The aperture lock is actually for brighter/better focusing. Let's say you want to use f11 so you set the lock to f11. Since f11 being a pretty "dark" aperture, for focusing you wanna open the lens up all the way to f2. Then when you are ready to take the shot you can quickly close the lens back down to f11 without looking at the lens itself (cause you have locked it there). Hope that makes sense. Cool videos, keep it up!
Same deal on the Hasselblad 1600/1000f series lenses. I guess they (the USSR) got it from that camera when cloning it to become the Kiev 88 (aka Hasselbladski)
One of my favourite lenses. I think with more vintage lenses you kind of accept there will be softness and different quirks but that's a big part of their pull.
It’s also worth mentioning the higher the “dash number” (44-2, 44-4, 44-7 etc) the sharper they are. If the aperture lock puts anyone off the 44m variant has a conventional aperture ring and an auto/manual stop down switch. Great vid as always!
Note the logo on the lens. Most of them are made in the valdai factory, which is of lower quality than the ones produced in belomo and KMZ plants. Also there are countless versions like 44, 44-2, 44m, 44m-2 to 44m-7 and all of them have different generations of their own. For example I can think of at least 8 versions of the 44-2 alone, and that doesn’t count the differences from all 3 factories.
The idea of the aperture lock is that you select the aperture you want, But focus wide open, this allows for a lot of light through the viewfinder and it helps focusing When you are ready to take the shot, move the ring to stop down and shoot
I have the Helios 44-2 lens and have been using it off and on for the last 55 years. It is an amazing optic and incredibly versatile. Works best with a very deep and very large lens hood. As it has ultra low contrast, it takes a lot of getting used to. When it comes to bokeh, it’s a Biotar - get over it, and stop down to the sweet spot of f2.8 - not f2. At f8 to f16 it really sharpens up and becomes a lot more contrasty. Personally, I love the colour rendition. If it came to it, and my only option was one lens for the rest of my life ...... it would be the KMZ Helios 44-2.
I use my 44-6 on a digital aps-c sensor, gives me an 87mm equivalent and still keeps some of the swirl, great for portrait. I never used an earlier version, like the 44-2, but some people say that the later versions have a sharper center wide open, mine looks really sharp, but a slightly less pronounced swirl.
i don't any thing about film or film cameras. I stayed for the humor and because I thought the title said Halo as in THE XBOX Halo. I'm subscribed. BAM!
Mine arrived yesterday after being lost by the USPS for 5 months. My lens has made 3 trips across the Atlantic before making it to my door. There was the original shipment, then the trip back to the Ukrane because the USPs only reads postal codes not the name of the city onnthe address and cant figure out a package was sent to the wrong post office. USPS sent it back to the Ukrane for trip 2 across the Atlantic, 3rd try across the Atlantic and some how it made it to my door. I took a couple photos and saw the same softness you spoke about. Thanks for the tips.
Ah amazing, another video. I have every version of this lens and love it for stills and video. 44-2 is defo my fav. Has much lower contrast than the other 2. It's much cheaper here in the U.K.. I find it at car boot sales all the time for £5 Or less
I'm so glad this came up in my recommended! Not only was this video well made.. I LOVED your commentary. You've got yourself a new subscriber :) I've had my helios for almost 2 years now and it was my go-to lens for a while. I just love the look, it even gives digital photos a sort of softness that I love from film.
My personal favourite. I bought a soviet Zenit E SLR 35mm camera for 25€ and it came with a Helios 44-2 and it's honestly one of the best lenses I've ever used
Hey! I started watching your videos recently, and it got me interested in film photography. I managed by sheer luck to find a Zenit 122 in a thrift shop for €50. It came equipped with this lens, and I'm really enjoying using it so far.
woah, this is my first ever and favourite lens of all time mate! I'm using it on a Zenit 12XP, cause it's really hard to adapt it. just like it's hard to adapt to all my adult responsibilities.
Beautiful,beautiful lenses these are.For a moment one can go:”it’s a bit like Mirror innit…..”,honestly with the ‘bloom,and flare,but i agree portraits are best,very kind to faces.
Great video as always! Love the Helios! Mine is converted to Nikon F mount incl. infinity focus capability (which normally isn’t possible bc of the flange focal distance)
does it shoot as well with that mount and the infinity focus? I really want to purchase one for my nikon d7100 but im a little confused what exact helios lens to get and what sort of adapter would be best.
@@MINECRAFTandSEB I was also kind of confused so I bought the converted one from the beginning. Haven’t tried the non-converted one but I get the results I want. Totally worth the $50-60 I paid.
So, crazy story. I won’t tell it now, but I will say, I live in Paso Robles. Right there. I was picking up everything that you were laying down. Fun to see another photographer’s images of the town I live in. Not saying I’m the other photographer. That’s Ted. You & Ted. So thanks. And now I’m going to look up the Helios.
Great review! You mentioned that the two copies of the M42 Helios you bought were soft - I notice that they are both copies from the Valdai plant (Soviet equivalent of Walmart home-brand), you should try and find a Helios manufactured by KMZ/Zenit (same logo as your M39 version) - they're often of much higher quality.
Actually black lenz that you have its 3rd version like ps3 slim - cheaper and got some cons. Second is made in Minsk and got white marking instead of green. And its well made without any oil inside and give a little more contrast.
I got a helios 44 + Zenith EM for 30 bucks, glad to know its paid itself now. This is a very nice lens for video when adapted on a digital camera. ps. I wanna hug your dog.
Reverse the front element and see what happens.... I bought mine on EBay for $30. It shipped from Russia. It took 6 months to get to me. The "package" was round and white and the size of a softball. Removing the white plastic revealed that the lens had been wrapped in pipe insulation. But the lens was in great condition.
I had all versions from 44-2 to 44-7 but was not enthusiastic. In the contrary, still have the 44 silver version, which I consider a really great lens. Although it has the same optical formula with the 44-2 series, delivers images closer to my taste.
This lens is great but between my takumar 50mm f1.4 and the voiglander apo lanthar its the odd man out. the takumar is the best hands down IMO. Soft lenses are underrated tho I got my buddy to pick one up for his first lens on an a7 I sold him so he didn't break the bank as a noob
Well, at least you have very good taste in bourbon. Haven't tried a Helios yet. Played with the Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 for a spell and the Canon FL 55/1.2...kept the Canon and use the 55 on my film and digital gear.
The 'original' Helios 44 was also available in M42 (it was without the preset aperture afaik) - but 60$ for a 44-2 seems a bit much (sold my last one with a Zenit E for 30€).
Have you ever tried the nikkor 58mm f1.4 manual focus lens that was first produced in 1961. Has a very, and I mean narrow, focus range. Get the focus right, take a breath and you just lost focus. I have had that lens since my dad sold it to me in '66 and I have used it zero times. My dad spent the rest of his life laughing when he thought of me and that lens. He also hated it.
So apparently those older m39 silver Helios lenses have the same flange distance as m42 lenses which is why they have trouble focusing to infinity. You just need to screw on an m39 to m42 adapter and just use them as an m42 lens.
Love these bois, I have a normal one and a fake anamorphic modded one (aperture was replaced with an oval shape boi so it looks like your shot was expensive even tho it was like $45). The Helios 44M is also kind of hot and less swirly/soft but I broke mine bc I thought I could handle cleaning dust out of it.. I could not.
Ayden Byrnes I too have a fake anamorphic modded one, modded it myself but the screws have now broken. Looks very cool. I also added the fishing line to add flaring. You can get some very nice results from it. More of a hobby lens than anything you can use for some serious work. I like the Helios but struggling to find another decent one for the right price.
Was very surprised to see this lens in your reviews. I prefer some more modern like Helios 44-7 seems more sharp to me, also I have some modification of 44-K4 for Pentax. And they do not have the shitty lock of aperture and I can definitely advise to give them a second try :)
Hey Jason! When you say that you "You can actually get more accurate exposures this way - by riding the aperture dial until the light meter on the camera says you're perfectly exposed" - what does "the light meter on the camera says you're perfectly exposed" actually look like through the viewfinder? My AE-1 Program just shows me "suggested aperture" numbers, which seems a little hard to parse.
the Super Takumar 28mm or 35mm are somewhat similar, differences being the bokeh is more oval and obviously the f stop is only 2.8 so harder to get the dramatic fall off
I am years late to the party, but that aperture control design you call ass-backwards is actually why all the "F-stop" terms exist. You are stopping down the aperture. You put the F-stop ring to where you want it, focus and stop down your aperture before shooting. Of course automatic aperture made all this fuss obsolete, later Helios 44 versions had auto-aperture prong on their mount. I'd highly encourage everyone to try the newer multi-coated versions. They have noticeably better contrast and sharpness wide open while all the swirly swirl is just the same - only the coating changed.
I subscribed only because of your great sense of humour! Thank you. I saw myself in your speech....which is not good because no one wants to be like you.
Bro i like the 1st picture where you are underneath the tree, so close to the deer. But the composition with the 4 deer on top of the hill is more traditional. But the 1st one is more dynamic and interesting
The older versions allegedly are sharper than the newer ones. There are tales that the ones produced under Stalin's time had better QC because they would literally throw workers in the gulag if they though they were doing a bad job manufacturing the lenses.
I swear this is one of the best channels on youtube
agreed
Seconded
thirded
"forced"
5
The aperture lock is actually for brighter/better focusing.
Let's say you want to use f11 so you set the lock to f11. Since f11 being a pretty "dark" aperture, for focusing you wanna open the lens up all the way to f2. Then when you are ready to take the shot you can quickly close the lens back down to f11 without looking at the lens itself (cause you have locked it there). Hope that makes sense.
Cool videos, keep it up!
Ah yes that totally makes sense!
Да, так и задумано, на ЮПИТЕР-37А так же.
genius omg
Same deal on the Hasselblad 1600/1000f series lenses. I guess they (the USSR) got it from that camera when cloning it to become the Kiev 88 (aka Hasselbladski)
Similar to focusing on large format
his thanksgiving shots... on december...
cant wait for the christmas footage on valentines
Haha for real
Your picture at 4:41 is amazing man, can definitely see why that would be your all-time best.
One of my favourite lenses.
I think with more vintage lenses you kind of accept there will be softness and different quirks but that's a big part of their pull.
It’s also worth mentioning the higher the “dash number” (44-2, 44-4, 44-7 etc) the sharper they are. If the aperture lock puts anyone off the 44m variant has a conventional aperture ring and an auto/manual stop down switch. Great vid as always!
I can confirm my 44M is great, immaculate, came with a broken camera for £30, adapts perfectly onto mirrorless
Note the logo on the lens. Most of them are made in the valdai factory, which is of lower quality than the ones produced in belomo and KMZ plants. Also there are countless versions like 44, 44-2, 44m, 44m-2 to 44m-7 and all of them have different generations of their own. For example I can think of at least 8 versions of the 44-2 alone, and that doesn’t count the differences from all 3 factories.
I've only watch the first 13 seconds of this video so far. That may be the best opening to a UA-cam video I have ever seen
I hit the “like” button as the therapist comment was finishing.
My favorite part of this video and all other film photography videos is the photo of the side of a building.
The idea of the aperture lock is that you select the aperture you want,
But focus wide open, this allows for a lot of light through the viewfinder and it helps focusing
When you are ready to take the shot, move the ring to stop down and shoot
Thank you for healing my mental health
You are insanely good at what your are doing, whatever it is that you are doing. Thanks, looking forward to new videos.
I have the Helios 44-2 lens and have been using it off and on for the last 55 years. It is an amazing optic and incredibly versatile. Works best with a very deep and very large lens hood. As it has ultra low contrast, it takes a lot of getting used to. When it comes to bokeh, it’s a Biotar - get over it, and stop down to the sweet spot of f2.8 - not f2. At f8 to f16 it really sharpens up and becomes a lot more contrasty. Personally, I love the colour rendition. If it came to it, and my only option was one lens for the rest of my life ...... it would be the KMZ Helios 44-2.
I use my 44-6 on a digital aps-c sensor, gives me an 87mm equivalent and still keeps some of the swirl, great for portrait. I never used an earlier version, like the 44-2, but some people say that the later versions have a sharper center wide open, mine looks really sharp, but a slightly less pronounced swirl.
Self deprecating humour with healthy dose of sarcasm leads to a new subscriber. Great video, nice presenting style.
Helios? Heli-yes
Best lens evah!
44 likes ..!
58mm of likes, let's leave it at that товарищ
One of my favourite vintage lenses.
Love that swirly bokeh!👍
These lenses have such a dope look and the deer pic is so good man 👍
Bro that deer pic was insane!!! Looks beautiful
i don't any thing about film or film cameras. I stayed for the humor and because I thought the title said Halo as in THE XBOX Halo. I'm subscribed. BAM!
I use the same lens on my Sony a7iii, and images are looking almost the same as it would be shot on film. I love it!
Mine arrived yesterday after being lost by the USPS for 5 months. My lens has made 3 trips across the Atlantic before making it to my door. There was the original shipment, then the trip back to the Ukrane because the USPs only reads postal codes not the name of the city onnthe address and cant figure out a package was sent to the wrong post office. USPS sent it back to the Ukrane for trip 2 across the Atlantic, 3rd try across the Atlantic and some how it made it to my door. I took a couple photos and saw the same softness you spoke about. Thanks for the tips.
Your photographs are incredible man.
The best picture you took of those elk, looks amazing, top notch lad.
Ah amazing, another video.
I have every version of this lens and love it for stills and video. 44-2 is defo my fav. Has much lower contrast than the other 2. It's much cheaper here in the U.K.. I find it at car boot sales all the time for £5 Or less
I'm so glad this came up in my recommended! Not only was this video well made.. I LOVED your commentary. You've got yourself a new subscriber :) I've had my helios for almost 2 years now and it was my go-to lens for a while. I just love the look, it even gives digital photos a sort of softness that I love from film.
My personal favourite. I bought a soviet Zenit E SLR 35mm camera for 25€ and it came with a Helios 44-2 and it's honestly one of the best lenses I've ever used
Glad to see the channel growing.
I love your videos so much! Your sense of humor is gold!! keep uploading :)
6:33 I bought a 44-2 a good couple months ago and only realised now that there's an aperture lock...
killer shots man. great vid , as always
Hey! I started watching your videos recently, and it got me interested in film photography. I managed by sheer luck to find a Zenit 122 in a thrift shop for €50. It came equipped with this lens, and I'm really enjoying using it so far.
Freaking awesome videos, Have seen a bunch, learned a lot and I'm laughing the hell out of them!!! Respects!
woah, this is my first ever and favourite lens of all time mate!
I'm using it on a Zenit 12XP, cause it's really hard to adapt it.
just like it's hard to adapt to all my adult responsibilities.
I no longer shoot film, but we have similar subject interests, and I do love old school photos. Love your channel.
Beautiful,beautiful lenses these are.For a moment one can go:”it’s a bit like Mirror innit…..”,honestly with the ‘bloom,and flare,but i agree portraits are best,very kind to faces.
As usual, your videos are so funny yet educating😂😂😂
Great video as always! Love the Helios! Mine is converted to Nikon F mount incl. infinity focus capability (which normally isn’t possible bc of the flange focal distance)
does it shoot as well with that mount and the infinity focus? I really want to purchase one for my nikon d7100 but im a little confused what exact helios lens to get and what sort of adapter would be best.
@@MINECRAFTandSEB I was also kind of confused so I bought the converted one from the beginning. Haven’t tried the non-converted one but I get the results I want. Totally worth the $50-60 I paid.
So, crazy story. I won’t tell it now, but I will say, I live in Paso Robles. Right there. I was picking up everything that you were laying down. Fun to see another photographer’s images of the town I live in. Not saying I’m the other photographer. That’s Ted. You & Ted. So thanks. And now I’m going to look up the Helios.
Dude, you posted the video right after I got the lens. Didn't even watch the video yet and I know it's going to be interesting.
dude i love this video, it's as good as the office !
Thank you for having a sense of humour bro ❤️
Great review! You mentioned that the two copies of the M42 Helios you bought were soft - I notice that they are both copies from the Valdai plant (Soviet equivalent of Walmart home-brand), you should try and find a Helios manufactured by KMZ/Zenit (same logo as your M39 version) - they're often of much higher quality.
Love my Helios. Thanks for the video ! Bought mine on Ebay. It was 'de-clicked' and had focus gears applied for about $100.
So excited to hear there is a m42 to fd adapter
Finally some M42 love
Actually black lenz that you have its 3rd version like ps3 slim - cheaper and got some cons. Second is made in Minsk and got white marking instead of green. And its well made without any oil inside and give a little more contrast.
I got a helios 44 + Zenith EM for 30 bucks, glad to know its paid itself now. This is a very nice lens for video when adapted on a digital camera.
ps. I wanna hug your dog.
When the UA-cam recommendation comes in clutch
I think you're amazing. You're very skilled mate
Thanks, but I’m most interested in why Baxter is on a lead in the kitchen and at the dinner table?
Reverse the front element and see what happens....
I bought mine on EBay for $30. It shipped from Russia. It took 6 months to get to me. The "package" was round and white and the size of a softball. Removing the white plastic revealed that the lens had been wrapped in pipe insulation. But the lens was in great condition.
last time I came so quick I was at the premiere of cats
I had all versions from 44-2 to 44-7 but was not enthusiastic. In the contrary, still have the 44 silver version, which I consider a really great lens. Although it has the same optical formula with the 44-2 series, delivers images closer to my taste.
I have three of these lenses and I do love them I hadn’t used them in a while but mine are sharp and backgrounds are dreamy with bokeh :)
I've got this lens and it is quite sharp at f2 in the middle of the frame
You had me subscribing at “an aggressive amount of leopard skin”. 😂👌🏼
Love the content the only film photography Channel thats actually funny. Not saying uthers r bad just not that funny
I have one of the 13 blade silver ones on a Minolta srt 101. Love it. Chunky metal beast with a chrome lens 🤙
This lens is great but between my takumar 50mm f1.4 and the voiglander apo lanthar its the odd man out. the takumar is the best hands down IMO. Soft lenses are underrated tho I got my buddy to pick one up for his first lens on an a7 I sold him so he didn't break the bank as a noob
Well, at least you have very good taste in bourbon. Haven't tried a Helios yet. Played with the Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 for a spell and the Canon FL 55/1.2...kept the Canon and use the 55 on my film and digital gear.
The 'original' Helios 44 was also available in M42 (it was without the preset aperture afaik) - but 60$ for a 44-2 seems a bit much (sold my last one with a Zenit E for 30€).
Helios - Гелиос!) Спасибо чувак)
Have you ever tried the nikkor 58mm f1.4 manual focus lens that was first produced in 1961. Has a very, and I mean narrow, focus range. Get the focus right, take a breath and you just lost focus. I have had that lens since my dad sold it to me in '66 and I have used it zero times. My dad spent the rest of his life laughing when he thought of me and that lens. He also hated it.
Haha no haven't tried it but I can only imagine. I think there is a 1.2 version as well?
@@grainydaysss Since I never used this thing why would I be inclined to try one with even worse dof?
Great video. Thanks for sharing it. Have you try the Helios 40-2 85mm 1.5 ?
So apparently those older m39 silver Helios lenses have the same flange distance as m42 lenses which is why they have trouble focusing to infinity. You just need to screw on an m39 to m42 adapter and just use them as an m42 lens.
Can you please dedicate an entire video taking nothing but Baxter photos
Thanks
Seconded. Baxter for president
I agree. I subscribed because of the dog. Oh and the film photography too... I guess...
This video is the Christmas present I asked Santa for, thanks Santa
Thanks for the perspective
Love these bois, I have a normal one and a fake anamorphic modded one (aperture was replaced with an oval shape boi so it looks like your shot was expensive even tho it was like $45). The Helios 44M is also kind of hot and less swirly/soft but I broke mine bc I thought I could handle cleaning dust out of it.. I could not.
Ayden Byrnes I too have a fake anamorphic modded one, modded it myself but the screws have now broken. Looks very cool. I also added the fishing line to add flaring. You can get some very nice results from it. More of a hobby lens than anything you can use for some serious work. I like the Helios but struggling to find another decent one for the right price.
Always wanted to try that lens !
Still keep Summitar on my IIIc and IIIf, like old wine. 😀
Allready have one and I love it.
Was very surprised to see this lens in your reviews. I prefer some more modern like Helios 44-7 seems more sharp to me, also I have some modification of 44-K4 for Pentax. And they do not have the shitty lock of aperture and I can definitely advise to give them a second try :)
Oh this video is so relaxing after a day of sports and a cool shower on a hot summer day, in an air conditioned room, of course.
3 minutes into the video I bought one for my AE-1, so yeah, I'm convinced
It must vary between versions as mine looks like it was used as a clay shooting disc but its razor sharp wide open.
My Helios lens had a clicking aperture. I sold it recently though.
Likely a later 44-M
so Helios 44m-4 is one of version or this lens. Its form factor is more comfortable to use than 44-2 and it has same lens system inside.
Oh I dunno. The black and whites were pretty ballsack too. Thanks for sharing.
If you ever get the chance, try 7 Artisans. Really like their 25mm.
Hi Grayni,please do you can say to me what is adapter that you use, i have a canon AE-1 and i want use my helios lens in this camera!.
you're my favorite youtube channel
My results with Street Candy were kinda hit or miss. A bunch looked washed out with no contrast. Not sure I will use it again.
i have seen alot of reviews and cideos in this lense this was a nice unique fun and funny take epic
If i have a canon egos 650, which is a ef mount, would i still have to purchase an adapter to be able to use it with my camera
Was there a single image in this video which demonstrated the lens’ sagittal astigmatism?
I miss the whole-frame-burning flares shot wide open into direct sunlight 😝 in your captures...
Hey Jason! When you say that you "You can actually get more accurate exposures this way - by riding the aperture dial until the light meter on the camera says you're perfectly exposed" - what does "the light meter on the camera says you're perfectly exposed" actually look like through the viewfinder? My AE-1 Program just shows me "suggested aperture" numbers, which seems a little hard to parse.
I love your humour!
i love this lens so much but i don't get to use it that often
are you aware of any wider angle lens that share similar properties to this lens?
the Super Takumar 28mm or 35mm are somewhat similar, differences being the bokeh is more oval and obviously the f stop is only 2.8 so harder to get the dramatic fall off
I am years late to the party, but that aperture control design you call ass-backwards is actually why all the "F-stop" terms exist. You are stopping down the aperture. You put the F-stop ring to where you want it, focus and stop down your aperture before shooting. Of course automatic aperture made all this fuss obsolete, later Helios 44 versions had auto-aperture prong on their mount.
I'd highly encourage everyone to try the newer multi-coated versions. They have noticeably better contrast and sharpness wide open while all the swirly swirl is just the same - only the coating changed.
Love your style, all shill and all
I subscribed only because of your great sense of humour! Thank you. I saw myself in your speech....which is not good because no one wants to be like you.
why do you always have the power winder on your ae-1 if you don't ever use it?
Bro i like the 1st picture where you are underneath the tree, so close to the deer. But the composition with the 4 deer on top of the hill is more traditional. But the 1st one is more dynamic and interesting
The original helios 44 wasn't only silver and m39, but it has 13 blade diaphragm
What kind of glasses are you wearing if you don't mind me asking? They are dope.
No one has deserved a subscribe more than this channel 😂😂😂
The older versions allegedly are sharper than the newer ones. There are tales that the ones produced under Stalin's time had better QC because they would literally throw workers in the gulag if they though they were doing a bad job manufacturing the lenses.