| Author: | | New Member Registered: April, 2013 Posts: 3
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 24, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Price, build quality, sharpness, bokeh | | Cons: | Weight? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Nikon Z6
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Think this is the last version built in M42 mount and probably the best in terms of image control. Built like a tank and should have smooth easy focus if serviced correctly. Bokeh can be controlled or swirly dependent on the angle of light entry. In focus areas always sharp as a tack at f2.0 so no need to stop down unless you want large DoF.
Excellent colour reproduction and contrast if used with a deep enough hood. The M7 is considered the best in some circles so can only see them increasing in price in comparison to earlier iterations.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2016 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: April 18, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $55.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Solid Build, Smooth Bokeh | | Cons: | Stiff Focus Ring, Relatively Soft Results | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 9
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Was recommended this lens by a friend who had success with is copy. Overall I have found this to be a fun prime that I like to include in my regular lens lineup. The soft bokeh produces an effect that is no longer seen in portrait lenses. When wide open, it will produce a swirl of light rings radiating from the center of the image. My copy has a stiff, but workable focus, and its aperture works perfectly. For the price, this lens produces great results.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2019 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 122 | | Review Date: December 1, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $85.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharpness, bokeh, and build quality | | Cons: | None I can observe | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony A7II (w/ adapter)
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Understandably, there are a number of potential buyers who shy away from purchasing this lens because it's sold almost exclusively by Eastern European vendors, a number of whom are peddling counterfeit 44M-7 lenses, sadly. After doing my homework, I opted to buy my lens from a reputable Ukranian gentleman who sold me a terrific example in new condition. While it took a number of weeks to get here, it arrived in great shape as it was packed quite well.
I eagerly mated it with my Fotodiox M42 adapter and put it through its paces. Only after returning home and evaluating the shots I took on my monitor did I realize how beautifully cinematic this lens was--especially when shooting portraits. While the bokeh isn't nearly as distinct as that of the 44M-2 variant, I personally prefer it. What also surprised me was how nicely the lens handled. Granted, my lens was new, so I can't speak to how it will hold up over time, but I was very impressed with how positive the aperture detents were, and how smoothly it focused.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with this lens, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone eager to try a manual lens with a truly distinct character. So if you're intrigued by this lens, but remain concerned about finding a reputable seller, please don't hesitate to PM me, for I believe I have discovered a vendor you can trust. Cheers, and happy shooting!
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2016 Location: Bhubaneswar; A State in the East of India Posts: 296
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 20, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $24.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Bokeh, | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 350D
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One of my favourite Helios lenses. I own a Helios 44-2 as well as the Helios 44M-3 versions. I'd have to say handling wise Helios 44-2 is the worst for me. I find rotating the smooth aperture ring without any groves very difficult.
Compared to the rest, the 44M-7 ticks all the boxes for me. It has a very nice bokeh, lovely colour saturation and is easy to focus with. I don't shoot videos, so the click stop aperture ring is not a problem for me.
The only reason I'm not giving this lens a 10/10 is maybe there is some other lens out there which out performs this which I might acquire some day. 
Rest I'll let the pictures do the talking.
 | | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: November, 2016 Posts: 8 | | Review Date: November 20, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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Re fake copies I reckon the easiest way is to weigh the lens : it should weigh 270g being different from certain other models http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Helios-44 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2016 Location: Warsaw Posts: 32 | | Review Date: March 5, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Price, construction. | | Cons: | Problems with sharp copies. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 7
Camera Used: K-3
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One to rule all Helios. Best of all Helios in sharpnes and coating. Ultra rare. But M42 without switch auto/manual.
In my opinion good lens when You don't have a money for better portrait lenses. Second pros is swirly bokeh.
Good on film and for digital.
In minus - normal for USSR lenses - oil leak. Big problem with a unsharp copies.
Finally when You have a Zeiss or Takumar this lens make a negative suprise for You. 
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 166 | | Review Date: April 30, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $10.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great sharpness in the center even from f2 | | Cons: | Really soft corners until f5.6, but that's "normal" with Helios lenses | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5 II
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I compared this lens with 44-3 over here.
It's sharp in the center even from f2. Corners, in the other hand, are not that sharp and one must turn to f9 to have very good sharpness in the corners. It too has swirly bokeh.
For the past couple of days, it's always on my dslr. I just love it.
I can recommend it, but it's really expencive on e(vil)bay. I bought one, which was attached on Zenit 122 camera, for US$ 20.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2010 Posts: 4 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,620
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 6, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Super Sharp, metal construction, good contrast, good coatings | | Cons: | hard to find | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K5
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There are a few different variants of this lens. Mine is a Valdai factory issue:
The sharpness and contrast are notable as this lens is a solid performer. Built with metal construction and very compact. It doesn't have the soft artsy swirling bokeh of the Helios 44-2, not even close to that, so it depends what you are shooting. Best coatings of the Helios bunch for flare resistance and micro-contrast.
K20D
K5
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2013 Location: Storrs-Mansfield, Connecticut Posts: 223 | | Review Date: May 20, 2014 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Unknown | | Cons: | Unknown | |
Bought this lens quite a while ago when I was looking for good manual lenses at a decent price. It arrived with another lens--the Super Takumar 1:4/50mm--which distracted me entirely as I took it on my trip to Alaska and, well, this one went into my camera bag and I just discovered it, alone and forgotten.
It's now mounted on my K-01 as of tonight and I plan on testing it asap. The reason I'm writing this is to mention that my Helios 58mm F/2, 44M-7 has EIGHT blades, not six and is multicoated. I can find no mention of this lens anywhere on the Pentax forum and only found one other mentioned anywhere, but no details or back links were given. There are any number of Helios lenses with up to 18 blades. Some of the early silver ones commonly have 13 and others, like many of the 44m-2s are multicoated. These have 8 characters in their serial numbers.
However, the combination of a 44M-7 with multicoating and eight blades seems to be extremely unusual. The serial number is 8125572. Some test shots I took inside without a flash seem extremely good--no obvious signs of oily/stuck blades--but only a further test will determine more. Tomorrow should be exciting!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 48 | | Review Date: September 12, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $79.97
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything | | Cons: | M42, Manual (If those are problems for you), Would like it faster? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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Mine was even more expensive (though you could kind of knock about $20 off for shipping and take it down to around $60 paid for it).
Absolutely amazing lens. Always with me, usually on my camera. I don't even bother taking it off much anymore unless I want something specific from a different lens.
Focuses pretty close and with how good the resolution is, it sometimes looks like macro shots when you zoom in.
No complaints from me at all. The cons above are gripes I could see others make. I have none.
Shots below.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: July 13, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, contrast | | Cons: | not yet found | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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Just delivered by the mailman and mounted on a Canon EOS M. This is my first test shot. I paid more than usual for this Helios 44M-7 MC, but it has been on my wishlist a while after my first Helios, the 44M-2. Renowned for its sharpness and lovely bokeh. The "7" has the best coating of the entire 44M family. Mine has six Aperture Blades and was manufactured in the Valdai Optical-Mechanical Factory. The Optical Resolution of this MC Helios-44M-7 is 50/30 lines/mm (center/edge) . Not bad for a lens build around 1970.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/18...img_0109-e.jpg | | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Location: Belo Horizonte Posts: 17 | | |
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