Soviet lenses club

**GUB** · 09-01-2016, 05:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by goatsNdonkey

Reading some of the posts in this thread and the East German lens club thread, got me curious about some of these interesting lenses known for sharp centers, when wide open, and interesting bokeh. Consequently, I started watching several of these lens types on the auction site. Lots of times the prices would be reasonable, then zoom up. Or, they didn't zoom up much, but the shipping charge from Russia, or the Ukraine, or somewhere else was pretty high to begin with.... I wasn't in a hurry, though, so there was no problem.

Then, recently, I found one on 'bay, not in my usual m42 lens search, but in the film slr section, because it was a Helios 44-2 2/58mm attached to a Zenit B! And it was in Texas, just a few states south of here, so the shipping wasn't high. Lens, body, and original case were under $25. The package arrived today. The camera has hardly any signs of previous use, and seems to work fine...except that the shutter curtain is sluggish especially at B and 1/30 sec, not necessarily closing all the way each time. Since it works fine at higher shutter speeds, I'm wondering how much of the stiffness is from just being in storage for most of its life. I'm trying a roll of film in it, now, so we'll see if I get any uneven exposures, way overexposed on one side of the frame.

The B is like the Zenit E, except there is no internal meter. Mine looks just like the third example on this webpage: Soviet and Russian Cameras - Zenit-B, -BM, -BE2
According to that page, it probably would have been made between 1968-1977. The body serial number is No69104090 -- can anybody tell any other interesting details based on that?

The Helios 44-2 2/58's serial number is N0552046. I was surprised the lens body was plastic, or bakelite, or some other non-metalic material, making it light compared to a similar sized and aged Takumar. Initially, I cleaned the lens and put it on my K110D for a few test shots. It seems to work great. And if you shoot it wide open, you don't have to remember to twist the preset actuating ring before exposure! After those shots, and about ten on film with the Zenit (so far), I'm starting to remember how to use a preset lens. A little later today, I'll post a few of the digital posts with the Helios, my official debut as a member of the club!

All my Helios lenses are metal. A glance at the serial of one of my 44-2 - it doesn't have a letter instead is 8 digits.

**GUB** · 09-01-2016, 05:57 PM

Ahh both my helios 44 have a similar serial number. And they are made at different places.

**goatsNdonkey** · 09-01-2016, 06:13 PM - **1 Like**

Here are a few samples from my new Helios 44-2 2/58 on my K110D. The first two are at f2, and the third one, a landscape, at f8 looks pretty sharp all over:

The seed head from a bee balm flower.

Our hound dog, Newman. Very soulful depiction of his eyes.

Goat on a stump.

It should be fun to try the Helios out on my K10D!

Na Horuk · 09-03-2016, 02:07 PM - **1 Like**

Overgrown arch, Helios 44-2

**goatsNdonkey** · 09-03-2016, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by GUB

All my Helios lenses are metal. A glance at the serial of one of my 44-2 - it doesn't have a letter instead is 8 digits.

Maybe mine is metal, but it seemed way lighter than I expected when I first took it off of the Zenit B.

---------- Post added 09-03-16 at 09:41 PM ----------

Originally posted by GUB

Ahh both my helios 44 have a similar serial number. And they are made at different places.

I believe mine is a KMZ.

---------- Post added 09-03-16 at 09:44 PM ----------

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Overgrown arch, Helios 44-2

Rich colors!

AldaCZ · 09-04-2016, 11:03 AM - **1 Like**

Helios 44K

**goatsNdonkey** · 09-09-2016, 08:16 AM

Demonstration of "tack sharp in the center (soft elsewhere) at f2"

Spider and web, on cloudy/dewy morning.
Helios 44-2 f2 58mm
K10D: iso 200, f2, 1/160th sec.

**paulh** · 09-10-2016, 07:54 AM - **1 Like**

Nice shots with the Helios 44s, guys. I need to pick one of those up sometime.

Flare/bokeh from the Industar 50-2 (taken with the hood on)

huibgeselschap · 09-10-2016, 01:50 PM - **2 Likes**

I found a Zenit EM with a Helios 44M from 1980 ( Olympic edition) on a fair in England for 20 pounds, not too bad, just a bit dirty... Photo's came out nice though, I think I will keep theHelios on my Canon for a while
The persons are 2 local trades people:

huibgeselschap · 09-10-2016, 02:06 PM - **2 Likes**

also on the same fair a nice piece of kit for my new russian camera (also 20 pounds):

Topsy · 09-12-2016, 01:26 PM - **4 Likes**

Posted both these in the Pentax-Day gallery.

Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down

Jupiter 9 at something very close to f2 (or wide open, I've got no clue

)

**paulh** · 09-12-2016, 07:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Topsy

Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down

Nice sharp shot of the vintage Honda!

Gloomy debris with an Industar 50-2. My copy may have a decentering issue, altho luckily I rarely use it for landscapes.

**ivanvernon** · 09-13-2016, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by Topsy

Posted both these in the Pentax-Day gallery.

Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down

Jupiter 9 at something very close to f2 (or wide open, I've got no clue

)

Good shots with the 44k-4. I have this same lens and like it, but it is not always the sharpest lens but with nice character.

**goatsNdonkey** · 09-13-2016, 07:57 AM

Do any of our Soviet Lens fans have any experience with the Yahoo Zenit Camera Group? I applied to join it and was "welcomed" as a member a week ago, but none of my messages are getting posted. I joined to learn more about the Zenit B I got with my Helios 44-2 2/58. The group is supposed to have 1200 members, and what is more important a PF post in a Zenit-related thread listed it as a resource for Zenit info.

I'm suspecting that either there is a technical glitch or a very lazy group moderator (I'm waiting for replies from the moderator, whom I've already emailed about the problem). I can see recent group "conversations" on the group page, since I was welcomed as a member. There doesn't seem to be much salient discussion, mostly moderator posts, and maybe they are auto-posts. I'm also wondering whether the group is virtually dead, and joining it was a waste of time.

Any thoughts from others who know something about that group?

micromacro · 09-13-2016, 11:19 AM

I've tried yahoo group ones (not photo related). The group seemed big, but also dead.
You can find plenty of information about Zenit V online:
Zenit B - Camerapedia - Wikia

---------- Post added 09-13-16 at 11:22 AM ----------

Originally posted by Topsy

Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down

I love that lens stopped down, more than wide open. Never could understand why the majority of shooters use this lens only wide open.
Great shot!

09-10-2016, 01:50 PM - 2 Likes	#3204
huibgeselschap Junior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: KLeve, 47533 Posts: 30	I found a Zenit EM with a Helios 44M from 1980 ( Olympic edition) on a fair in England for 20 pounds, not too bad, just a bit dirty... Photo's came out nice though, I think I will keep theHelios on my Canon for a while The persons are 2 local trades people: Attached Images Last edited by huibgeselschap; 09-10-2016 at 02:10 PM.

09-10-2016, 02:06 PM - 2 Likes	#3205
huibgeselschap Junior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: KLeve, 47533 Posts: 30	also on the same fair a nice piece of kit for my new russian camera (also 20 pounds): Attached Images

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09-01-2016, 05:50 PM - 1 Like	#3196
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Originally posted by goatsNdonkey Reading some of the posts in this thread and the East German lens club thread, got me curious about some of these interesting lenses known for sharp centers, when wide open, and interesting bokeh. Consequently, I started watching several of these lens types on the auction site. Lots of times the prices would be reasonable, then zoom up. Or, they didn't zoom up much, but the shipping charge from Russia, or the Ukraine, or somewhere else was pretty high to begin with.... I wasn't in a hurry, though, so there was no problem. Then, recently, I found one on 'bay, not in my usual m42 lens search, but in the film slr section, because it was a Helios 44-2 2/58mm attached to a Zenit B! And it was in Texas, just a few states south of here, so the shipping wasn't high. Lens, body, and original case were under $25. The package arrived today. The camera has hardly any signs of previous use, and seems to work fine...except that the shutter curtain is sluggish especially at B and 1/30 sec, not necessarily closing all the way each time. Since it works fine at higher shutter speeds, I'm wondering how much of the stiffness is from just being in storage for most of its life. I'm trying a roll of film in it, now, so we'll see if I get any uneven exposures, way overexposed on one side of the frame. The B is like the Zenit E, except there is no internal meter. Mine looks just like the third example on this webpage: Soviet and Russian Cameras - Zenit-B, -BM, -BE2 According to that page, it probably would have been made between 1968-1977. The body serial number is No69104090 -- can anybody tell any other interesting details based on that? The Helios 44-2 2/58's serial number is N0552046. I was surprised the lens body was plastic, or bakelite, or some other non-metalic material, making it light compared to a similar sized and aged Takumar. Initially, I cleaned the lens and put it on my K110D for a few test shots. It seems to work great. And if you shoot it wide open, you don't have to remember to twist the preset actuating ring before exposure! After those shots, and about ten on film with the Zenit (so far), I'm starting to remember how to use a preset lens. A little later today, I'll post a few of the digital posts with the Helios, my official debut as a member of the club! All my Helios lenses are metal. A glance at the serial of one of my 44-2 - it doesn't have a letter instead is 8 digits.

09-01-2016, 05:57 PM	#3197
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Ahh both my helios 44 have a similar serial number. And they are made at different places.

09-01-2016, 06:13 PM - 1 Like	#3198
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,728	Here are a few samples from my new Helios 44-2 2/58 on my K110D. The first two are at f2, and the third one, a landscape, at f8 looks pretty sharp all over: The seed head from a bee balm flower. Our hound dog, Newman. Very soulful depiction of his eyes. Goat on a stump. It should be fun to try the Helios out on my K10D!

09-03-2016, 02:07 PM - 1 Like	#3199
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Overgrown arch, Helios 44-2

09-03-2016, 07:38 PM	#3200
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,728	Originally posted by GUB All my Helios lenses are metal. A glance at the serial of one of my 44-2 - it doesn't have a letter instead is 8 digits. Maybe mine is metal, but it seemed way lighter than I expected when I first took it off of the Zenit B. ---------- Post added 09-03-16 at 09:41 PM ---------- Originally posted by GUB Ahh both my helios 44 have a similar serial number. And they are made at different places. I believe mine is a KMZ. ---------- Post added 09-03-16 at 09:44 PM ---------- Originally posted by Na Horuk Overgrown arch, Helios 44-2 Rich colors!

09-04-2016, 11:03 AM - 1 Like	#3201
AldaCZ Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North Bohemia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,251	Helios 44K

09-09-2016, 08:16 AM	#3202
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,728	Demonstration of "tack sharp in the center (soft elsewhere) at f2" Spider and web, on cloudy/dewy morning. Helios 44-2 f2 58mm K10D: iso 200, f2, 1/160th sec.

09-10-2016, 07:54 AM - 1 Like	#3203
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	Nice shots with the Helios 44s, guys. I need to pick one of those up sometime. Flare/bokeh from the Industar 50-2 (taken with the hood on)

09-12-2016, 01:26 PM - 4 Likes	#3206
Topsy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 625	Posted both these in the Pentax-Day gallery. Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down Jupiter 9 at something very close to f2 (or wide open, I've got no clue )

09-12-2016, 07:48 PM - 1 Like	#3207
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,262	Originally posted by Topsy Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down Nice sharp shot of the vintage Honda! Gloomy debris with an Industar 50-2. My copy may have a decentering issue, altho luckily I rarely use it for landscapes.

09-13-2016, 06:51 AM	#3208
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by Topsy Posted both these in the Pentax-Day gallery. Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down Jupiter 9 at something very close to f2 (or wide open, I've got no clue ) Good shots with the 44k-4. I have this same lens and like it, but it is not always the sharpest lens but with nice character.

09-13-2016, 07:57 AM	#3209
goatsNdonkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Fulton County, Illinois Posts: 3,728	Do any of our Soviet Lens fans have any experience with the Yahoo Zenit Camera Group? I applied to join it and was "welcomed" as a member a week ago, but none of my messages are getting posted. I joined to learn more about the Zenit B I got with my Helios 44-2 2/58. The group is supposed to have 1200 members, and what is more important a PF post in a Zenit-related thread listed it as a resource for Zenit info. I'm suspecting that either there is a technical glitch or a very lazy group moderator (I'm waiting for replies from the moderator, whom I've already emailed about the problem). I can see recent group "conversations" on the group page, since I was welcomed as a member. There doesn't seem to be much salient discussion, mostly moderator posts, and maybe they are auto-posts. I'm also wondering whether the group is virtually dead, and joining it was a waste of time. Any thoughts from others who know something about that group?

09-13-2016, 11:19 AM	#3210
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	I've tried yahoo group ones (not photo related). The group seemed big, but also dead. You can find plenty of information about Zenit V online: Zenit B - Camerapedia - Wikia ---------- Post added 09-13-16 at 11:22 AM ---------- Originally posted by Topsy Helios 44k-4 slightly stopped down I love that lens stopped down, more than wide open. Never could understand why the majority of shooters use this lens only wide open. Great shot!