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

ovim · 05-02-2009, 12:30 PM

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Originally posted by Igilligan

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...

Thanks, the adapter I got was from an ebay seller jiakgong. It was 6.5$ incl shipping and took about a week and a half to arrive.

They were watching TV, thats why I had the time to nail the focus...

F16 · 05-02-2009, 02:53 PM

This adapter allows infinity focus with the Helios? I think I had read somewhere that some M39 lenses will work ok on an SLR, others no chance, due to their physical design (probably an issue with wider angle lenses in particular because of protruding rear optics). It may be slightly less of a problem on an APS-C body.

xjjohnno · 05-02-2009, 03:41 PM

What I read about the M39 lenses is the Russian ones should be fine with the adapter but the German brands like Leica might have issues.
I'm still waiting for my M42 to M39 adapter to turn up. I suppose the wait is thanks to the free postage.

ovim · 05-02-2009, 10:23 PM

The rear element of the M39 Helios protrudes about 3mm from the end of the mount thread when focused to infinity so no problems there on my K100D.

I've learned that Leica M39 has register distance of 28.8mm and Zenit M39 has exactly the same register distance as the Pentax/Praktica M42 (45.46mm). The thread on the Leica M39 is also of different pitch (M39x26tpi vs Zenits M39x1mm). I googled a bit and found a third M39 mount which is Braun Paxette M39. It has the same M39x1 thread as the Zenit but register distance is only 44mm so no infinity focus with this one.

edit: I quess the difference of the thread pitch i neglible because the adapters are sold as Leica and M39 compatible

Last edited by ovim; 05-02-2009 at 10:34 PM.

F16 · 05-02-2009, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by ovim

I've learned that Leica M39 has register distance of 28.8mm and Zenit M39 has exactly the same register distance as the Pentax/Praktica M42 (45.46mm). The thread on the Leica M39 is also of different pitch (M39x26tpi vs Zenits M39x1mm). I googled a bit and found a third M39 mount which is Braun Paxette M39. It has the same M39x1 thread as the Zenit but register distance is only 44mm so no infinity focus with this one.

That's what I forget and where I, and probably many others, get mixed up - I forget that not all M39 lenses were M39 rangerfinder lenses, that's why I asked if it actually would focus to infinity. The lens you are using would have been for a Zenit M39 mount, while a lens designed for a Leica M39 mount, being a rangefinder, would be another story. Before people begin buying these adapters thinking they can just buy any 'M39' lens, I would guess that the majority of these lenses are for Leica's mount and will only work as macro, and in many cases probably not work at all.

Keyser1978 · 01-07-2010, 07:07 AM

Hi all!!!

I arrived here when looking for an adapter for my Helios 44M-4 lens. I've bought a Lumix GF1 and, before it arrives from the USA, I'd like to buy the adapter. I know this is a Pentax forum but... could anybody help me with this? I don't know at all which adapter should I buy...

Thank you very much and enjoy this fantastic Helios!!!

brkl · 01-07-2010, 07:11 AM

The M42 - micro 4/3 adapter - OLYMPUS 4/3 club forum

These people would probably give you more accurate information.

Keyser1978 · 01-07-2010, 02:32 PM

Thank you very very much!!!

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05-02-2009, 12:30 PM	#46
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	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. Originally posted by Igilligan 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... Thanks, the adapter I got was from an ebay seller jiakgong. It was 6.5$ incl shipping and took about a week and a half to arrive. They were watching TV, thats why I had the time to nail the focus...

05-02-2009, 02:53 PM	#47
F16 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: U.S. Posts: 104	This adapter allows infinity focus with the Helios? I think I had read somewhere that some M39 lenses will work ok on an SLR, others no chance, due to their physical design (probably an issue with wider angle lenses in particular because of protruding rear optics). It may be slightly less of a problem on an APS-C body.

05-02-2009, 03:41 PM	#48
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	What I read about the M39 lenses is the Russian ones should be fine with the adapter but the German brands like Leica might have issues. I'm still waiting for my M42 to M39 adapter to turn up. I suppose the wait is thanks to the free postage.

05-02-2009, 10:23 PM	#49
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	The rear element of the M39 Helios protrudes about 3mm from the end of the mount thread when focused to infinity so no problems there on my K100D. I've learned that Leica M39 has register distance of 28.8mm and Zenit M39 has exactly the same register distance as the Pentax/Praktica M42 (45.46mm). The thread on the Leica M39 is also of different pitch (M39x26tpi vs Zenits M39x1mm). I googled a bit and found a third M39 mount which is Braun Paxette M39. It has the same M39x1 thread as the Zenit but register distance is only 44mm so no infinity focus with this one. edit: I quess the difference of the thread pitch i neglible because the adapters are sold as Leica and M39 compatible Last edited by ovim; 05-02-2009 at 10:34 PM.

05-02-2009, 11:24 PM	#50
F16 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: U.S. Posts: 104	Originally posted by ovim I've learned that Leica M39 has register distance of 28.8mm and Zenit M39 has exactly the same register distance as the Pentax/Praktica M42 (45.46mm). The thread on the Leica M39 is also of different pitch (M39x26tpi vs Zenits M39x1mm). I googled a bit and found a third M39 mount which is Braun Paxette M39. It has the same M39x1 thread as the Zenit but register distance is only 44mm so no infinity focus with this one. That's what I forget and where I, and probably many others, get mixed up - I forget that not all M39 lenses were M39 rangerfinder lenses, that's why I asked if it actually would focus to infinity. The lens you are using would have been for a Zenit M39 mount, while a lens designed for a Leica M39 mount, being a rangefinder, would be another story. Before people begin buying these adapters thinking they can just buy any 'M39' lens, I would guess that the majority of these lenses are for Leica's mount and will only work as macro, and in many cases probably not work at all.

01-07-2010, 07:07 AM	#51
Keyser1978 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2	Hi all!!! I arrived here when looking for an adapter for my Helios 44M-4 lens. I've bought a Lumix GF1 and, before it arrives from the USA, I'd like to buy the adapter. I know this is a Pentax forum but... could anybody help me with this? I don't know at all which adapter should I buy... Thank you very much and enjoy this fantastic Helios!!!

01-07-2010, 07:11 AM	#52
brkl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 497	The M42 - micro 4/3 adapter - OLYMPUS 4/3 club forum These people would probably give you more accurate information.

01-07-2010, 02:32 PM	#53
Keyser1978 New Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2	Thank you very very much!!!