Great review! My son had an extended holiday to Turkey to visit an old school friend. While touring the bazaars in Istambul he found a great camera store with good deals on used equipment. He knew that I had been looking for a Helios 44 and he surprised me by bringing back a KMZ-made 44M-4 in pristine condition and he says it was a very good deal. I love what it does on my Fuji X-T20 camera, especially if I can ever get any of my family to sit for portraits.
The old school single coatings are a double edged sword. I think they add boatloads of character on the silver Mir-1 37mm. On the other hand, I think the biotar optical design is particularly vulnerable to veiling flare and so that coating is not so fun on the helios 44. Likewise on the Helios 40, which has the worst contrast and flare resistance of any lens I've ever used and would really benefit from multicoating (the new production ones have it... for $600)
Excellent review! I have the Helios 44-2, unfortunately a rather old & tatty example 😢. Your channel is a fantastic resource. Thank you for all the hard work you do producing these videos 📸.
I'm not a soviet lenses fan, but now and then I stumble upon really interesting pieces. For example, my 44M-4 came incorrectly assembled in factory (Valdai) :D then, couple of rare editions which are referred as prototypes in some sources (44M and 44-2). Most interesting ones are old, silver 13 blade versions which seems to be closest to it's German father, the Carl Zeiss Biotar (but not the same, it sees that the Soviet mother gave something as well, especially the different coating)
Excellent review. I am looking for a Helios 44, I didn't decide which version yet, but via eBay there is a 44M-4 converted to F-mount available (from Ukraine) that I'm considering. The seller claims he did the F-mount conversion while retaining the original optical formula, i.e. not moving the rear lens element to prevent breaking the mirror. I am interested in a Helios 44 lens for my film cameras (FM3A and F100) because of its imperfections ("character" or "vintage" if you like ;-), that's why I shoot film) but also because on my digital APS-C camera (Z Fc) it will attain a 135 format equivalent focal length of 87mm, which I find a very useful focal length for portraits and detail photos. The 50 cm nearest focal distance helps with that. Of course there are other 56mm to 58mm options out there, but I must say the affordability is unmatched and the option of creating the swirly bokeh effect is a cool thing to try out. On my film cameras it will take more time to master the swirly bokeh trick (there no immediate feedback) and I don't know if this effect is so prominent on APS-C (sadly I don't have a full frame digital camera, yet...). Anyhow, many thanks for this overview, all the technical details and history, and the advice to check for the grease when buying second hand is invaluable.
Thanks! I have used a Helios on my old D700 and D3400 before that, on the crop body the bokeh swirl certainly isn't as prominent, but is still visible. Good luck finding a nice copy!
Wonderful stuff Alex! As usual thanks for giving some deeper information and facts on this lens. Most Helios 44 reviews are just top level google results but you clearly know your stuff. I also love the look of the Era 6m you're shooting on. Cheers!
Guys, I've got some Helioses, but the helicoid grease is old and doesn't work nicely. Can you please suggest a LIGHT grease which will not corrode brass which adds "sand" feeling (as many lithium ones do) and is relatively widely accessible? Sadly, Japan hobby and other similar special products aren't on all the markets
Heh. I have M42 KMZ Helios 44M 58mm F2 (8 aperture blades) and M42 Valdai Helios 44M-4 58mm F2 (6 aperture blades). Both like new. Central part at F2 has better detail resolution and less CA than relatively modern Pentax FA50/1.4 stopped down to F2. Contrast of Helios is weaker of course thanks to much weaker coating. Around F2.8-3.5 they are about equal in resolution and then FA wins. Pentax has much smoother bokeh of course too. My 44M-4 has auto aperture and requires small pin to be depressed by camera to close aperture, so I had to put a bit of plastic tube on that pin to keep the aperture in preset mode. The older 44M simply has set button for finger operation and does not require any modification. I bought 44M-4 in 2008 for about $8 equivallent including transport and 44M a bit later around 2017 with KMZ Zenit TTL camera for about $20 equivallent :D :D :D
I just got a Fujifilm X-T5 after years of shooting Nikon, and I love it. I've been checking out the TTArtisan stuff and it looks interesting, especially for the price.
@@SovietLensReviews Thank you. Thn i think it is a tempered copy. the strange thing is I have compared its image quality with earlier version i.e. 44-2 and I found it is absolutely similar.
Apparently if it doesn't have the 'auto' button on the side it isn't a proper 44m. Mine doesn't have that button but the ring says it is a 44m. I'm not sure if they are fakes or something else?
No, that's not the case. The Soviets made many different barrels for each type of Helios-44, some were just produced in much lower numbers (ie. when a factory randomly decided to update barrel design for a short time).
No they aren't. They're just annoying. Sticky focus rings, stuck aperture blades, broken aperture rings. Got a 44M with all three of those problems. One of my 44M-4s has a stiff focus. But the other is perfect. Doesn't fight you at all, and make for a better experience all for it. All three of them give out the same image.
Great video. You have rekindled that gnawing feeling I've had for years about getting one of those lenses.
They're so much fun! Thanks for watching.
Great review! My son had an extended holiday to Turkey to visit an old school friend. While touring the bazaars in Istambul he found a great camera store with good deals on used equipment. He knew that I had been looking for a Helios 44 and he surprised me by bringing back a KMZ-made 44M-4 in pristine condition and he says it was a very good deal. I love what it does on my Fuji X-T20 camera, especially if I can ever get any of my family to sit for portraits.
I have 44-2 and I love it
1:49
1985 was about when 44M-4 were starting to be produced? But I have a KMZ 44M-4 from 1982. That's 3 years earlier!
Yep, check the little caption I added underneath that timestamp
Oops, hadn't seen that 😅@@SovietLensReviews
The old school single coatings are a double edged sword. I think they add boatloads of character on the silver Mir-1 37mm. On the other hand, I think the biotar optical design is particularly vulnerable to veiling flare and so that coating is not so fun on the helios 44. Likewise on the Helios 40, which has the worst contrast and flare resistance of any lens I've ever used and would really benefit from multicoating (the new production ones have it... for $600)
Excellent review! I have the Helios 44-2, unfortunately a rather old & tatty example 😢. Your channel is a fantastic resource. Thank you for all the hard work you do producing these videos 📸.
Perfect excuse to pick up a newer copy! Thanks for watching.
UV filter will not help, it will do the opposite, it will reduce contrast and cause even more flaring
I'm not a soviet lenses fan, but now and then I stumble upon really interesting pieces. For example, my 44M-4 came incorrectly assembled in factory (Valdai) :D then, couple of rare editions which are referred as prototypes in some sources (44M and 44-2). Most interesting ones are old, silver 13 blade versions which seems to be closest to it's German father, the Carl Zeiss Biotar (but not the same, it sees that the Soviet mother gave something as well, especially the different coating)
Nice, the old 13 blade ones (with the full silver/polished body) are pretty cool!
Привет! Excellent review, the lens is really heavy and solid, it seems that it will live for a hundred years.
Привет, спасибо! It is a very sturdy lens, for sure.
Interesting! I just ordered a 44m-4, my first Soviet lens. Didn't know the first two digits of the sn are the year. Looks like I'm getting an '87.
Nice, enjoy your new (old?) lens!
I Have one, from 1983. Bought it together with Zenit 12 XP film camera for less than 50€.
That's quite an early copy for the M-4, nice!
Excellent review. I am looking for a Helios 44, I didn't decide which version yet, but via eBay there is a 44M-4 converted to F-mount available (from Ukraine) that I'm considering. The seller claims he did the F-mount conversion while retaining the original optical formula, i.e. not moving the rear lens element to prevent breaking the mirror. I am interested in a Helios 44 lens for my film cameras (FM3A and F100) because of its imperfections ("character" or "vintage" if you like ;-), that's why I shoot film) but also because on my digital APS-C camera (Z Fc) it will attain a 135 format equivalent focal length of 87mm, which I find a very useful focal length for portraits and detail photos. The 50 cm nearest focal distance helps with that. Of course there are other 56mm to 58mm options out there, but I must say the affordability is unmatched and the option of creating the swirly bokeh effect is a cool thing to try out. On my film cameras it will take more time to master the swirly bokeh trick (there no immediate feedback) and I don't know if this effect is so prominent on APS-C (sadly I don't have a full frame digital camera, yet...). Anyhow, many thanks for this overview, all the technical details and history, and the advice to check for the grease when buying second hand is invaluable.
Thanks! I have used a Helios on my old D700 and D3400 before that, on the crop body the bokeh swirl certainly isn't as prominent, but is still visible. Good luck finding a nice copy!
Wonderful stuff Alex!
As usual thanks for giving some deeper information and facts on this lens. Most Helios 44 reviews are just top level google results but you clearly know your stuff. I also love the look of the Era 6m you're shooting on. Cheers!
The ERA 6M really shows up well, doesn't it! Cheers Eric!
I pay my 44m-4 6€
Guys, I've got some Helioses, but the helicoid grease is old and doesn't work nicely. Can you please suggest a LIGHT grease which will not corrode brass which adds "sand" feeling (as many lithium ones do) and is relatively widely accessible? Sadly, Japan hobby and other similar special products aren't on all the markets
I'd recommend checking out this guide, he uses the correct type of grease: ua-cam.com/video/Bu0uyJGJs3E/v-deo.html
Does it have more swirly bokeh than the 44-2?
Heh. I have M42 KMZ Helios 44M 58mm F2 (8 aperture blades) and M42 Valdai Helios 44M-4 58mm F2 (6 aperture blades). Both like new. Central part at F2 has better detail resolution and less CA than relatively modern Pentax FA50/1.4 stopped down to F2. Contrast of Helios is weaker of course thanks to much weaker coating. Around F2.8-3.5 they are about equal in resolution and then FA wins. Pentax has much smoother bokeh of course too.
My 44M-4 has auto aperture and requires small pin to be depressed by camera to close aperture, so I had to put a bit of plastic tube on that pin to keep the aperture in preset mode. The older 44M simply has set button for finger operation and does not require any modification.
I bought 44M-4 in 2008 for about $8 equivallent including transport and 44M a bit later around 2017 with KMZ Zenit TTL camera for about $20 equivallent :D :D :D
Interesting, I've never had the chance to use a Pentax before! Great deal on both of those Helioses.
This could be the next vintage lens TTArtisan produces new in M42 mount. Did you purchase your copy off eBay?
Could be! I did purchase my copy off eBay, from an Aussie seller who bundled it in with a Photosniper kit
I just got a Fujifilm X-T5 after years of shooting Nikon, and I love it. I've been checking out the TTArtisan stuff and it looks interesting, especially for the price.
hi, I have a 44-4 copy. Its front ring moves freely where the "Helios 44-4 is written. Do you think it's normal?
That's not normal, you should tighten it up if you can. Maybe use a toothpick or other thin piece of metal if you don't have the correct tool already.
@@SovietLensReviews Thank you. Thn i think it is a tempered copy. the strange thing is I have compared its image quality with earlier version i.e. 44-2 and I found it is absolutely similar.
Apparently if it doesn't have the 'auto' button on the side it isn't a proper 44m. Mine doesn't have that button but the ring says it is a 44m. I'm not sure if they are fakes or something else?
No, that's not the case. The Soviets made many different barrels for each type of Helios-44, some were just produced in much lower numbers (ie. when a factory randomly decided to update barrel design for a short time).
Good! How about 44m-6??
A good option too! Slightly sharper and maybe a bit more resistant to flare.
But the imperfect ones are more interesting
No they aren't. They're just annoying. Sticky focus rings, stuck aperture blades, broken aperture rings.
Got a 44M with all three of those problems. One of my 44M-4s has a stiff focus. But the other is perfect. Doesn't fight you at all, and make for a better experience all for it.
All three of them give out the same image.