Soviet lenses club

Jean Poitiers · 03-28-2014, 10:57 PM

Some really, really excellent captures, folks ... bravo.

I am waiting on a Helios 44 (attached to a Zenit-B) that I won out of the UK ... just could not resist and hope that it comes in with decent optics ... on verra, as the French say. J

micromacro · 03-29-2014, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by ivanvernon

Ice has melted from our creeks in Ohio, and water is flowing freely. Here are couple shots with K-5II and Helios 44K-4.

Great pictures!
I did not explore that lens for landscape pictures. I've tried very shortly, and I did not like the result. It seems that it's not the lens fault but photographer's

Your pictures are inspiring.

**ivanvernon** · 03-29-2014, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by micromacro

Great pictures!
I did not explore that lens for landscape pictures. I've tried very shortly, and I did not like the result. It seems that it's not the lens fault but photographer's

Your pictures are inspiring.

Thank you for your kind remarks. I am always tempted to take the Helios on my nature walks, and I particularly like the K-5II catch in focus feature with this lens.

**paulh** · 03-29-2014, 05:31 PM

Zenitar 16 at the pond/dogpark again...

micromacro · 03-30-2014, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by paulh

Zenitar 16 at the pond/dogpark again...

How do you like this lens? Actually, I can not call that lens soviet, it's RF lens.

**paulh** · 03-30-2014, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by micromacro

How do you like this lens? Actually, I can not call that lens soviet, it's RF lens.

I'm not sure how to classify the Zenitar, but I do like this lens. My copy is a bit worn & well-used - so it's a little loose-feeling. But the optics are quite good, imo. Fairly sharp wide open, and very sharp stopped down a bit. Flare is a problem, as expected, and I have to use my hand as a hood until I can find a proper one. It's just a low cost fun lens, with surprisingly good performance!

Jean Poitiers · 03-30-2014, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by micromacro

How do you like this lens? Actually, I can not call that lens soviet, it's RF lens.

What do you mean by "RF lens" (?) ... don't quite understand your reference. J

**savoche** · 03-30-2014, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by Jean Poitiers

What do you mean by "RF lens" (?) ... don't quite understand your reference. J

Russian Federation? Just a guess

djpattiecake · 03-30-2014, 02:24 PM - **4 Likes**

1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30
i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes

untouched

**ivanvernon** · 03-30-2014, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by djpattiecake

1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30
i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes

untouched

All the "M" type lens pose certain focussing problems. I love my copy of the Helios 44-4 K, despite its quirks such as a hard-to-turn focussing ring. However, I find that "catch in focus" works really great for me on the K-5II. I don't own the K-30, but suppose it has this featuring aid as well. Maybe you are already using it, but if not it may be worth a try.

micromacro · 03-30-2014, 05:53 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by djpattiecake

1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30
i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes
untouched

Awesome picture!

---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 05:56 PM ----------

Originally posted by Jean Poitiers

What do you mean by "RF lens" (?) ... don't quite understand your reference. J

Oh, sorry, Russian Federation. It's not soviet era lens technically, it's renewed production at old plant. I'm not a big fan of post soviet era Russian goods.

---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 05:57 PM ----------

Originally posted by paulh

Fairly sharp wide open, and very sharp stopped down a bit. Flare is a problem, as expected, and I have to use my hand as a hood until I can find a proper one. It's just a low cost fun lens, with surprisingly good performance!

Thanks, it's good to know. Maybe I will get that lens one day to play with.

---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 06:00 PM ----------

I've tried to shoot landscape with helios 44K-4 today. Failed.

I don't blame the lens, most likely it's me.
Got ducks instead.

---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 06:01 PM ----------

Jean Poitiers · 03-30-2014, 10:21 PM

Originally posted by micromacro

... Oh, sorry, Russian Federation. It's not soviet era lens technically, it's renewed production at old plant. I'm not a big fan of post soviet era Russian goods.

... Got ducks instead.

Excellent "failures" there and thanks that for "Russian Fed" explanation ... was a bit too draft to come up with that one at first glance ... plus I read into it "Range Finder" at first and was stuck from there on ...

J

PS - merci à savoche for the RF hint ...

---------- Post added 03-31-14 at 07:23 ----------

Originally posted by djpattiecake

1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30
i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes

untouched

Excellent capture ... TFS, J

g026r · 04-04-2014, 08:12 AM

Been a while since I posted in here. Jupiter-37A:

fiveseven · 04-06-2014, 10:31 PM - **4 Likes**

OKC 75mm
Lens is more capable than me, I also think that my old Kx was more capable than K5II's, Yah, sounds crazy but I just so happen to take much better photos with it.

Jean Poitiers · 04-09-2014, 12:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Testing my new Helios 44 (not a "44-2"), wide open @ f2, MFD, ISO 160, 1/5000's, SOOC ... (x-post)

03-30-2014, 02:24 PM - 4 Likes	#2244
djpattiecake Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 28	1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30 i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes untouched Last edited by djpattiecake; 03-31-2014 at 05:45 AM.

04-06-2014, 10:31 PM - 4 Likes	#2249
fiveseven Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NV/CA Posts: 370	OKC 75mm Lens is more capable than me, I also think that my old Kx was more capable than K5II's, Yah, sounds crazy but I just so happen to take much better photos with it. Last edited by fiveseven; 04-06-2014 at 10:37 PM.

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03-28-2014, 10:57 PM	#2236
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Some really, really excellent captures, folks ... bravo. I am waiting on a Helios 44 (attached to a Zenit-B) that I won out of the UK ... just could not resist and hope that it comes in with decent optics ... *on verra*, as the French say. J

03-29-2014, 07:24 AM	#2237
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by ivanvernon Ice has melted from our creeks in Ohio, and water is flowing freely. Here are couple shots with K-5II and Helios 44K-4. Great pictures! I did not explore that lens for landscape pictures. I've tried very shortly, and I did not like the result. It seems that it's not the lens fault but photographer's Your pictures are inspiring.

03-29-2014, 07:47 AM	#2238
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by micromacro Great pictures! I did not explore that lens for landscape pictures. I've tried very shortly, and I did not like the result. It seems that it's not the lens fault but photographer's Your pictures are inspiring. Thank you for your kind remarks. I am always tempted to take the Helios on my nature walks, and I particularly like the K-5II catch in focus feature with this lens.

03-29-2014, 05:31 PM	#2239
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,252	Zenitar 16 at the pond/dogpark again...

03-30-2014, 04:54 AM	#2240
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by paulh Zenitar 16 at the pond/dogpark again... How do you like this lens? Actually, I can not call that lens soviet, it's RF lens.

03-30-2014, 10:18 AM	#2241
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,252	Originally posted by micromacro How do you like this lens? Actually, I can not call that lens soviet, it's RF lens. I'm not sure how to classify the Zenitar, but I do like this lens. My copy is a bit worn & well-used - so it's a little loose-feeling. But the optics are quite good, imo. Fairly sharp wide open, and very sharp stopped down a bit. Flare is a problem, as expected, and I have to use my hand as a hood until I can find a proper one. It's just a low cost fun lens, with surprisingly good performance!

03-30-2014, 10:21 AM	#2242
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by micromacro How do you like this lens? Actually, I can not call that lens soviet, it's RF lens. What do you mean by "RF lens" (?) ... don't quite understand your reference. J

03-30-2014, 10:30 AM	#2243
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Jean Poitiers What do you mean by "RF lens" (?) ... don't quite understand your reference. J Russian Federation? Just a guess

03-30-2014, 04:32 PM	#2245
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by djpattiecake 1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30 i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes untouched All the "M" type lens pose certain focussing problems. I love my copy of the Helios 44-4 K, despite its quirks such as a hard-to-turn focussing ring. However, I find that "catch in focus" works really great for me on the K-5II. I don't own the K-30, but suppose it has this featuring aid as well. Maybe you are already using it, but if not it may be worth a try.

03-30-2014, 05:53 PM - 1 Like	#2246
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Originally posted by djpattiecake 1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30 i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes untouched Awesome picture! ---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 05:56 PM ---------- Originally posted by Jean Poitiers What do you mean by "RF lens" (?) ... don't quite understand your reference. J Oh, sorry, Russian Federation. It's not soviet era lens technically, it's renewed production at old plant. I'm not a big fan of post soviet era Russian goods. ---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 05:57 PM ---------- Originally posted by paulh Fairly sharp wide open, and very sharp stopped down a bit. Flare is a problem, as expected, and I have to use my hand as a hood until I can find a proper one. It's just a low cost fun lens, with surprisingly good performance! Thanks, it's good to know. Maybe I will get that lens one day to play with. ---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 06:00 PM ---------- I've tried to shoot landscape with helios 44K-4 today. Failed. I don't blame the lens, most likely it's me. Got ducks instead. ---------- Post added 03-30-14 at 06:01 PM ----------

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03-30-2014, 10:21 PM	#2247
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by micromacro ... Oh, sorry, Russian Federation. It's not soviet era lens technically, it's renewed production at old plant. I'm not a big fan of post soviet era Russian goods. ... Got ducks instead. Excellent "failures" there and thanks that for "Russian Fed" explanation ... was a bit too draft to come up with that one at first glance ... plus I read into it "Range Finder" at first and was stuck from there on ... J PS - merci à savoche for the RF hint ... ---------- Post added 03-31-14 at 07:23 ---------- Originally posted by djpattiecake 1995 helios 44k-4 on my k-30 i LOVE this thing even if it is super hard to focus sometimes untouched Excellent capture ... TFS, J

04-04-2014, 08:12 AM	#2248
g026r Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,074	Been a while since I posted in here. Jupiter-37A:

04-09-2014, 12:50 PM - 2 Likes	#2250
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Testing my new Helios 44 (not a "44-2"), wide open @ f2, MFD, ISO 160, 1/5000's, SOOC ... (x-post)