[ewig]

i dont know what kind version of this helios .... but i do know ...
is very2 smooth ....

Attached Images

 

[HoBykoYan]

My 44M focus is smooth as a baby's butt... like butter


Steve, nice series... I almost picked up a 44-4 the other day... shipping price pushed it too high.

Is it a WB issue / difference on the purple/blue flowers? My 44M does purple ok

I was wondering why many users are complaining about the focus, i thought mine was of another design... anyway i bought mine 6 hrs ago in an antique shop for $14, like Igilligan says smooth as a baby's butt indeed. Same as with my Super Tak 55 1.8 and M28 2.8 lenses.

[HoBykoYan]

First few shots with my 44M. Can anyone show samples of portraits with this (i mean any variety of the 58/2) lens?

[vladimiroltean]

I don't know if this qualifies as a portrait, but whatever...

Zenit TTL, Helios 44M, 1981, Kodak Color Plus 200, scanned by myself.

[stevebrot]

I was wondering why many users are complaining about the focus,

I finally got around to this thread again and noticed this post. The issue with the focus is that many (most?) of these lenses suffer from lubrication on the focus helicoid that has stiffened with age. Mine was to the point where attempting to focus would unscrew the lens from its mount. If yours works smoothly, that is excellent! Mine did not, though it is still one of my favorite lenses.


Steve

[Hinko]

When I received my 44M KMZ with Zenit ( https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31430-soviet-l...ml#post1260390 ) found that focus is stiff as grinding wheels. So I decided to disassemble by following this: Psychotic Studios Blog Archive Adjusting and Cleaning Focus on Helios 44M. Now it is very smooth and easy.

Hi ultraviolet, the link that you posted is no longer available. Would you mind sharing your procedures in cleaning the Helios 44M? Thanks!

[marcusBMG]

I did some comparison shots with a helios 44M, helios 44-2 (thats the one with the aperture rings on the front end) and a takumar 55mm 1.8.

My provisional conclusions:
- lenses broadly similar in performance
- nominal order of sharpness: 44M (best) , 44-2, tak
- most noticeable difference: warmer colours of the tak

I must admit I thought the tak would show a bit better...

[vladimiroltean]

How about corner sharpness?

[marcusBMG]

Hi ultraviolet, the link that you posted is no longer available. Would you mind sharing your procedures in cleaning the Helios 44M? Thanks!

see my post
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/207855-...ml#post2267204

[marcusBMG]

How about corner sharpness?

On my k-r I have to say that there wasn't major drop in corner sharpness. 1.5 crop factor ...

[Lloydy]

I found the 'Psychotic Studios' guide to disassembly and re-lubing on the 'wayback machine' site a few weeks ago, but for some reason I didn't bookmark it. I have got it saved as a PDF though. I'll try to find the link, or upload the PDF.

Found it -

http://web.archive.org/web/20110102164838/http://psychoticstudios.net/blog/archives/140

if that doesn't work go to 'Wayback machine'

http://archive.org/web/web.php

and put the RL in their search.

http://www.psychoticstudios.net/blog/archives/140


Here's some of the other Helios links I have.

Helios 44-2 repair

http://www.euphonium.plus.com/Drawings/Helios%2520Repair%2520Manual%2520English.pdf

Pin modification.

Modification H44M-4

They are great lenses, I love them.

[marcusBMG]

Thats a very useful account on psychotic studios but like me he has just done the easy stuff. Now there is an implication in his description - where he talking abouot aligning the two tabs and restoring the focus - that the position of the focus sleeve needed to be reset. This was not an issue on mine. The 3 set screws went into little depressions and there was only one possible position, and no issues (provided the inner body had not done a 360 while exposing the helcoid).

Full disassembly of the helicoid is achieved by twisting the inner body until the two tabs he mentions disengage thus allowing further turning until the helcoid separates. Or by taking those two tabs off. But that then begs the key question of reachieving infinity focus. In many cases only one re-engagement position will work... If you count the threads on a helicoid theres a lot of choice...

[Lloydy]

I'm afraid I can't offer any other advice really, I've had both of mine apart using the Psychotic Studio guide, and got them back together with no problems. The main thing is marking the focus barrel when it releases from the helicoid to ensure it goes back in the same one. It's a question of trial and error if that's not done.

[marcusBMG]

I'm afraid I can't offer any other advice really, I've had both of mine apart using the Psychotic Studio guide, and got them back together with no problems. The main thing is marking the focus barrel when it releases from the helicoid to ensure it goes back in the same one. It's a question of trial and error if that's not done.

Thats good to hear actually sounds like its not a big deal with this particular lens. Now I could tell you about my tamron ct200 200mm.....

[stevebrot]

- nominal order of sharpness: 44M (best) , 44-2, tak

I don't have a 44-2, but while my 44M is pretty excellent, I would suggest that something might be wrong with your Tak 55/1.8. I have two copies of the Super Tak 55/1.8 and both eat the Helios for breakfast, particularly if shot on film. (The Helios is very soft in the corners at all apertures, much as it is consistently sharp in the center at all apertures. This characteristic is very evident, even through the viewfinder, when shooting film.)


Steve

(...despite the goodness of the Taks, I still am extremely fond of and prefer shooting with the Helios 44M )