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Discuss how to buy, fix, clean, and use all the old manual focus photography kit you can find. M42, Pentacon 6, Contax, Leica, Canon, Nikkor, Carl Zeiss Jena, Asahi Pentax Takumars etc! |
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I just got my eBay bargain (
Last edited by condyk (2006-01-21 10:09:00)
Nice lens, very sharp at f2 and beautiful cats! and very good price 
Bye
Bruno
Nice ! The Helios has a good pr
Which version of the Helios did you get condyk? I got the first version for M42, called just "Helios-44". According to the manufacturer it is the least sharp of all the different versions (if you read russian, it is at http://zenit.istra.ru/archive/lenses/helios-44.html), but I am absolutely amazed by what it can do.
It is a nice lens to learn lens servicing as well... rather easy to take apart. I had to, as the focus ring was stuck. However, several of the small screws died in the process of tightening them again. Very bristle...
I'm also looking for a front cap 
Fortunately it is a standard and very common size, 49 mm. I now put a Takumar lens cap on it - as I have the non-MC version of the Helios, flare is the worst I've ever seen. Missing a back cap as well...
Enough talk... some pictures. Helios-44 58/2 at f8 on Canon 20D.
Dang fine shooting sir. A 'secret' lens this one with proficiencies beyond the exceptionally meagre prices. I dunno which breed mine is. It arrived in bubble wrap and what looked like a mouse nest of shredded newspaper! It does say 44-M but it doesn't look like it's coated, but who knows.
my vote fot helios, too. one of my fevorite lense (i have older version), sharp from f2, bokeh is uncredible. i get my for something like 2
Dang fine shooting sir. A 'secret' lens this one with proficiencies beyond the exceptionally meagre prices. I dunno which breed mine is. It arrived in bubble wrap and what looked like a mouse nest of shredded newspaper! It does say 44-M but it doesn't look like it's coated, but who knows.
If it does not say MC somewhere, I think it isn't, as there are some versions on which MC is indicated. Anyway, the 44-M is much newer than my 44, but it's still the same design anyway. One day (sooner rather than later) I'll probably buy an M version as well - this lens is my favorite at (around) 50 mm!
I recently bought one of these also, it's the old pre-set type Helios 44-2.
I think I read that the 44M's (44M-1 through to like, 44M-6) are the multicoated ones? I think 44M-4 is when the auto diaphragm also makes an appearance?
My 44-2 is in terrible condition (was only $8US) but it works fine. However it does look like it was kicked around a car park, and there are many fine cleaning scratches on it, plus the oily blades...
Anyway, it's a great little lens for sure, I want another, newer one.
Last edited by RedAlizarin (2006-01-25 10:38:07)
I think I read that the 44M's (44M-1 through to like, 44M-6) are the multicoated ones? I think 44M-4 is when the auto diaphragm also makes an appearance?
My 44-2 is in terrible condition (was only $8US) but it works fine. However it does look like it was kicked around a car park, and there are many fine cleaning scratches on it, plus the oily blades...
Anyway, it's a great little lens for sure, I want another, newer one.
The factory's page on this lens (http://zenit.istra.ru/archive/lenses/helios-44.html) indicates that of the 44M-4 there is both a standard and an MC version, all later ones (M-5..7 and K-4) are in MC version only. I think the "M" designation was introduced to distinguish the M42 version from the bajonett (K) version. The page has a list of resolutions of the different versions - the MC ones are sharper than the non-MC ones (newer design I guess - and I don't know if quality control was as good on all versions). Also, the MC ones let through more light (0,85-0,9 instead of 0,80-0,81).
So, I hope to get hold of a 44M-7 one day...
No idea about the auto-diafragm though... it seems to me (from the pictures) that the 44-7 has auto diafragma as well, not only the M and K versions. Personally I like the preset!
Post some pictures taken with yours!
Ah... yes, that's makes much more sense regarding the 'M' designation. Interesting about the MC versions too... and I'm with you on the 44M-7 - sounds perfect.
I haven't been too busy with the camera lately, but this is a photo I took with the Helios to try and get an idea about how it renders bokeh highlights:
Helios 44-2. 1/15, F2.8, ISO100.
I don't think it's too bad - the highlights aren't terribly distracting. They are pretty neutral and inoffensive, and even a tad smoother at F/2:
Helios 44-2. 1/20, F2.0, ISO100. (50% Crop Detail)
Sorry I don't have anything a bit more picturesque and interesting from this nifty lens!
I just bought a pair of Helios 44M-4's off eBay. They are new condition/old stock I think. Not the 44M-7 of my dreams, but new lenses with no issues at least! Fingers crossed.
I just bought a pair of Helios 44M-4's off eBay. They are new condition/old stock I think. Not the 44M-7 of my dreams, but new lenses with no issues at least! Fingers crossed.
Well, looking at your pictures your "terrible condition" 44-2 is already giving you a lot of fun! I saw some M-4 on Ebay - but somehow I have the feeling that I might end up using it less that my original 44. But if a -7 comes along...
Yeah, I think I may have a MC 44M-7 soon-ish actually. It will be interesting to test all three in a couple of weeks and see what's what...
Has anyone purchased a Helios 44m-7 or tried one out yet?
They are out because I found this.
http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/browse?id=31299
Last edited by metroside (2007-02-07 13:54:13)
I have a copy of 44M-7 and I'm not impressed by it. My 44M-4 and 44-2 are better.
Who did you get your caps from Buze? I need several...keeping some of my lenses wrapped up in terry toweling socks at the moment. Not ideal but cheap.
Was it here? http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ASIAN-CAMERA
It's a few M42 rear caps I'm after and sundry front ones.
Last edited by BeatPoet (2007-02-07 19:55:26)
44M-4 and 44-2 with 44M-5 are really perfect . The only one that's nor present i my - hmm - collection is the 44M-7 .
Thanks a lot , buze ! I'm also fan of russian 135mm : jupiter, tair and apo-telezenitar . Just try one of them ...
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