Helios 44m lens. Ultimate buying guide.
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- In this review i talk about fine differences of all 8 versions of famous Helios 44m lens and reasonably explain which one is a best buy.
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00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Helios 44m-development of helios 44-2
02:45 - Details about helios 44m
05:00 - Production timeline
06:23 - Type1
08:12 - Type2
09:10 - Type3
10:18 - Type4
11:13 - Type5
13:03 - Type6
13:44 - Type7
14:46 - Type8
15:24 - 3 most widespread mods
16:27 - Bokeh test
17:14 - Counterlight performance test
17:57 - Chart test at wide open and f/4
18:00 - Overall image quality test
19:57 - Conclusion
type4 rare MC version available here www.ebay.com/itm/225741704885
helios 44m tuned for filmmakers with anamorphic bokeh www.ebay.com/itm/225741805745
helios 44m tuned for filmmakers with metal follow focus gears
www.ebay.com/itm/325678509453
helios 44m KMZ made, tuned for filmmakers with anamorphic bokeh www.ebay.com/itm/325417315049
helios 44m KMZ made, tuned for filmmakers with anamorphic bokeh and flare www.ebay.com/itm/325417315049
Thanks for your kind guidance. I like helios lens. I have seven copies including 44-2, m, m6 & m7. They are great.
Thanks for the tutorial on Helios lenses. I'm enjoying the Helios lens I recently purchased from you....thanks for the fast delivery.
bought one from his ebay shop.. item in immaculate condition. not even a single dust. LIKE!
thanks for letting me sold me on getting one.
Yesterday, I bought a Zenit 11 that was in very good condition, and it also came with the type 6 Helios-44m. I am very happy to see that this lens will produce great images years to come!
An excellent, informative review. Just brilliant. Thank you so much.....!!!
Bless you for sharing this amazing content and knowledge !
My pleasure!
Always very useful and informative videos, thank you!!
Glad you like them!
Great Video with a lot of hidden knowledge. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video, thanks! I will visit your store.
I just ordered the 44-2 kmz version from 1974 as 74 is the number on it. Cant wait to try it!
Good information. Thanks.
I have the "type 7" 1984 and mine is excellent, no oil on the blades, it is solid and work perfectly.
It all comes down to the condition of the lens. Cheers!
Where did you buy it
@@rafid6419 ebay many years ago... Came from an ex soviet country. Can't recal which one.
Fantastic and really helpful video. I managed to pick up what I can now see is a type 3 Helios 44M from 1978 on ebay in absolute mint condition for £20. The focussing is stiff so I am going to follow your cleaning guide. Thanks again. Love your channel.
Glad it helped!
I have the same type 3 lens from 1978, my father had purchased it during his trip to Russia.
I bought Type 7 today. I paid less than $20. It's a pity I haven't seen your video before that) Anyway, my example is without any signs of oil on aperture blades. Focus ring moves smoothly. Going to use it on Sony a6400. I hope it will perform well.
Thank you for this great video.
How did it perform on your Sony a6400? Were you able to get that bokeh?
Very informative. I picked up a type 3 yesterday. It's a nice and pleasant surprise to hear that it's one of the rarer ones. It's in perfect working order.
Glad it helps!
A type 3 was recently advertized here locally at a very reasonable price and I have made initial contact with the seller. Looking at the images produced by the type 3 in your tests they looked comparable to the other models. I'm guessing that the down side with the type 3 is that it is a little bit older and no coating on the lens unless I missed something else, so I may go ahead with the purchase of this lens. Thank you for a first class highly informative video.
helios 44-2 family has uncoated glass
I have got KMZ Helios lens44m 1980. Zenith 15 camera very rare.
I have a type 7 44m. My husband found it for me and didn't know any better, but it's fine. I do need to take it apart and re-grease it, but the oil on the apertures does not seem to affect the image quality and I've shot some pretty nice portraits with it that printed out beautifully. And, as far as build quality goes, compared to some of the plastic garbage being shoved in our faces these days, it's really not bad. Maybe not as smooth as it could be, but better than quite a few lenses I've handled. I guess my point is that you don't need to be necessarily scared off by the 7. Especially if you get it for free or near free. Just sayin'.
Exactly. Thanks for you input!
Really good video! How do the helios 44m compare with the 44m-4 , 44m-6, etc?
helios 44m is best in my opinion. Higher quality build and 8 blades iris, m4 and m6 have 6 blades iris with hexagons as bokeh shape
Hello, thanks so much for your dedication on these types of lenses, you're the bible of helios lenses !😃
Is there any way to make the body controlled aperture switch on modern cameras like the Sony A7?
Thanks in advance for your answer!
Hi!
No, this is not possible
@@RetroFotoHouse Thanks for your answer!
Thanks for the great work. It would be great to have a Mir 1/b/v buying Guide. I Just got a kmz 00 Mir 1 (should be good, right?) M39 that is VERY soft. Much softer than a regular 80's m42 Mir 1b i tested. It would be great to know your thoughts about the versions. Thanks
Coming soon, please subscribe)
I got a KMZ Helios 44M from 1981 - love it. I pair it to an anamorphic adapter. Did you re-upload this video ? I thought I saw it
No, this is new video. I have similar about helios 44-2
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
After watching your video a couple of times I searched on eBay and made a purchase.
Someone had a KMZ (Type 2) logo design with what appears to be the wider focusing ring. It’s also coming with the camera and a case.
One difference is the font on the front is like Type 3 with Latin lettering however the serial number is on the front of the lens like Type 2.
Have you seen any like this?
I’d be happy to send you photos once it arrives if it helps you with your research.
Interesting. Please send me fotos, never seen this before. Would be much appreciated.
Hi! Thank for this guide! Between two equal condition lens, which one would you choose: 44-2 or 44m?
me personally i like 44m more: better build quality and a bit sharper at wide open, with just a bit less swirl in bokeh
I love the little details , seems I have a type 3 woo hoo! With serial number 095888 , any guess at what year it is? And how many there was?
So happy to have a rare version of something made so many times.
this is early serial, i think it is from 1976-77, but can't say exactly
got type 3(1977) today for around $20, blades are dirty but aperture works smoothly, focusing ring is a bit stiff (need to re-grease for sure) + it has zero scratches, original case and caps. The only thing I'm not sure if its fine or not but rind with serial number is a bit loose.
To know if it is fine, you should make a tests
Your video was very helpful! Is there any way to identify the type by the serial number? My version shares the "made in USSR" marking of type 3 and was also made in 1976 but on the front there's the newer KMZ logo of type 6.
Your lens is a type 3. Notice the focus scale, yours will have 0.65 and 1.15 markings which the type 6 lacks, in addition to the missing "Made in USSR" lettering which your lens has.
I love this video. Though i have a question.... What are differences between these lenses and helios 44m-7 58mm? I have one and its produced in 90s.... It has a bit different markings on the front ring.... Personally i love mine... I even used it with extension tubes for macro.... Its pretty sharp.
Thank you
helios 44m-7 is better, it was the latest development in helios 44m line
@@RetroFotoHouse, is this the overall best version of all Helios 44 50mm?
Mine looks like type 6 but it is not marked with Latin letters. Looks exactly the same as type 4 but without the "MC" mark.
Aww man! Got a Type 7 Helios! Now after watching your guide I feel bad for buying it :(
helios 44m-7 is better, it was the latest development in helios 44m line
it is not about helios 44m7, he is talking about type 7 helios 44-2
well, you can always return it i think :)
I seem to have a mixture between a Type 2 and 3. It has the wide aperture ring and a 037228 serial number on the front but says HELIOS on the front and MADE IN USSR on the bottom. Maybe an early export model of the lens? It came with a Zenit EM from 1974.
please show me yours at retrofotohouse@gmail.com
THx for sharing. I own a Helios build 1987, production plant as your type 7, however, without the manual and automatic switch. No oily blades and easy to turn. What's your opinion about this lens?
You own a helios 44m-4 i think. This is further development of helios 44m lens
Hi there and thank you for all the reviews you have made. What do you think of the 44m-4 compared the 44m
In 2 words-44m is better
@@RetroFotoHouse thank do you have a link where I could find the belomo type 8. ?
@@Djk0t www.ebay.com/itm/203106957395
@@RetroFotoHouse this does not ship to Europe.
Hi, great content. If I may ask, which type would be KMZ Helios 44m 7714476 Made in USSR. What's your overall option on that one? I paid around 35 eur for it.
Thanks in advance.
i think you have type 3. That one is a good quality. Are you happy with it?
I just found a Helios 44M on Marketplace for 15$, i only have to check it's conditions, wish me luck
Any tip to be aware of?
Awesome video. I absolutely love my Helios 44m. I assume mine is a version 6 and apologies if you addressed this in the video and I missed it, but is there a way to know the difference between v3 and V6? Mine is from 1978 KMZ plant.
Please watch my video attentively. I describe all versions exhaustively
@@RetroFotoHouse Unfortunately there is no differences described between them. I watched few times and still no clue.
I have the same issue, type 3 and 6 seem to be the same, except for the early serial number of type 3?
Nevermind - Check the KMZ logo! Later Version (v6) has different logo that allows identification
If the focus scale on your lens has the 0.65 and 1.15 markings, it's a type 3. The type 6 lacks these two readings.
Excellent video. Just want to ask you about a type 3 44M lens I have and the serial number. It is 083468, so is shorter than most and does not seem to correspond to a year. I thought it might have had a number omitted during manufacture. Have you any ideas about this lens?
I do not think number was omitted, it is just early production
@@RetroFotoHouse Ok, many thanks.
Excelent content, I have an Helios 44-2 from KMZ, the serial is 7507027, it is worthy? thanks
yes, it is decent one
In your opinion, which factory is best quality for 44M-4? Many thanks.
KMZ, but differecies in quality are not so obivious in helios 44m-4, contrary to helios 44-2 production
Hi, really great review! May I ask a question? Someone offered a m42 44 Helios with 13 blades and a 00 Xxxxx serial number to me. Is it true that they were build for politicians and have a higher quality? Is it then worth a price close to 100€? Thank you
No, it is not true. Yes, it worth 100 euro, but you need to check twice glass condition, as these lenses are very old and often they have lot of scratches on optics. If you get a nice copy without scratches, you'll be happy with it
@@RetroFotoHouse Thank you Expert 😀
for what type of photograhy is helios 44m-4 best to use and for what is 44m? what are the differences between these two?
basically helios 44m-4 has higher optical resolution power, as it is newer model, however it has 6 blades iris, helios 44m has 8. Me personally i love 44m more, but this is matter of taste
Hello, you didnt mention if Cosmogon is MC or SC? There are rumors this version besides being rare is also a bit "improved"?
As far as i see-it has singlecoated optics
I guess I have a type 3 but serial number is 069255 ????? does it mean its from 1980 ? It also has a wide focus ring
no, it is made in the mid 1970thies, but what year excatly i can't say
Hi, could you help me identify this Helios 44M Lens?
imgur.com/a/d9PZepN
Its KMZ but it has the Serial Number on the Front of the Lens instead of the side. And it has Latin Letters. I think maybe its an earyly export version befor the shifted to printing the serial number on the side? Anybody knows this Lens? Its definetly an 44M, cause it has 8 Blades instead of 6.
i beleive this is type 2
How do you tell the difference between Type 3 and Type 6?
Type 3 has a bigger KMZ sign on front ring
@@RetroFotoHouse, would you recommend the 44M over the 44M-4? Will you do a guide for the 44M-4 series?
My version doesn't have the silver Auto button on the side?
if so, it is not helios 44m
@@RetroFotoHouseInteresting, it is labeled 44m-4 is it either unusual or some form or fake?
Valdai type 7 without the auto manual button.
@@sapienproductionsThe Helios 44m-4 is just a different anda earlier version of the 44m
It's not fake at all
@@victorlima1503okay, mine is a 44m-4 from 1987 judging by the prefixed '87' on the serial number. I thought 1987 builds were the later not quite as good as the earliest build 44m?
Buying an earlier version of Type 6 .... 14,000 serial
Hi! I bought a Zenit camera, has the Helios-44M-4, but it's different from theese versions. The year is 84' and it doesn't have a manul switch.Some other small differencies. It looks like this: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helios-44M-4_2,0_-_58.jpg
you have a different lens. I talk here about helios 44m, yours is different model.
You haven't posted in several months. I hope that you and your family are safe. Slava Ukrani!
my helios 44m is not here
how is yours?
I obtained a prototype version serial number 006835