Just aquired a HELIOS-44K-4 MC/K

freewheeler · 12-16-2009, 09:02 AM

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Nice pics is really an understatement John, I love them!
Hope I will run into a K-version myself some day.
Until than I'll take my m42 version out for a walk more often....

Igilligan · 12-16-2009, 10:50 AM

Freewheeler, which version do you have???

Stratman... there are like 7 variations of the Helios 44... The K mount is a later version with mc and works like a Pentax M... Although as you can see from DWB's shots it has a very different look.

The rest are all m42 screwmounts. I have the Helios 44M and it functions more like the Smc taks with a A/M switch where you can focus wide open, flip the switch and meter at the set ap.

I also have the 44-2 which is a pre-set ap that many prefer.

The 44-4 thru 7's are mc and have no a/m switch, so you have to disable the pin to stop the lens down in aperture.

All have unique 'looks' to them. My 44M was probably my most used lens last year.

freewheeler · 12-16-2009, 11:27 AM

I own the 44m-4 (without MC).
Bought it together with a 12XP and Industar 50-2 for 20 euro's.
The helios proved to be very sharp from portrait-distance to infinity.
A modification to make it stop-down-useable has cost me only 20 minutes.
When I run into tubes I will try the Industar on macro subjects.

deadwolfbones · 12-16-2009, 11:40 AM

Afaik the 44K-4 is optically identical to the 44M-4. Some of the K's are multicoated, some aren't. I've had both versions.

Igilligan · 12-16-2009, 11:56 AM

The version you took the photos above is the MC version???

yours pop with more contrast than I get with the 44-2

deadwolfbones · 12-16-2009, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Igilligan

The version you took the photos above is the MC version???

yours pop with more contrast than I get with the 44-2

Yeah, that's the MC. Developed from RAW in LR2, though.

Igilligan · 12-16-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Yeah, that's the MC. Developed from RAW in LR2, though.

Ahhh... a little extra PP pop! Beautifully done on both sides of the photo then!

brkl · 12-17-2009, 05:21 PM

Does the K version have automatic aperture? That might persuade me to get one in addition to my 44-2. Hell, I might get one anyway. Terrific lens for portraits on digital or normal for film.

brkl · 12-17-2009, 05:32 PM

Maybe I'll get this one:
Rare Helios 44-7 lens for Zenit-7 VERY GOOD condition - eBay (item 320455889136 end time Dec-29-09 18:16:27 PST)

stevebrot · 12-17-2009, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by brkl

Does the K version have automatic aperture? That might persuade me to get one in addition to my 44-2. Hell, I might get one anyway. Terrific lens for portraits on digital or normal for film.

Yes, it is auto-aperture. I will work the same as a M-series Pentax lens.

Steve

stevebrot · 12-17-2009, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by brkl

Maybe I'll get this one:
Rare Helios 44-7 lens for Zenit-7 VERY GOOD condition - eBay (item 320455889136 end time Dec-29-09 18:16:27 PST)

A decent lens, but not that decent. I would buy a Voigtlander or a Zeiss first!

Steve

stevebrot · 12-17-2009, 06:51 PM

Ohhhh...I did not look closely enough.

This is not a 44M-7. It is a 44-7 preset aperture lens with the KMZ mark. I wasn't even aware that it existed. Apparently these were made in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Single-coated with six aperture blades and optical qualities a step below the other Helios 44 lenses. But! Did I mention that it is RARE?!

As for price...Rugift will throw in a Zenit-7 camera in for the same amount of money.

Steve

JohnBee · 12-17-2009, 09:22 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

As for price...Rugift will throw in a Zenit-7 camera in for the same amount of money.

I'd consider it if the seller threw in a Voigtlander or a Zeiss with it!

Otherwise that's way over the top imo.
This whole RARE scenario almost always taken out of context on eBay I find.

brkl · 12-18-2009, 09:43 AM

It's an euphemism for COMMON AS DIRT.

I put in a bid for one. Maybe it'll stick. The problem is it's always a bit of a crap shoot whether it's a good copy or not.

Winnie · 02-14-2010, 07:14 AM

So if I look for a pretty-common-on-ebay 44M-4, I can use the green button just as I do with a Tak, correct?

Are there any drawbacks to this lens?

12-16-2009, 10:50 AM	#17
Igilligan Guest	Hey Freewheeler and Stratman Freewheeler, which version do you have??? Stratman... there are like 7 variations of the Helios 44... The K mount is a later version with mc and works like a Pentax M... Although as you can see from DWB's shots it has a very different look. The rest are all m42 screwmounts. I have the Helios 44M and it functions more like the Smc taks with a A/M switch where you can focus wide open, flip the switch and meter at the set ap. I also have the 44-2 which is a pre-set ap that many prefer. The 44-4 thru 7's are mc and have no a/m switch, so you have to disable the pin to stop the lens down in aperture. All have unique 'looks' to them. My 44M was probably my most used lens last year.

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12-16-2009, 09:02 AM	#16
freewheeler Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: amsterdam Posts: 130	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. Nice pics is really an understatement John, I love them! Hope I will run into a K-version myself some day. Until than I'll take my m42 version out for a walk more often....

12-16-2009, 11:27 AM	#18
freewheeler Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: amsterdam Posts: 130	I own the 44m-4 (without MC). Bought it together with a 12XP and Industar 50-2 for 20 euro's. The helios proved to be very sharp from portrait-distance to infinity. A modification to make it stop-down-useable has cost me only 20 minutes. When I run into tubes I will try the Industar on macro subjects.

12-16-2009, 11:40 AM	#19
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Afaik the 44K-4 is optically identical to the 44M-4. Some of the K's are multicoated, some aren't. I've had both versions.

12-16-2009, 11:56 AM	#20
Igilligan Guest	The version you took the photos above is the MC version??? yours pop with more contrast than I get with the 44-2

12-16-2009, 11:57 AM	#21
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by Igilligan The version you took the photos above is the MC version??? yours pop with more contrast than I get with the 44-2 Yeah, that's the MC. Developed from RAW in LR2, though.

12-16-2009, 12:01 PM	#22
Igilligan Guest	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Yeah, that's the MC. Developed from RAW in LR2, though. Ahhh... a little extra PP pop! Beautifully done on both sides of the photo then!

12-17-2009, 05:21 PM	#23
brkl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 497	Does the K version have automatic aperture? That might persuade me to get one in addition to my 44-2. Hell, I might get one anyway. Terrific lens for portraits on digital or normal for film.

12-17-2009, 05:32 PM	#24
brkl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 497	Maybe I'll get this one: Rare Helios 44-7 lens for Zenit-7 VERY GOOD condition - eBay (item 320455889136 end time Dec-29-09 18:16:27 PST)

12-17-2009, 06:35 PM	#25
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by brkl Does the K version have automatic aperture? That might persuade me to get one in addition to my 44-2. Hell, I might get one anyway. Terrific lens for portraits on digital or normal for film. Yes, it is auto-aperture. I will work the same as a M-series Pentax lens. Steve

12-17-2009, 06:37 PM	#26
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by brkl Maybe I'll get this one: Rare Helios 44-7 lens for Zenit-7 VERY GOOD condition - eBay (item 320455889136 end time Dec-29-09 18:16:27 PST) A decent lens, but not that decent. I would buy a Voigtlander or a Zeiss first! Steve

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12-17-2009, 06:51 PM	#27
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Ohhhh...I did not look closely enough. This is not a 44M-7. It is a 44-7 preset aperture lens with the KMZ mark. I wasn't even aware that it existed. Apparently these were made in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Single-coated with six aperture blades and optical qualities a step below the other Helios 44 lenses. But! Did I mention that it is RARE?! As for price...Rugift will throw in a Zenit-7 camera in for the same amount of money. Steve

12-17-2009, 09:22 PM	#28
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot As for price...Rugift will throw in a Zenit-7 camera in for the same amount of money. I'd consider it if the seller threw in a Voigtlander or a Zeiss with it! Otherwise that's way over the top imo. This whole RARE scenario almost always taken out of context on eBay I find.

12-18-2009, 09:43 AM	#29
brkl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 497	It's an euphemism for COMMON AS DIRT. I put in a bid for one. Maybe it'll stick. The problem is it's always a bit of a crap shoot whether it's a good copy or not.

02-14-2010, 07:14 AM	#30
Winnie Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 93	So if I look for a pretty-common-on-ebay 44M-4, I can use the green button just as I do with a Tak, correct? Are there any drawbacks to this lens?