M42x1 / 45,5 thread. The first lens with Blinking Aperture, from which the letter 'M' was added to the name.
No photos. Perhaps there was no option from the KMZ plant with the spelling of the name in Cyrillic.
HELIOS-44M 2/58 h111 - Uses an 8-blade diaphragm, M42x1 / 45,5 thread.
MS HELIOS-44M 2/58 h112 - Uses an 8-blade diaphragm, M42x1 / 45,5 thread. Version h110 / h111 with multi-coated optics
Гелиос-44М-4 2/58 h113 - Uses 6-blade diaphragm, thread M42x1 / 45,5.
HELIOS-44М-4 2/58 h113-a - Uses 6-blade diaphragm, thread M42x1 / 45,5. No repeater / aperture switch. It differs from h115 only in the spelling of the name.
Гелиос-44М-4 2/58 h115 - Uses a 6-blade diaphragm, M42x1 / 45,5 thread. No repeater / aperture switch.
Photo is missing.
MS Helios-44M-4 2/58 h177 - Uses 6-blade diaphragm, thread M42x1 / 45,5. Without diaphragm repeater. Added multi-coating.
No photos. Perhaps there was no option from the KMZ plant with the spelling of the name in Cyrillic.
MC HELIOS 44M-4 2/58 h118 - Uses 6-blade diaphragm, thread M42x1 / 45,5. Without diaphragm repeater. There is no dash between 'Helios' and '44M-4' in the name.
ZENIT Helios-44K-4 58mm 1: 2 h116 - version with Pentax K bayonet. Modern body.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44K-4 58mm 1: 2 h114 - version with Pentax K bayonet. Modern body. It differs from h116 in multi-coated optics and a different spelling of the name.
ZENIT-IR 2/58 MOONLIGHT PRODUCTS INC h119 - unknown for me version of the lens, most likely for special devices.
AUTO COSMOGON 1: 2 F = 58mm h120 - an unknown version of the lens for me.
Гелиос-44-1 2/58 h121-a - lens for ZENIT-7 cameras.
HELIOS 44-1 2/58 h121 - for cameras ZENIT-7. differs from h121-a in the spelling of the name.
Helios-44-D 2/58 h124 - for Zenit-D cameras with a specific mount.
Гелиос44-7 2/58 h122 - lens for ZENIT-7 cameras, black.
Гелиос44-7 2/58 h123 - lens for cameras ZENIT-7, zebra
MMP
Helios-44 2/58 h201 - 8 petals, white body, thread M39x1 / 45,2.
Helios-44 2/58 h201-a - 8 petals, white body, thread M39x1 / 45,2. It differs from the h201 version only in the spelling of the lens name.
Helios-44 2/58 h202 - 8 petals, zebra, thread M39x1 / 45,2.
No photos. Perhaps there was no option from the MMZ plant with writing the name in Cyrillic.
Helios-44 2/58 h202-a - 8 petals, zebra, thread M39x1 / 45,2. It differs from the h201 version in the case.
Helios-44-2 2/58 h203-a - 8 petals, zebra, early body rim, thread M42x1 / 45,5.
Helios 44-2 2/58 h203 - 8 petals, black, thread M42x1 / 45,5. No dash between 'Helios' and '44 -2 ′
Гелиос-44-2 2/58 h204 - 8 petals, black, thread M42x1 / 45,5. An overview of this modification can be viewed here.
HELIOS-44-2 2/58 h204-a - 8 petals, black, thread M42x1 / 45,5. It differs from the h204 version only in the spelling of the lens name.
Гелиос-44-2 2/58 h204-b - new case design, similar to h205-a
MS Helios-44-3M 2/58 h205 - black, thread M42x1 / 45,5, multi-coated optics.
MS Helios 44-3 2/58 h205-a - black, thread M42x1 / 45,5, multi-coated optics. There is no dash between 'Helios' and '44 -3' An overview of this modification can be viewed here.
Helios-44M 2/58 h206 - the only version from MMZ with a blinking diaphragm.
Plant 'VALDAI'
At the Valdai factory, lenses were produced immediately and only for M42x1 / 45,5 threads. At this plant, Helios began to produce around 1969.
HELIOS-44-2 2/58 h301 - the first lens 'Helios-44' of the Jupiter plant.
Гелиос-44-2 2/58 h302 - similar to h301, but with a modified body.
No photos.
Гелиос-44-2 2/58 h303 - similar to h301, but with a modified body, easily identified by the red aperture marks
No photos.
Helios-44M 2/58 h301-a - blinking diaphragm. 6 petals
Helios-44M 2/58 h301-b - blinking diaphragm. 8 petals.
Гелиос-44М-4 2/58 h304 - with a blinking diaphragm.
No photos. Perhaps there was no option from the Jupiter plant with the spelling of the name in Cyrillic.
Helios-44М-4 2/58 h305 - with a blinking diaphragm.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-4 58mm 1: 2 h306 - the first multi-coated version of the Valdai plant. You can view the lens view here.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-5 58mm 1: 2 h307 - multi-coated version of the Valdai plant. You can view the lens view here.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-5 58mm 1: 2 h307-a - compared to the h307 has a changed focusing ring.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-6 58mm 1: 2 h308 - multi-coated version of the Valdai plant. You can view the lens view here.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-6 58mm 1: 2 h308-a - unlike h308, it has matte aperture blades.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-6 58mm 1: 2 h308-b - unlike h308 has a different focusing ring
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-7 58mm 1: 2 h309 - multi-coated version of the Valdai plant. You can view the lens view here.
Plant 'Zenith', Vileika
Found here here one more unusual copy which, judging by the logo, was made at the Zenit Optical-Mechanical Plant, Vileika, Republic of Belarus.
ZENIT MC HELIOS-44M-5 58mm 1: 2 h401 - M42x1 / 45,5, black case
I am sure that there are much more modifications. If you know useful information on any modification, please indicate its serial number hxxx, describe the distinctive properties in the comments, and attach photos with its appearance. I will add new modifications only if there are photographs where it is clearly visible that the modification differs from existing ones.
In the future, this article will be finalized. There is no need to write in the comments 'but I have this one, it is not here'. It is better to send information about him in the comments, I will add it.
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.
Thank you for attention. Arkady Shapoval.
Thank you, Arkady. Darwin is resting - “Helios. Evolution of Species ”:)
I haven’t seen mine yet. I have a Helios-44M 2/58 Valdai plant 8 petals 1979
Send him a photo, see.
Oh my God, how many have riveted them? :-D
Infernal Helics! After I have delved into all these “undermodifications” I will dream of all these dashes, letters, enlightenments and aperture blades. Previously, I was much more loyal to all these Helios, but as it turned out, the G-44 is a multifaceted devil of hell!
But how many interesting reviews can be done, can you imagine?
OK. I'll throw it off tomorrow
It was necessary to do this right away, because at the end of the article I ask you to share photos of those modifications that are not there :)
Arkady! THANKS for the scientific work. Helios is perhaps the most diverse of glass.
That G-44 :) and then Helios are very different :)
Helios 44 of all modifications is probably the most diverse
And frequent.
And my favorite is all these Helios 77M-4. :)
Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant
"Handle" at the meat grinder, and at the starting Helios - a button. In addition, for some reason, the ways of denoting the characteristics of the lens are confused - initially they were designated as 1: 2 f = 5,8 cm, and only in 1961 this GOST changed to 2/58. This also applies to threaded Helios.
The G-44m does not have a "repeater", but a simple switch of the diaphragm operation mode.
MMZ missed the striped version of the G-44-2, plus for some reason, the late-form G-44-2 a la G-44-3 (h203) was put ahead of everyone.
Please send a photo of the “striped version” and of course I will add it. How many times can you repeat the same thing. For the most part, the rest is Fixed.
Thanks. Added Helios-44-2 2/58 h203-a.
Here.
And so.
And yet, already documented.
Now, please write out in detail what it is.
In respect of? Just a version of the G-44-2.
I had the opportunity to test many Helios 44-2, from all editions and factories, the best copy was in the Belarusian version of the lens, it has lilac blackening of the aperture blades, it is better in sharpness and catches less hares, more resistant to backlight. I left it to myself. And by the way, he stands on bulletin boards more expensive than other Helios 44-2, namely the Belarusian version.
Mega work! Respect!
There are two helios, 44M Krasnogorsk, and 44-3 Belorussian.
44-3 is certainly better, contrast, sharpness on the open (throughout the frame),
44M is more soulful, and also not bad, but in some ways better, the body and aperture and focusing rings are better and more convenient, on open software, but this can be used in creativity
If HELIOS-44M 2/58 from KMZ with the inscription in Russian, then please give his photo :)
yes no, in english
There is still no more comprehensive and comprehensive review of all G-44 models on the Internet !!!
AUTO COSMOGON 1: 2 F = 58mm h120 Release in honor of the flight "Soyuz-Apollo"
I have a variant of your h 108a, but only with a 42mm thread. There is no such option in classification.
More
More
After reading the review, I remembered Nikita Sergeyevich from the rostrum:
- We churn missiles like sausages ...
- We have so many of them ... I will show them “Kuzkina's mother” ... and with a shoe on the podium!
Surely the export version. It was happily twisted from the yashica j-5 camera, the original auto yashinon 1.8 55 was in the bag next to it. Respect the Soviet optics of the bourgeoisie!
I applaud while standing! Chic article! Thanks Arkady!
I have an h107 lens, but without the inscription on the body "Made In USSR"
I have Helios 44-2 of the Jupiter plant Valdai 1980 onwards. They say it was a special batch of lenses for overseas.
This is said about 90% of Helios, in order to at least somehow emphasize that their quality is more or less.
There is such a Helios. Valdai, there are white dots on the aperture ring, there is no inscription made in USSR.
Judging by the number 84 of release.
one more photo
more
and more
Arkady, you don’t have a bucket of zeniths, but it looks like a cargo container