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

r0ckstarr · 01-05-2016, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by zzeitg

Thanks!
Exactly, 13 blades.

At the moment I incidentally have 3 Helios-44 lenses:
- this one - Helios-44 (M39, 13 blades)
- Helios 44-2 (M42, 8 blades)
- Helios 44M-7 (surprisingly with K-mount, probably original M42 replaced by K; 6 blades)
Each has a little different IQ.

Is there a preference over which one is better? I've never had one and am considering finding one. Just want to make sure I don't end up with the wrong one.

zzeitg · 01-05-2016, 03:06 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

Is there a preference over which one is better? I've never had one and am considering finding one. Just want to make sure I don't end up with the wrong one.

Personally I prefer the M39 version (so far). It has 13 blades and pre-set aperture, but no MC.

But there are many different versions available - Complete list of Helios lenses - getting closer

My eBay experience was that it's better to pay a little more and get this lens in relative (considering its age) good optical and mechanical condition than buy some junk (and there's lot of junk on eBay when it comes to Helios-44, believe me).

This could also be useful:

there were two product lines:

1. pre-set line: 44 (13 blades) -> 44-2 (8 blades) -> 44-3 (8blades + MC)

2. auto-line: 44M (8 blades, A/M switch) -> 44M-4 (removed AM switch, reduced number of blades -> 44M-4 MC (better resolution, MC layers). Following versions only increased resolution.

**paulh** · 01-06-2016, 01:31 PM

Useful info, zzeitg - thanks for posting.

r0ckstarr · 01-06-2016, 03:35 PM

Yes. Thank you.

zzeitg · 01-06-2016, 03:41 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by paulh

Useful info, zzeitg - thanks for posting.

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

Yes. Thank you.

Not at all, guys.

Here's one from today.

**Billy Joe** · 01-06-2016, 05:53 PM - **1 Like**

Yours is so good!... and reminded me of a helios shot of mine, not nearly as good but bullet ridden nonetheless
...

zzeitg · 01-10-2016, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by Billy Joe

Yours is so good!... and reminded me of a helios shot of mine, not nearly as good but bullet ridden nonetheless
...

Thanks! By the way which camera can I see on your photo?

Here's a plasticine devil, made by my daughter in kindergarten.

LeRolls · 01-13-2016, 07:53 PM - **9 Likes**

Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01.

**mattb123** · 01-13-2016, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by LeRolls

Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01.

Wow that's fantastic! Very nice.

micromacro · 01-13-2016, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by LeRolls

Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01.

Why I never can get something like that with my Helios?!

schnitzer79 · 01-14-2016, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by LeRolls

Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01.

great shot. im assuming its the 44-2 right? wide open?

LeRolls · 01-14-2016, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by mattb123

Wow that's fantastic! Very nice.

Thanks Matt!

Originally posted by micromacro

Why I never can get something like that with my Helios?!

Maybe you're not pointing the lens at the right stuff.

Originally posted by schnitzer79

great shot. im assuming its the 44-2 right? wide open?

Yessir. Hard to nail focus.

**bobbotron** · 01-14-2016, 07:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LeRolls

Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01.

Super well done Chris, as always. It's odd, the subject almost looks super imposed against the background they're so separated. Great light in that photo.

zzeitg · 01-14-2016, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by LeRolls

Maybe you're not pointing the lens at the right stuff.

That must be a dreamjob. Make photos of beautiful girls and be paid for that "job".

Mr Bassie · 01-14-2016, 08:20 AM - **1 Like**

Great shot. I prefer the color version.

The K-01 is a great place for a Helios.

01-13-2016, 07:53 PM - 9 Likes	#308
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01. Last edited by LeRolls; 01-13-2016 at 09:27 PM.

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01-05-2016, 02:28 PM	#301
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by zzeitg Thanks! Exactly, 13 blades. At the moment I incidentally have 3 Helios-44 lenses: - this one - Helios-44 (M39, 13 blades) - Helios 44-2 (M42, 8 blades) - Helios 44M-7 (surprisingly with K-mount, probably original M42 replaced by K; 6 blades) Each has a little different IQ. Is there a preference over which one is better? I've never had one and am considering finding one. Just want to make sure I don't end up with the wrong one.

01-05-2016, 03:06 PM - 2 Likes	#302
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by r0ckstarr Is there a preference over which one is better? I've never had one and am considering finding one. Just want to make sure I don't end up with the wrong one. Personally I prefer the M39 version (so far). It has 13 blades and pre-set aperture, but no MC. But there are many different versions available - Complete list of Helios lenses - getting closer My eBay experience was that it's better to pay a little more and get this lens in relative (considering its age) good optical and mechanical condition than buy some junk (and there's lot of junk on eBay when it comes to Helios-44, believe me). This could also be useful: there were two product lines: 1. pre-set line: 44 (13 blades) -> 44-2 (8 blades) -> 44-3 (8blades + MC) 2. auto-line: 44M (8 blades, A/M switch) -> 44M-4 (removed AM switch, reduced number of blades -> 44M-4 MC (better resolution, MC layers). Following versions only increased resolution.

01-06-2016, 01:31 PM	#303
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,273	Useful info, zzeitg - thanks for posting.

01-06-2016, 03:35 PM	#304
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Yes. Thank you.

01-06-2016, 03:41 PM - 2 Likes	#305
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by paulh Useful info, zzeitg - thanks for posting. Originally posted by r0ckstarr Yes. Thank you. Not at all, guys. Here's one from today.

01-06-2016, 05:53 PM - 1 Like	#306
Billy Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 374	Yours is so good!... and reminded me of a helios shot of mine, not nearly as good but bullet ridden nonetheless ...

01-10-2016, 02:13 PM	#307
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by Billy Joe Yours is so good!... and reminded me of a helios shot of mine, not nearly as good but bullet ridden nonetheless ... Thanks! By the way which camera can I see on your photo? Here's a plasticine devil, made by my daughter in kindergarten.

01-13-2016, 09:39 PM	#309
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Originally posted by LeRolls Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01. Wow that's fantastic! Very nice.

01-13-2016, 09:43 PM	#310
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by LeRolls Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01. Why I never can get something like that with my Helios?!

01-14-2016, 03:29 AM	#311
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by LeRolls Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01. great shot. im assuming its the 44-2 right? wide open?

01-14-2016, 06:58 AM	#312
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Originally posted by mattb123 Wow that's fantastic! Very nice. Thanks Matt! Originally posted by micromacro Why I never can get something like that with my Helios?! Maybe you're not pointing the lens at the right stuff. Originally posted by schnitzer79 great shot. im assuming its the 44-2 right? wide open? Yessir. Hard to nail focus.

01-14-2016, 07:06 AM - 1 Like	#313
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by LeRolls Had a lovely shoot with Betty at the Blowing Rocks Preserve and thought I'd snap a few shots with the Helios that I pretty much have permanently attached to my yellow K-01. Super well done Chris, as always. It's odd, the subject almost looks super imposed against the background they're so separated. Great light in that photo.

01-14-2016, 08:09 AM	#314
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by LeRolls Maybe you're not pointing the lens at the right stuff. That must be a dreamjob. Make photos of beautiful girls and be paid for that "job".

01-14-2016, 08:20 AM - 1 Like	#315
Mr Bassie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,258	Great shot. I prefer the color version. The K-01 is a great place for a Helios.