Getting in on the M42 fun: Helios 44M-4 58mm f/2

estudleon · 04-18-2009, 08:13 AM

I send to developed my slide film. And I can´t wait.

I bought a 44-3.

How is it compared with the 44-2 (in sharp, contrast etc)?

Tell me please. I´m desperate

Agnostic · 04-19-2009, 04:45 AM

Originally posted by Ira

You can't fake sharpness like that with PS!

BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks! And you're right, they are slightly sharpened and contrast is pushed a bit but that only enhances what's already there, you can't fake this kind of sharpness.

I'm in love with this lens.

Another:

ovim · 04-19-2009, 02:02 PM

Just got my first Russian lenses (and a camera) today from a car boot sale.

An older gentleman sold me this Zenit camera with a first generation M39 Helios-44 and a M42 Jupiter-37A MC for 18 euros (~24$). I just ordered an adapter ring to convert the Helios' 39mm thread to 42mm, and I quess it'll take about a week before I can test it. I already tested the Jupiter and liked it a lot.

brkl · 04-19-2009, 02:41 PM

Oh, that is a beauty. I love the look of aluminium lenses, but sadly don't own any.

ovim · 04-20-2009, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by brkl

Oh, that is a beauty. I love the look of aluminium lenses, but sadly don't own any.

It does look like a serious vintage quality lens doesn't it? Even though it isn't worth much.

FotoPete · 04-20-2009, 01:30 PM

An old panoramic taken at the Distillery District, Toronto

A sexy shot of my Helios, taken with 18-55 kit. (Strobist : Thats a reflection of my bounce card.

)

I lent it to my friend for like a year and only got it back recently, will post some pics up once the weather clears up.

grishazzz · 04-20-2009, 03:50 PM

Agnostic
Nice pictures! the second picture is so sharp! what is your setup in PP? I mean, did you apply heavy sharpening?

Originally posted by ovim

Just got my first Russian lenses (and a camera) today from a

An older gentleman sold me this Zenit camera with a first generation M39 Helios-44 and a [b]M42 Jupiter-37A MC[b] for 18 euros (~24$). I just ordered an adapter ring to convert the Helios' 39mm thread to 42mm, and I quess it'll take about a week before I can test it. I already tested the Jupiter and liked it a lot.

Jupiter 37A - is a very good lens for portraits!!!

Photopete

Wow!!! nice shot, so sharp !!!!!!

Recently, I've got "Tair 11A 135mm". This monster is so heavy! Way heavier than the K-m body!

Testing Tair 11A:

Set to infinity @ F8
Looks sharp, but not sharp as Helios

Garlic @ F2.8

Last edited by grishazzz; 04-20-2009 at 03:56 PM.

Agnostic · 04-21-2009, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by grishazzz

Agnostic
Nice pictures! the second picture is so sharp! what is your setup in PP? I mean, did you apply heavy sharpening?

Here one with no sharpening just default camera raw developed and 100% crop. Don't remember the aperture, I think it was f/4.

grishazzz · 04-21-2009, 11:39 AM

Agnostic
Nice pictire and nice retro-style cruiser! It reminds me, my trip to Amsterdam!!! :-)
The 100% crop shows good amount of details and it's sharp, that's the reason why I am not sharpening my pictures! I apply sharpening only when heavy crop is needed.
Do you use PEF format or DNG? I tried both, and I think PEF is more "rich" in terms of recorded data....

here are another pics taken with Helius:
I am trying to find the best F-stop to minimize DOF, when taking pictures of tiny/small objects, and I think F5.6 and F8 are the best, but shutter speed... will decrease... :-( same goes for infinity - the best sharp pictures only when goin down to F8..... :-(

F8

F5.6

thomascdk · 04-29-2009, 07:06 AM

Got my Helios, but in the 44K-4 version. Too lazy for adopters.

Need a bit of cleaning but otherwise beautiful. Came with a Zenit Avtomat house. Wonder what I'm going to do with that?

Took it for a walk this afternoon. Not too good shots. My MF-skills are sorely lacking.

Long time lurking here and I'm a LBA-victim. Almost makes the swine flue seem benign ;-)

F16 · 04-29-2009, 07:31 PM

I've seen some shots from this lens that I do really like, I think I like its bokeh and it seems to be a sharp lens. Having said that, can someone comment on how it compares to lenses like the SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8, 50mm 1.7 M, 50mm 1.4 K, etc.? I have those 3 listed lenses already (and others in that range), so the last thing I need is another in this range. So what's the general attraction for this lens, cost/performance ratio, unique or great bokeh, incredible sharpness? Like I said, I already have too many lenses in this range that perform very well, any reason I should pursue this lens as well that is justifiable over lenses like I listed?

deadwolfbones · 04-29-2009, 10:14 PM

It's all of the above, really. And the novelty of owning a lens from the former USSR.

I had the SMC Takumar 55 f/2 and my Helios-44M beat it handily, in my opinion.

F16 · 04-30-2009, 12:30 AM

Thanks for the reply. Anyone up to the task of doing at least a brief, informal test of their Helios 58mm against 1 or 2 of their well regarded Pentax 'standard' lenses? Like the 50mm 1.7 or 55mm 1.8? Put them on a tripod and shoot something at a few of the larger apertures?

ovim · 05-02-2009, 11:40 AM

M39>M42 adapter from China arrived and I took some test shots with my silver Helios 44.

Igilligan · 05-02-2009, 11:46 AM

What a great combo... I am definately getting the M39 adaptor... there are a lot of lenses in that mount that I would like to try... thanks for posting these...

Great shots of the kids... that is what my helios shines on...

04-21-2009, 11:39 AM	#39
grishazzz Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: LA Posts: 80	Agnostic Nice pictire and nice retro-style cruiser! It reminds me, my trip to Amsterdam!!! :-) The 100% crop shows good amount of details and it's sharp, that's the reason why I am not sharpening my pictures! I apply sharpening only when heavy crop is needed. Do you use PEF format or DNG? I tried both, and I think PEF is more "rich" in terms of recorded data.... here are another pics taken with Helius: I am trying to find the best F-stop to minimize DOF, when taking pictures of tiny/small objects, and I think F5.6 and F8 are the best, but shutter speed... will decrease... :-( same goes for infinity - the best sharp pictures only when goin down to F8..... :-( F8 F5.6 Last edited by grishazzz; 04-21-2009 at 12:02 PM.

04-29-2009, 07:06 AM	#40
thomascdk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 258	Me too - almost ;-) Got my Helios, but in the 44K-4 version. Too lazy for adopters. Need a bit of cleaning but otherwise beautiful. Came with a Zenit Avtomat house. Wonder what I'm going to do with that? Took it for a walk this afternoon. Not too good shots. My MF-skills are sorely lacking. Long time lurking here and I'm a LBA-victim. Almost makes the swine flue seem benign ;-)

05-02-2009, 11:46 AM	#45
Igilligan Guest	Wow those are sharp What a great combo... I am definately getting the M39 adaptor... there are a lot of lenses in that mount that I would like to try... thanks for posting these... Great shots of the kids... that is what my helios shines on...

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04-18-2009, 08:13 AM	#31
estudleon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 228	I send to developed my slide film. And I can´t wait. I bought a 44-3. How is it compared with the 44-2 (in sharp, contrast etc)? Tell me please. I´m desperate

04-19-2009, 04:45 AM	#32
Agnostic Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 414 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira You can't fake sharpness like that with PS! BEAUTIFUL! Thanks! And you're right, they are slightly sharpened and contrast is pushed a bit but that only enhances what's already there, you can't fake this kind of sharpness. I'm in love with this lens. Another:

04-19-2009, 02:02 PM	#33
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Just got my first Russian lenses (and a camera) today from a car boot sale. An older gentleman sold me this Zenit camera with a first generation M39 Helios-44 and a M42 Jupiter-37A MC for 18 euros (~24$). I just ordered an adapter ring to convert the Helios' 39mm thread to 42mm, and I quess it'll take about a week before I can test it. I already tested the Jupiter and liked it a lot.

04-19-2009, 02:41 PM	#34
brkl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 497	Oh, that is a beauty. I love the look of aluminium lenses, but sadly don't own any.

04-20-2009, 11:12 AM	#35
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	Originally posted by brkl Oh, that is a beauty. I love the look of aluminium lenses, but sadly don't own any. It does look like a serious vintage quality lens doesn't it? Even though it isn't worth much.

04-20-2009, 01:30 PM	#36
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	An old panoramic taken at the Distillery District, Toronto A sexy shot of my Helios, taken with 18-55 kit. (Strobist : Thats a reflection of my bounce card. ) I lent it to my friend for like a year and only got it back recently, will post some pics up once the weather clears up.

04-20-2009, 03:50 PM	#37
grishazzz Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: LA Posts: 80	Agnostic Nice pictures! the second picture is so sharp! what is your setup in PP? I mean, did you apply heavy sharpening? Originally posted by ovim Just got my first Russian lenses (and a camera) today from a An older gentleman sold me this Zenit camera with a first generation M39 Helios-44 and a [b]M42 Jupiter-37A MC[b] for 18 euros (~24$). I just ordered an adapter ring to convert the Helios' 39mm thread to 42mm, and I quess it'll take about a week before I can test it. I already tested the Jupiter and liked it a lot. Jupiter 37A - is a very good lens for portraits!!! Photopete Wow!!! nice shot, so sharp !!!!!! Recently, I've got "Tair 11A 135mm". This monster is so heavy! Way heavier than the K-m body! Testing Tair 11A: Set to infinity @ F8 Looks sharp, but not sharp as Helios Garlic @ F2.8 Last edited by grishazzz; 04-20-2009 at 03:56 PM.

04-21-2009, 08:52 AM	#38
Agnostic Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 414 Original Poster	Originally posted by grishazzz Agnostic Nice pictures! the second picture is so sharp! what is your setup in PP? I mean, did you apply heavy sharpening? Here one with no sharpening just default camera raw developed and 100% crop. Don't remember the aperture, I think it was f/4.

04-29-2009, 07:31 PM	#41
F16 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: U.S. Posts: 104	I've seen some shots from this lens that I do really like, I think I like its bokeh and it seems to be a sharp lens. Having said that, can someone comment on how it compares to lenses like the SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8, 50mm 1.7 M, 50mm 1.4 K, etc.? I have those 3 listed lenses already (and others in that range), so the last thing I need is another in this range. So what's the general attraction for this lens, cost/performance ratio, unique or great bokeh, incredible sharpness? Like I said, I already have too many lenses in this range that perform very well, any reason I should pursue this lens as well that is justifiable over lenses like I listed?

04-29-2009, 10:14 PM	#42
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	It's all of the above, really. And the novelty of owning a lens from the former USSR. I had the SMC Takumar 55 f/2 and my Helios-44M beat it handily, in my opinion.

04-30-2009, 12:30 AM	#43
F16 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: U.S. Posts: 104	Thanks for the reply. Anyone up to the task of doing at least a brief, informal test of their Helios 58mm against 1 or 2 of their well regarded Pentax 'standard' lenses? Like the 50mm 1.7 or 55mm 1.8? Put them on a tripod and shoot something at a few of the larger apertures?

05-02-2009, 11:40 AM	#44
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	M39>M42 adapter from China arrived and I took some test shots with my silver Helios 44.