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

**robbiec** · 04-26-2011, 04:10 PM

Took delivery of my first Helios this morning, was basically thrown in with another lens deal, its a 44M-4 with a absolutely perfect aperture blade setup, but very loose focussing ring. Took it out for a 10 min play and have to say i'm a little intrigued, looks like a fun lens to play with and understand its strengths/ weaknesses

Settings: K-5, iso80, 1/800s, f/2.0

mikeSF · 04-26-2011, 04:16 PM

you're going to have plenty of fun with it, i can already tell! great pic.

ihasa · 05-05-2011, 02:22 PM

Just got hold of my first Helios 44 (K-version) and wow! The bokeh is just like everyone says. Swirly as hell. I love it!

kheldour · 05-05-2011, 09:31 PM

I have a 44m-2 preset for sale. Make me an offer.

Besides, here is my cat Hawkey, with Helios-44 M39

**robbiec** · 05-15-2011, 04:16 PM

hehehe, I really do like the charactor of this lens, its out there on its own.
A few from this afternoon:

geekette · 05-31-2011, 12:41 PM

After seeing so many lovely photos from this lens I just had to get one. Bought one today off ebay from the Ukraine for $39 including shipping.

The color, contrast and bokeh are amazing.

**boriscleto** · 05-31-2011, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by geekette

After seeing so many lovely photos from this lens I just had to get one. Bought one today off ebay from the Ukraine for $39 including shipping.

The color, contrast and bokeh are amazing.

Which version did you get? If it's a 44M other than the original it won't have an A/M switch.

**Deimos** · 05-31-2011, 04:01 PM

Nice shots guys, def a lot of lens for little money!

A couple from my 44-2

geekette · 05-31-2011, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Which version did you get? If it's a 44M other than the original it won't have an A/M switch.

I got the Helios 44-2. Also thinking about getting the 44K-4 w/ Single Coating.

**boriscleto** · 05-31-2011, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by geekette

I got the Helios 44-2. Also thinking about getting the 44K-4 w/ Single Coating.

Then you don't have to worry. The 44-2 is a preset. You might experience the Helios wobble however.

figmental1978 · 05-31-2011, 11:05 PM

The 44-2 wobble was my issue was the reason I dumped it and went for the 44K but comparing photos from the two, the 44-2 was much sharper and I think I'll have to get another one and ignore the wobble.

Here are samples on my blog
Helios 44k-4

Helios 44-2

geekette · 05-31-2011, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by figmental1978

The 44-2 wobble was my issue was the reason I dumped it and went for the 44K but comparing photos from the two, the 44-2 was much sharper and I think I'll have to get another one and ignore the wobble.

Here are samples on my blog
Helios 44k-4

Helios 44-2

Can you explain the wobble problem? What wobbles?

jstevewhite · 05-31-2011, 11:16 PM

I love this lens (44M):

It's just *fun* to use. I wish I could find a good metal hood for it, though.

geekette · 05-31-2011, 11:28 PM

every picture i see from these 44 lenses is so rich in color, amazing contrast and lovely bokehs.

mikeSF · 06-01-2011, 12:42 AM

i have zero wobble. I got lucky with just the right cheap M42 adaptor:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/101836-helios-...-solution.html

05-31-2011, 04:01 PM	#68
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	Nice shots guys, def a lot of lens for little money! A couple from my 44-2 Attached Images

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04-26-2011, 04:10 PM	#61
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Took delivery of my first Helios this morning, was basically thrown in with another lens deal, its a 44M-4 with a absolutely perfect aperture blade setup, but very loose focussing ring. Took it out for a 10 min play and have to say i'm a little intrigued, looks like a fun lens to play with and understand its strengths/ weaknesses Settings: K-5, iso80, 1/800s, f/2.0

04-26-2011, 04:16 PM	#62
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622 Original Poster	you're going to have plenty of fun with it, i can already tell! great pic.

05-05-2011, 02:22 PM	#63
ihasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Midlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,066	Just got hold of my first Helios 44 (K-version) and wow! The bokeh is just like everyone says. Swirly as hell. I love it!

05-05-2011, 09:31 PM	#64
kheldour Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cologne Photos: Gallery Posts: 306	I have a 44m-2 preset for sale. Make me an offer. Besides, here is my cat Hawkey, with Helios-44 M39

05-15-2011, 04:16 PM	#65
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	hehehe, I really do like the charactor of this lens, its out there on its own. A few from this afternoon:

05-31-2011, 12:41 PM	#66
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	After seeing so many lovely photos from this lens I just had to get one. Bought one today off ebay from the Ukraine for $39 including shipping. The color, contrast and bokeh are amazing.

05-31-2011, 03:46 PM	#67
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,476	Originally posted by geekette After seeing so many lovely photos from this lens I just had to get one. Bought one today off ebay from the Ukraine for $39 including shipping. The color, contrast and bokeh are amazing. Which version did you get? If it's a 44M other than the original it won't have an A/M switch.

05-31-2011, 06:10 PM	#69
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Originally posted by boriscleto Which version did you get? If it's a 44M other than the original it won't have an A/M switch. I got the Helios 44-2. Also thinking about getting the 44K-4 w/ Single Coating.

05-31-2011, 06:24 PM	#70
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,476	Originally posted by geekette I got the Helios 44-2. Also thinking about getting the 44K-4 w/ Single Coating. Then you don't have to worry. The 44-2 is a preset. You might experience the Helios wobble however.

05-31-2011, 11:05 PM	#71
figmental1978 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 789	The 44-2 wobble was my issue was the reason I dumped it and went for the 44K but comparing photos from the two, the 44-2 was much sharper and I think I'll have to get another one and ignore the wobble. Here are samples on my blog Helios 44k-4 Helios 44-2

05-31-2011, 11:07 PM	#72
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Originally posted by figmental1978 The 44-2 wobble was my issue was the reason I dumped it and went for the 44K but comparing photos from the two, the 44-2 was much sharper and I think I'll have to get another one and ignore the wobble. Here are samples on my blog Helios 44k-4 Helios 44-2 Can you explain the wobble problem? What wobbles?

05-31-2011, 11:16 PM	#73
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	I love this lens (44M): It's just fun to use. I wish I could find a good metal hood for it, though.

05-31-2011, 11:28 PM	#74
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	every picture i see from these 44 lenses is so rich in color, amazing contrast and lovely bokehs.

06-01-2011, 12:42 AM	#75
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622 Original Poster	i have zero wobble. I got lucky with just the right cheap M42 adaptor: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/101836-helios-...-solution.html