Exactly. Which is the answer to how to use it. Sigma: documentary, Helios: narrative. However, if you stop down Helios to about f/8, it looks much more like a modern lens, and most artifacts disappear.
To be fair you can use a filter to get very close to what the helios is doing, you can't use a filter to get the info that the sigma is getting you. But if you want to get that dreamy effect fast the helios is a very cheap way of getting there. The only issue is you're going to struggle to get the focus right if you need something to actually be in focus.
First comparison and i'm instantly sold. Sigma 24-70 is my go-to lens for past years now. And although it's a very good and nice lens which never disappoints me, sometimes my footage feels so simple and boring. This Helios is a world of difference so definitely going to pick up one to get more interesting footage and character.
Like a lot of people, my first 35mm camera was a Zenit B with a Helios 44 lens (bought in the late 1960s if I recall right). Despite being totally manual it was great to use. Lost touch with it about 40 years ago (gave it away I think) and wish I still had it.
@@JonathanRichey There is MIR-1V 37 mm 2.8 (MIP-1B in cyrilic) lens with a similar bokeh. I have it and I'm still testing it. If you find something even wider, let me know.
@@JonathanRichey Helios has a much harder to find 28mm lens which was made in Japan rather than Russia. I believe it still has the same unique characteristics like the bokeh and all, but im not entirely read up on it.
Excellent work! I love the Helios, but sometimes the swirl can be a bit too much. But other than that, I love the colours and softness it produces. Looks like a movie.
@@heroaomedia There are so many variations of this lens and lenses like it haha! Do you know of any lens specifically that has these general characteristics but just a little less extreme with the swirliness? There might even be a specific version of the 44-2 that is the least extreme? Thanks so much!
Great video 🤩 I’m gonna buy one for my self because of this Which 44 -2 make is your using Like Belomo, Valdai, KMZ And is it 8 aperture blade or 6 aperture blade version?
I just received my first Helios 44-2. There is a serious problem if you have a Micro 4/3 camera. The resulting focal length will be double the 58mm. I had to order a .7 speed booster. Found one in China online for $89. Will see how that works.
Once time upon i want to buy this lens badly. But now i want to test hole filter hack with sigma 30m/1.4 to achieve swirly bokeh look and add all the rest imperfections in post. Just lazy to turn manual rings by hand.
Hi Jonathan, I'm in the market for a Helios 44-2 58mm lens, and I've noticed that there are various brands and versions of this lens. Can you let me know which specific version or brand you used in your test? Additionally, I've come across an anamorphic version of this lens. Would you recommend it? I'm a bit confused at the moment and would really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work on your channel!
Hello there, here is the lens I used for this test: Helios 44-2 58mm, KMZ version, made in the 1980s. Sorry, I've never used the anamorphic version of this lens so I can't give you any advice on it. But, I will say this. Filmmaking is a lot of trial and error and figuring out what you like and don't like. If you want to experiment with anamorphic lenses, I say go for it! If you don't like it, then just sell it and buy something else to try.
I have the Helios 44-2 it is a very sophisticated lens capable of great subtlety of expression. Although the differential bokeh is used by most at f2, the lens looks it’s best between f2.8 and f4, it is also very capable at f11 for a very sharp image with beautiful low contrast colour. Works best with a very deep, very large lens hood.
KMZ symbol is an angled square with a jumping arrow going through, MMZ is that same angled square but with a rounded line inside, and Valdai is a weird arrow thingy
@@djentlover Ok so on my lens I have a rectangle next to a circle; going through both of those is a line with an arrow on the right side. Hope that helps.
I am shooting on a Sony with an adapter so I can't speak to how it performs with the BMPC4k. However when I am shooting wide open (f2) outdoors with an ND filter on and my subject is backlit I do have trouble focusing. I am not used to manual focus lenses and not a fan of the focus ring on the Helios, which is probably why I don't use it as often.
great vid! BTW what is your steady shot settings? is it maxed out? Planning to buy a helios44-2 soon and wondering if it's good with Sony's steady shot enabled. Thanks!
That's a good question. I understand the concept but have not done any research yet on how the Helios lens handles focus breathing. Perhaps I will save that for a future video.
I have a Sony alpha 7 iv. Will this lens mount on my camera? I'm pretty new to having a camera and I know that some lenses won't work on my camera. Will this one? And if it won't, what alternative lens would work?
Yes, this lens will work on that camera as long as you get the right adapter. If you look in the description you'll see a link to the one I use. Cheers.
@@JonathanRichey Haha, Idk, but I asked someone on YT who makes videos using same setup about cropping and he said that there is no crop. So it can cover FF, but on APS-C there is cropping, somewhere around 1.5. I use this lens on my Fuji-XT2.
@@veeran5465 Hmmm... interesting. I have an old Sony a6500 crop sensor camera. Maybe I should do a comparison and see if there's any cropping just to be sure.
@@brotherjauffre770 Yes, I have another video on my channel going through the different LUTS from Mark Bone. If you look in the description you'll find a link where you can purchase them from Mark.
I subscribed, hopefully it will help you to get to the 100 subscribers you need to brand your channel. I think your lens looks good. It's just a different tool to use when taking stills and video. I also have one and love it for Instagram promotions with my wifes garden channel EcoFarmstead. It also comes in handy for those intro's or exit scenes ... I think you will be very happy with the Helios even if it's not the best one out of the 3 lenses. It's just a different tool. I will be watching your content moving forward Jon. --chris
Agreed, it does have pros and cons. Lack of sharpness does help give it a bit of vintage look though. I have also noticed that it does shift towards magenta in direct sun, but that can be adjusted in post by pushing green into the image around -3.
Sigma is so much better all the time .. helios is only good when you want a fucked up effect . i had 3 different helios 44 and the all were good on wide open aperture / after 4-5.6 picture looks even more boring than sigma
What other lenses would you like to see me compare to the Helios 44-2?
Helios 44-2 vs Helios 44M ------ Helios 44-2 vs Sigma 18-35mm 1.8
@@LucasFerreira-if7cp Great suggestions!
The Zeiss Biotar 58mm f/2
@@peter-andrepliassov4489 Thanks for the suggestion!
Helios feels like a dream, Sigma feels like reality
Exactly. Which is the answer to how to use it. Sigma: documentary, Helios: narrative. However, if you stop down Helios to about f/8, it looks much more like a modern lens, and most artifacts disappear.
Exactly.
What I was going to say! The Helios reminds me of sweet childhood, washed out and a bit blurry, but so warm and unique.
To be fair you can use a filter to get very close to what the helios is doing, you can't use a filter to get the info that the sigma is getting you. But if you want to get that dreamy effect fast the helios is a very cheap way of getting there. The only issue is you're going to struggle to get the focus right if you need something to actually be in focus.
@@AI3Dorinte in dream,not need to be focus all the time 😁
First comparison and i'm instantly sold. Sigma 24-70 is my go-to lens for past years now. And although it's a very good and nice lens which never disappoints me, sometimes my footage feels so simple and boring. This Helios is a world of difference so definitely going to pick up one to get more interesting footage and character.
Have fun! Let me know when you have filmed something with it so I can check out your video.
Way to be straightforward and to the point. No mindless chatter like other UA-camrs, appreciate it. Great work.
Thank you so much!
OMG, this is such a no brainer, the Helios is crushing this.
Like a lot of people, my first 35mm camera was a Zenit B with a Helios 44 lens (bought in the late 1960s if I recall right). Despite being totally manual it was great to use. Lost touch with it about 40 years ago (gave it away I think) and wish I still had it.
the 1st bridge shot
beyond perfection ❤️
Thanks for the kind words! That was shot in Alberta Canada, a beautiful place to visit.
Dang - those Helios are so warm and soft. Love it. Great comparison video dude.
Thanks! I love the look of the lens but would like to find it with a wider focal length like a 24mm.
@@JonathanRichey There is MIR-1V 37 mm 2.8 (MIP-1B in cyrilic) lens with a similar bokeh. I have it and I'm still testing it. If you find something even wider, let me know.
@@JonathanRichey Helios has a much harder to find 28mm lens which was made in Japan rather than Russia. I believe it still has the same unique characteristics like the bokeh and all, but im not entirely read up on it.
The Helios has been my go-to lens with my BMPCC6K Pro. I cant stop loving it lol.
On the Bmpcc 6k the helios becomes an 87mm or so right? How do you feel with this lens? 87mm is not always versatile.
Such a big difference! Haven't used my Helios much but will definitely get it into more projects soon.
great choice of lenses for comparisons! exactly what I needed to see, Thank you
My pleasure!
I have a Sony ZV E10, what kind of adapter is needed for these objects?
That camera uses Sony's E-mount lens system so here's a link to a couple options that may work:
amzn.to/4acqIgY
Thank you, it helps to discover the lens before buying it ! It seems to be a fantastic lens. Have a nice day 🍀
Your welcome!
Tu video es muy bonito e ilustrativo. Felicitaciones
Have you put a black mist filter on the helios for the shot at 2:00?
Nope, no filters were added to the lens.
Excellent work! I love the Helios, but sometimes the swirl can be a bit too much. But other than that, I love the colours and softness it produces. Looks like a movie.
There are versions of helios with less swirl 🙂
@@heroaomedia There are so many variations of this lens and lenses like it haha! Do you know of any lens specifically that has these general characteristics but just a little less extreme with the swirliness? There might even be a specific version of the 44-2 that is the least extreme? Thanks so much!
@@chrisbutler8856 Lomos are the closest with less swirl. Jupiters have the raw-ness of Helios without much of the swirl :)
@@heroaomedia Thanks!
I'm curious, which versions produce less swirl? Personally the swirl is what I love about this lens and version.
Great video 🤩
I’m gonna buy one for my self because of this
Which 44 -2 make is your using
Like Belomo, Valdai, KMZ
And is it 8 aperture blade or 6 aperture blade version?
Helios 44-2 simply wonderful, someday I will have a copy.
Brilliant video!!! Loving both the Sigma and Helios
Great work Jonathan! The bokeh looks epic
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Helios is instant love! Feels like a dream!
Thanks for watching! It is a pretty amazing lens.
I just received my first Helios 44-2. There is a serious problem if you have a Micro 4/3 camera. The resulting focal length will be double the 58mm. I had to order a .7 speed booster. Found one in China online for $89. Will see how that works.
Whoa, very interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! Let us know how the speed booster works out.
Once time upon i want to buy this lens badly. But now i want to test hole filter hack with sigma 30m/1.4 to achieve swirly bokeh look and add all the rest imperfections in post. Just lazy to turn manual rings by hand.
Interesting. What imperfections would you add in post?
Softness and chromatics. Not tested hack yet, bought uv filters tho, have no time yet.
Hi Jonathan,
I'm in the market for a Helios 44-2 58mm lens, and I've noticed that there are various brands and versions of this lens. Can you let me know which specific version or brand you used in your test?
Additionally, I've come across an anamorphic version of this lens. Would you recommend it? I'm a bit confused at the moment and would really appreciate your advice.
Thanks in advance and keep up the great work on your channel!
Hello there, here is the lens I used for this test: Helios 44-2 58mm, KMZ version, made in the 1980s.
Sorry, I've never used the anamorphic version of this lens so I can't give you any advice on it. But, I will say this. Filmmaking is a lot of trial and error and figuring out what you like and don't like. If you want to experiment with anamorphic lenses, I say go for it!
If you don't like it, then just sell it and buy something else to try.
Compared to the Sirui Anamorphic APS? Please
Interesting comparison. I'll see if I can get my hands on the the Sirui lenses. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@JonathanRichey Are you on Instagram? Facebook?
I have the Helios 44-2 it is a very sophisticated lens capable of great subtlety of expression. Although the differential bokeh is used by most at f2, the lens looks it’s best between f2.8 and f4, it is also very capable at f11 for a very sharp image with beautiful low contrast colour. Works best with a very deep, very large lens hood.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Nice work Jonathan --- thanks!
Glad you liked it!
I prefer the look of the helios.
Which helios build did you purchase? There are 3 different historical manufacturing builds.
Sorry I'm not sure. How do I figure that out?
@@JonathanRichey if you can send a photo of the front of the lens ? There is KMZ, MMZ or Valdai production (Valdai was the worst one).
KMZ symbol is an angled square with a jumping arrow going through, MMZ is that same angled square but with a rounded line inside, and Valdai is a weird arrow thingy
@@djentlover Ok so on my lens I have a rectangle next to a circle; going through both of those is a line with an arrow on the right side. Hope that helps.
@@JonathanRichey Yeah that's Valdai
1:35 it´s insanely beautiful
What type of Helios lens? KMZ, MMP, BelOMO, Valdai or Vileika? Thanks! I love bokeh and style your type of lens!
I have the KMZ version.
@@JonathanRichey thanks man! I have to look for one 🤭
@@hagrphotography No problem! If you look in the description of the video I have a link to the one I bought on Amazon.
Solid video. Great work. Still trying to find a WIDER lens to go with the Helios
wat?
There is a Helios 28mm 2.8 created in Japan. From what I can tell, it holds up to the Helios name. Not the same manufacture though
"WIDER" means what???
@@nickykodak7536 like a 24mm or 35mm
I use a 37mm MiR f2.8 with my Helios for a bit wider look.
What adapter exactly did you use? In the link there are all kinds
Which camera body do you have?
What adapter does the Helios need for a song e mount camera?
Here's the one I use for my Sony a7siii:
amzn.to/3NZbVhp
Hello, have you not had a problem with the focus?
I have a helios with metabones on a bmpc 4k and I can't focus more than 1 meter
I am shooting on a Sony with an adapter so I can't speak to how it performs with the BMPC4k. However when I am shooting wide open (f2) outdoors with an ND filter on and my subject is backlit I do have trouble focusing. I am not used to manual focus lenses and not a fan of the focus ring on the Helios, which is probably why I don't use it as often.
great vid! BTW what is your steady shot settings? is it maxed out? Planning to buy a helios44-2 soon and wondering if it's good with Sony's steady shot enabled. Thanks!
"Is it maxed out" is very trendy and cool to blurb out, but does it mean anything?
@@nickykodak7536"is it on the max setting?" -> is it on the highest setting? This comment made you look kinda dumb
On the Sony a7siii the Steady Shot options are: Off, Standard and Active. I typically keep it set at Standard.
Great work! Love it!
hows autofocus on helios? impossible?
Hello, the Helios 44-2 58mm is a manual focus lens only.
what about focus breath ?
That's a good question. I understand the concept but have not done any research yet on how the Helios lens handles focus breathing. Perhaps I will save that for a future video.
Beautiful composition and representation of both lenses. I'm guessing the Valdai version of the Helios?
I have a Sony alpha 7 iv. Will this lens mount on my camera? I'm pretty new to having a camera and I know that some lenses won't work on my camera. Will this one? And if it won't, what alternative lens would work?
Yes, this lens will work on that camera as long as you get the right adapter. If you look in the description you'll see a link to the one I use. Cheers.
Amazing work🔥🔥🔥
Thanks for watching!
Helios is just so dreamy
I agree!
The Helios photos look a lot like film.. or not like typical digital images
Agreed, that is one of the advantages of this lens, it instantly looks more film like.
little help ! what mount adapter should i be using for
a7iii for this lens?
I'll put a link to the adapter I bought in the description for you.
That's gonna be a good buy thx
What adapteer i need for sony E with helios 44?
You're in luck! I have a video already made about that:
ua-cam.com/users/shortsUCJ4L44PJJY?feature=share
does the image crop with sony to m42 adapter?
Hmmm...you know, I actually don't know if I've ever thought about that or tested it out. Maybe I should make a UA-cam video about that?
@@JonathanRichey Haha, Idk, but I asked someone on YT who makes videos using same setup about cropping and he said that there is no crop. So it can cover FF, but on APS-C there is cropping, somewhere around 1.5. I use this lens on my Fuji-XT2.
@@veeran5465 Hmmm... interesting. I have an old Sony a6500 crop sensor camera. Maybe I should do a comparison and see if there's any cropping just to be sure.
@@JonathanRichey great idea for a video 👍 Keep it up
The sigma is killer but man the Helios is SO GOOD! Love the look!
the look is crazy really good for close ups. get that emotion in the scene!
Yep, this lens does bring a lot of emotion into the scene. Check out my latest video where I talk about that same concept with the Helios.
Compare it to the Canon FD 55mm f1.2
Thanks for the idea!
Do you use a nd filter for the Helios 44-2
Yes I do! I like to shoot wide open for the best lens flares so in sunny conditions I screw on a variable ND.
@@JonathanRichey Hi! What is the adapter? Is it a speedbooster? Which model?
@@maxfalconforever I have a video on my channel talking about the adapter I use. Check out my 'shorts' tab.
@@maxfalconforever I updated the description with a link to the adapter I use.
Which version of the 44-2? Valdai, KMZ or Belomo? What year?
KMZ, not sure of the year though.
What color grade is this? Loving the colors!😍
Mark Bone Kodak High Con & Sat LUT
@@JonathanRicheybeautiful. Do you have a link to that by any chance? Keep up the great work
@@JonathanRicheyand also is this using the Sony correction LUT too? Thanks a lot
@@brotherjauffre770 Yes, I have another video on my channel going through the different LUTS from Mark Bone. If you look in the description you'll find a link where you can purchase them from Mark.
@@brotherjauffre770 Nope, didn't use a Sony correction LUT first, just Mark's creative LUTS.
Helios is great and I really enjoy my 44-4 but... I wouldn't use it as my main lens. Definitely a lens to have fun with
Agreed, I typically use it when I want to evoke specific emotions in the video.
Merci grand jd
Сейчас иностранцы так тащатся с этого Гелика 44-2, хотя в то время эти качества стекла были сродни браку. А теперь это не баг а фича)))
I love my helios 44-3😊
Great! what kind of stuff do you shoot?
Nice video
Thank you so much!
Nice
Hellio full cinema lens uffff
Thanks for watching!
I subscribed, hopefully it will help you to get to the 100 subscribers you need to brand your channel. I think your lens looks good. It's just a different tool to use when taking stills and video. I also have one and love it for Instagram promotions with my wifes garden channel EcoFarmstead. It also comes in handy for those intro's or exit scenes ... I think you will be very happy with the Helios even if it's not the best one out of the 3 lenses. It's just a different tool. I will be watching your content moving forward Jon. --chris
Thanks for subscribing!
调色真的好舒服呀
cinematic
Thanks for watching!
Гелиос для неспешно прогулки и творческого удовольствия, купил тоже себе классное размытие фона
У меня такой гелеос 44/2 с перевернутой линзой для художественной съемки
Helios is a daydream.
Привет ! У меня резкий 44-2 а у вас какое то мыло.
Helios has a nice bokeh, but the sharpnes and color are bad.
The lack of sharpness is what makes it great........
@@hornshoeij 100% right!
Agreed, it does have pros and cons. Lack of sharpness does help give it a bit of vintage look though. I have also noticed that it does shift towards magenta in direct sun, but that can be adjusted in post by pushing green into the image around -3.
Agreed, you typically buy vintage lenses because you don't want the digital look from modern lenses, which includes lack of sharpness.
Sigma is so much better all the time .. helios is only good when you want a fucked up effect . i had 3 different helios 44 and the all were good on wide open aperture / after 4-5.6 picture looks even more boring than sigma
You write in trendy fashionable tropes of hyperdense non-meaning, to be sure.
Yeah if you want to get the most emotion out of the Helios you gotta shoot wide open.
Nice