Helios 44-2 (Гелиос-44-2) 58mm f2 preset 8 blades

ducdao · 04-25-2010, 06:30 AM

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?

Attached Images

ivoire · 04-25-2010, 06:48 AM

My helios 44-3 looks identical to this with 44-3, serial# 94xxxxx MC. Mine fits on the k7 with no problems. there have been reported problems wit the fit of the 44-3, but i don't remember anything on the 44-2

Laurentiu Cristofor · 04-25-2010, 11:01 AM

I never saw this particular build. For the focusing issue, you should examine the rear of the lens and make sure nothing protrudes out of it. Can you post a shot of the rear element as well?

ovim · 04-25-2010, 12:25 PM

I think there's been talk about this problem on this thread Some Helios models have focusing difficulties because the focus ring is touching the body when mounted.

ducdao · 04-25-2010, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by ovim

I think there's been talk about this problem on this thread Some Helios models have focusing difficulties because the focus ring is touching the body when mounted.

Thanks for pointing that out, Ovim. Looks like the same problem that I have. Oddly, mine is a 44-2 while the lenses reported to have that issue are all 44-3.

ducdao · 04-25-2010, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

I never saw this particular build. For the focusing issue, you should examine the rear of the lens and make sure nothing protrudes out of it. Can you post a shot of the rear element as well?

I'm at work right now so I don't have access to the lens. Will post it later today. As Ovim pointed out, this looks like a known issue for few Helios lenses.

04-25-2010, 06:30 AM	#1
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Helios 44-2 (Гелиос-44-2) 58mm f2 preset 8 blades 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? Attached Images

04-25-2010, 06:48 AM	#2
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	My helios 44-3 looks identical to this with 44-3, serial# 94xxxxx MC. Mine fits on the k7 with no problems. there have been reported problems wit the fit of the 44-3, but i don't remember anything on the 44-2 Last edited by ivoire; 04-25-2010 at 12:44 PM.

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04-25-2010, 11:01 AM	#3
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	I never saw this particular build. For the focusing issue, you should examine the rear of the lens and make sure nothing protrudes out of it. Can you post a shot of the rear element as well?

04-25-2010, 12:25 PM	#4
ovim Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tre, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	I think there's been talk about this problem on this thread Some Helios models have focusing difficulties because the focus ring is touching the body when mounted.

04-25-2010, 06:13 PM	#5
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by ovim I think there's been talk about this problem on this thread Some Helios models have focusing difficulties because the focus ring is touching the body when mounted. Thanks for pointing that out, Ovim. Looks like the same problem that I have. Oddly, mine is a 44-2 while the lenses reported to have that issue are all 44-3.

04-25-2010, 06:15 PM	#6
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160 Original Poster	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor I never saw this particular build. For the focusing issue, you should examine the rear of the lens and make sure nothing protrudes out of it. Can you post a shot of the rear element as well? I'm at work right now so I don't have access to the lens. Will post it later today. As Ovim pointed out, this looks like a known issue for few Helios lenses.