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

Laurentiu Cristofor · 06-02-2011, 10:52 PM

Originally posted by jstevewhite

I think this shows it, a little - I think it has to do with the frequency of the background stuff, and it seems to be caused by the distortion of the COC towards the edges of the frame - what do you think?:

Is that swirly, or just nervous? This bokeh terminology eludes me.

It's also true I don't shoot with busy backgrounds - most lenses can produce nervous bokeh in such situations, but I don't find the Helios to be any special.

Here's one sample from my Helios copy:

This looks smooth to me. I've been using this lens mostly for portraits, so I don't have other amazing samples, but in my casual use, I always found the bokeh to be smooth like this.

mikeSF · 06-03-2011, 11:49 PM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

I thought that the Helios bokeh is smooth since I got the first one. But there are always these people on the Internet talking about swirly bokeh - I'm still trying to figure out how they do it.

my 44-2 does it but my 44M-7 does not. try stopping down a little bit, like f/4, and the background can enhance the swirly effect.

Laurentiu Cristofor · 06-04-2011, 03:51 AM

Originally posted by mikeSF

my 44-2 does it but my 44M-7 does not. try stopping down a little bit, like f/4, and the background can enhance the swirly effect.

I'll try that. My version is plain 44 - an earlier version of 44-2. I also have a 44M, but I keep that on a Zenit camera.

paperbag846 · 06-04-2011, 07:33 AM

What's the verdict b/t the SMC 55mm and the Helios 58mm? Looks like a really great lens!

geekette · 06-04-2011, 08:01 AM

paperbag846, I have the Pentax SMC K 55mm/f1.8. It's a lovely lens but the helios 44-2 (58mm) is quite different--for one, the bokeh is more psychedlic (as someone else called it earlier in this thread)

. Also I think there is difference in contrast and color.. to me, from the pictures I've seen, the helios 44-2 is more contrasty--which I like. Just another brush to paint with

I'm getting the 44-2 in a couple weeks; bought it off ebay the other day from a dealer in the Ukraine

paperbag846 · 06-04-2011, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by geekette

paperbag846, I have the Pentax SMC K 55mm/f1.8. It's a lovely lens but the helios 44-2 (58mm) is quite different--for one, the bokeh is more psychedlic (as someone else called it earlier in this thread)

. Also I think there is difference in contrast and color.. to me, from the pictures I've seen, the helios 44-2 is more contrasty--which I like. Just another brush to paint with

I'm getting the 44-2 in a couple weeks; bought it off ebay the other day from a dealer in the Ukraine

I like the surreal rendering of the 44... it's not always accurate, but very pleasing to my eye.

It's on the hit list. I need someone to buy my FA 77

.

jstevewhite · 06-04-2011, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by paperbag846

What's the verdict b/t the SMC 55mm and the Helios 58mm? Looks like a really great lens!

I haven't used a SMC 55 in a long time, but I think the 44M is very... persnickety, fickle, finicky - but very rewarding. Probably get more usable images per click with the 55, but I think the Helios has a lot of character, and it's a very nice focal length - and when you get things just right it's amazing. I might end up getting the DA* 55, but I'll probably keep the Helios anyway - and still use it.

EDIT: I don't generally post a lot of pet pix, but here's one that surprised me with its contrast and sharpness:

Last edited by jstevewhite; 06-04-2011 at 09:15 AM.

paperbag846 · 06-04-2011, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by jstevewhite

EDIT: I don't generally post a lot of pet pix, but here's one that surprised me with its contrast and sharpness:

Everything about this shot makes me want one

.

I have a biotar 80mm sitting around that I need to get an adapter for. I think the next purchase might be one of these helios'

mikeSF · 06-04-2011, 04:38 PM

i think this one is cropped but you can definitely see some swirl going on here:

also cropped at the bottom:

jstevewhite · 06-04-2011, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

i think this one is cropped but you can definitely see some swirl going on here:

also cropped at the bottom:

Yeah, I think you can see it, particularly in the right corners. The corners on the right, I mean, not the 'correct' ones.

mikeSF · 06-09-2011, 02:26 PM

FYI, looks like several Helios 44M-6 and 44M-7 lenses listed on eBay at the moment.

hcarvalhoalves · 06-12-2011, 04:01 PM

I own a Helios 44M-6 and notice it's a little less "swirly" than the 44M-2/4, still an interesting bokeh.

IMGP2418 - Version 2 por hcarvalhoalves, no Flickr

IMGP2460 - Version 2 por hcarvalhoalves, no Flickr

hcarvalhoalves · 06-19-2011, 05:31 PM

Some more Helios love

Harley por hcarvalhoalves, no Flickr

sai · 06-24-2011, 05:36 AM

Finally, after 2 months of getting my Helios 44M 58/2, I could manage to get one genuine M42 to K mount adapter from US for my K-x. Lens has an A - M switch.

I found time to take some photos, pics shot indoor and in shade are looking good if not great, photos in bright sunlight and with flash are complete washout, with A - M switch in M Mode.

I saw in few forums and tried to change settings, still unable to select Shake Resistance & Input Focal Length. May be after these are set I may get better pictures.

your suggestions will be valuable to me, thank you.

Sample Photos Link:

Helios First Photos pictures by SaiVizag - Photobucket

geekette · 06-28-2011, 04:32 PM

I got my Helios 44-2 lens today. Something odd about the copy I got is that--besides having a snapless, smooth twisting, aperture blade control--the f stop indicators are backwards: When the lens is wide open it is at f16, closed up it is at f2..

06-12-2011, 04:01 PM	#102
hcarvalhoalves Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,019	I own a Helios 44M-6 and notice it's a little less "swirly" than the 44M-2/4, still an interesting bokeh. IMGP2418 - Version 2 por hcarvalhoalves, no Flickr IMGP2460 - Version 2 por hcarvalhoalves, no Flickr Last edited by hcarvalhoalves; 06-12-2011 at 04:06 PM.

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06-02-2011, 10:52 PM	#91
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by jstevewhite I think this shows it, a little - I think it has to do with the frequency of the background stuff, and it seems to be caused by the distortion of the COC towards the edges of the frame - what do you think?: Is that swirly, or just nervous? This bokeh terminology eludes me. It's also true I don't shoot with busy backgrounds - most lenses can produce nervous bokeh in such situations, but I don't find the Helios to be any special. Here's one sample from my Helios copy: This looks smooth to me. I've been using this lens mostly for portraits, so I don't have other amazing samples, but in my casual use, I always found the bokeh to be smooth like this.

06-03-2011, 11:49 PM	#92
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622 Original Poster	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor I thought that the Helios bokeh is smooth since I got the first one. But there are always these people on the Internet talking about swirly bokeh - I'm still trying to figure out how they do it. my 44-2 does it but my 44M-7 does not. try stopping down a little bit, like f/4, and the background can enhance the swirly effect.

06-04-2011, 03:51 AM	#93
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by mikeSF my 44-2 does it but my 44M-7 does not. try stopping down a little bit, like f/4, and the background can enhance the swirly effect. I'll try that. My version is plain 44 - an earlier version of 44-2. I also have a 44M, but I keep that on a Zenit camera.

06-04-2011, 07:33 AM	#94
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	What's the verdict b/t the SMC 55mm and the Helios 58mm? Looks like a really great lens!

06-04-2011, 08:01 AM	#95
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	paperbag846, I have the Pentax SMC K 55mm/f1.8. It's a lovely lens but the helios 44-2 (58mm) is quite different--for one, the bokeh is more psychedlic (as someone else called it earlier in this thread) . Also I think there is difference in contrast and color.. to me, from the pictures I've seen, the helios 44-2 is more contrasty--which I like. Just another brush to paint with I'm getting the 44-2 in a couple weeks; bought it off ebay the other day from a dealer in the Ukraine

06-04-2011, 08:25 AM	#96
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by geekette paperbag846, I have the Pentax SMC K 55mm/f1.8. It's a lovely lens but the helios 44-2 (58mm) is quite different--for one, the bokeh is more psychedlic (as someone else called it earlier in this thread) . Also I think there is difference in contrast and color.. to me, from the pictures I've seen, the helios 44-2 is more contrasty--which I like. Just another brush to paint with I'm getting the 44-2 in a couple weeks; bought it off ebay the other day from a dealer in the Ukraine I like the surreal rendering of the 44... it's not always accurate, but very pleasing to my eye. It's on the hit list. I need someone to buy my FA 77 .

06-04-2011, 09:09 AM	#97
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	Originally posted by paperbag846 What's the verdict b/t the SMC 55mm and the Helios 58mm? Looks like a really great lens! I haven't used a SMC 55 in a long time, but I think the 44M is very... persnickety, fickle, finicky - but very rewarding. Probably get more usable images per click with the 55, but I think the Helios has a lot of character, and it's a very nice focal length - and when you get things just right it's amazing. I might end up getting the DA* 55, but I'll probably keep the Helios anyway - and still use it. EDIT: I don't generally post a lot of pet pix, but here's one that surprised me with its contrast and sharpness: Last edited by jstevewhite; 06-04-2011 at 09:15 AM.

06-04-2011, 01:05 PM	#98
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by jstevewhite EDIT: I don't generally post a lot of pet pix, but here's one that surprised me with its contrast and sharpness: Everything about this shot makes me want one . I have a biotar 80mm sitting around that I need to get an adapter for. I think the next purchase might be one of these helios'

06-04-2011, 04:38 PM	#99
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622 Original Poster	i think this one is cropped but you can definitely see some swirl going on here: also cropped at the bottom:

06-04-2011, 06:50 PM	#100
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	Originally posted by mikeSF i think this one is cropped but you can definitely see some swirl going on here: also cropped at the bottom: Yeah, I think you can see it, particularly in the right corners. The corners on the right, I mean, not the 'correct' ones.

06-09-2011, 02:26 PM	#101
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622 Original Poster	FYI, looks like several Helios 44M-6 and 44M-7 lenses listed on eBay at the moment.

06-19-2011, 05:31 PM	#103
hcarvalhoalves Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,019	Some more Helios love Harley por hcarvalhoalves, no Flickr

06-24-2011, 05:36 AM	#104
sai New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Visakhapatnam Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17	Finally, after 2 months of getting my Helios 44M 58/2, I could manage to get one genuine M42 to K mount adapter from US for my K-x. Lens has an A - M switch. I found time to take some photos, pics shot indoor and in shade are looking good if not great, photos in bright sunlight and with flash are complete washout, with A - M switch in M Mode. I saw in few forums and tried to change settings, still unable to select Shake Resistance & Input Focal Length. May be after these are set I may get better pictures. your suggestions will be valuable to me, thank you. Sample Photos Link: Helios First Photos pictures by SaiVizag - Photobucket

06-28-2011, 04:32 PM	#105
geekette Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	I got my Helios 44-2 lens today. Something odd about the copy I got is that--besides having a snapless, smooth twisting, aperture blade control--the f stop indicators are backwards: When the lens is wide open it is at f16, closed up it is at f2..