| Author: | | New Member Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: June 1, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $21.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Unbelievable value, solid construction, beautiful bokeh and sharp images | | Cons: | Quite heavy, needs adapter for k-mount, focus ring stiff | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| |
I picked up this beauty of a prime lens on eBay about a year ago now, for a mere $20 AUD (about $21 USD at the time). I originally intended to pair it with my Zenit 3M or Pentax ME Super, but these days I often mount it on my Pentax DSLR with an M42 to k-mount adapter as well.
Great lens if you're a beginner looking for something to wean you off kit lenses. Metal body, glass lens. Apart from its relative heaviness (as opposed to recent plastic models, that is) it's really well-built. The overall quality is so much better than the rubbish kit lenses they give these days.
Pro 1: Vibrant, punchy, sharp images. I’m accustomed to my Pentax slightly underexposing so it was a pleasant surprise to see this lens produce such vivid photos.
Con 1: On my model, the focus ring is quite stiff. As mentioned earlier, it’s also a little heavier than your standard lens, as it’s made from metal.
Pro 2: Lovely, unique bokeh. For shots such as the one above, you get your usual soft dappled bokeh – nothing out of the ordinary. But take wide open shots such as the one below, and you’ll end up with this really bizarre creamy, swirling bokeh that looks almost like paint strokes.
This can possibly be Con 2, because some may find this sort of bokeh distracting, given that it’s not completely out of focus, but is quite sharp. I personally find it charming!
The verdict: for me, this lens is an absolute winner. Again, brilliant, almost unbelievable value especially if you’re just starting out and unsure of which lens to buy. It will force you to be creative as with all prime lenses, and because of its manual focus, you’ll also need to be quick and nimble. All it comes down to is whether you’re willing to embrace its quirks.
Some have complained of extreme flare, unreliable exposure meters and washed out colours, but I haven’t experienced that personally, apart from one instance (below). It may be due to the inconsistency of factory quality control or simply that my particular lens is a later model??
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: Lithuania Posts: 344 | | Review Date: April 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, unique bokeh, well build, reasonably smooth focusing ring | | Cons: | Prone to flare | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| |
Mine is Helios 44M with A/M switch. It has 8 aperture blades and is a sharp lens. It also produces quite unique and pleasing bokeh, kinda oil painted background. The focusing ring is reasonably smooth although it does not allow to be turned very quickly. The lens is prone to flare due to poor coating but it's not that bad. It produces cooler colors however contrast is generally fine. I use this lens both with my K-5 and Zenit ET and I am really happy with the results I get. As time goes by this lens becomes more expensive. Definitely needs to be saved for later times and used with respect.
F/2
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2012 Posts: 928
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 19, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Extra-ordinary results for the price | | Cons: | Wobbles a bit on the M42 screwmount | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| |
One really needs to suspend the laws of ratings for this lens. Just before posting this review, the Helios' average rating was 9.23 while the FA50 1.4 was 8.86, and the FA's optical quality is in a different league to the Helios. Plus the FA also delivers beautiful bokeh, in an entirely different fashion. So I'm rating the Helios an 8.
But, but, but.....rating by fun, swirly bokeh (most love, some hate), 'dirt-cheapness' and even its gun-metal feeling and smell, the Helios is beyond a 10. Forget about trying to re-create that famous swirly bokeh at f2 for a moment, close the aperture from the front (that's fun too), and its actually a center-sharp lens. It also delivers lovely pastel like colors on a sunny day, as long as its not pointing near the sun's rays, as it flares outrageously. Colour contrast is not always great, so images often need PP tweaking.
This lens can re-juvinate one's love for photography; rushing back to the computer to look at the results, just like people used to rush off to collect their developed negatives.
The big handling issue I have is that my lens wobbles on M42 screwmount because of its design, something that the 44M's snug fit avoids, so I got both, plus a lot of dirt (on the 44M), very cheaply.
EDIT: My 44-2 version was made in 1975 in the Valdai plant....and here are some examples of swirly bokeh
 | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 25, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Unique bokeh, built like a tank, sharp | | Cons: | None so far | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
| |
Got this in a lot with some other stuff off of an ebay/craigslist type site. Turns out the guy had packaged together all his bad crap and sold it off. Ended up with two moldy lenses, a Zenit EM with a dirty prism and this little gem of a Helios 44M. However, the focus ring was so stiff it would twist right of any M42 mount, nevermind my knockoff M42 to K adapters. Fortunately I only paid $40 for the lot, and wanted to study the inner workings of a lens anyways. It was just a matter of some sewing machine lube on the helicoid to make it as good as new. We´ll see if the oil migrates eventually, but for now I´m proud.
I took some great photos over the past couple of weeks both on my K-5 and the ME, and the Helios has now officially managed to earn a spot in my bag, kicking out my teleconverter. The bokeh is just absolutely amazing if you are into the slightly surreal and it is sharp all the way from f2.0. I also really like the 58mm for portraits.
Had a couple pictures with some flare, but have not noticed any aberrations. The handling is as with all M42 lenses, a little more cumbersome, but easy once you get into it. I have the version with an M/A switch.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 8 | | Review Date: March 11, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $23.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very smooth focus and aperture ring, stepless. IQ is very good. It is small and handy. Convenient focal length for crop sensors | | Cons: | Aperture is so smooth it is easy to change it by accident, 8 blades are nice, but not jawdropping for vintage lenses | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
| |
This lens has enough reputation to be hyped, but it really lives up to the reputation. I havent had a chance to produce swirly bokeh, but the normal bokeh is indeed very smooth. My aperture ring is put on opposite , reading F16 wide opena nd F2 closed. I don't know if this is typical, but it can happen. It doesnt matter in practice, it is easy to reverse in the head. The IQ is very good - see the dust on the buddha, haha. This is a 23 dollar lens, what's not to like!
Examples:
   | | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: November 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | cheap, if you can find one | | Cons: | flare, but has its charm | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
| |
I love the swirly bokey and the supersharp results when a stop or two closed down
http://www.flickr.com/photos/frdtrvr/8178463052/in/photostream | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 1,465
9 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 15, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ, built like a tank, sharpness, swirly bokeh | | Cons: | corner sharpness, stiff focus rings, QC | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| |
THIS LENS IS PHENOMENAL.
When used properly (hood is a must), this lens has incredible sharpness. Corner sharpness wide open stinks, though. Absolutely unbelievable performance for a $15 lens, given that some pay up to 100 times more for a portrait lens. "It's all that one may ever, ever need", as a forum colleague said. The focal length is noticeably different from a standard 50mm.
I will let some of my pictures tell the story of the lens. The one which is not wide open, is at f/11.
IMGP6511.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP5997.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP5330.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
_1A_0038.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP8921.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP8939.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP4847.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP4843.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP4819.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP4770.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
25A_0028-2.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP3948.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP3779.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP3771.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP3204.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP3085.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
IMGP6374.jpg by kcobain1992, on Flickr
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: May, 2012 Location: New York Posts: 52 | | Review Date: October 12, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, IQ, Color Saturation, Bokeh, Bokeh, Bokeh and Bokeh | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| |
Underrated lens with huge potential. Excellent results, colors, resolution, and bokeh is delish..
I own 44-2 and 44m, but find myself using 44-2 more often. Must have IMHO.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2012 Location: --- Posts: 6,802 | | Review Date: June 14, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $23.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, nice bokeh, built well, 87mm FX | | Cons: | heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 10
| |
Very nice lens, but very heavy for it's size. I have the 44m version built in 1980. It's sharp wide open (when you get the focus right which is not easy in darker conditions since at F2 the depth of field is very narrow, especially at close range). You can get excellent results with this lens chromatic aberrations are virtually absent. Exposure is also a bit hard. Wide open is underexposes about 2/3 to 1 stop but stopped down that gets less. Experience will tell you what to do. You will need a lens hood when shooting in sunny conditions wide open, because it adds a soft glow to your pictures.
Here the subject is nice and sharp en the bokeh excellent (ugly wires, but it's an example).
100% crop, here you can see the soft glow, while image is still pretty sharp. I'm hoping a hood will cure this.
Nice but narrow sharpness wide open.
Not just for close ups. notice the absence of colour fringing in the tree.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Posts: 632 | | Review Date: April 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $4.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Legendary Bokeh, Fast, Interesting Focal Length on APS-C, Cheap, Well Built | | Cons: | Not being produced anymore. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
| |
Picked this up at a local thrift shop, has a minor scuff on the rear and front elements, but nothing that affects IQ as far as I can tell. Bokeh is AMAZING!(Looks like the background was an oil painting that was blasted with water before it dried) If you have to choose between this and a Pentax-M 50 1:2.0 - Pick this one, no coatings, but has better results.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Posts: 18,076 | | Review Date: April 5, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast enough, bokeh, T-34 tank build, fun ... | | Cons: | None for the price, but wobbles on the M42 adapter ... | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| |
Bonjour,
I just snapped up a copy of this lens at the Montamisé camera expo/swap meet ... Wow, what a great find and especially for the price.
I was hunting "M42's" and came across this one ... plus some CZJ, Super-Tak and Soligor glass that I picked up.
I will add a sample photo or two later ...
EDIT : I now have at least 5 44-2's in varying states of repair - see photo below
Allez et un grand "merci" à nos amis les Russes! Salut, John le Frog
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2011 Location: guernsey Posts: 40 | | Review Date: April 3, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Cheap!!!!, wonderful bokeh, superb sharpness, f2, minimal aberrations, colour rendition, | | Cons: | build, focus ring, m42 mount | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
| |
Where do I start... the price! It's an absolute bargain, for $20 nothing comes close for value- it out-dose my $600 da* 55mm in terms of Bokeh and colour rendition! The Bokeh is smooth and quite busy- which personally I like. The sharpness is very good even wide open at f2. One may think that f2 isn't that wide but believe me that extra 8mm over a normal 50mm 1.8 makes a considerable difference. I have noticed absolutely no fringing or aberrations of any shape or form when shooting with this lens. It works well on both film and APS-C but with film tends to portray slightly cooler colour when inside under artificial light but this is of no major hindrance to the final image at all. Now for the bad. The build quality in terms of "what would happen if i where to drop it on to concrete out of a five story window" is rather good, bearing in mind it Russian so it's going to be made out of tank-grade iron! It's more the functionality of the build, like the fact that the focus ring gets stuck/slips if you move it too quickly. Also it has a aperture pin which isn't pushed down when used on a K-mount camera so you have to super glue it down! Also the Aperture Ring is quite flimsy. Finally being m42 mount isn't ideal, meaning you have to put the adapter on the camera, screw in the lens, then figure out that the aperture pin has come out so then you have to unscrew it...........!!!!!
But all the negatives are outweighed by the sheer stupid value of this thing! I have no hesitation in giving this 10/10!!
( N.B: I have the 44M-4 version)
Sample Photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bertie54/7035879591/ | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2010 Location: Oslo Posts: 7 | | Review Date: January 22, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $12.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, bokeh, cheap | | Cons: | little weak on contrast, not MC, no aperture ring clicks and aperture ring is infront which is unusual to me | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| |
Serienumber on my 44-2 is: 8731414
This is a great lens for the price on a FF, the lens operation is smooth with abit of wear on the barrel. Takes great picture with lacking abit of contrast which can be fixed later in pp. It also produce alil yellowish pictures so I had to custom cfg it on my 5d2.
I'm used to SMC tak 50 1.4 as my go to lens, but after wanting a CZ lens without paying prenium price I found this alternative which uses CZ biotar formula or so I heard. Been testing it the last couple days and I'm very suprised of the picture quality I'm getting for paying so little for it. It's very sharp, even in corners and the bokeh I get is smooth, not butterly but still smooth and pleasant to my eyes alltho biotar forumla was supposed to be famous for swirly bokeh but I havnt seen any of it yet.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2011 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 366 | | Review Date: November 19, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very Cheap, Unique Bokeh, Dual-Aperture rings | | Cons: | Dual-Aperture Rings, Unique Bokeh, Bad Flare Control. | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| |
What an oddball of a lens!
Got it for $20 on eBay recently, mounted it on my K20D and started taking photos.
Bokeh certainly is the selling point of this lens. It's either love it or hate it kinda thing.
It's cheap, sharp enough to use wide-open, and the dual-aperture has a cool application to it.
Focus ring turns about 270 degrees, which is a lot of precision at your fingertips. Good or bad, I suppose.
This lens has one of the worst flare control on a prime I've had to deal with so far.
Unwanted light washes photos out even with a [short] hood. Maybe getting a long tele hood might help? It doesn't look bad, it actually looks kinda like a special layer of effect applied on it. But in my opinion, less flare, the better.
Overall, this is a pleasant surprise. Bokeh alone makes up for the any imperfections this lens might have. At f/2.0, it's not the fastest prime, but it's not the slowest either. Definitely worth my $20.
Photos to back up my claim. (full size AND description on Flickr, so do go to my flickr account for further explanation)
First is just to show you how bokeh renders with this lens:
IMGP9653 by RickyFromVegas, on Flickr
IMGP9652 by RickyFromVegas, on Flickr
IMGP9654 by RickyFromVegas, on Flickr
NOW here's the bad bleeding lights:
IMGP9660 by RickyFromVegas, on Flickr
Next two photos are similar one. One without manual sun-block, and one with my hand hovering over the lens to block the sun:
Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 Wide Open by RickyFromVegas, on Flickr
Helios 44-2 58mm f/2 by RickyFromVegas, on Flickr
IMGP6211-2 by RickyFromVegas, on Flickr
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: June, 2011 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: July 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Super cheap, super center sharpness, awesome swirly bokeh | | Cons: | Aperture rings, pre-set aperture, no multi coating, big problem with flare control, mine one smells like urine | |
I got mine 44-2 with some coating came off, but doesn't affect the photo at all. However, I had been put away for many years, it came to me, smell really bad, like urine 
Good stuffs that it is EXTREMELY sharp at center. I was getting this lens because of its unique bokeh. Yes, very swirly. Matter is you like it or not.
I don't like the pre-set aperture and hate the flare control on this lens. I should with indoor light and still get a lot of flare, which covers 1/3 of my photo with white fog.
I wouldn't mind getting another mint condition for my collection. Here is the photo of this lens with extension tube of 36mm.
| | |
;)
;)
