Just bought a Helios but it's written in Cyrillic: Гелиос-44-2 instead of Helios 44-2. The lens is a preset lens and the serial number starts with 89xxxx so I guess it was built in 1989.
Is there a reason as to why it's not written "Helios 44-2" instead of "Гелиос-44-2"? Is this because this specific lens is not for export?
Also, this is my 5th Helios and while others have the focus barrel move quite smoothly, this one once installed to the M42 adapter on the K10D, the barrel is very stiff. I said once installed, because on its own the focus barrel turns very smoothly. I wonder if I got a faulty lens that is not screwed properly to the M42 adapter. I have the genuine M42 adapter from Pentax and never had this type of issue with any other M42 lenses.
Any thoughts?