Helios Inquiry/Advice

deadwolfbones · 02-17-2009, 12:09 PM

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Keep an eye on ebay user "rockycamera." He's a UK seller, but shipping is only $10 and his prices are typically low. I got my Helios from him, and the auction title only said "58mm f/2" etc etc, no mention of Helios. Might slip by unnoticed if you use the wrong search terms.

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 12:20 PM

I got a 44-M-6, but have only used it wide-open because I haven't had the time to do the surgery on that pin yet!

The Auto/Man switch would have been great, but I found it cheap in a shop and the surgery looks pretty easy.

duncsuss · 02-17-2009, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by farfisa

... the surgery looks pretty easy.

Yes, it's very easy -- four screws and the plate with the pin through it will simply lift off (hold the pin as you lift so that it doesn't fall down inside the lens)

The only thing to watch out for is if the aperture ring lifts off the body there is a ball bearing that will drop out and roll under the table. Guess how I know that ...

(the ball bearing makes it click as you change the aperture)

dave sz · 02-17-2009, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Keep an eye on ebay user "rockycamera." He's a UK seller, but shipping is only $10 and his prices are typically low. I got my Helios from him, and the auction title only said "58mm f/2" etc etc, no mention of Helios. Might slip by unnoticed if you use the wrong search terms.

That's the guy I got my 44m-4 from....

**Rense** · 02-17-2009, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by dave sz

That's the guy I got my 44m-4 from....

Me too.....

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by duncsuss

Yes, it's very easy -- four screws and the plate with the pin through it will simply lift off (hold the pin as you lift so that it doesn't fall down inside the lens)

The only thing to watch out for is if the aperture ring lifts off the body there is a ball bearing that will drop out and roll under the table. Guess how I know that ...

(the ball bearing makes it click as you change the aperture)

Thanks for the tip--I saw some pics on one of the above links, but didn't catch anything about a ball-bearing!

cardinal43 · 02-17-2009, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by dave sz

That's the guy I got my 44m-4 from....

Wasn't there some bad press on the forum last year about "rockycamera" not being such a good guy to buy from? I can't find it, but it sure sounds familar.

Igilligan · 02-17-2009, 06:19 PM

Something about how it was another name and had so many issues that the name changed to Rockycamera or something like that...

Oh here it is

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-talk/40009-careful-buying-lenses-seller.html

deadwolfbones · 02-18-2009, 10:36 AM

NEW RUSSIAN BIOTAR SLR COATED LENS HELIOS-44 2/58 M42 - eBay (item 360132745378 end time Feb-25-09 06:45:19 PST)

Hmm!

Igilligan · 02-18-2009, 07:23 PM

I just got the Helios 44M-2 and I can verify what Figmental was saying about the 44-2 being floppy on the camera. The back of the lens has no real support against the camera body so the it does move around. Having said that, it has a very cool look wide open, and I have always been a sucker for the front Preset lenses.

I am a little surprized there is not more people complaining about the 44-2 as it really does not fit on the camera as nicely as the others.

Had an emergency at home today so I will try and post some pics tomorrow, weather permitting...

Jewelltrail · 02-18-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

figmental1978: The only issue I have with mine is that it wobbles on my K10D which really bugs me but doesn't seem to bother others as much. I think anything from the 44M ~ 44M-4~44M7 models are easier to get on ebay and they also sit correctly on DSLR cameras and don't wobble.

Hey, I was psyched about picking up the Helios 44M, then I read about the wobbling thing and started to have second thoughts. Then I just read another thread at this forum which discusses a similar issue, but on a different lens.

In the other thread, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/48564-again-p-...-question.html a fix is offered to get the lens to sit properly in the mount. Is it possible this fix would work for the Helios wobble too, or have you tried it already?

I am new to these wobbling lenses. Does someone have some insight?

02-17-2009, 06:19 PM	#23
Igilligan Guest	Keith Rock - rocky camera post Something about how it was another name and had so many issues that the name changed to Rockycamera or something like that... Oh here it is https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-talk/40009-careful-buying-lenses-seller.html

02-18-2009, 07:23 PM	#25
Igilligan Guest	The 44-2 is a sloppy fit I just got the Helios 44M-2 and I can verify what Figmental was saying about the 44-2 being floppy on the camera. The back of the lens has no real support against the camera body so the it does move around. Having said that, it has a very cool look wide open, and I have always been a sucker for the front Preset lenses. I am a little surprized there is not more people complaining about the 44-2 as it really does not fit on the camera as nicely as the others. Had an emergency at home today so I will try and post some pics tomorrow, weather permitting...

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02-17-2009, 12:09 PM	#16
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Keep an eye on ebay user "rockycamera." He's a UK seller, but shipping is only $10 and his prices are typically low. I got my Helios from him, and the auction title only said "58mm f/2" etc etc, no mention of Helios. Might slip by unnoticed if you use the wrong search terms.

02-17-2009, 12:20 PM	#17
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	I got a 44-M-6, but have only used it wide-open because I haven't had the time to do the surgery on that pin yet! The Auto/Man switch would have been great, but I found it cheap in a shop and the surgery looks pretty easy.

02-17-2009, 01:46 PM	#18
duncsuss Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 239	Originally posted by farfisa ... the surgery looks pretty easy. Yes, it's very easy -- four screws and the plate with the pin through it will simply lift off (hold the pin as you lift so that it doesn't fall down inside the lens) The only thing to watch out for is if the aperture ring lifts off the body there is a ball bearing that will drop out and roll under the table. Guess how I know that ... (the ball bearing makes it click as you change the aperture)

02-17-2009, 02:04 PM	#19
dave sz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: carpentersville, IL Posts: 693	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Keep an eye on ebay user "rockycamera." He's a UK seller, but shipping is only $10 and his prices are typically low. I got my Helios from him, and the auction title only said "58mm f/2" etc etc, no mention of Helios. Might slip by unnoticed if you use the wrong search terms. That's the guy I got my 44m-4 from....

02-17-2009, 02:06 PM	#20
Rense Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zetten - The Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,050	Originally posted by dave sz That's the guy I got my 44m-4 from.... Me too.....

02-17-2009, 02:18 PM	#21
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by duncsuss Yes, it's very easy -- four screws and the plate with the pin through it will simply lift off (hold the pin as you lift so that it doesn't fall down inside the lens) The only thing to watch out for is if the aperture ring lifts off the body there is a ball bearing that will drop out and roll under the table. Guess how I know that ... (the ball bearing makes it click as you change the aperture) Thanks for the tip--I saw some pics on one of the above links, but didn't catch anything about a ball-bearing!

02-17-2009, 06:01 PM	#22
cardinal43 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,412	Originally posted by dave sz That's the guy I got my 44m-4 from.... Wasn't there some bad press on the forum last year about "rockycamera" not being such a good guy to buy from? I can't find it, but it sure sounds familar.

02-18-2009, 10:36 AM	#24
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	NEW RUSSIAN BIOTAR SLR COATED LENS HELIOS-44 2/58 M42 - eBay (item 360132745378 end time Feb-25-09 06:45:19 PST) Hmm!

02-18-2009, 09:20 PM	#26
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180 Original Poster	Quote: figmental1978: The only issue I have with mine is that it wobbles on my K10D which really bugs me but doesn't seem to bother others as much. I think anything from the 44M ~ 44M-4~44M7 models are easier to get on ebay and they also sit correctly on DSLR cameras and don't wobble. Hey, I was psyched about picking up the Helios 44M, then I read about the wobbling thing and started to have second thoughts. Then I just read another thread at this forum which discusses a similar issue, but on a different lens. In the other thread, https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/48564-again-p-...-question.html a fix is offered to get the lens to sit properly in the mount. Is it possible this fix would work for the Helios wobble too, or have you tried it already? I am new to these wobbling lenses. Does someone have some insight?