[mattb123]

A couple with the 44k-4 on a K-1ii

[edom31]

If you like the focal length I´d suggest you to have at least 2 versions, the old (44 or 44-2) and the new (44M-x).
Or you can become a fan like me and have a dozen different versions

Oh God, here we go again.. GAS is creeping up on me with these...

[Cabessius]

Oh God, here we go again.. GAS is creeping up on me with these...

Go ahead and choose...

[Cabessius]

A couple with the 44k-4 on a K-1ii

The bokeh in the second one is crazy!

[timw4mail]

Go ahead and choose...

The 44-2 seems to be the most common, judging by what I've seen on eBay.

[LeRolls]

Thinking of picking up an X-T3 along with a small stabilizer and slapping the Helios 58mm F2 on it via M42 to X mount adapter for some vintage style video

[Jacchini]

That´s true, but the newer ones (44M-5, 6 and 7) can be seriously sharp, specially in the center.
If you like the focal length I´d suggest you to have at least 2 versions, the old (44 or 44-2) and the new (44M-x).
Or you can become a fan like me and have a dozen different versions

Second that. I’ve got four: a 13-blade 44 from 1962, a zebra MMZ 44-2, an 44M and an 44K-4. Curiously the oldest one swirls the least, or perhaps more softly. Haven’t tried the more recent ones (-5, -6 or -7), nor the 44-3 which seems to be preferred with a lot of folks. So many lenses, so little time...

KMZ 44 (M39, 13 blades)


MMZ 44-2


KMZ 44M


KMZ 44K-4

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Last edited by Jacchini; 09-15-2018 at 08:35 AM.

[TerryL]

The difference is the resolution. And usually the newer versions have less swirly bokeh.

Hello,
Who could read this thread without trying this lens? Yesterday, I went straight to eBay and ordered the 44K-4 K mount. I had no idea what I was looking for. Is this lens a new or old model? Will it perform well on my K-1?
Thank you,
Terry

[Cabessius]

Hello,
Who could read this thread without trying this lens? Yesterday, I went straight to eBay and ordered the 44K-4 K mount. I had no idea what I was looking for. Is this lens a new or old model? Will it perform well on my K-1?
Thank you,
Terry

You can see the great results in this thread, check the post of @mattb123
The 44K-4 is multicoated and has six blades, so it's in the "modern" side.
Consider also getting a dirt-cheap 44 or 44-2 (non MC and eight blades) and compare.
WARNING: This can be addictive.

[TerryL]

You can see the great results in this thread, check the post of @mattb123
The 44K-4 is multicoated and has six blades, so it's in the "modern" side.
Consider also getting a dirt-cheap 44 or 44-2 (non MC and eight blades) and compare.
WARNING: This can be addictive.

Thank you for the info. The 44-2 is the other one that I was going to get. I just didn't know if it would be enough difference between the two to have both.
Terry

[cyberjunkie]

Beware, the original 44 (M39, 8 or 13 blades), unless adjusted by the vendor, DOES NOT reach infinity.
It's amazing to see that many people don't even notice that!
Same thing applies to the Helios 40 (original "silver" version, M39). Bought mine cleaned and refurbished, with the M39>M42 ring, and the seller had already taken care of the problem. If you find one on the cheap it would probably miss the infinity by a little bit.
The solution is to unscrew (that simple!) the lens head from the barrel, take out the washer that you can find underneath, and sand it with sandpaper until the thickness is reduced enough to allow for infinity focusing. It should be a third of a mm, or something like that.
When I did it, it was spot on after the first tentative.
Pay attention to change the position of the ring and sand in circles, to keep the washer as flat as possible.
Now my Helios 44 silver (8 blades) is one of my most favourite lenses.
All the 44's are "sharp enough" stopped down at mid apertures. The newer the sharper, of course, but I believe that what changes the most across versions is the bokeh.
IMHO the 44-2 is the best balance between the two extremes, and of course the 44-K is the most usable cause it can be quickly swapped with any other PK mount

Even the 44M is perfectly capable of smooth portraits wide open. I do plenty of portraits, but I can't post for privacy reasons. So here is one of myself:

Selfie, a few years ago

[awscreo]

I honestly can't see much difference between my 44k-4 and 44-2, except the flare resistance (44-2 flares in very crazy and flamboyant fashion lol, while 44k-4 is more controlled). the 44-4 has 8 aperture blades, the bokeh should be different, but I don't notice it at all (maybe I'm not doing it right, it's always a possibility). So I much prefer my 44k-4 due to native K mount. It also seems sharper, not sure if it's just more modern coatings creating that illusion. Come to think of it, I haven't given it any use for a while, going to dust it off today and take it for a spin

[mattb123]

I honestly can't see much difference between my 44k-4 and 44-2, except the flare resistance (44-2 flares in very crazy and flamboyant fashion lol, while 44k-4 is more controlled). the 44-4 has 8 aperture blades, the bokeh should be different, but I don't notice it at all (maybe I'm not doing it right, it's always a possibility). So I much prefer my 44k-4 due to native K mount. It also seems sharper, not sure if it's just more modern coatings creating that illusion. Come to think of it, I haven't given it any use for a while, going to dust it off today and take it for a spin

My sentiments too. I gave my 44-2 to my son so I could use the nicer K mount one.

[cyberjunkie]

I honestly can't see much difference between my 44k-4 and 44-2, except the flare resistance (44-2 flares in very crazy and flamboyant fashion lol, while 44k-4 is more controlled)

We're talking about subtle differences.
Probably it should be quite evident if you shoot a newspaper at some distance, and then compare the oldest with the newest. I believe at 100% the difference in sharpness would show.
The different amount/quality of swirl would also be noticeable, with the right subject.
The differences are really nuances of the same colour, if the comparison is between one Helios and the immediate successor (or predecessor).
The visual perception of the bokeh is affected by the resolution of the lens (and I guess also by its contrast). The less it is sharp, the more a lens gives the impression of smooth transitions between focus planes. So it is difficult to consider one separate from the other.
Coating has been improved over time during the evolution of the Helios 44, no surprise if an older lens flares more than a more recent one.
The Helios started as a knock-off the Zeiss Biotar, to evolve in a more modern lens, sharper and more contrasty. The optical project has been revised a number of time, so that the resolution figures officially given by the GOI institute have risen a lot, model after model, because of minimal changes in the optical project and because of the evolution of the coating. Where the lens has been produced also makes a difference.
How much of that can be seen with the bare eye? Not much, I think.

[TerryL]

My sentiments too. I gave my 44-2 to my son so I could use the nicer K mount one.

That's good to hear. I just ordered the 44-4 from eBay after reading this thread. It should be fun to just the try it out. Mine is in like new condition, so it's beautiful.
Terry