Lovin' on the Helios 44 (58mm f/2)

**mattb123** · 11-18-2016, 03:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by alan_smithee_photos

My LBA has been under control for a while but I'm seriously considering one of these...

I bet it would suit your style! The stakes are low too.

**goatsNdonkey** · 11-18-2016, 04:34 PM

I'm still exploring the Helios 44-2 2/58 I got this summer. The shots I took this week got posted in several threads on PF, not just the thorn pic posted here above. There's so little hassle to using an adapter to mount it on my K10 or in using the preset aperture. This batch of shots I also used a short tube extender. I actually got a set of m42 tube extenders largely to try them with the Helios; I got rid of my old set of m43 extension tubes 20 years ago! But I wonder if I will ever feel the need to get another Helios (I know that sounds like sacrilege). Maybe if one practically fell into my lap for very cheap? Maybe another Russian or Eastern European lens of a different focal length--that would have an appeal.

**pepperberry farm** · 11-18-2016, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by goatsNdonkey

I'm still exploring the Helios 44-2 2/58 I got this summer. The shots I took this week got posted in several threads on PF, not just the thorn pic posted here above. There's so little hassle to using an adapter to mount it on my K10 or in using the preset aperture. This batch of shots I also used a short tube extender. I actually got a set of m42 tube extenders largely to try them with the Helios; I got rid of my old set of m43 extension tubes 20 years ago! But I wonder if I will ever feel the need to get another Helios (I know that sounds like sacrilege). Maybe if one practically fell into my lap for very cheap? Maybe another Russian or Eastern European lens of a different focal length--that would have an appeal.

I almost bought a Zenitar 16mm this week, but the sudden sale of Rokinon 8mm lenses at B&H put the kibosh on that....

redcat · 11-19-2016, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

bought a Zenitar 16mm

I bought a Zenitar 16mm recently and feel very satisfied with that little monster

never had a Rokinon but heard many praise of those lens

**goatsNdonkey** · 11-19-2016, 05:04 PM

I just glanced at the Zenitar 16mm's PF reviews. Wow!

**paulh** · 11-19-2016, 05:16 PM

We're kind of getting away from the Helios discussion, but the Zen 16 is a pretty cool lens. However, it is a full frame lens, so it loses a lot of fishiness on aps-c. I use mine mostly as an ultra-wide - with careful composition you sometimes can't tell it's a fisheye. If a true fisheye is what you're after on aps-c, you'd probably be better off with the Rokinon 8mm or the DA10-17.

As for the Helios, I may grab one sometime, but I have plenty of 50-ish primes I'm pretty happy with (and don't get enough use) !

**bobbotron** · 11-19-2016, 06:34 PM

I love my zenit 16, just need to convert it to manual for my k3....

mb1357 · 11-20-2016, 07:02 AM

Not sure if this is the correct place to discuss but I have bee looking on eBay at the 44-7 lens and it appears the majority are faked and it's more or less impossible to detect a legit one; I was thinking that the best way to determine if your lens is a copy is to weigh it apparently the MC 44- 7 should weigh 270 g ?? http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Helios-44

zzeitg · 11-20-2016, 09:49 AM - **1 Like**

Seems like the Lomography shop is offering M42 version of 44M - https://shop.lomography.com/en/lenses/other-lenses

**paulh** · 11-20-2016, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by bobbotron

I love my zenit 16, just need to convert it to manual for my k3....

Curious - what do you mean by "convert it to manual" ?

**bobbotron** · 11-20-2016, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by paulh

Curious - what do you mean by "convert it to manual" ?

It's an auto diaphragm (aperture) m42 mount. On my K3, I have no way to stop it down. I need to perform one of the various methods to make it a manual diaphragm. Currently it only stops down on my m42 (spotmatic) bodies when the aperture lever in the body actuates the pin.

**paulh** · 11-20-2016, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by bobbotron

It's an auto diaphragm (aperture) m42 mount. On my K3, I have no way to stop it down. I need to perform one of the various methods to make it a manual diaphragm. Currently it only stops down on my m42 (spotmatic) bodies when the aperture lever in the body actuates the pin.

Ah, of course. I was thinking in terms of the k-mount version.

**mattb123** · 11-25-2016, 07:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Helios 44-2

**mattb123** · 11-26-2016, 10:59 AM - **7 Likes**

It was still on the camera this morning for our walk.

**pepperberry farm** · 11-27-2016, 08:02 PM

11-27-2016, 08:02 PM	#390
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,677	K-3 with KMZ MC Helios-44K-4

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11-18-2016, 03:21 PM - 1 Like	#376
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Originally posted by alan_smithee_photos My LBA has been under control for a while but I'm seriously considering one of these... I bet it would suit your style! The stakes are low too.

11-18-2016, 04:34 PM	#377
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,728	I'm still exploring the Helios 44-2 2/58 I got this summer. The shots I took this week got posted in several threads on PF, not just the thorn pic posted here above. There's so little hassle to using an adapter to mount it on my K10 or in using the preset aperture. This batch of shots I also used a short tube extender. I actually got a set of m42 tube extenders largely to try them with the Helios; I got rid of my old set of m43 extension tubes 20 years ago! But I wonder if I will ever feel the need to get another Helios (I know that sounds like sacrilege). Maybe if one practically fell into my lap for very cheap? Maybe another Russian or Eastern European lens of a different focal length--that would have an appeal.

11-18-2016, 05:09 PM	#378
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,677	Originally posted by goatsNdonkey I'm still exploring the Helios 44-2 2/58 I got this summer. The shots I took this week got posted in several threads on PF, not just the thorn pic posted here above. There's so little hassle to using an adapter to mount it on my K10 or in using the preset aperture. This batch of shots I also used a short tube extender. I actually got a set of m42 tube extenders largely to try them with the Helios; I got rid of my old set of m43 extension tubes 20 years ago! But I wonder if I will ever feel the need to get another Helios (I know that sounds like sacrilege). Maybe if one practically fell into my lap for very cheap? Maybe another Russian or Eastern European lens of a different focal length--that would have an appeal. I almost bought a Zenitar 16mm this week, but the sudden sale of Rokinon 8mm lenses at B&H put the kibosh on that....

11-19-2016, 11:16 AM	#379
redcat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,939	Originally posted by pepperberry farm bought a Zenitar 16mm I bought a Zenitar 16mm recently and feel very satisfied with that little monster never had a Rokinon but heard many praise of those lens

11-19-2016, 05:04 PM	#380
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,728	I just glanced at the Zenitar 16mm's PF reviews. Wow!

11-19-2016, 05:16 PM	#381
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	We're kind of getting away from the Helios discussion, but the Zen 16 is a pretty cool lens. However, it is a full frame lens, so it loses a lot of fishiness on aps-c. I use mine mostly as an ultra-wide - with careful composition you sometimes can't tell it's a fisheye. If a true fisheye is what you're after on aps-c, you'd probably be better off with the Rokinon 8mm or the DA10-17. As for the Helios, I may grab one sometime, but I have plenty of 50-ish primes I'm pretty happy with (and don't get enough use) !

11-19-2016, 06:34 PM	#382
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	I love my zenit 16, just need to convert it to manual for my k3....

11-20-2016, 07:02 AM	#383
mb1357 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 8	Not sure if this is the correct place to discuss but I have bee looking on eBay at the 44-7 lens and it appears the majority are faked and it's more or less impossible to detect a legit one; I was thinking that the best way to determine if your lens is a copy is to weigh it apparently the MC 44- 7 should weigh 270 g ?? http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Helios-44

11-20-2016, 09:49 AM - 1 Like	#384
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Seems like the Lomography shop is offering M42 version of 44M - https://shop.lomography.com/en/lenses/other-lenses

11-20-2016, 09:57 AM	#385
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	Originally posted by bobbotron I love my zenit 16, just need to convert it to manual for my k3.... Curious - what do you mean by "convert it to manual" ?

11-20-2016, 10:21 AM	#386
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by paulh Curious - what do you mean by "convert it to manual" ? It's an auto diaphragm (aperture) m42 mount. On my K3, I have no way to stop it down. I need to perform one of the various methods to make it a manual diaphragm. Currently it only stops down on my m42 (spotmatic) bodies when the aperture lever in the body actuates the pin.

11-20-2016, 10:46 AM	#387
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	Originally posted by bobbotron It's an auto diaphragm (aperture) m42 mount. On my K3, I have no way to stop it down. I need to perform one of the various methods to make it a manual diaphragm. Currently it only stops down on my m42 (spotmatic) bodies when the aperture lever in the body actuates the pin. Ah, of course. I was thinking in terms of the k-mount version.

11-25-2016, 07:57 PM - 2 Likes	#388
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Helios 44-2

11-26-2016, 10:59 AM - 7 Likes	#389
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	It was still on the camera this morning for our walk.