Scared to use Helios M42 Lens - Help!

Rampage2k5 · 12-16-2014, 01:02 PM

Hi, i have a pentax M42 to K adapter and a Helios 44M2 58mm lens
There is an aperture pin that does not depress and im scared to mount it on my K5IIs.
Would it be dangerous to have it damage my camera?

stevebrot · 12-16-2014, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Rampage2k5

Would it be dangerous to have it damage my camera?

The aperture actuator pin poses the same hazard to your K-mount camera as the same pin on most other M42 lenses. That would be none. Your main issue will probably be that only one Helios 44 variant having the pin also has the Auto/Manual switch on the side that allows for manual aperture operation. You may be looking at having to disable the pin in order to stop the lens down. There are instructions on the Web.

Steve

stevebrot · 12-16-2014, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by Rampage2k5

Helios 44M2

BTW...what is a Helios 44M2? I am pretty familiar with the Helios 44 variants, but have never heard of that one.

Steve

Not a Number · 12-16-2014, 01:18 PM

It should be no problem as there is plenty of clearance for the aperture pin on screwmount lenses. The aperture pin was used on 35mm SLRs to begin with and the M42 K-mount adapter was designed for film cameras.

There are some screwmount lenses with protruding rear elements that could only be used in mirror lockup mode that should be avoided.

LensBeginner · 12-16-2014, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

BTW...what is a Helios 44M2? I am pretty familiar with the Helios 44 variants, but have never heard of that one.

Steve

maybe he just meant M42?

aleonx3 · 12-16-2014, 01:49 PM

You should have no problem using it on k-5IIs with a m42 to k-mount adapter..

stevebrot · 12-16-2014, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

There are some screwmount lenses with protruding rear elements that could only be used in mirror lockup mode that should be avoided.

???

I know there are often issues with Canon FF, but I am not aware of any clearance problems with APS-C K-mount cameras. What lenses were you thinking of?

Steve

stevebrot · 12-16-2014, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

maybe he just meant M42?

That is what I thought, but there is no harm in asking. It would not surprise me to see yet another Helios 44 variant come to light.

Steve

Not a Number · 12-16-2014, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I know there are often issues with Canon FF, but I am not aware of any clearance problems with APS-C K-mount cameras. What lenses were you thinking of?

My bad, I was thinking of some of the Nikon fish-eyes which aren't even screwmount. Chalk it up to a senior moment or CRS (Can't Remember S---).

LensBeginner · 12-16-2014, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

That is what I thought, but there is no harm in asking. It would not surprise me to see yet another Helios 44 variant come to light.

Steve

You talk like an entomologist! I like it!

stevebrot · 12-16-2014, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

You talk like an entomologist! I like it!

Hmmmm...I was a marine botanist in another life and I guess some of the language stuck.

Steve

Topsy · 12-16-2014, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

???

I know there are often issues with Canon FF, but I am not aware of any clearance problems with APS-C K-mount cameras. What lenses were you thinking of?

Steve

I believe the (ISCO-Göttingen) Berolina Westromat 35mm f2.8 manages to hit them at infinity.. At least I've read so somewhere.
If someone knows for sure that it doesn't I'd go and pick one up..

stevebrot · 12-16-2014, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by Topsy

I believe the (ISCO-Göttingen) Berolina Westromat 35mm f2.8 manages to hit them at infinity..

On APS-C? I did the Google search and found a reference on the MF forums regarding that lens. There were several posts (including a few from users on this site) indicating mirror interference on several recent Pentax dSLRs. I find this amazing since the Westromat was designed for 35mm film. I would be curious as to what film cameras that lens worked with.

Steve

Rampage2k5 · 12-16-2014, 08:17 PM

I meant the 58mm 44M2 helios lens.
Thats what i find it as on google as well hehe.

Thanks for all the imput guys, really appreciated.

**boriscleto** · 12-16-2014, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Rampage2k5

I meant the 58mm 44M2 helios lens.
Thats what i find it as on google as well hehe.

Thanks for all the imput guys, really appreciated.

Still have never heard of it. The Helios 44, Helios 44-2 and Helios 44-3 are pre-set lenses.

The Helios 44m was the first auto aperture version, it had an A/M switch. Then came the 44m-4, 44m-5, 44m-6 etc. The later versions have no A/M switch.

Helios 44 M42 Lenses | Pixelfarmize

12-16-2014, 01:02 PM	#1
Rampage2k5 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau, Quebec Posts: 156	Scared to use Helios M42 Lens - Help! Hi, i have a pentax M42 to K adapter and a Helios 44M2 58mm lens There is an aperture pin that does not depress and im scared to mount it on my K5IIs. Would it be dangerous to have it damage my camera?

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12-16-2014, 01:13 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Rampage2k5 Would it be dangerous to have it damage my camera? The aperture actuator pin poses the same hazard to your K-mount camera as the same pin on most other M42 lenses. That would be none. Your main issue will probably be that only one Helios 44 variant having the pin also has the Auto/Manual switch on the side that allows for manual aperture operation. You may be looking at having to disable the pin in order to stop the lens down. There are instructions on the Web. Steve

12-16-2014, 01:16 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Rampage2k5 Helios 44M2 BTW...what is a Helios 44M2? I am pretty familiar with the Helios 44 variants, but have never heard of that one. Steve

12-16-2014, 01:18 PM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It should be no problem as there is plenty of clearance for the aperture pin on screwmount lenses. The aperture pin was used on 35mm SLRs to begin with and the M42 K-mount adapter was designed for film cameras. There are some screwmount lenses with protruding rear elements that could only be used in mirror lockup mode that should be avoided.

12-16-2014, 01:46 PM	#5
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by stevebrot BTW...what is a Helios 44M2? I am pretty familiar with the Helios 44 variants, but have never heard of that one. Steve maybe he just meant M42?

12-16-2014, 01:49 PM	#6
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	You should have no problem using it on k-5IIs with a m42 to k-mount adapter..

12-16-2014, 01:51 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Not a Number There are some screwmount lenses with protruding rear elements that could only be used in mirror lockup mode that should be avoided. ??? I know there are often issues with Canon FF, but I am not aware of any clearance problems with APS-C K-mount cameras. What lenses were you thinking of? Steve

12-16-2014, 01:52 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by LensBeginner maybe he just meant M42? That is what I thought, but there is no harm in asking. It would not surprise me to see yet another Helios 44 variant come to light. Steve

12-16-2014, 02:02 PM	#9
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by stevebrot I know there are often issues with Canon FF, but I am not aware of any clearance problems with APS-C K-mount cameras. What lenses were you thinking of? My bad, I was thinking of some of the Nikon fish-eyes which aren't even screwmount. Chalk it up to a senior moment or CRS (Can't Remember S---).

12-16-2014, 02:04 PM	#10
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by stevebrot That is what I thought, but there is no harm in asking. It would not surprise me to see yet another Helios 44 variant come to light. Steve You talk like an entomologist! I like it!

12-16-2014, 02:16 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by LensBeginner You talk like an entomologist! I like it! Hmmmm...I was a marine botanist in another life and I guess some of the language stuck. Steve

12-16-2014, 04:46 PM	#12
Topsy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 625	Originally posted by stevebrot ??? I know there are often issues with Canon FF, but I am not aware of any clearance problems with APS-C K-mount cameras. What lenses were you thinking of? Steve I believe the (ISCO-Göttingen) Berolina Westromat 35mm f2.8 manages to hit them at infinity.. At least I've read so somewhere. If someone knows for sure that it doesn't I'd go and pick one up..

12-16-2014, 06:20 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Topsy I believe the (ISCO-Göttingen) Berolina Westromat 35mm f2.8 manages to hit them at infinity.. On APS-C? I did the Google search and found a reference on the MF forums regarding that lens. There were several posts (including a few from users on this site) indicating mirror interference on several recent Pentax dSLRs. I find this amazing since the Westromat was designed for 35mm film. I would be curious as to what film cameras that lens worked with. Steve

12-16-2014, 08:17 PM	#14
Rampage2k5 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau, Quebec Posts: 156 Original Poster	I meant the 58mm 44M2 helios lens. Thats what i find it as on google as well hehe. Thanks for all the imput guys, really appreciated.

12-16-2014, 08:40 PM	#15
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Rampage2k5 I meant the 58mm 44M2 helios lens. Thats what i find it as on google as well hehe. Thanks for all the imput guys, really appreciated. Still have never heard of it. The Helios 44, Helios 44-2 and Helios 44-3 are pre-set lenses. The Helios 44m was the first auto aperture version, it had an A/M switch. Then came the 44m-4, 44m-5, 44m-6 etc. The later versions have no A/M switch. Helios 44 M42 Lenses \| Pixelfarmize