Helios 44k-4 vs SMC K55/1.8 comparision shots

yusuf · 02-13-2013, 09:08 PM

Curiously shot these pictures to compare Helios 44K-4 with newly acquired K55/1.8, both are very fine lenses with pretty close results, in fact I can't distinguish IQ. Just wondering, can you spot which one is which? Don't guess from the apparent focal length, those are handheld pictures and camera would have moved closer or farther. All are unedited RAW pics, just resized.

#1

#2

#3

#4

Yusuf

icywindow · 02-13-2013, 09:23 PM

I'm gonna guess 1 and 4 are the 55/1.8 just by the colors.

**boriscleto** · 02-13-2013, 09:24 PM

Number 4 has the 55/1.8 bokeh.

**Just1MoreDave** · 02-13-2013, 09:37 PM

I agree with #1 and #4. (My excuse if I'm wrong will be that I haven't shot with a Helios, just seen examples.)

yusuf · 02-13-2013, 09:39 PM

You guys are awesome, that's correct. Now can you help me understand the difference.

stevebrot · 02-13-2013, 09:54 PM

That was my guess as well, though I would have liked to have seen the comparison at f/2.8.

This sort of reminds me of the comparisons I used to post in my Flickr "Unfair Pairs" set:

Unfair Pairs - a set on Flickr

I put the Helios up against the M 50/1.7 and FA 77/1.8 Limited

Steve

icywindow · 02-13-2013, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by yusuf

You guys are awesome, that's correct. Now can you help me understand the difference.

The 55/1.8 is one of my most favorite MF lenses. In my opinion, for color rendering, it has a tendency to favor green slightly and less blue. It has smooth specular bokeh and contrasty normal bokeh. The transition from in focus to out of focus is rather gradual, as well.

**Just1MoreDave** · 02-13-2013, 10:59 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by yusuf

You guys are awesome, that's correct. Now can you help me understand the difference.

Just below the center of #4, there are three OOF highlight circles that have a classic Pentax look to them. There's a technical description for it but just about every Pentax prime will produce something like it.

For me, #1 was more of a feeling. Including the bit of green at the top made me inclined to guess K55, because the image is more colorful. But the more colorful part applies to the rest too. Whether it came from exposure differences or coatings, I don't know.

**MSL** · 02-13-2013, 11:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

For me, #1 was more of a feeling. Including the bit of green at the top made me inclined to guess K55, because the image is more colorful. But the more colorful part applies to the rest too. Whether it came from exposure differences or coatings, I don't know.

I guess I'll add my touchy feely views too, since others have confessed first. I did a quick and not formal test between a Helios 44 preset and a Takumar 55/2. I found that I liked the colors the Tak produced better, and the pictures seemed to be a little brighter or more compelling. That said, I've probably used the Helios a lot more often, and more so once I got a 44M as I prefer the A/M switch over the preset.

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02-13-2013, 09:08 PM	#1
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Helios 44k-4 vs SMC K55/1.8 comparision shots Curiously shot these pictures to compare Helios 44K-4 with newly acquired K55/1.8, both are very fine lenses with pretty close results, in fact I can't distinguish IQ. Just wondering, can you spot which one is which? Don't guess from the apparent focal length, those are handheld pictures and camera would have moved closer or farther. All are unedited RAW pics, just resized. #1 #2 #3 #4 Yusuf

02-13-2013, 09:23 PM	#2
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	I'm gonna guess 1 and 4 are the 55/1.8 just by the colors.

02-13-2013, 09:24 PM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Number 4 has the 55/1.8 bokeh.

02-13-2013, 09:37 PM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I agree with #1 and #4. (My excuse if I'm wrong will be that I haven't shot with a Helios, just seen examples.)

02-13-2013, 09:39 PM	#5
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497 Original Poster	You guys are awesome, that's correct. Now can you help me understand the difference.

02-13-2013, 09:54 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	That was my guess as well, though I would have liked to have seen the comparison at f/2.8. This sort of reminds me of the comparisons I used to post in my Flickr "Unfair Pairs" set: Unfair Pairs - a set on Flickr I put the Helios up against the M 50/1.7 and FA 77/1.8 Limited Steve

02-13-2013, 10:02 PM	#7
icywindow Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 303	Originally posted by yusuf You guys are awesome, that's correct. Now can you help me understand the difference. The 55/1.8 is one of my most favorite MF lenses. In my opinion, for color rendering, it has a tendency to favor green slightly and less blue. It has smooth specular bokeh and contrasty normal bokeh. The transition from in focus to out of focus is rather gradual, as well.

02-13-2013, 10:59 PM - 2 Likes	#8
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by yusuf You guys are awesome, that's correct. Now can you help me understand the difference. Just below the center of #4, there are three OOF highlight circles that have a classic Pentax look to them. There's a technical description for it but just about every Pentax prime will produce something like it. For me, #1 was more of a feeling. Including the bit of green at the top made me inclined to guess K55, because the image is more colorful. But the more colorful part applies to the rest too. Whether it came from exposure differences or coatings, I don't know.

02-13-2013, 11:06 PM - 1 Like	#9
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave For me, #1 was more of a feeling. Including the bit of green at the top made me inclined to guess K55, because the image is more colorful. But the more colorful part applies to the rest too. Whether it came from exposure differences or coatings, I don't know. I guess I'll add my touchy feely views too, since others have confessed first. I did a quick and not formal test between a Helios 44 preset and a Takumar 55/2. I found that I liked the colors the Tak produced better, and the pictures seemed to be a little brighter or more compelling. That said, I've probably used the Helios a lot more often, and more so once I got a 44M as I prefer the A/M switch over the preset.